Download - Rick Warren, Purpose Driven Life: Section 5

Seeing Life from God’s View

Section 5(Page 41-46)

Sunday 15 August 2010

Life is...a metaphor


The way you see your life shapes your life.

That image is your life’s metaphor. It’s the view of life that you hold, consciously or unconsciously, in your mind. It’s your description of how life works and what you expect from it.


To fulfill the purposes God made you for, you will have to challenge conventional wisdom and replace it with the biblical metaphors of life.


The Bible says, “Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God.”

Rom. 12:2 (TEV)


The Bible offers three metaphors that teach us God’s

view of life:


1. Life on earth is a test

Throughout the Bible God continually tests people’s character, faith, obedience, love, integrity, and loyalty. Words like trials, temptations, refining, and testing occur more than 200 times in the Bible.


Character is both developed and revealed by tests, and all of life is a test. We will be tested by major changes, delayed promises, impossible problems, unanswered prayers, undeserved criticism, and even senseless tragedies...and more


Character Questions


Do you keep your word? Can people trust you?Do you finish something you promise

to finish and do you do it on time?If you are told some gossip, what do

you do with it?Matt 12:36


Have you ever found it difficult under the leadership of another person?

Do you willingly submit to authority? If not, why not?

Eph 5:18-21


The things that captivate our hearts will dominate our thoughts, and our

thoughts will dominate our lives.

What is your heart captivated by?

Matt 6:21


Are there any people you have not forgiven or you feel you cannot forgive? Why?

Matt 6:14-15


Do you find it easy to admit that you are wrong? (What does this reveal about yourself?)

Matthew 5:21-26


How do you react when confronted with an ungodly situations or something that appeals to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes or the pride of life?

2 Timothy 2:22


Twelve Reasons Why Problems are

Positive Things


-- They expose the depths of our maturity in God. They show us where we are at with God and where we need to improve.

-- They show us the true values of life. When persecution and difficulty comes, it is not long before we know what is really important and what is not.


-- They create self-awareness (i.e. show us who we really are) and highlight our character strengths and weaknesses (like metal testing).

-- They develop spiritual perseverance. If we want to overcome or solve a problem, we have to press on and not give up. Too many Christians give up before they overcome.


-- They build our sensitivity to and empathy with other people and their needs, because we learn by experience what it is like to be in their shoes.

-- They refine and polish our gifts and capabilities. The pressure of problems knocks off our rough edges and drives out the rubbish within our lives, when we handle problems in God's way and in God's power.


-- They develop our confidence in God rather than ourselves. We learn to trust God who always proves faithful.

-- They enlarge our capacity in God and enable our faith in Him to grow, because they stretch us and create the need for us and our faith to grow.


-- They test our securities. They teach us that we need to rely on God and that we can depend on Him (and often on not much else!), who is the only unshakeable, permanently stable entity.

-- They stimulate us and prevent complacency. Problems are like a red-hot poker behind us.


-- They enable creativity and help us to think and develop new ideas. They often force us to challenge `the way we have always done it' syndrome and to come up with new and more effective ways of doing things.

-- They develop wisdom, because we learn what God would do in our situation, if we wait on Him, rather than immediately reacting to our


Bible Words for ProblemsTo understand what the Bible says about problems is not a simple matter. Instead of using the word `problem', the Bible uses words like `temptations, trials, tribulations, hardships, and sufferings'. These words can be defined in the following way:


-- Temptations: this is mainly translated from the Greek word `peirasmos' in both the AV and NIV, and may be defined as either `trials or proofs with a beneficial purpose' or conversely `trials designed to lead to wrong doing'.


-- Trials: this is translated from a variety of Greek words in the AV and NIV, and may be defined as `testings or the putting to proof the quality of things'; `a burning, a refining or a trial by fire'; or `being tried by suffering or temptation'. These mainly test our endurance and patience.


-- Tribulations: this is translated from the Greek word `thlipsis' in the AV and can be defined as `great oppression, pressure, afflictions, or miseries'.


-- Hardships: this is mainly translated from the Greek word `kakopatheo' in the NIV, and may be defined as `suffering evil, hardness, affliction, or trouble'. These tend to be more severe sufferings or privations.


-- Suffering: this is again translated from a variety of Greek words in both the AV and NIV, and may be defined as `undergoing, experiencing or being subject to pain, loss, grief, defeat, damage, or punishment'. It can also mean `to permit to do, put up with, endure, or tolerate'.


Back to PDL...


A very important test is how you act when you can’t feel God’s presence in your life. When you understand that life is a test, you realize that nothing is insignificant in your life.


Remember, the Bible says,“God keeps His promise, and He will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, He will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.”

1Cor. 10:13 (TEV)


Every time you pass a test, God notices and makes plans to reward you in eternity.“Blessed are those who endure when they are tested. When they pass the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”

James. 1:12 (GWT)


2. Life on earth is a trust

We are stewards of whatever God gives us. We need to recognize God is the owner of everything and everyone on earth:Time, energy, opportunities, intelligence, relationships, resources etc.Everything we enjoy is to be treated as a trust that God has placed in our hands - a loan God has given to us.Just as God made Adam and Eve stewards so he makes us


“ The world and all that is in it belong to the Lord; the earth and all who live in it.”

Ps. 24:1 (TEV)


“What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if all you have is from God why boast as though you have accomplished something on your own.”

1 Cor. 4:7b (NLT)


“Those who are trusted with something valuable must show they are worthy of that trust.”

1Cor. 4:2(NCV)

At the end of your life on earth you will be evaluated and rewarded according to how well you handled what God entrusted to you.


“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master’s happiness.”

Matt. 25:21(NIV)


In that verse God promises three rewards

1) Affirmation from God

2) A promotion from God

3) a celebration with God!

Does this not speak volumes about the fact that everything we do on earth has tremendous implications?!!!!!


Point to Ponder:Life is a test and a trust.


Verse to remember:Luke 16:10


Question to Consider: What has happened to me recently that I now realize was a test from God? What are the greatest matters God has entrusted to me?


Download - Rick Warren, Purpose Driven Life: Section 5

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