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What on earth are we here for?. Graeme Sterne 2005. Without God life makes no sense. No truth beyond what we construct No certainty of life beyond death No compulsion to follow anything No escape from self No purpose behind suffering No forgiveness of sins.
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What on earth are we here for? Graeme Sterne 2005
Without God life makes no sense • No truth beyond what we construct • No certainty of life beyond death • No compulsion to follow anything • No escape from self • No purpose behind suffering • No forgiveness of sins
Over the centuries many have tried to explain the meaning of life • Metaphysical – being beyond the natural • Pragmatic – we are, that’s what matters • Religious – there’s more to life than this physical existence e.g. morals, eternal life • Mystical – spiritual existence • Fatalist – no point in asking the question • Atheist – don’t believe in God • Agnostic – god exists but can’t know him
When we can’t find answers to this question we struggle with … • Our identity – who am I? • Our significance – do I matter? Does my life count for anything? • Our security – does anybody love me? Am I important? Am I adequate? • Our priorities – what am I supposed to achieve with my life?
“You won’t discover life’s meaning by looking within yourself. You didn’t create yourself, so there is no way you can tell yourself what you were created for”Rick Warren ‘Purpose Driven Life’, pg 18Jeremiah 2:13
“Being successful and fulfilling your life’s purpose are not at all the same issue. You could reach all your personal goals, becoming a success by the world’s standards and still miss the purposes for which God created you.”Rick Warren ‘Purpose Driven Life’, pg 19Luke 9:23-25
It’s not about you! • The purpose of your life fits into a much greater, cosmic purpose that God has designed for eternity Rick Warren ‘Purpose Driven Life’, pg 17 • The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment Rick Warren ‘Purpose Driven Life’, Pg 21
The easiest way to find out the purpose of an invention is to ask the creator of it. The same is true for discovering life’s purpose. Ask God. Colossians 1: 15 - 20 Ephesians 1: 3 – 10 Ephesians 3: 10,11
Colossians 1: 15 - 20 • It’s all about Jesus • All things were created by Him and for Him • He reconciled the world to Himself
Ephesians 1: 3 – 10 • He chose us before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight • To the praise of His glorious grace • To bring all things in heaven and on earth under one head, even Christ
Ephesians 3: 10,11 “Through the church (‘ecclesia’) the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.” We are part of a cosmic demonstration being played out for an audience we cannot now see.
So, what on earth are we here for? • Created for Him • We know our identity • We belong … we are loved • To be holy and blameless • Character is the priority of our lives • Dependence is the quality we need • For the praise of His glorious grace • The point of the exercise • A cosmic display of God’s grace