WHAT ON EARTH AM I HERE FOR?

 

WHAT ON EARTH AM I HERE FOR? (BAKIT AKO NARIRITO SA MUNDO)

   picture taken from google

BIBLE PASSAGE: Jeremiah 20:18

Lesson Aim:

·         Let them understand deeper that there’s no accident of existence here on earth.

·         God is the source of purpose

Lesson Activity:

Let each members of the group to choose pictures of different kind of weather conditions. The picture they’ll choose will explain their life’s situation in life whether it’s in the past or present time. Let them briefly explain. (If ever a member doesn’t have a picture available, he can just tell his choice and explain) (Tagalog: Anong klaseng buhay ang iyong napagdaanan o pinagdadaanan?)

INTRODUCTION:

Based from our answers in our lesson activity, we can see that life is full of struggles and because of this sometimes people in this world find themselves no purpose. Others find their purpose in different areas of their lives like setting their goals at work, making more money for fame & others, and looking within themselves and create their own purpose but all these things don’t work. Then they see themselves worthless and they choose to take their own lives (suicide). These happen if we take God out of our lives. Life without purpose is meaningless. With this, people have many questions in mind like:

 

LESSON PROPER:

 

1)   Question of Existence: “WHY AM I ALIVE?”

We ask at times, “Why I was born?” If we have questions like this, we cannot see the answers from the world. For example:  If we bought a delicate camera and we can’t figure it out how to use it, where we can go to and ask for help? Of course we need to go to the maker of that camera or to the manual, right?  Therefore, if we have questions of our existence, we need to go to our Maker, God, the creator or to the manual of life which is the Bible. Do we just live for labor and sorrow just like mentioned in Jeremiah 20:18?

“Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labor and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?”

 

 Whether we accept it or not everyone of us is not an accident in this world. Why Am I Alive?

·         I WAS CREATED TO BE LOVED BY GOD.

Loves comes from God… for GOD IS LOVE. God showed how much he loved us by sending His only SON into the world… 1 John 4:7-9

 

GOD IS LOVE: It is His nature and character. God’s love is not based on who you are but who HE is.

 

There’s no man in this world who will ever love you as much as God does. If we see the divorce and separation rate, you’ll agree that human love can die and fade.

 

In creation, He had us on His mind. Everything is created before He made us in order for us to use and consume. We were in His focus during creation (Ephesians 1:4). You’ll never struggle of self-esteem and insecurity if you feel loved by God.

 

2)   Question of Significance: “DOES MY LIFE MATTER?”

People sometimes ask: “What am I doing? Does it count? Does it relevant? When you question your significance, it’s hard for you to move forward. Why keep going?  In Psalms 89:47, “Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain? How do people live? Other people live in a survival level. They just work to survive and because of this they are dominated by problems to get out of the situation. “You are not living you’re only existing.”

Let’s remember that you’ve made so much more than working and die. Other live in success level. People want more and not satisfied. Live without meaning. It’s better to live in a significance level where you know your creator who made you.

Let’s see how significant are we in God’s eyes:

 

·         He cares about every details of your life. Imagine not even a sparrow, can fall to the ground without your Heavenly Father knowing it (Matthew 10:29). The very hairs on your head are all numbered (Matt.10:30). In verse 31 is an encouragement for every one of us. “Fear ye not therefore, ye are more value than many sparrows.”

·         He planned your days before you were born. Psalms 139:16 is a great reminder.

“Ako’y iyong nakita na, hindi pa man isinilang, batid mo kung ilang taon ang aking buhay; …

 

·         He made you to last forever. He made us in God’s image. It means you are different from animals. You are not a duck, cow, or any animals. In God’s image, we have body, soul and spirit. God wants us to be with Him forever with the soul we have. That’s why He sent His Son for us to be with HIm (John 3:16). Life on earth is a preparation for eternity. YOU MATTER TO GOD!

 

 

3)   Question of Intention: “IS THERE A PURPOSE FOR MY LIFE?”

If there’s no God, wherein atheist believe, no purpose in life, no right and wrong, our birth is only an accident and nothing matters but that’s not the case, THERE IS GOD.He has plan for your life.

 

·         He made you for His purpose (Proverbs 16:4a) “The Lord hath made all things for himself…”

 

All has its purpose. Everything here on earth has purpose; there’s nothing made without purpose. Imagine everything is co-related. The ecosystem is in balance and even bacteria has a purpose. Therefore, it’s important to know your purpose.

How do I discover my purpose?

·         By getting to know GOD. When you start to know God, you’ll start understanding yourself because He is your Creator. For by Him were all things created… Col. 1:16. Knowing God results in everyother kinds of understanding (Prov.9:10).

 

 

CLOSING PRAYER:

I'M READY TO DIE (LUKE 2:25-35)

I'M READY TO DIE

Picture taken from Google

LUKE 2:25-35

Prepared by krisha of Solomon FB page

MEMORY VERSE:

LUKE 2:30

“For mine eyes have seen thy salvation”

INTRODUCTION:

-         If we are asked, “Are you ready to die?” Christians would reply, “YES, AMEN!” Could you still answer “YES” if we talk about your ministry? Did you already your best for it? This question can only be answered by ourselves.

