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Ten Helps to Abundant Living
Basis=Phil 4:4-13
Introduction:
(1) The American Dream is to be filthy rich
-- often think that if we had all the money we needed,
we'd have it "made in the shade".
-- wealth is a universal dream as witnessed by the song
"if I were a rich man" in Fiddler On The Roof.
(2) The Bible has alot to say about riches and poverty
-- mainly that abundant living does not require wealth
-- Jesus has promised us abundance in life, but not
necessarily wealth, John 10:10
-- How can we obtain the abundant life Jesus has
promised?
(3) Phil 4:4-13 gives 10 ways we can live abundantly.
I. Have A Joyful Approach To Life, vs 4
(1) "happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a
manner of traveling"...not an object to pursue, but
an attitude to have.
(2) Abundant living is waking up in the morning and
saying with David, "This is the day that the Lord
has made. Let us rejoice and be glad". Ps 118:24
(is your alarm clock a friend or enemy?)
-- meet your family joyfully every morning
-- go to work or school with a happy attitude
-- come home praising God for a wonderful life.
(3) Act happy even if you don't feel happy.
NOTE: paragraph(2) above items shown by "--"
including (3) above: if you do this, you are on your
way to abundant living.
(4) Anecdotes, p 257: title: Happiness. "The teacher of a
primary class in Sunday school was mildly hipped on
the happiness theme. It was her custom on Sabbath
morning to inquire of each tiny tot what he or she had
done in the course of the week to make some person
happy." "When it came time for Eunice's turn she
deliberated for some time and finally said, "Well, I
spent an afternoon at my aunt's house...and when I
went home she was happy."
Look for ways to make others happy
II. Treat Others Gently, vs 5a (moderation KJV)
we live in a harsh world
(1) NIV "Let your gentless be evident to all"
(2) Vine defines the word as "equitable, fair,
moderate, not insisting on the letter of the law...
it expreses a considerateness that looks humanely
and reasonably at the facts" Allow people to make
mistakes.
(3) Don't be quick to judge and condemn, Mt 7:1-5
(4) "It is only imperfection that complains of what is
imperfect. The more perfect we are, the more
gentle and quiet we become towards the defects of
others" ...Francois Fenelon
(5) Abundant living is learning to treat others gently
III. Feel The Nearness of the Lord, vs 5b (at hand-KJV)
(1) There are times in life when we feel so alone
(2) This is when it is especially comforting to know
that the Lord has promised to be with us always, Mt
28:20
(3) SONG: What a friend we have in Jesus.
(4) This is one thing that seperates a Christian from
the world...the Lord will never leave us, Heb
13:5,6
IV. Tell God What You Need, vs 6
(1) Phillips: "Don't worry over anything whatever.
Tell God every detail of your needs in earnest and
thankful prayer."
(2) Isa 58:9, Lk 11:9-13
(3) Learn to pray in detail (child's prayer at meal,
thank for corn, meat, etc) and thank Him for the
answers.
(4) Anecdote: p. 326,327 "A little boy who had been
taught to pray found himself sliding down a roof,
apparently to a serious fall." "O, Lord" he prayed
hurriedly, "save me! Save me!" "Just then a nail
caught his pants, and he added a postscript: "Never
mind, Lord; a nail has done it for you."
"When your life knocks you to your knees...well,
that's the proper position in which to pray, isn't
it?"
V. Accept The Peace of God, vs 7
(1) After you have told God in detail your needs, trust
Him for the way He will answer.
(2) Accept the peace of mind that comes from knowing God
has complete control of your life, Rom 8:28, John
14:27; 16:33
(3) God can grant a calmness to your soul that can come
through no other means...riches, rest, work, etc.
(4) Anecdote: p.313 Abundant living seals the peace of
God, and accepts it.
"The late Ramsay MacDonald, former prime minister of
England, was discussing the possibility of lasting
peace with another government official. The latter
was unimpressed with the prime minister's viewpoint."
"the desire for peace" he said cynically, "does not
necessarily insure peace".
"quite true," admitted MacDonald. "Neither does the
desire for food satisfy hunger. But at least it gets
you started toward a restaurant"
VI. Think About Good Things, vs 8
(1) The Bible teaches we are what we think, Prov 23:7
(2) We can choose to fill our minds with obscene,
vulgar, worldly thoughts.
(3) we can choose to think about the holy, right,
beautiful and good.
(4) The more wholesome our thoughts become, the more
wholesome our lives will become.
(5) Try to learn to think like Jesus did, Phil 2:1-5
VII. Imitate Good People, vs 9 (and the good in people)
(1) I Cor 11:1
(2) Look around for good people to imitate
(3) too often we only see flaws in people...be good
finders
(4) Francis Bacon: "He that gives good advice builds
with one hand; he that gives good counsel and
example builds with both; but he that gives good
admonition and bad example builds with one hand and
pulls down with the other."
Let's praise people for their good points and
imitate.
(5) Abundant living is learning good from anybody.
VIII. Depend on Others, vs 10
(1) Paul was not too proud to say he needed help
(2) One of the values of true Christianity is the help
each other, Gal 6:2; Rom 15:1; Act 4:32-35
(3) Anecdotes: p.318 The kids were holding forth at
length on their future careers. "And what are you
going to be?" someone asked Freddy. "Oh," replied
that observing youngster, "I'm going to be a
philanthropist. Those fellows always seem to have
such a lot of money!"
(4) Abundant living realizes that we need God and each
other.
(5) We only hurt ourselves when we never ask for help.
IX. Look For Happiness In Things Other Than Possessions,
vs 11-12
(1) Happiness does not depend on circumstances, but our
attitude toward those circumstances.
(2) I Tim 6:6-10
(3) Anecdote: p.191 - A Quaker put up a sign on a vacant
piece of ground next to his house: "I will give
this lot to anyone who is really satisfied." A
wealthy farmer, as he rode by, read it. Stopping,
he said, "Since my Quaker friend is going to give
that piece away, I may as well have it as anyone
else. I am rich. I have all I need, so I am able
to qualify." He went up to the door and explained
why he had come. "And is thee really satisfied?"
asked the Quaker. "I have all I need and am well
satisfied." "Friend," said the other, "if thee is
satisfied, what does thee want with my lot?"
(4) I Tim 6:11, 17-19 - take hold of that which is "life
indeed".
(5) Lk 12:15
X. Draw On The Power of Christ, vs 13
(1) Abundant living is impossible without the power of
Christ.
(2) The world may be able to imitate some of the
qualities we've been discussing, but they are only a
shallow sampling.
(3) Real abundant living is possible only by claiming
the power of Christ...only by being "in Christ".
-- "in the Lord", 4:4
-- "Lord is near", 4:5
-- pray "to God", 4:6
-- "in Christ Jesus", 4:7
-- "in the Lord", 4:10
-- "through Him", 4:13
(4) Abundant living without Christ is impossible.
Conclusion:
(1) Are you living the abundant life?
(2) If not, why not?
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Henk Frijters
www.folsom.sk.ca/gohere.html
SermonsOnTheNet
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