“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 NIV
Essential #1: Purpose
- The Bible says that I exist to bring glory to God
“Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” Isaiah 43:7 ESV
“What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” Westminster Confession
“Unless you assume a God, the question of life’s purpose is meaningless.” Bertrand Russell
Case Study: Solomon
Life Must be About:
- Gaining wisdom (Ecclesiastes 1:12-14)
- Finding pleasure (Ecclesiastes 2:1-3)
- Achieving power (Ecclesiastes 2:4-6)
- Accumulating wealth (Ecclesiastes 2:7-9)
The Results:
- Busyness without purpose = Restlessness
- Achievement without purpose = Emptiness
- Human pursuits for purpose outside of God are endless, meaningless, and futile
“After all this, there is only one thing to say: Have reverence for God, and obey his commands, because this is all that we were created for.” Ecclesiastes 12:13 GNT
“…David had served God’s purpose in his own generation…” Acts 13:36 NIV
How to Serve God’s Purpose for Your Life:
- Give your life back to God by following Jesus
“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” Matthew 16:24-26 NLT
- Live your life learning to love God, and getting to know Him
“Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:29-30 NIV
“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:3 NIV
- Live to make life better for others
“The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31 NIV
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:35-40 NIV
- Live like everything you have is on loan
Matthew 25:14-30