-         Death is a concern to us to some extent. We hear people say from time to time, “I am not afraid to die, but I am concerned about how I am going to die.” I think that statement is true for most of us here. We don’t want to spend some agonizing weeks or months actively dying. That is something to be concerned about. We also think our family; most Filipinos are very attached to our families and we don’t want to leave them. That’s why we are concern also in our health.  Are we ready to leave our families? Are our families ready for our death?

-         In our lesson for today from Luke, there was a man in Jerusalem who told the Lord that he was ready to die, and we’ll try to understand what he meant by this statement. This lesson is titled “I AM READY TO DIE.”

LESSON OUTLINE:

1)     I’M READY TO DIE BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST (LUKE 2:25-28)

-         Simeon lived in Jerusalem. He was probably an old man, though we are not told this, and no indication is given of his position in life, nor as to whether he was rich or poor. However, there is one very important thing which we are told about him, and that is that day by day, as he lived and worked, he was “waiting for the consolation of Israel” (Luke 2:25); that is, he was waiting for and living in the expectation of the coming of the Messiah.

-         When the child Jesus brought in the temple, Simeon took him up in his arms and blessed him. In this verse shows Simeon welcomed Jesus.

-         How about us? Spiritually speaking, when we found Jesus in our lives, we are ready to die; we are saved from the penalty of sin from hell and we can now go to heaven.

2)     I’M READY TO DIE BECAUSE THERE’S A LIGHT TO LIGHTEN THE GENTILES (LUKE 2:32)

-         Simeon is serious and sincere; it is mentioned in verse 25 “just and devout,” waiting for the consolation of Israel.

-         The Spirit-controlled life is a life which is endued with the Spirit, taught of the Spirit and led by the Spirit. Simeon had an insight into dispensational truth, as verses 30-32 indicate. In verse 32 he stated that the Lord Jesus was to be, first, “a light to enlighten the Gentiles”; and second, “and the glory of thy people Israel”. He knew that although He had come to His own people they would reject Him, and the gospel would be preached to the Gentiles (John 1:11; Acts 28:28). Notice also that the Holy Spirit always leads to and glorifies the Lord Jesus –- compare verse 27 with John 16:13-14.

-         Simeon was ready to die because there’s a light to lighten the Gentiles. He had seen the glimpse of the future salvation of the Gentiles. Have you seen what this verse implies? Let’s personalize this verse; we can say we’re ready to die if our love ones, friends, relatives, neighbors, community or anyone who are under our responsibility have found the Lord in their lives or heard the free gift of salvation. Also we can see in these verses our real purpose here on earth, share the free gift of salvation.

-         One important thing we can see in Simeon’s life is ‘True achievement comes upon seeing the salvation of the Gentiles and Jews through Jesus Christ.’ Simeon’s reaction was he was fulfilled and satisfied for the salvation of people. What is the achievement we can say in our spiritual journey? Personally, we can notice in most of the people’s reaction when they hear announcement that there are people heard the Gospel or get saved, Christians have no reaction and they don’t shout Amen! Remember the verse in Luke 15: 7 “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth…” Let’s show that we’re rejoicing for even one person who accepted Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour.

3)     I’M READY TO DIE BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN THE GLORY OF THE PEOPLE, ISRAE (LUKE 2:32)

-         And the glory … - The first offer of salvation was made to the Jews, John 4:22; Luke 24:47. Jesus was born among the Jews; to them had been given the prophecies respecting him, and his first ministry was among them. Hence, he was their glory, their honor, their light.  

Christ was the glory of Israel.

a)  Because He was a Jew by birth.

b)  Because His history has vindicated all that was peculiar in the Jewish polity.

c)  Because He confined His personal ministry to the Jews.

d)  Because He has stamped the impress of Jewish thought on the mind of man.

e) Because He has invested the condition and prospects of the Jews with universal interest. (G. Brooks.)

-         How about us? Who is our glory? When we say that Christ is our glory, we mean that WE GET ALL THE GLORY WE HAVE THROUGH HIM. Some men go to the schools for glory, others to the camps of war. In all kinds of places men have sought after honour, but the believer saith that Christ is the mine in which he digs for this gold, Christ is the sea in which he fishes for this pearl; he gives up all other searchings and looks for glory in Jesus, and nowhere else.

CONCLUSION:

Simeon says in verses 29 and 30 “Lord , now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation.” Let’s paraphrase and personalize these verses, “Lord, I’m ready to die because I have seen your salvation.”  Can we say these words?

-          We are imperfect people and we possibly can’t say these words but we have a great work God has entrusted in us which mentioned in Matthew 28:19-20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen”. WE SHOULD DO OUR PART! And for those Christians who are presently doing it “DON’T GIVE UP. KEEP ON SHARING!”