WHAT IS THE PURPOSE AND MEANING OF LIFE? (3)
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. Where Do We Look for Meaning?
a) Most people miss out because they never discover the simple truth: we can find peace and fulfillment only in trusting God and serving others. Ironically, we cannot find personal fulfillment by trying to please ourselves. Self-centered pursuits leave us unsatisfied and craving even more wealth, power, pleasure, beauty, status, etc. in a vain attempt to find security and fulfillment.Many of us seek security and fulfillment in one or more of the worldly enticements in the list below. We live in the world, and many worldly activities are worthwhile, necessary and good in their proper place.
b) However, they are not the things that give peace, satisfaction and meaning to our lives.
i) Wealth. Getting rich, having a luxury car, expensive house, fine clothes and other possessions (Psalms 37:16, Proverbs 11:4, 11:28, 15:16-17, 23:4-5, Matthew 6:19-21, Luke 12:15-21, 18:24-25, 1 Timothy 6:17-19).
ii) Power. Having power over people by authority, manipulation or coercion. (Psalms 138:6, Proverbs 11:2, 18:12, 29:23, Matthew 20:25-27, 23:12, Luke 22:24-26, Romans 12:16, Galatians 5:26, Colossians 3:12, 1 Peter 5:3).
iii) Vanity. Fame, beauty, popularity (Proverbs 19:6, 27:2, 31:30, Matthew 5:29-30, 6:25, Luke 6:26, Galatians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:4-7, 1 Timothy 2:9-10).
iv) Pleasure. Sports, dining, shopping, entertainment, sensuality (Proverbs 21:17, 23:20-21, Luke 8:11-15, 1 Timothy 5:6, 2 Timothy 2:22, 3:1-4, Titus 3:3).
v) Career. Getting ahead, promotions, recognition and respect (Genesis 11:4-9, Exodus 23:12, Numbers 12:2-10, Matthew 16:24-26, Mark 10:35-38, Luke 9:46-48, 11:43-44).
vi) Elitism. Nationalism, patriotism; pride in social status, race, gender, ethnic origin or religious affiliation (Exodus 12:49, Psalms 33:13-15, Proverbs 22:2, Malachi 2:10, Matthew 20:25-26, 23:11-12, Luke 10:25-37, Acts 10:34-35, Romans 2:8-11, 12:16, 14:10-12, 1 Corinthians 1:10-15, Galatians 2:6, 3:28-29, 1 Peter 1:17-18).
vii) Knowledge. Education, science, philosophy, research (Proverbs 3:7, 16:25, 21:30, Isaiah 5:21, 47:10-11, Jeremiah 9:23-24, Matthew 7:24, 11:25, 1 Corinthians 3:18-20, Colossians 2:8, 1 Timothy 6:20-21).
viii) Sin. Alcohol and drug abuse, crime, sexual immorality, gossip, slander, greed, arrogance, abuse of others. (Exodus 20:1-17, Proverbs 11:13, 20:1, 20:19, Matthew 15:17-19, Mark 7:21-23, Romans 1:28-32, 13:13-14, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 4:31, 5:5, Colossians 3:5).
The End ...
1. Where Do We Look for Meaning?a) Most people miss out because they never discover the simple truth: we can find peace and fulfillment only in trusting God and serving others. Ironically, we cannot find personal fulfillment by trying to please ourselves. Self-centered pursuits leave us unsatisfied and craving even more wealth, power, pleasure, beauty, status, etc. in a vain attempt to find security and fulfillment.Many of us seek security and fulfillment in one or more of the worldly enticements in the list below. We live in the world, and many worldly activities are worthwhile, necessary and good in their proper place.
b) However, they are not the things that give peace, satisfaction and meaning to our lives.
i) Wealth. Getting rich, having a luxury car, expensive house, fine clothes and other possessions (Psalms 37:16, Proverbs 11:4, 11:28, 15:16-17, 23:4-5, Matthew 6:19-21, Luke 12:15-21, 18:24-25, 1 Timothy 6:17-19).
ii) Power. Having power over people by authority, manipulation or coercion. (Psalms 138:6, Proverbs 11:2, 18:12, 29:23, Matthew 20:25-27, 23:12, Luke 22:24-26, Romans 12:16, Galatians 5:26, Colossians 3:12, 1 Peter 5:3).
iii) Vanity. Fame, beauty, popularity (Proverbs 19:6, 27:2, 31:30, Matthew 5:29-30, 6:25, Luke 6:26, Galatians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:4-7, 1 Timothy 2:9-10).
iv) Pleasure. Sports, dining, shopping, entertainment, sensuality (Proverbs 21:17, 23:20-21, Luke 8:11-15, 1 Timothy 5:6, 2 Timothy 2:22, 3:1-4, Titus 3:3).
v) Career. Getting ahead, promotions, recognition and respect (Genesis 11:4-9, Exodus 23:12, Numbers 12:2-10, Matthew 16:24-26, Mark 10:35-38, Luke 9:46-48, 11:43-44).
vi) Elitism. Nationalism, patriotism; pride in social status, race, gender, ethnic origin or religious affiliation (Exodus 12:49, Psalms 33:13-15, Proverbs 22:2, Malachi 2:10, Matthew 20:25-26, 23:11-12, Luke 10:25-37, Acts 10:34-35, Romans 2:8-11, 12:16, 14:10-12, 1 Corinthians 1:10-15, Galatians 2:6, 3:28-29, 1 Peter 1:17-18).
vii) Knowledge. Education, science, philosophy, research (Proverbs 3:7, 16:25, 21:30, Isaiah 5:21, 47:10-11, Jeremiah 9:23-24, Matthew 7:24, 11:25, 1 Corinthians 3:18-20, Colossians 2:8, 1 Timothy 6:20-21).
viii) Sin. Alcohol and drug abuse, crime, sexual immorality, gossip, slander, greed, arrogance, abuse of others. (Exodus 20:1-17, Proverbs 11:13, 20:1, 20:19, Matthew 15:17-19, Mark 7:21-23, Romans 1:28-32, 13:13-14, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 4:31, 5:5, Colossians 3:5).
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