Finding Meaning In Our Lives

Finding Meaning In Our Lives

Pastor Vincent - 25 September 2014

Genuine Confession Of Sin, Denying Self

All English Service

Today, in our unresolved problems and unhappiness, little do we realise these are actually symptoms of a damaging issue in our lives - Sin. Many think that sin refers to the great crimes such as murdering, stealing or harming others, but actually, from the Word of God, God says that sin is when one does not acknowledge God in his life. Because man is not conscious of God, what ever they do is under the influence of the world, i.e. Satan. As a result, we always live according to our flesh and needs, seeking self-glorification without us knowing. For example, we want to be approved by others in all areas of our lives, we want to feel worthy and thus we work hard to prove something, we care so much about our own feelings rather than paying attention and truly knowing what our Creator says about us. The deceptive pleasure of these sins sometimes cause us to immerse in these fleeting joy so much, causing us to take things into our own hands rather than surrendering our sovereignty to God. When we seek to satisfy our infinite spirit with the tangible finite things, we enter into expectations, unfulfillable enjoyment and eventually being enslaved by the joy we pursue. Therefore, blessed are you who are being touched and awakened by the gospel of God. The gospel reveals the "Big-I" inside us, showing us how powerless and fallen our desires and self-gratification are because we have disregard God in our lives. This is indeed sin. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. (Psalm 32:5 NIV) Today, if the truth we hear expose the big me inside us, respond to God immediately. Confess your sin and do not remain ignorant, wage wars against the self inside you and offer your bodies as a living sacrifice. A man who is truly repentant will constantly deny self even in his weakness, and seek to walk in the will of God. He will find strength in God to reject and fight the sins.

Download Video     View Notes

 

More From "All English Service"

Powered by Series Engine

* The quest for significance (meaning) is built into our humanness.

* Man is created with lasting and higher meaning as image bearers of God.

* Meaninglessness actually leads to boredom, alcoholism, juvenile delinquency and even suicide.

* Sociologist Durkheim – Greatest number of suicides are caused by anomie, something rendered by meaninglessness. (Anomic suicide takes place when somebody has no goal or purpose in life, or if he has an unattainable goal in his life)

* Quality of church teaching has to increase to truly give meaning to the inner soul.

 

Verses to Read: <Ecclesiastes 2:1-11>

  • Sigmund Freud – Man has the will to pleasure
  • Alfred Adler – Man has the will to power
  • Word of God – Man has the will to meaning

 

Solomon couldn’t find meaning through his heart

* Our fallen hearts can only tell us there is no meaning. 

* Only God’s truth points us to where true meaning lies.

 

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

<Ecclesiastes 12:13-14>. 

 

God’s Commandments and Judgment

* Commandments – What we are created for?

* Judgment – What we are ultimately destined for?

① Commandment of Reigning <Gen 1:28>

② Commandment of Obedience <Gen 2:16-17>

 

The Fall

* Continue to reign, yet in disobedience

* Mankind will destroy each other eventually

 

Restoration of “true meaning” through Christ

1) Dignity and worth as God’s image bearer – Do His will

2) Eternity

3) Morality

4) Call to excellence

 

Avatar
Pastor Vincent Choo
[email protected]

Vincent serves as the President of The Blessed Run Church. He is also the Senior Pastor of The Life Church and Missions (Singapore) and is an ardent missionary to the Chinese World. He currently lives in Singapore with his wife, Qiufen, and has three kids, Mary, David, and Caleb.

No Comments