## Four Universal Questions of Life - Part 1

## Ephesians 2:1-2

This past week I heard an advertisement on Moody Radio about a conference on creationism that will be held in Indianapolis. The announcer made this statement: "You'll receive information that answers the four universal questions of life: Who am I?, Where did I come from?, Why am I here? and Where am I going?" I found an interesting exchange on an internet forum on this very subject. One person posted these four questions with the statement, "My faith answers all of these questions." He received a couple of responses each attempting to answer the questions and prove him wrong.

- Who am I? This question is meaningless; I am me.
- Where do I come from? Electrical and chemical activity in the brain.
- What is the meaning of life? Life = existence
- Where do I go when I die? I cease to exist.

Another answered this way:

- Who am I? A human called Greg
- Where do I come from? a planet called Earth...perhaps one of many in the universe that has the conditions for life amongst a much greater number that don't have such conditions and are thus...desolate
- What is the meaning of life? to postpone not having it for as long as possible...and to do whatever it is that makes me think this is a worthy pursuit
- Where do I go when I die? I probably decompose and at some point will be recycled by other creatures

The answers to these questions will vary with the perspective of the one who seeks the answers. For many in this world they are questions that remain beyond their grasp or understanding. For many others the answers are only available if the questions are framed in the sense of this world with no consideration of the Word of God. But for the believer, these questions are not profound or difficult. In fact they are very basic. Even a little child can know the answers because God has not left us clueless…He has revealed to us the answers in His Word. This morning I would like for us to consider the first of these questions and seek the answers from the Word of God. Who am I?

I. Who Am I Without Christ?

A. Examples given

1. Each of the individuals who answered on the forum gave humanistic answers.

2. Of course that is all they could do.

3. Without Christ, a person is incapable of concluding the correct answer about who they are.

4. It is Christ who gives us meaning as an individual

5. One fellow answered, "I am a human being called Greg."

6. The other answered, "I am me."

B. Biblical explanation

1. God's Word tells us who we are…

2. His Word identifies the individual who doesn't know Christ as Savior.

3. Some words that are used are as follows:

a. Blind

b. Lost

c. Dead

4. Paul's declaration…

(Ephesians 2:1-2) And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

(Ephesians 2:12) That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

C. This isn't speculation…this is the Word of God.

1. Although technically the answers given earlier are correct…

2. We are human beings…we are who we are…

3. But those definitions fail to account for who we are in light of our relationship toward God.

4. All who are without Christ are God's enemies!

(Romans 5:8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

(Romans 5:10) For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

(James 4:4b) "…Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."

5. There is no middle ground…there is no room for those who just want to be non-committal.

6. Either we are saved or we are lost…either we are with Christ or we are without Christ.

(Matthew 12:30a) "He that is not with me is against me…"

7. This morning, if you have never placed your faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ let me urge you to do so right away.

8. God is not willing that any should perish, but that all might come to Him.

(John 6:37) "…Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."

II. Who Am I With Christ?

A. I am a new creation!

(2 Corinthians 5:17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

1. Paul's testimony is like every other person who has come to Christ by faith.

2. Once we were something else, but now we are new!

3. Old things are passed away…praise the Lord for that!

4. Regardless of our past, we have been made new in Christ.

B. I am free from condemnation!

(Romans 8:1) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

1. No condemnation…why?

2. Jesus paid it all…all to Him I owe…Sin had left a crimson stain…He washed it white as snow!

3. On the cross He took my condemnation…

4. It was my sins that nailed Him to that cross…

C. I am a part of the family of God!

(John 3:7) Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

1. Last Wednesday was my father's birthday, had he lived he would have been 86 years old.

2. I thought about him quite a bit on that day.

3. I was reminded of the opportunity to share the assurance of God's Word with him the Saturday before he passed away.

4. We talked about the relationship of being a part of the family.

5. I was born into the Robinson family…and when I was born again I was born into the family of God.

(Galatians 3:26) For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

6. You see, it isn't about me…it isn't about what I have accomplished…it is all about Jesus and when we place our faith in His finished work…we are born again!

D. I am a citizen of Heaven!

This world is not my home I'm just passing through my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue the angels beckon me from Heaven's open door and I can't feel at home in this world anymore

(Ephesians 2:18-19) For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

1. How did I become a citizen of the United States? I was born here.

2. How did I become a citizen of Heaven? I was born again.

3. Jesus promised this to all who believe in Him for salvation.

(John 14:1-3) Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Who are we? The answer to that first question will determine our eternal destiny. If we have placed our faith in Jesus Christ, we can be assured of spending eternity with Christ in a place we call Heaven. If we are without Christ, we have no hope for all eternity. The Bible makes it clear that we will be separated from God for all eternity in an awful place we call Hell. The determining factor is our relationship with Christ. Will you come today by faith?