We cannot properly understand God, without understanding His love for humanity. God's love for us is important to understand because it is not uncommon for people to wonder if God truly loves them. There are some who have lived lives filled with sin and wonder if God can love them despite their sin. Does God love sinners or does He only love the morally upright? At the same time, there are those who aren’t really astounded by the idea that God loves them. I mean, why wouldn’t He love them? They’re Americans. They’re basically good people. They’re good enough. They’re smart enough, and doggone it people like them. What’s not to love? Before we can truly appreciate the greatness of God’s love, and live in the truth of that love, we must understand the nature of those He has chosen to love

We cannot properly understand God, without understanding His love for humanity. God's love for us is important to understand because it is not uncommon for people to wonder if God truly loves them. There are some who have lived lives filled with sin and wonder if God can love them despite their sin. Does God love sinners or does He only love the morally upright? At the same time, there are those who aren’t really astounded by the idea that God loves them. I mean, why wouldn’t He love them? They’re Americans. They’re basically good people. They’re good enough. They’re smart enough, and doggone it people like them. What’s not to love? Before we can truly appreciate the greatness of God’s love, and live in the truth of that love, we must understand the nature of those He has chosen to love

The idea of an abundant life is an interesting one. Different translations try to capture the idea Jesus was expressing here. "… My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." John 10:10 (NLT) "… I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)." John 10:10 (AMP) "…I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of." John 10:10 (MSG)All in all, that sounds pretty good but what exactly does it mean?

The idea of an abundant life is an interesting one. Different translations try to capture the idea Jesus was expressing here. "… My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." John 10:10 (NLT) "… I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)." John 10:10 (AMP) "…I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of." John 10:10 (MSG)All in all, that sounds pretty good but what exactly does it mean?

According to Jesus the main priority in our lives should be the Kingdom of God and we should seek it first. There is a lot that goes into the meaning of the Kingdom of God. The most basic understanding of the Kingdom of God is the place of God’s rule. It is the place where God’s will is always done. It’s always done the way He wants it done and when He wants it done. So our first priority as followers of Jesus is to seek His will to be done in our lives. So the central truth for us to know today is: My first priority is to seek and surrender to Jesus rule in my life. As we look at this passage there three actions we must take if seeking and surrendering to Jesus rule in our lives is our first priority.

According to Jesus the main priority in our lives should be the Kingdom of God and we should seek it first. There is a lot that goes into the meaning of the Kingdom of God. The most basic understanding of the Kingdom of God is the place of God’s rule. It is the place where God’s will is always done. It’s always done the way He wants it done and when He wants it done. So our first priority as followers of Jesus is to seek His will to be done in our lives. So the central truth for us to know today is: My first priority is to seek and surrender to Jesus rule in my life. As we look at this passage there three actions we must take if seeking and surrendering to Jesus rule in our lives is our first priority.

Jesus tells the disciples what is about to happen to Him. He is being very honest and very blunt about what is coming. Then in v26, He tells them—and us—that serving Him means following Him. In my mind, this is where the rubber meets the road. Jesus is telling us that following Him means going where He goes, living as He lived, and experiencing what He experience. In other words, it means following His example. In telling us about what's going to happen to Him, Jesus tells us what it means to follow Him. Following Jesus requires a wholehearted commitment to Jesus. This passage shows us four characteristics of a wholehearted commitment to Jesus. These four characteristics will be true of us as followers of Jesus when we are wholeheartedly committed to Jesus

Jesus tells the disciples what is about to happen to Him. He is being very honest and very blunt about what is coming. Then in v26, He tells them—and us—that serving Him means following Him. In my mind, this is where the rubber meets the road. Jesus is telling us that following Him means going where He goes, living as He lived, and experiencing what He experience. In other words, it means following His example. In telling us about what's going to happen to Him, Jesus tells us what it means to follow Him. Following Jesus requires a wholehearted commitment to Jesus. This passage shows us four characteristics of a wholehearted commitment to Jesus. These four characteristics will be true of us as followers of Jesus when we are wholeheartedly committed to Jesus

At the start of Jesus' earthly ministry, He begins to call those that would be His disciples. At this point they had a choice to make. They could stay where they were, as they were, or they could follow Jesus. They couldn't stay AND follow Jesus at the same time. They also couldn't accidentally follow Jesus. They had to intentionally, and decisively answer when Jesus called. What was true for them is true for us. I must intentionally, and decisively answer when Jesus calls. How do I intentionally, and decisively answer when Jesus calls?

At the start of Jesus' earthly ministry, He begins to call those that would be His disciples. At this point they had a choice to make. They could stay where they were, as they were, or they could follow Jesus. They couldn't stay AND follow Jesus at the same time. They also couldn't accidentally follow Jesus. They had to intentionally, and decisively answer when Jesus called. What was true for them is true for us. I must intentionally, and decisively answer when Jesus calls. How do I intentionally, and decisively answer when Jesus calls?