Home News  Pictures  Calendar  Links  Missions  Bible Search  Documents 
Discussion  Purpose  Guest Book  Sermons  Audio  History  Stanley Henderson  Services  Sermons  Members

    
The Search for Significance

October 21, 2011 ˜ Vol. 3, No. 20

The Search for Significance

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Have you ever noticed that a funeral’s eulogy often relates how the deceased impacted those around them? We have a tremendous need to assign significance to a person’s life at that point. The worst thing we could say is, "This person’s life had no meaning whatsoever!” People want to achieve significance in life; they want to make a difference!

The Apostle Paul wrote a great deal about the search for significance in life. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 he describes how we can experience significance. The person who wants to live a meaningful life must have…

 

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives sthe prize? So trun that you may obtain it. 25 Every uathlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we van imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I wdo not box as one xbeating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and ykeep it under control,1 lest after preaching to others zI myself should beadisqualified.

 

  1. DRIVE (v.24). Paul is saying,      "Don’t settle for a tie; go for the win!” Give everyday all that you have      to give; God has given us one life to life—live it for Him.
    1.   
    2. Cf. Phil. 3:14       - I press on toward the       goal for othe prize of the upward pcall of God in Christ Jesus.
    3.   
    4. Heb. 12:1 - Therefore, since we are surrounded by so       great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and wsin which clings so closely, and xlet us run ywith endurance the race that is zset before us,
    5.   
    6.  2 Tim. 4:6 - For uI am already being poured out as a drink       offering, and the time of my vdeparture has come.

 

Great tragedy is when a person possesses talent, brains and ability but drifts through life because they have no ambition and no drive. They’re willing to settle for mediocrity. Therefore, set your site on heaven and live so as to go there.

 

  1. DIRECTION      (v.26)/Purpose. Life is a two-way street: one road going to heaven and the other      going for hell. Cf. Matt. 7:13-14. Since we are going to leave this world      someday, and when we do, we will live either in Heaven or Hell forever, it      is essential that we know where we will end up. The broad road leads to      "destruction.” This word refers to "loss.” It speaks of "total and      absolute ruin.” It speaks of the loss a person can expect to suffer in the      fires of Hell. However, Jesus promises those who travel the narrow way      everlasting life; not just a better life down here, but everlasting,      glorious life in the realms of light above this wicked, perishing world.      The most important question: "Where am I going?”

 

  1. DISCIPLINE (v.25,      27). The words "temperate” (v.25, self-control) and "keep under”      (v.27, buffet or discipline by hardship) are words that emphasize      discipline. Paul does not want his body to lord it over his being. He is a      preacher and participant. Therefore, he must exercise discipline in all      areas. In doing so, he would be greatly rewarded.

God’s plan for us is to live lives that are full of meaning and purpose. Our search for significance ends when we commit ourselves to following Jesus. END RESULT: The Father says, "Well done, good and faithful servant.”




Print

Direct Page Link
Powered By
TheLordsWay.com
Click here to host your
own church web site today!