Christ Brings Meaning to L-I-F-E

 

“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

I.      L-ove (Loving Through Christ)

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another” (I John 4:11).

As the followers of Christ were to be exposed to the hatred of the world, it was no small consolation to them to know that that hatred would be only in proportion to their faith and holiness; and that, consequently, instead of being troubled at the prospect of persecution, they should rejoice, because that should always be a proof to them that they were in the very path in which Jesus himself had trod.

 

A.  Life has little meaning to some because they possess so little love. Christ loved us and died for us, paying the penalty for our sins. When Christ is Lord of our life, He should be the love of our life also.

B.   Christ’s love brings meaning to our life. His love must reach out through us to help, comfort, and share Christ with others (Matt. 28:19).

Make disciples of all nations, bring them to an acquaintance with God who bought them, and then baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

 

II.     I-nstruction (Learning from Christ)

“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye” (Ps. 32:8).

Blessed are the forgiven

 

1. When we are forgiven, cleansed, and filled with the love of Christ, we have just begun to live. We still have much to learn. We will continue to face frustrations and pos­sible failure.

 

B.   We must depend on Christ’s Holy Spirit for guidance and direction. He will help us through frustration and will bring victory and meaning to life as we keep on praying, learning from His Word, trusting, and obeying.

 

III.    F-reedom (Liberty in Christ)

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Gal. 5:1).

 

1. Many are bound (entrapped) by sinful pleasures, social pressures, and sensual practices. They are in bondage to themselves, others, and Satan. Life has little meaning as a result.

 

B.   Christ came to bring freedom from the bondage of sin. He breaks the fetters that bind and sets free all who come to Him in repentance and faith.

 

C.   Christians are liberated and their lives become mean­ingful. When one’s sins are forgiven, one’s heart is cleansed. One is free to help others find their way to heaven (John 8:36).

 

IV.   E-ternal Life (Living with Christ)

God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son” (I John 5:11).

A.  Everyone wants to live. But only those who have ac­cepted Christ as Savior and Lord will live eternally.

B.   Life here on earth is brief at best. We should make the most of it. This life can have real meaning only if we are prepared for the next life.

C.   Christians look forward with anticipation to living forever with Christ. He has gone to prepare a place for them. He has promised to return and receive them unto Himself (John 14:1—3).

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