living life from god’s perspective adapted from a purpose driven life rick warren
TRANSCRIPT
Living Life from God’s Perspective
Adapted from A Purpose Driven Life
Rick Warren
How do you see your life?
Life is a *circus
*a pain
*struggle
*what you make of it
*Roller coaster experience
*game of dominoes – play the hand you’ve been
dealt
How do you see your life?
Ernie Smith said LIFE IS JUST FOR LIVING and he’s right
We express our life through
The way we dress
The hair style we choose
The car we drive
The way we spend our time
How we spend our money
The places we go
Even TATOOS!!!
Our View of Life is expressed:
Expectations
Goals
Relationships
In what drives us
Our values
Our priorities
IF you see life as a rat race then you try to be a winning RatMichael Jordon sees life as a game… WINNING is all that matters
What about Life from GOD’s Perspective?
… do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind
Picture # 1 -Life is a TEST
What is the picture of your life?
Peter says -New Birth
Living Hope
An Inheritance
1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Picture # 1 -Life is a TEST
Life is a TEST
God Tests his people Character love
Faith integrity
Obedience Loyalty
Various words used:
Tests
Temptations
refining
Picture # 1 -Life is a TEST
Life is a TEST
People who faced great tests:
Joseph Ruth
Esther Daniel
God Tested Abraham
God Tested Jacob
Some failed the test
David Adam & Eve
TESTS have a purpose
TESTS reveal and develop true CHARACTER
Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear
1 Peter 1:17
How you respond to TESTS is what matters
How we respond to
Success
Illness
Conflict
Disappointments Even the weather!!
God Sees the response and evaluates our true character
God Tests
• My Faith– Through problems
• My HOPE– By how I handle my possessions
• My LOVE – Through people
Our most important test is how we act when we cannot feel God’s presence
2 Chron:32:31 God withdrew from Hezekiah
2 Chronicles 32:31
However, when ambassadors arrived from Babylon to ask about the remarkable events that had taken place in the land, God withdrew from Hezekiah in order to test him and to see what was really in his heart
2 Chron:32:31 God withdrew from Hezekiah
He enjoyed a close fellowship with God but at a crucial point in his life God left him alone to test His Character, to reveal a weakness and to prepare him for greater responsibility
EverydayA growth opportunity to:
Deepen your character
Demonstrate your love
Depend on God
Reveal character qualities that were not there before
METAPHORS of Life in the BIBLE
Life is a TESTThese have come so that your faith.. which is greater than gold.. may be proved genuine, and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.,
1 Peter 1:7
Life is a TEST
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Cor 10:13
God’s Perspective
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
WE must accept such trials as part of the refining process that burns away the impurities
God’s Perspective
Our trials, struggles and persecutions strengthen our faith and make us useful to God
God’s Perspective
What are you going through right now?
God wants you to know that He is in the process of strengthening your faith…… don’t give up now!!
God’s Perspective
PICTURE # 2 – Life is a Trust
Life is a TRUSTAll we have belongs to God – it is on loan to us
It’s God’s property before you came here and it will be loaned to someone else after you die.
PICTURE # 2 – Life is a Trust
1 Corinthians 4:7
For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
Seeing Life as a TRUST helps us to have an eternal perspective in all we say and do
Matthew 25: 14-29
A businessman entrusts his wealth to the care of servants whilst he was away
On his return he evaluates each servant’s responsibility and rewards accordingly
PICTURE # 2 – Life is a Trust
What has God entrusted to you?
The Good news of the Gospel
A holy Sacrament – The Remembrance Feast – until He comes
What do you do with what God has entrusted to you?
God Promises 3 rewards
Affirmation – good job done- well done
Promotion – you will be given greater responsibility
Celebration – come and share your master’s happiness
How do we do?
Money is a TEST and a TRUST
Our Finances teach us to TRUST Him
For many MONEY is the greatest test of all
Our check book reveals our trustworthiness
Life is a TRUSTLife is a TEST and a TRUST and the more God gives to you the more responsible He expects you to be
Luke 16:10 Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much
Picture #3 - LIFE is a Temporary Assignment
Are you:
A Pilgrim?
An Explorer?
A Landowner?
Psalm 39:4Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life.
Job 14:5 Man's days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed
Picture #3 - LIFE is a Temporary Assignment
Job 8:9
for we were born only yesterday and know nothing, and our days on earth are but a shadow.
Compared with eternity .. LIFE is brief
Some live as if there is no tomorrow – the prodigal son
Picture #3 - LIFE is a Temporary Assignment
1 Peter 1:17
Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear
A healthy respect for an Almighty God
Picture #3 - LIFE is a Temporary Assignment
1 Peter 2:11
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
Don’t become too attached to this world.. It will rob you
of your soul
Picture #3 - LIFE is a Temporary Assignment
We are being prepared for something Better
Don’t become mesmerized by attractions and
enjoyable experiences- it is fleeting!
Picture #3 - LIFE is a Temporary Assignment
When Life gets rough and we become overwhelmed by doubt or wonder if living for Christ is worth it the effort
REMEMBER
You’re not home yet
Picture #3 - LIFE is a Temporary Assignment
Earth is not our final home; we were created for something much better
Our time on earth is not the complete story of your life
It takes faith to live on earth as a foreigner
LIVE TODAY as if it was your last…
With a sense of enthusiasm, passion and joy for the next day you could be in heaven
Live a life of significance because
Life is a TEST
Life is a TRUST
Life is a TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT