John 10:10 (KJV) "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

INTRODUCTION:

Living for Christ is tremendous ! It's the only life that really counts. Think about it.....Christians are THE family of God.

We don't lay claim to that distinction by our ingenuity or resourcefulness.

Rom 8:15 (KJV) "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."  

Don't make an evaluation of the joy and victory of the Christian life by looking at those who have no joy and victory. Remember.. you belong to God...nothing could be greater.

A. IT'S A GREAT LIFE IN FELLOWSHIP AND COMMUNION WITH CHRIST.

a. Mat 12:50 (KJV) "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."

b. Eph 5:30 (KJV) "For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones."

c. Mat 11:28 (KJV) "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

B. IT'S A GREAT LIFE IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

a. 1 Cor 3:16 (KJV) "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"

b. Acts 1:8 (KJV) "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

c. Rom 8:16 (KJV) "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:"

d. John 16:13 (KJV) "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come."

C. IT'S A GREAT LIFE IN THE HOPE OF HEAVEN.

a. John 14:1-4 (KJV) "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know."

b. 2 Cor 5:1 (KJV) "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

c. Luke 10:20 (KJV) "Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven."

d. Rev 21:4 (KJV) "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

e. READ REV. 22:1-7

f. 1 Cor 15:51-58 (KJV) "Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."