Born To Live!

"The thief comes only to kill and steal and destroy; I come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

This verse gives us 3 promises from Jesus.

1. The promise of incarnation. Jesus says, "I come..." He became a human to save us. This principle is the foundation of Christianity. Jesus was a person, a complete human. He has a soul and emotions. How amazing that our Savior became flesh and blood just to redeem us! These are some verses to remind us how Jesus became a man for us.

• "For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people." Hebrews 2:17
• "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14
• "Then he said to them, 'My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.'" Matthew 26:38
• "When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled." John 11:33
• "Jesus wept." John 11:35

2. The Promise of Salvation Jesus came to give us redemption. "I came that they may have life..."

• "For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive." 1 Corinthians 15:22
• "For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 5:9
• "...who has saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace." 2 Timothy 1:9
• "Salvation is found in one one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12

3. The Promise of Celebration "I came that they may have life and have it to the full." This promise isn't dependent upon our circumstances. We have life to the full with Jesus always, no matter what is happening. We have joy and hope and laughter and life abundantly in Jesus. Are you allowing your situation to define you? Or do you find your identity in Christ? Despite our pains and struggles we sometimes face, Jesus wants us to live a full and abundant life both here on Earth and eternally in Heaven.

This sermon is from Pastor Mark Rylander and was preached on July 31, 2010 at Prestonwood Baptist Church.