The New Life - Part 8

The New Life - Part 8

A Real Purpose
For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible . . . Everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him. Colossians 1:16 Message

Looking For Life
In All The Wrong Places

• We were created for His pleasure not ours!
  
• The three great questions of life center on:
  
  • Origination – Where did I come from?
    
  • Destination – Where am I going?
    
  • Meaning – Morality – What does it all mean, what is right and what is wrong?
    
  • The Search by Dr. Moorhead

Three Approaches:

• The Mystical approach
  
  • The mystical approach says “look within and find your purpose within.”
    
  • You know if that really worked, all of us would know our purpose.
• The Philosophical approach
  
  • The Survivalist says, “The purpose of life is just to stay alive.”
    
  • The Naturalist says, “The purpose of life is just to perpetuate itself.”
    
  • The Hedonist says, “The purpose of life is pleasure – have fun, party-hardy.”
    
  • The Materialist says, “Life is all about the acquisition of things.”
• The Self-help approach
  
  • Uncountable self help books – “Life Purpose for Idiots”
    
    • They all say basically the same thing.
      
    • “You’ve got to invent your purpose.”
  • All the books have a similar message:
    
    • discover your dreams – go after your goals – have some ambitions – dream big dreams – aim high – believe you can achieve – have faith – figure out what you’re good at – never give up – involve other people
      
  • But being a success and knowing your purpose in life are not the same thing. You can be a raving success in life and still never know, “What on earth am I here for?”

Living lives of quiet desperation

• So, what did God put me on this earth for?
  
• The purpose of your life is far greater than our own personal fulfillment.
  
• We need to see the futility of superstitious, mystical, philosophical or self-help approaches
• We need to recognize that many people are struggling with this question and we can help them.
  
• KEY: Begin with Genesis 1:1
  
  • There are 31,173 verses in the Bible
    
  • If we will believe this one then all the rest will come easy!

Everything got started and finds its purpose in Him!

• Christianity is not something that happens to dead people.
  
• Christianity is not about a set of values to adhere to, nor a list of rules to obey, rather, it is a new life to receive and a new way to be human.
  
• “The glory of God is a human being fully alive!” --- Irenaeus
  
• “Jesus Christ has given us a whole new way to be human.” --- Maximus the Confessor

Life’s 3 Greatest Questions:

1. The Question of Existence: Why am I alive?
   Answer: I was created to be loved by God
   
2. The Question of Significance: Does my life matter?
   Answer: “I Was Made To Last Forever
   
3. The Question of Intention: What is my Purpose?
   Answer: I Find My Purpose By Getting To Know God

All New

• Identity
  
• Nature
  
• Power
  
• Understanding
  
• Lordship
  
• Peace
  
• Purpose

3 Keys to begin

• Hebrews 11:6 -- seek Him
  
• Psalm 92:13 -- planted
  
• James 1:22 -- doers

3 Things we can count on? --- St. Augustine

• God’s mercy for our past mistakes
  
• God’s love for our present needs
  
• God’s sovereignty for our future