WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A CHRISTIAN?

Most people live their entire lives without knowing "WHY?"  They exist year after year with no idea of why they live or God's purpose for their lives.  The most basic question a person can ask is, "What is the meaning of my life?"

Everyone wants to be happy.  People try many ways:
...Some look for happiness by acquiring possessions.
...Some look for happiness by experiencing pleasure.
...Some look for happiness by gaining power.

But real happiness comes from understanding my purpose in life.

I.  WHY AM I HERE?

1.  God Made Me to Love Me
God says, "I have loved you with an everlasting love!"  Jeremiah 31:3

"Even before the world was made, God had already chosen us to be His through our union with Christ...because of His love, God had already decided that through Jesus Christ He would make us His children - this was God's pleasure and purpose."  Ephesians 1:4-5 (GN)

2.  We Were Created to Enjoy a Personal Relationship with God and to Manage All of the Rest of God's Creation
"So God created human beings, making them in His image.  He blessed them and said...live over all the earth and bring it under control.  I am putting you in charge."  Genesis 1:27-28

"God richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment."  I Timothy 6:17

Jesus said, "I have come in order that you might have life - life in all its fullness!"  John 10:10

3.  When We Know and Love God, and Live in Harmony with His Purpose for Our Lives, it Produces Tremendous Benefits:
          Clear Conscience - Romans 8:1
          Life & Peace - Romans 8:6
          Help with Weakness - Romans 8:26
          Purpose - Romans 8:28
          Confidence - Romans 8:31
          Security - Romans 8:39
          Power & Strength - Philippians 4:13
          Fulfillment - Philippians 4:19
This is the kind of lifestyle God intends for us to live.  Why then aren't most people really happy?

II.  WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?

Man has the natural desire to be the boss and to ignore God's principles for living.
          "Look out for #1.  Do your own thing."
          "If it feels good, do it - regardless of what God says."
          "It's my life and I'll do what I please!"
          THE BIBLE CALLS THIS ATTITUDE:  SIN

"All of us, like sheep, have gone astray, and each of us has turned to his own way."  Isaiah 53:6

"If we say that we never sin, we are only fooling ourselves, and refuse to accept the truth."  I John 1:8

Sin breaks our close relationship with God.  It causes us to fear God and try to live our lives outside of His will.
"The trouble is your sins have cut you off from God."  Isaiah 59:2 (LB)

"All have sinned and fall short of God's glorious ideal."  Romans 3:23

When our relationship to God is not right, it causes PROBLEMS in every area of our lives - marriage, career, relationship, finances, etc.
When people have problems, they often try many different ways of coping before turning to God.

"There are ways that SEEM right to man, but they only end in death."  Proverbs 16:25

Even when we know that our deepest need is God, we often try wrong ways of getting to know Him:
          "My mother was a Christian so..."
          "It doesn't matter what you believe, just be sincere."
          "I'll give up all my bad habits."
          "I'll work real hard and earn it."
          "I'll be religious and go to church."

III.  WHAT'S THE SOLUTION?

Jesus Christ said, "I AM THE WAY, the Truth, and the Life.  No one comes to the Father, except THROUGH ME!"  John 14:6

God Himself came to earth as a human being to bring us back to Himself.  If any other way could have worked, He would not have had to come.  The Way is a Person!

Jesus has already taken care of your sin problem!

"The wages of sin is death, BUT the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."  Romans 6:23

God did this for us because He loves us and wants us to know Him.

"God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were still separated from God by Sin, Christ died for us."  Romans 5:8

God has already done His part to restore our relationship to Him.  He took the initiative.  Now He waits for us individually to accept what He has done for us.

If you would like to know more about becoming a Christian, please call our church office and ask to speak to one of our Pastors at 918-256-7831