{"id":3655,"date":"2015-10-05T00:46:07","date_gmt":"2015-10-05T07:46:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/?p=3655"},"modified":"2015-10-05T07:49:24","modified_gmt":"2015-10-05T14:49:24","slug":"105-what-is-the-meaning-of-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/2015\/10\/05\/105-what-is-the-meaning-of-life\/","title":{"rendered":"10\/5: What is the Meaning of Life? (\u8bd7117:1-2 \u897f1:24-2:5 \u80369:17-11:17)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u8bfb\u7ecf\uff1a\u8bd7117:1-2 \u897f1:24-2:5 \u80369:17-11:17<\/h2>\n

What is the Meaning of Life?<\/h2>\n
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\u2018Does anybody know what we are living for?\u2019 asked Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of Queen, in the lyrics of the last song on their album, Innuendo<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Millions are implicitly asking just that question. Jonathan Gabay, a thirty-one-year-old professional writer, was facing employment challenges and stress when he hit rock bottom. He began to ask questions about the meaning of life. He wrote to people in all walks of life: world leaders, the homeless, Oscar-winning actors, philosophers, comedians, taxi-drivers, teachers, explorers and prisoners on death row. He even wrote to me!<\/p>\n

To each one he asked, \u2018What is the meaning of life?\u2019 Gabay compiled a book of our responses, together with others who had attempted, over time, to answer this question. They include the following:<\/p>\n

\u2018Life is one crisis after another.\u2019 Richard Nixon<\/p>\n

\u2018Life is what happens to you while you\u2019re busy making other plans.\u2019 John Lennon<\/p>\n

\u2018Life is what you make it \u2013 and I can make it UNBEARABLE!\u2019 Dennis the Menace<\/p>\n

\u2018The man who regards his life and that of his fellow creatures as meaningless is not merely unhappy but hardly fit for life.\u2019 Albert Einstein<\/p>\n

Numerous people replied that the meaning and purpose of life was to be found in Jesus Christ. Not only Mother Theresa and Billy Graham, but actors, scientists and the Lord Chancellor at the time. The Chief Cashier of the Bank of England, Graham Kentfield (whose signature was on every banknote at the time) said, \u2018I am clear that the meaning of life can only be properly understood in the context of our relationship with God<\/em>.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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1. Life is about love and worship<\/h2>\n

Psalm 117:1-2<\/a>This short psalm says so much about what life is all about. The key is your relationship with God. You should \u2018praise\u2019 and \u2018extol\u2019 the Lord (v.1) because of his great \u2018love\u2019 for you and \u2018faithfulness\u2019 towards you (v.2). The psalmist gives us a beautiful summary of God\u2019s attitude to you, and what your attitude to him should be.<\/p>\n

Lord, how can I ever praise you enough for the greatness of your love towards me? Thank you that Jesus laid down his life for me. Thank you that I am a child of God. Thank you that the love of God is poured into my heart by the Holy Spirit who has been given to me (Romans 5:5). Thank you, Lord, that through an experience of your love for me, I find the very meaning of my life.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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2. The meaning of life is found in Jesus Christ<\/h2>\n

Colossians 1:24-2:5<\/a>The meaning of your life is found in Jesus Christ. Christianity is Christ. This passage highlights how Paul\u2019s entire life, thinking and preaching are focussed on Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n

Paul is in prison suffering for the sake of Christ\u2019s body, that is the church (1:24). Paul is a servant of Christ, commissioned to disclose the mystery that was kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now revealed (v.26). God has \u2018chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you<\/em>, the hope of glory\u2019 (v.27).<\/p>\n

There will always be an emptiness in your heart until it is filled by Christ living within you. The minute you put your faith in him he comes to live within you by his Spirit. You experience, right now, \u2018the glorious riches of this mystery\u2019 and you have \u2018the hope of glory\u2019 (v.27).<\/p>\n

Jesus Christ should be at the centre of all our teaching and preaching in the church. Paul writes, \u2018We proclaim him<\/em>, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ\u2019 (v.28).<\/p>\n

Not only is Christ in you, but you are also \u2018in Christ\u2019. Paul\u2019s desire is that everyone should grow and mature in this relationship. This is what drives him: \u2018To this end I labour, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me\u2019 (v.29).<\/p>\n

This provides an excellent model for pastoral care, discipleship and mentoring:<\/p>\n