Wednesday August 21, 2013

Read Ecclesiastes 1:1-8. John 10:10

For the believer living in obedience to the Great Commission, every moment of life is a meaningful, purposeful moment. Life has value and significance because of the believer’s union with Christ. That union shows itself in a life of joyful obedience.

But the Teacher (aka Solomon) makes the point that apart from God, life is meaningless. He stresses the point and then hammers the point. Life is utterly meaningless without God. Having made the point, the Teacher gives four illustrations that back up his point. There is no gain from one’s labour because he will die and another generation will take his place. Death will get the better of us all. The sun will continue to shine and the wind will continue to blow and streams will continue to roll into the sea. The endless cycle will continue over and over and over. People will come and people will go. People will rise up and they will fall. You will continue your daily routine and then life will cease. It will start again in someone else and they will have a treadmill existence as well.

 

So many people in this world feel like they are living a treadmill existence. They yearn for meaning and value but the endless cycle rolls relentlessly on. As the cycle rolls on they desperately seek respite in drinking, in partying, in making more money, in their future retirement or in that other person. So many people are searching for meaning, for value and for significance.

 

As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ you have the opportunity to speak life into these people’s lives. By introducing them to Jesus you are inviting them into a life of meaning, value and eternal importance. You are inviting them off the treadmill! You are inviting them into a life that is internally fulfilled and content, no matter what their current life situation. You are inviting them into a life that is eternally significant. You are inviting them into a life infused with meaning. But be warned. These people must see meaning and value in your life first or your invitation will be rejected. Your life is the foundation on which the invitation to Christ is grounded. It must match your words and the Gospel you proclaim.

 

If Jesus is the difference between a pointless and purposeful life, you (the Jesus-follower) are an ambassador of the greatest importance.

Prayer:

Write down at least one prayer in each of the following categories based on the verse

...I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.

John 10:10b

Adoration:

 

 

Confession:

 

 

Thanks:

 

 

Supplication:

¥ Think of the people you work /study with and rub shoulders with each day. Ask the Lord to use your words and your life to show Christ to them. Pray that you would have opportunity to speak Jesus’ life into their lives.

¥ Pray that God would be using each individual in your church to bring Jesus’ life to others.  Pray that believers in your church would be empowered to live obedient lives that shine brightly for Jesus. Pray that each person would have the courage to speak up when God allows them to share their faith.

 

Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1/. Assuming that Donald is living a treadmill life, in what way could you open up a Jesus discussion with him?

 

2/. If Donald didn’t want to listen to this, what would you do?

 

3/. If Donald said he wanted to find out more about Jesus, what would you do?