## Four Universal Questions of Life - Part 3

## Colossians 1:16-22

Over the last couple of weeks we have sought to give the biblical answer to what is referred to as the four universal questions of life: Who am I?, Where did I come from?, Why am I here? and Where am I going?" This morning we are going to answer the third of these questions: Why am I here? The atheist Bertrand Russell said this, "Unless you assume a God, the question of life's purpose is meaningless." I certainly do not agree with his theology, but that statement is right on target. It helps explain why we have so many people in our society who reach the point where they are ready to take their own life. Think about it. Without God what is the point? Let's just get it over. There is so much pain, anguish, and suffering that many choose suicide as their 'solution'. Note some alarming statistics: · Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death for all U.S. men. · Males are four times more likely to die from suicide than females, but women report attempting suicide during their lifetime about three times as often as men. · Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people ages 15 to 24.

So why are so many of our young people taking their own lives? They are searching for purpose … why am I here?

Read: Colossians 1:12-16

I. Our Purpose Discovery

A. Speculation: What we think.

1. This is the way most people try to discover their purpose in life.

2. They guess…they theorize…they philosophize about what life is all about.

3. They offer their best guess, but that is all that it is…a guess.

4. Here is the real problem, most do not have a clue and many more don't even want to think about it.

B. Revelation: What God says.

1. This is the way to discovery.

2. The best way to discover the purpose of an invention is to ask the inventor.

3. God has not left us in the dark concerning our purpose in life.

4. He has clearly revealed the truth to us in His Word.

(1 Corinthians 2:9-10) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

5. The Bible is the 'how to' manual for life!

II. It Is All About God

A. He isn't just the starting point; He is the source and sustainer of life.

1. To discover our purpose we must turn to His Word…

2. Not to the wisdom of this world.

3. We must build our lives on eternal truths, not the latest trends!

B. We get to make many choices in life.

1. We may choose our education.

2. We may choose our career path.

3. We may choose our spouse.

4. We may choose our hobbies.

5. We may choose a multitude of other things about our life…

6. But we do NOT get to choose our purpose.

C. God, Who created us, has chosen what that purpose will be.

(Ephesians 1:11) In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

1. It all begins with God…so our quest for purpose must begin with our relationship with Him.

2. We can only relate to God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

3. That relationship, we call it salvation, is based upon God's grace…enabled by faith…and is sustained through His Holy Spirit.

(Ephesians 2:8-9) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

(Ephesians 1:13) In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

D. Our life gains meaning and purpose only through our relationship with God in Christ.

(Romans 15:6) That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1. That is the simple answer…

2. Our purpose in this life is to glorify God.

3. But we can only fulfill that purpose in Christ.

(Romans 8:29) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

III. Why We Must Know

(Jeremiah 29:11) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

A. It provides direction and keeps us focused.

1. Without an understanding of our purpose, decisions in life will be based upon our emotions or upon circumstances.

2. By nature, we tend to become distracted.

(Ephesians 5:15-16) See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

3. Understanding why I am here will provide the right basis for making choices in life.

B. It motivates us.

1. It gives us a reason for getting up in the morning.

2. It produces passion in our lives rather than just 'getting through' the day.

3. A lazy person is simply a person who doesn't understand why they are here.

C. It prepares us for eternity.

1. All of us would like to be remembered when we are gone.

2. We work to build something of significance in our lives.

3. Whether family, fortune, or fame…we want to leave a lasting legacy.

(Luke 12:16-21) And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

4. God's Word tells us that we are fools if we look to this world for significance.

5. What really matters is when we stand before God.

a. For the person who has rejected God's only way of salvation…there will be no hope.

b. The Bible says that they will be cast into the lake of fire…not because they were bad people…only because they did not accept God's gift of salvation!

c. The Christian will also stand before God and give an accounting of how we have invested our lives for Christ.

d. Our ultimate goal is to hear the Lord say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant."

Two questions all will answer:

- What have I done with Jesus?

- What have I done with my life?

If today we would find ourselves standing before God, how will we answer? Whatever your need might be this morning, Christ is the answer. If you have never accepted the free gift of salvation by grace through faith: Come today. If you have been seeking to find significance in what this world has to offer: turn to Christ right now. Invest your life for Him.