This weekend, Pastor Bill Johnston began a new message series entitled “Fullness.” Fullness conjures up all kinds of images – super sized coffee mugs, a full tank of gas, bowls overflowing with fruit, or a river in flood season. But fullness isn’t always necessarily about size. Fullness is about the kind and quality of life that Jesus makes possible for us to live.

FULLNESS: FULLNESS OF LIFE

Message by Bill Johnston – July 15, 2018

John 10:7-10 He explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

 

FULLNESS OF LIFE…

1. IS ABOUT A MUTUAL RELATIONSHIP

John 10:7,9 I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep…Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved.

Ephesians 3:17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him.

 

2. HAS BUILT-IN PURPOSE

John 10:8,10 All who came before me were thieves and robbers … The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.

John 10:10b My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

Ephesians 3:19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

 

3. HAS RELATIONAL MARKERS

a. VOICE RECOGNITION

John 10:3,5 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him… They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.

b. NAME RECOGNITION

John 10:3b He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

c. FACIAL RECOGNITION

John 10:14,27 I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me … My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

d. BEHAVIOURAL RECOGNITION

John 10:4,8-9 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them … They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.

 

TAKEAWAY

  • Is my journey with Jesus based more on what I can get out of the relationship, or on doing life together?
  • On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your “fullness of life” tank today? What would it take get the needle to the next level?
  • Of the three relational markers, which one most resonates with you, and why?
  • We relate the best with those we trust the most. Do you trust Jesus to live His life in you, and to experience the fullest expression of its potential? What’s the next step?
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