ARE YOU MISSING OUT? Are you merely scratching the surface?

Twelve year old Billy had lived in a remote area before recently moving to town and had never seen a circus.  You can imagine his excitement when bright posters went up in  shop windows announcing a travelling circus would be in town next week.  He begged his father for permission to attend and the father promised that if the chores were finished before time, he could go.

With the chores complete, the boy dressed in his Sunday best, put the circus money safely in his pocket, and headed for town.  He was so excited!  As he neared town, he found people lining the streets and he worked his way through the crowd to the front.

The circus parade was the grandest thing he had ever seen in his life.  He was thrilled at the brightly coloured cages and the people in their bright, glittery costumes.  Bands beat out marching tunes, people performed amazing acrobatics, some danced on horses.  Caged animals snarled as they passed and men juggled balls and sticks.  A circus must be the BEST thing ever!

Billy was so excited!  The circus was the most amazing thing he had ever seen.  Finally, a little behind the last bright carriage, came a clown with floppy shoes, baggy pants, a big bow tie, an enormous bright red wig, an amazing hat, a huge red nose and a brightly painted face.  He was playing to the people along the route, and as he came by, Billy handed him the circus money, turned away and went home.  What a day!

BILLY THOUGHT HE HAD SEEN THE CIRCUS
WHEN HE HAD ONLY SEEN THE PARADE.

Do we experience ALL that God has provided for us?

2 Peter 1:3-4
His divine power has given to us ALL things
that pertain to life and godliness,
through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
by which HAVE BEEN GIVEN to us
EXCEEDING GREAT AND PRECIOUS PROMISES,
that through these you may be PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Are we missing out?  –  missing the real thing?

Luke 21:15
I will give you a mouth and wisdom
which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.

Are we missing out?  –  missing the real thing?

Matthew 28:20
I am with you always.

John 15:4,7
Abide in Me, and I in you.
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you,
you shall ask what you will and it shall be done.

Are we missing out?  –  missing the real thing?

We can be
“strengthened with might by His Spirit, in the inner man”
Ephesians 3:16

We can be
“filled with all the fullness of God”
Ephesians 3:19

We can be
“filled with the knowledge of His will
in all wisdom and spiritual understanding”
Colossians 1:9

We can be
“more than conquerors through Christ”
Romans 8:37

We can be
“strong in the Lord and the power of His might”
Ephesians 6:10

Are we missing out?  –  missing the real thing?

The Christian life is an incredible adventure.
The Christian life is a life of victory
when we allow the triune God His rightful place in our lives.

– – – – – – – – – –  OR  – – – – – – – – – –

We can miss out on the abundant life God has provided.

BILLY WAS SATISFIED WITH THE PARADE
BUT HE MISSED OUT ON THE REAL THING.

Are we missing out?  –  missing the real thing?

A life yielded to the Lordship of Christ will give the abundant life that Jesus offers.

Colossians 3:18
In ALL things, HE (Jesus) should have the pre-eminence.