Life, Eternal and Abundant
The sermon explores the distinctions between eternal life and abundant life as experienced by believers in Christ.
Theodore Epp emphasizes that eternal life is granted through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which allows believers to be born anew. While eternal life is a universal gift to all who believe, the abundant life is a personal experience that varies among believers based on their relationship with Christ. The abundant life is characterized by the realization that Christ, who lives within, can meet every need. Epp highlights that regardless of one's past, all who accept Christ receive eternal life, but the fullness of the abundant life depends on individual responses to Him.
Text
Ephesians 1:1; John 3:13-21
Eternal life is procured by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. By His death Jesus paid the penalty for sin; by His burial He took sin away; by His resurrection He lives in the believer. This is all involved in the new birth. On the other hand, the abundant life is procured for the believer through the living, ascended Christ, who is seated at the right hand of the Father. The believer who lives on the basis of what he possesses in Christ has an abundant life. He realizes the indwelling Christ is able to meet any need.
Eternal life is objective in the sense that a person obtains it by placing faith in the fact of Christ's shed blood for the remission of sins. The abundant life is subjective in that it is a personal response to what a believer has in Christ. The one who knows that Christ is able to meet every need and who lives accordingly has the abundant life.
Eternal life is the same for all believers, regardless of their sinful past. It does not matter whether the person was guilty of gross sin, as society measures sin, or whether he was a person of high moral standards. All who receive Christ have eternal life. However, not all believers have abundant life. The abundant life varies in believers according to their individual responses to Jesus Christ.
"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life" (1 John 5:12).
Sermon Outline
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I
- Definition of Eternal Life
- How Eternal Life is Procured
- The Role of Faith in Eternal Life
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II
- Definition of Abundant Life
- How Abundant Life is Procured
- Living in Response to Christ
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III
- Eternal Life for All Believers
- Variability of Abundant Life
- Individual Responses to Christ
Key Quotes
“Eternal life is procured by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.” — Theodore Epp
“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” — Theodore Epp
“The believer who lives on the basis of what he possesses in Christ has an abundant life.” — Theodore Epp
Application Points
- Recognize the significance of Christ's sacrifice for your eternal life.
- Respond personally to Christ's presence in your life to experience abundance.
- Understand that your past does not affect your access to eternal life.