What is our purpose?

[Frame1520]

What is our purpose? One of the polls caused me to think about something I've been talking about for the better part of the last 6 months. With all the books, people, seminars, churches, etc telling us that we need to "find God's purpose" for our lives, it made me question what some of them were saying. I was at a Baccalaureate ceremony last night, and the message was big on "find your purpose" and "getting a great job, having a good family". The speaker didn't mention anything about Christ (could've been because it was a public school ceremony; yet inside a church!)

I've come to the conclusion that our purpose is pretty simple, and comes down to just a handful of things. I'd be curious to hear your thoughts. I've been working hard with our young adults to try and help them see this, alas, the allure of material things and wealth, and an over emphasis on fellowship has caused them to call me crazy... In no particular order:

1) To Glorify & worship God
2) The Great Commission (winning the lost)
3) Discipleship
4) Obedience to the Lord
5) Striving to be like Christ (ie:loving others)

May God be with us all.

[Apollos1]

Ecclesiastes 12:13 - Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. KJV

[crawfish]

Ecclesiastes 12:13 - Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. KJV

I'm biting my tongue about "bringing over the OT". ;)

I think it's this: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Jesus) you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eschatology)." Matt 28:16-30.

No NT verse is clearer in giving us a purpose.

To be honest, Apollos1, I think a big difference between your philosophy and mine is we reverse #1 and #2...

[ParsonJefferson]

I'm biting my tongue about "bringing over the OT". ;)

I think it's this: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Jesus) you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eschatology)." Matt 28:16-30.

No NT verse is clearer in giving us a purpose.

To be honest, Apollos1, I think a big difference between your philosophy and mine is we reverse #1 and #2...

Good points!

To me, it all boils down to what Jesus clearly said were the two greatest commands (Matthew 22:34-40).

If I'm pursuing those two commands - or perhaps I should look at them as invitations - everything else in life will definitely fall into order in its proper priority.

[Frame1520]

Good points!

To me, it all boils down to what Jesus clearly said were the two greatest commands (Matthew 22:34-40).

If I'm pursuing those two commands - or perhaps I should look at them as invitations - everything else in life will definitely fall into order in its proper priority.

So true. Life does seem to be a lot simpler, and I for one am more content when I keep these things in mind.

[crawfish]

Good points!

To me, it all boils down to what Jesus clearly said were the two greatest commands (Matthew 22:34-40).

If I'm pursuing those two commands - or perhaps I should look at them as invitations - everything else in life will definitely fall into order in its proper priority.
Great point!