The Next 30 years: Part 2-The Abundant Life by Pastor Sarah Omakwu | 1ST SERVICE | 14052023

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Scripture: Luke 19:9-10, Matthew 4:17, Matthew 9:35, Luke 4:4, 1 Peter 2:21, 2 Corinthians 11:22-30, Philippians 3:8, Matthew 6:33, Mark 16:15
According to the late Myles Munroe ‘When the purpose of a thing is not known, abuse is inevitable’. It is better we know why we are here on Earth so that we can fulfill our purpose. It is good to ask the questions; ‘why did God create me, who am I, why was I born, why did God save me, why am I here? Jesus is our pattern and example. He is the express will of God in manifestation. Before Jesus was sent to the world, his purpose was already spelt out. Before His ministry started, God attested Him to the world as His beloved son and instructed that we listen to Him. Jesus in John 6:38 reiterated that He came down from heaven to do the will of the Father who sent Him.
In Luke 19:9-10, Jesus said to Zacchaeus that salvation has come to His house because the Son of man came to seek those who are lost. Jesus knew His specific assignment and purpose was to the “lost sheep of Israel” and He focused on that one assignment till the end. When you are praying for a long life, it should be for the fact that you want to fulfil His assignment. Long life is not to enjoy the vain things of life but to finish the work that God has sent us to do. We are a heavenly idea for a heavenly mission and work. In Matthew 4:17, He preached saying ‘Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand and He went to every city, teaching and healing the people’.
Jesus knew why He was here and focused all his energy to it. He knew the importance of the gospel of the kingdom and He covered a lot of grounds in His short stay on earth. He fulfilled the will and purpose of God completely. He came to show us the will of the Father and He said; “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men”. Today, we are correcting a misconstruing of scriptures which highlights that we are here to have an abundant life, have all things and dominate all the earth. Did Jesus have an abundant life? Yes, He did! Did He have houses, cars, and money in the bank? No! Looking at the concept of abundant life from the perspective of Jesus, He came to give us an abundant life and this is a repentant life and a life of purpose. 2 Corinthians 11:22-30 also depicts a clear representation of an abundant life from the perspective of Apostle Paul.
We are not against good things or prosperity, but we have made these things an end instead of a means to an end. These things are supposed to aid us to do the work of God. The focus of the apostles was “souls”. Therefore, we will not seek for things rather we would seek for souls. Whatever God gives us is for the purpose of expanding His kingdom. The focus of Jesus must be our focus. He says; ‘Follow me and I will make you fishers of men, follow me and I will show you the will of the Father’. This is what our Lord wants and cares about. No pastor or evangelist is our pattern, only Jesus is our pattern. Until we begin to live like Jesus we will not be fulfilled.
Take up your cross daily and follow Christ. When you begin to focus on God’s focus you will not have any care anymore. Evangelism will no longer be a seasonal thing, it should become our lifestyle. In the next 30 years, the passion for souls should be our focus. We must endeavor to make disciples and not just converts. We must reproduce ourselves in Christ. It is the reason for which we were created and our appointment. The superior reason is for us to be fishers of men. Evangelism is not what we do, it is who we are and why we are here. In the scriptures the apostles were called Christians because they preached the gospel of the kingdom and changed the lifestyles of the society. They were bringing the kingdom of God into the hearts of men. An abundant life is preaching the gospel. It is doing the work of the Father and finishing it. Abundant life is the life in Christ, doing the will of God connecting people to God and transforming lives. With this we must come into true repentance. Our hearts must be surrendered to God. We are the light of the world, and the salt of the Earth.