Finding Meaning In Our Lives

Finding Meaning In Our Lives

Pastor Vincent - 19 December 2013

Run In Such A Way To Get The Prize

All English Service

An important message to wrap up 2013, giving us important prayer topics for the coming 2014. May we aim for the crown that last forever - not out of conscience, courage nor responsibilities, rather, it's God's children being made courageous by deeply comprehending the Holy Spirit and how it works beyond ourselves. Not because we are able, it's because God has made it able for those whom He loves. What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel. Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:18-27 NIV)

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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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Pastor Vincent Choo
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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.

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