Why Do I Exist?

Why are we here, right now at this point in time??

873,000 people die yearly due to suicide.

Are you a product of random selection or is there a God who created you with a purpose?

FOUR BIBLICAL REASONS FOR EXISTANCE:

I. To be loved by God
Some people have a hard time believing someone loves them. Some don't want to believe there is a God.
Ephesians 1:4 and John 4:16

God's nature is love.
I John 4:10, Romans 5:8 and Isaiah 53:5-6

II. To be a member of God's family
Ephesians 1:5 and John 1:12
It's the best RIGHT we have.

III. To build God's Kingdom
Not a future kingdom nor an earthy kingdom but a spiritual kingdom. A kingdom of righteousness.
I Peter 2:9
It's our identity and our mission.
Matthew 28:19-20
This is for us personally as well as corporately (as a church body).

IV. To bring God glory
Colossiams 3:23 and Phillipians 2:14

Why Don't I Do As I Know I Should?

Even Paul struggled with this question.
Romans 7:7-25

I. I have the right desire but the wrong actions.

II. I have allowed sin to dominate my life.
The more we give in to a sin, the easier it is to repeat.
James 1:14-15
This is true for believers as well as unbelievers.

FOUR STEPS OF ACTION:

I. Accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Romans 3:23, Romans 5:8, John 3:16, Revelation 3:20, Romans 10:9 and Romans 6:4
Sometimes we want Jesus as our Savior but not as our Lord, having authority in our lives.
One way to accomplish this is through getting into scripture.

II. Understand your position in Christ as a believer.
John 1:12 - You are a child of God
John 15:15 - You are called "friend"
Romans 5:1 - You are justified
I Corinthians 12:27 - You are part of the body of Christ
Ephesians 1:3-8 - You are chosen
Hebrews 4:14-16 - You have access to God
Romans 8:39 - You cannot be separated from God's love
Philippians 3:20 - You are a citizen of heaven
John 15:16 - You are appointed to bear fruit
II Corinthians 5:17-21 - You are a minister of reconcilliation
Ephesians 2:10 - You are God's workmanship
Stop going through life wanting to be someone else.


III. Fight from victory, not for victory.
I John 5:4-5 "For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God"
Dont allow the enemy to put you on the defensive!

IV. Come under Holy Spirit control.
Ephesians 5:18

Why do I Feel so Lonely?

Loneliness is the first thing God saw that was not good.
He saw that Adam needed a helpmate.

In a poll done by John Milton, 26% of those polled said that they felt lonely.

REASONS FOR LONELINESS:

I. I have no meaningful relationships.
Psalm 142:4
We long for relationships and friendships.

II. I have a fear of rejection.
Can be caused by lack of self esteem and thinking that people won't accept you for who you really are.

III. I have been in an abusive situation.
Emotionally, physically, etc.

IV. I have had my heart broken.
A broken heart crushes the spirit.

RESPONSE TO THE FOUR REASONS:

I. If I have no meaningful relationships, I need to...
Accept my position in God's Family.
Mark 3:33-35 and Romans 8:15
What are you doing to meet someone else's needs?

II. If I have a fear of rejection, I need to...
Know that God will never turn me away.
Psalm 27:10, John 10:29 and Hebrews 13:5

III. If I have been in an abusive situation, I need to...
Seek to forgive those who hurt me.
As human beings, we need God's help to forgive.
Holding onto what has happened hurts us more than letting go.
What other people have done to you cannot send you to Hell... but unforgiveness can!

IV. If I have had my heart broken, I need to...
Allow God to heal my brokenness.
Psalm 34:17-18 and Psalm 73:25-26

Why is Life so Unfair?

Examples of what we might consider to be unfair:

Joni Eareckson Tada - Was just a recent high school graduate when a swimming accident left her a quadriplegic. Paralyzed from the neck down, it takes 7 people 2 hours each day to get her ready.

John the Baptist - Was set apart and lived his life in the desert. Although he was sent from God to pave the way for Christ, he was beheaded.

TWO INVALID ASSUMPTIONS:

A. All suffering comes from God
B. Christians should never suffer

The truth is that many circumstances in life God has nothing to do with. Some circumstances are the result of sin.

We, as Christians, may think that we don't deserve to have heartache in our lives, but no one is exempt from difficulty.

Biblical examples:
Job lost his family and everything he owned
Joseph was hated by his brothers and sold into slavery


REASONS FOR SUFFERING:

I. To reinforce that actions have consequences
What we sow, we must reap.
Proverbs 6:27-28 and Proverbs 6:32-33

II. To reflect the work of God
Genesis 50:20 and John 9

III. To reveal genuine faith
Is your faith in God tried and proven to be real?
I Peter 1:6-7

IV. To remind us of eternity
There is more beyond this life. God is trying to get our attention.
Revelation 21:4

REACTIONS TO SUFFERING:

I can become Disturbed
Psalm 73:3-5

I can become Disillusioned
Psalm 73:13 and Psalm 73:25-26

I can become Devoted

If Jesus was willing to die for us, shouldn't we view suffering in a different light?

The Truth About Freedom

The Truth About Freedom
Galatians 5:1

What does it mean to be FREE?

I. Freedom is National Independence. John Adams said "I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure it will cost us to maintain this declaration".

II. Freedom is Personal Liberty

III. Freedom is Self Rule. It is exemption from external control. In the Bible, the Prodigal Son excercised self rule.

IV. Freedom is Spiritual Liberty. God's definition of freedom is different than the world's. He says our lives are free when they are ruled by Christ.

Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation and said "That will do".
Jesus (on the cross) said "It is finished".