Definition of “Meaning” – an important or worthwhile quality, Purpose
WE all want A life that means something. That matters.
As followers of Christ though we can look to scripture and we can know quite certainly that the meaning of life is to know and be
by our creator and have
with him hear now and forever in eternity, and point others toward him. We were created to
.
Preparation for old age should begin not later than one’s teens. A life which is empty of purpose until 65 will not suddenly become filled on retirement. —Dwight L. Moody
can guide life decisions, influence behavior, shape goals, offer a sense of direction, and create meaning.
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. —1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV
Jesus offers and gives us a vision of a
life that embodies his mission of Spirit-filled hope and love.
13 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant. is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. —John 13:1-17 ESV
Here was Jesus taking this lowly position to
his disciples.
13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. —1 Peter 13-19 ESV
Imitation of Christ’s
to others is one of the many ways to pas on the faith to newer generations, and communities imitating Christ together are a
witness to the gospel.
5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. —Deuteronomy 6:5-9
“Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary use words.” – Saint Fancis of Assisi
A new commandment I give you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. —John 13:34 ESV
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. —Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV
So Jesus said to them, “Truly, Truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the father doing. For whatever the father does, the Son does likewise. —John 5:19 ESV
“I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgement is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. —John 5:30 ESV
but you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. —1 Peter 2:9 ESV
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do. —Ephesians 2:10 ESV
His compelling loves propels us into
service.
Peter was not being noble; he was being foolish, even self destructive.
Jesus is our
before he is our example.
6 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. —John 17:6-10 ESV
There is no clearer way to glorify Christ than in our
to others.
NFL Player Becomes a Farmer (Link to Video)
JOHN 13:17 - if you KNOW these things,
are you if you DO them.
