It's A Wonderful (Abundant) Life Series

Intro: In this scene Georges perspective on life is all different. Having seen life as it would have been without him, George realizes that life at all is a gift to be cherished. He has pleaded with God that he be allowed to live again and God has answered his prayer with a yes.

[scene 27, 2:03:15 beginning with George running into the house looking for Mary. Ending at 02:07:17 the end of the first line of Hark the Herald angels Sing.]

The drafty old house he used to be disgusted with is now “wonderful”. Even the prospect of going to jail is “wonderful”. The kids, who were under foot and irritating when he was fixated on financial ruin, are now a welcome sight. And this is all before he knows that the townspeople have gathered funds to help him in his crisis! That is just icing on the cake of the gifts God is placing in the Bailey household.

Did you notice the song being sung as Janie plays the piano? “Hark the herald angels sing/ glory to the newborn king/ peace on earth and mercy mild/ God and sinners reconciled.”

Now maybe it’s in the film out of tradition. On the other hand, George is helped in the story by an angel sent from heaven. So I doubt it’s an accident that joy is here associated with the intervention of heaven.

I want you to remember that song while we study the words of Jesus. Our text is

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10, NIV.

1. Jesus actually wants me to have an overflowing life.

A. This is the first things I want to encourage you with today. The text said, “I came that you may have life to the full!” So it is clear that God in heaven is not satisfied that we are satisfied with so many unsatisfying attempts at satisfaction.

That’s really amazing. I mean, why should he care that my life feels empty? But the message of the Bible is that he does. There is a God, he made your life, and he earnestly desires that you feel his joy! For your insides to be sunny. For there to be a bounce in your step. I want you to marvel to yourself “God wants to share his joys with me!”

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem that first Christmas, it was to inject into humanity the antibiotic of joy.

Remember the carol? “Joy to the world, the Lord is born!” It comes out of the angel song in Luke 2:

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Luke 2:10, NIV.

““Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.”” Luke 2:14, NIV.

B. I used the term “antibiotic” intentionally a moment ago to indicate that to experience joy or abundance requires the killing off of other life hampering, unsatisfying things.

These are spiritual germs. We call them sin. That is also at the core of why Jesus came that first Christmas.

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”” Matthew 1:21, NIV.

To have an abundant life, I need to stop singing the wrong songs. The sin songs.

[The Dixie Chicks celebrate sin in their song “Sin Wagon”. But friends, it’s a huge mistake we make!]

The Bible has a lot to say about the music of human life. God in his grace addresses all the songs we tend to sing in our search for an abundant life. In a message on this topic Rick Ezell points out a number of them. Let run through a few.

1) The song of pleasure:

If you haven’t sung it yourself, you’ve certainly heard other’s sing it. If I could retire early and spend my days in hot tubs and bars I would be full! If I could take a cruise, or have a yatch full of bikini clad women... If I could win a boat load of cash at the boats...

People try these things everyday. Their hearts race for a hour or two and then it’s over. The next time they try it will take a little bit more to arrive at the same low level of pleasure.

“All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing.” Ecclesiastes 1:8, NIV.

2) The song of performance:

The workaholic sings this song. He is out for the satisfaction of the job complete. When you meet him on the street he tells you all his latest accomplishments. In fact you know very little about the person standing in front of you. You only know all about his job. He can’t sit still. He doesn’t enjoy anything unless he’s working.