INTRODUCTION:

       A.  Christianity is not a life of ease or idleness.

       B.  God has never liked or allowed idleness.

            1. Proverbs 13:4 - "The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing;
                But the soul of the diligent shall be made fat."

            2.  Proverbs 19:15 - "Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and the idle
                 soul shall suffer hunger."

           3.  Proverbs 20:4 - "The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter;
                Therefore he shall beg in the harvest and have nothing."

       C.  Abound - "To raise in waves, to be plentiful." (Webster)

       D.  Today, let's notice some areas in which the Bible tells us to be "AN
             ABOUNDING CHRISTIAN."  

   I.  ABOUND IN FAITH.

       A.  We must have initial faith.

            1.  Hebrews 11:6.

            2.  Romans 10:17.

       B.  Faith must grow - abound.

            1.  Faith is not always easy to feed.

            2.  It took signs from heaven to convince the disciples.

            3.  Our faith must grow:

                  a.  Study.

                  b.  Prayer.

                  c.  Dependence upon God.

                  d.  Trials -Jas. 1:2-4.    

  II.  ABOUND IN UTTERANCE - SPEECH - (WORD).

       A.  We must abound in "speaking for Jesus."

            1.  Romans 10:8-15.

            2.  Matthew 10:32-33.

            3.  Acts 8:4.

       B.  Daily confession is a stage of growth.

            1.  Fear is always there - I Corinthians 2:1-5.

       C.  You abound by telling others.

 III.  ABOUND IN KNOWLEDGE.

       A.  Knowledge is important.

            1.  Salvation is based on knowledge - John 17:3.

       B.  Knowledge is a developing process.

            1.  Ephesians 4:11-13.

            2.  II Timothy 2:2.

            3.  II TImothy 3:14-17.

       C.  Results of a lack of study.

            1.  Hebrews 5:11-14.

            2.  Hosea 4:6; Isaiah 5:13.

       D.  Grow - abound in God's Word.

            1.  I Peter 2:2.

  IV.  ABOUND IN LOVE.

       A.  Love - AGAPAO - intimate love; affection; must be service oriented.

            1.  As God toward the world - Jno. 3:16.

            2.  As the Father toward the Son - Jno. 17:26.

            3.  As husband to wife; Christ to church - Eph. 5:22ff.

       B.  This is the kind of love that is to abound.

       C.  A strong love - I John 3:14-18.

   V.  ABOUND IN COMPLETE EARNESTNESS.

       A.  Earnestness - SPOUDE - to hasten, denotes haste; hence, diligence.

       B.  We must be about doing whatever we are involved in.

  VI.  ABOUND IN GIVING.

       A.  We are to continually grow in this area.

            1.  Many give the same amount for years - no change.

       B.  II Corinthians 8:1-5 - They were abounding.

       C.  Note:  II Corinthians 9:7.

       D.  See the development of the early church.

            1.  Acts 2:44-45.

            2.  Acts 4:32-35.  

   CONCLUSION:

       A.  Are you an abounding Christian?

       B.  Would you be called a sluggard by the O.T. definition?

       C.  Remember, God will not allow idleness.