Why do we have Christians who have walked with Christ for years lacking in their passion and zeal for Jesus? How is it that we become complacent in our faith and walk? What has caused these things to happen and what dampens our desires for the Lord?

John 10:10(b) – “I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.”(!)

Abundance: an extremely plentiful or over sufficient quantity or supply; overflowing fullness

1. Jesus is both the Good Shepherd and the sheep pen Door. “As the Door, Jesus delivers sinners from bondage and leads them into freedom. They have salvation! This word saved means “delivered safe and sound.” (This word, saved, may seem old fashioned but Jesus used it!)
– “When you go through “the Door,” your receive life and you are saved. As you go “in and out,” you enjoy abundant life in the rich pastures of the Lord. His sheep enjoy fullness and freedom. Jesus not only gave His life for us, but he gives His life to us right now.”

2. This ending of the verse is juxtaposed to the beginning.
– The Thief (Satan) “wants to steal the seep from the fold, slaughter them, and destroy them”…. but Jesus came to bring life, to offer His own life, to fulfill and to provide perfection!
– The providence of life would have been sufficient (plus some) but Jesus provided life in abundance!

Moss Butts (story told by Ken Davis)

After opening the service in our small college chapel with the usual formalities, our guest speaker, an old man with a weathered face stepped to the podium. He wasn’t smiling as he began. “Most of us,” he said, “have moss growing on our butts.”

There was a collective, gasp from the conservative faculty and student body. I am certain the word “butt” had never been uttered within the walls of that little chapel. One of the deans rose halfway from his metal folding chair—then sat back down.

The speaker continued. “The moss grows and spreads to the benches where we sit because we never take action. We end up sitting in the same spot for years, asking God for some kind of sign. “If you want me to do something Lord, open a door and I will respond.’

“Over the years,” the man continued, “the moss grows thicker as we wait for the door to open.” The dean was standing now. I’m sure he was wondering how to end all this mossy butts talk. But, the old man wasn’t trying to be gratuitous—he was making a powerful point.

Then we saw a mischievous twinkle appear in his eyes. “My life,” he continued, “has been filled with excitement and adventure. My life has been like a whirlwind ride in a powerful speed boat.” Now his eyes danced with fire. “I’ve trusted that all along that I was born to serve. I’ve used common sense faith in Scripture and prayer as preparation and I’ve never slowed down. I’ve driven my speedboat at full throttle, testing every opportunity crying out as I raced along, “Lord, If you don’t want me in there, you better shut the door!”

The old man flashed a full beaming smile as he turned his back to us and exclaimed, “Look—there’s no moss growing on my butt!”

I’m sure there were some people who thought this man was crude. Some may have dismissed his choice of illustration as the inappropriate ramblings of a senile mind. But he caught my imagination that day.

His mind was not senile. He hadn’t lost his bearings, but he described people who have done so. This elderly missionary convinced me the call is already in place. The next step of faith is to MOVE!!! I just might have those words engraved on my tombstone.

Ken Davis
Lived Moss Free
Died Going Full Speed Ahead

(When was the last time you did a moss check?)

– How many have given in to the moss growing on our backsides?

G.K. Chesterton: “Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, “Do it again”; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, “Do it again” to the sun; and every evening, “Do it again” to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we.”

– What if we woke up each day fully committed to making the most of that day, while understanding that each day has its own things that will provoke, confound, and complicate?

What if we woke up each day fully committed to God???

The glory of God is man fully alive (St. Irenaeus) – “While here on earth and in heaven” & “living with God and in His grace”

Have we lost our appetites and who/why?

– 5 reasons why Christians may lose their desire for God’s Word or for time spent with God.

1. Spoiling your appetite
– When we’re full of other things, we won’t hunger for God’s Word.
– Proverbs 27:7: The full soul loathes a honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

2. Illness
– Many illnesses can cause a loss of appetite. We need to ask the Great Physician to examine us, search our hearts, and see if there is anything in our lives quenching our hunger for Him and His Word.
– Psalm 139:23-24: Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

3. Service (“But I thought service was a good thing!”)
– It is, but not when it causes us to replace time with Him with our service.
– Mary and Martha are our classic examples of the difference between busy (and frustrated) service vs. choosing “that good part” of giving time and attention to sitting at our Lord’s feet. (Luke 10: 38-42).
– (Dave Butts) – The saddest examples, however, are of Christians who allow their appetite for God to be dulled by other things . . . even religious things. Our churches are filled with believers who are so satiated by activities, programs and projects that they no longer have a hunger for God.

4. Distraction
– Sometimes people can get so busy they forget to eat.
– Mark 4:19 lists three “distractions” which “choke” the Word: cares of this world, deceitfulness of riches, and lusts of other things.

5. Hardness of heart
– Hosea 10:12 says, “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.”

What’s the best way to develop (or redevelop) an appetite for God’s Word?
– Seek God’s help to diagnose and deal with any issues that are quenching our hunger for it.Then just start partaking of it.
– We need to set our priorities and put everything else in its proper perspective. We need to partake of it even when we don’t feel hungry for it, just as we need to eat to keep up our health and strength even if we don’t feel physically hungry.

We only have this abundant life because of and through Jesus.
– Likely, most of us will try to rely on ourselves and, likely, we will come to understand the fault in this.

True Abundance

A spiritual abundance, eternal life, and continual devotion/desire to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus.

There is no scarcity in the Lord – only abundance.