Look at our
Life from God's View
The Purpose
Driven Life
Part IV
Sermon by Manfred Schreyer
Read Part: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 | of this Sermon Series
(James 4:14-15 NIV) Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.
What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then
vanishes. {15} Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will
live and do this or that."
• I think the last six months of my ministry made me more reflective of life
then ever. The last six months were covered with sicknesses of members, I
had more funerals then ever. And every time I stepped outside the home or
facility of the patient my mind was set on one thought: “Death in a lot of
ways seems unfair’
• Death does not fit into the rhythm of being on earth. Although we all know
that we will die, we are making constantly every effort to avoid death.
• Why is that? Why do we so much cling onto life here on earth? Why is it so
hard to understand that we will die or that those will die who we love and
care for.
• Rick Warren in his book “The Purpose Driven Life” gives an eye opening
explanation: We feel that way, because our brain is wired (by God) to the
idea that we should live forever!
• Have you ever wondered about an issue in our Christian faith and then you
received the answer? Have you ever experienced the feeling of relief that
you have hit “the mark”? I felt that way when I read that very sentence of
Rick Warren.
• I finally understood when the Word of God speaks of our body being a tent
here on earth, and that our God will have a house for us in heaven.
• Now this life offers many choices. . .but eternal life offers only two:
Heaven or Hell.
• In this life there are two groups of people according to C.S. Lewis: (1)
Those who say to God: OK, have your way” or (2) those who say “Your will
shall be done”
• I invite you to think like this: Think of life as a preparation for
eternity.
• And now I want you to think about this: How do you live your life? Do you
live in the dream of reaching the perfect moment here on earth? Do you live
with the idea that you can create your own security?
• And finally what do you bring to the table for your neighbor?
• James and the Word of God tells us this: The activities you do on earth
outside of staying focused on God is trivial. James says that we are a mist.
We are a mist in midst of everything.
• Is the objective of living on earth to build security and prestige?
• Or is life really just a test to enter entrance into heaven and to live
with our Father, our God, our Creator.
• If in fact all there would be to life would be time. . .then it would not
matter how we behave, what we do, what actions we apply, what relationships
we have. . .I say:” Live it up”
• We could (can) live in total self centeredness. And to be quite frank,
many of us do. We are self consumed about ourselves.
• But, there is one thing. . .and that is death. Death is not the end of it.
. .
• Remember Jesus Christ? His coming had one single purpose: . . .to help us
understand that life is eternal and that death is NOT the end of it.
• And if death is NOT the end of it, do you believe that our actions here on
earth will have no consequences? Do we in all honesty believe that we can
just “be who we want to be?”
• Do you believe that we can do just as we want to do?”
• Do you believe that all this is just a game? Do we believe that Jesus
Christ died for us. ..to show us that there is eternal life and that death
is not the end. . .only that we can proclaim once saved always saved and
that there is no accountability for the things/actions we do on earth?
• When James udders these words you heard today he is really says that even
though your life is nothing but a breath. . .the consequence of that breath
will last forever. . .
• God prepared you in the womb of your mother, He prepares you in this life
for a life with Him . .if you accept Him and His Word. . .and follow . . .
(Rom 12:2 NIV) Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to
test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
(1 Pet 1:14-19 NIV) As obedient children, do not conform to the evil
desires you had when you lived in ignorance. {15} But just as he who called
you is holy, so be holy in all you do; {16} for it is written: "Be holy,
because I am holy[1]." {17} Since you call on a Father who judges each man's
work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. {18}
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold
that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from
your forefathers, {19} but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without
blemish or defect.
• I believe that you will know when you have reached a close relationship
with God and His will. You will know when people will oppose you for what
you do. When you do for others and those who watch will not understand.
• Do not conform! Follow your heart. . .not the World!
• All you experience here on earth is a test by our God. The word connected
with “test”, such as temptation, refining, testing, etc. , appear over 200
times in the bible.
• Think of it this way: God is watching us continuously what our response is
to people and life situations.
• And when you recognize that life is nothing but a test, then you recognize
that NOTHING but NOTHING is insignificant in this life.
• Every day is important, every second has significance and to recognize
your dependence on God more and more.
And then there is more:
• Life is filled with the trust of God. Nothing on earth is owned by you or
me. Everything on earth is owned by God and after you and I die someone else
will receive the part of the earth that you and I counted as our own. All of
the earth’s belonging was owned by God before you lived and everything is
owned by God after you die.
• Do you remember the story of the good and faithful servant (Matt 25:14 -
25:29) (read)
• Life. . .is a gift. . .cherish it.
Read Part: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 | of this Sermon Series
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