24 Aug Finding Meaning In Our Lives
Pastor Vincent - 16 October 2014
Faith And Its Hidden Dynamics
“If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. 4 Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” [Lk 17:3-5] Often, we are troubled by the gigantic tasks we’re called to do, and we know that we lack the faith to accomplish it. However, before one has faith, he needs to know that faith comes from the Word of God. A man with faith is a man having the word of God in him so much so that he is living in a state of constant spiritual conviction. That moment, the enabling power of God will compel him to do things beyond his inclination and ability. Therefore, it is not the quantity of our faith but God's initiative power and sovereignty that achieve the great and impossible things in our lives. So in the difficult process and impossible hurdles in life, don't feel crippled by your little faith. Use the little faith you have to look to God's power and truth. Our faith is not the condition required to achieve God’s purpose, instead, it is the conditions (big and small, good and bad) surrounding us, driving us God-relying and dependent on His grace that shape our faith.
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* 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
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