What Is The Point Of Your Life? 2 Corinthians 4:5

If your life had a message what would it be? If your life told a story what would be the moral of it all?

"For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Christ's sake." 2 Corinthians 4:5, NIV*

These words from the Apostle come from a section of his writing where he shows that his motivation and actions were pure and without hidden agenda.

Paul the Apostle had a message but it was not about himself, he had no place in the message except to be the speaker of the message. He could have talked a lot about himself, his education, revelations, experiences, and more, but he had a message much greater than himself.

The false teachers of his day and ours want to be the center of attention and the recipients of the benefits of the philosophies they bring; but not the Apostle, his focus was on Christ and serving.

PREACHING
The message of the Gospel, which Paul the Apostle taught, was that Jesus Christ is Lord. Which means Jesus is God come down taking on human flesh to walk among us as a sinless example of righteousness and he offered his life, body, and soul as a sacrifice on the cross to pay for the sins of humanity, a sacrifice that was acceptable to God the Judge and evidenced in the resurrection of Jesus and his accession to the throne in heaven. We participate in the gospel by faith where we receive the blessings and benefits of salvation as a gift paid for by Christ. This is a humble gospel and leaves no place for pride and self-promotion. This Gospel was Paul's focus and purpose.

JESUS
Jesus is Lord, elsewhere in the Bible, it teaches that "Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord." Philippians 2:10-11

SERVANT
Paul could have said, "I am an apostle and I have rank conferred on me by The Lord. So, serve me, do this and do that."  Nowhere does the Bible or outside sources attribute such words or actions to the Apostles. Instead, he says here, "We are your servants for Christ's sake." He was in the place of leadership of the church and acted like the lowest servant.

PAUL'S MOTIVATION
What drove Paul? What was his message and the point of his life? It was the last three words of the verse, "For Christ's sake." He did what he did to advance the Gospel. You might say all he did he did for Christ.

What would our lives be like if we followed Paul's example and made Christ all? What if our motto was, "I'm all for Jesus or I am nothing at all?"

To read this verse in other translations then follow this link: Online Parallel Bible.

(c)Adron Dozat 12/30/12

Foundations in Leadership 1.3 For South Columbia Baptist Church Awana

This is handout 1.3 (The Leader's Example) in Foundations to Leadership. I wrote it to help develop the Youth Leaders (LITs) in our Awana Club. This hand-out and others like it are given the the kids at the end of club to take home and review during the week. They write out answers to the questions which they then discuss with a mentor, and return to club. I do not object to it being copied and used.

______________________________________
Foundations in leadership.1.3
The unpopular fact of leadership: The example.

“Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.” 1Corinthian 11:1, NIV.

You are the illustration of what a Christian is to the young kids in Awanas. Some kids may have never known a real Christian before meeting you. They are watching you today so they can imitate you tomorrow. Your example will influence their decision to live for Christ.

1. What does it mean to follow the example of Christ?



2. How did Paul follow Christ example?



3. How can you better follow Jesus example.



4. What things did Jesus’ life illustrate? What kid of things did he do?



5. How can we do these things?



6. Jesus chose the twelve to “Be with him.” (Mark 3:13-15) So they could see his life and follow his example. How can you be with Jesus?



7. List 3 practical steps will you take to “Be with Jesus” to learn his example?




8. What things can you do to set a more Jesus like example to the kids at Awanas?





Review answers with a mentor or parent. Mentor/ or parent’s signature._________________.


(c) Adron

____________________________

Thank you for visiting and reading my blog. I sincerely hope this post is helpful and an encouragement.  For more like this see the most popular post in the left sidebar, or use the search box above.  

Adron

Use the share buttons below to save and share this to your social networks. 

Is Jesus Worth Giving Up Everything? Philippians 3:8, NIV.

Is Jesus worth the trouble and sacrifice? Is he worth the cost of giving up stuff, like wealth, career, self-image, pleasures, and dreams?

“What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:8, NIV.

CONSIDERED
The Apostle "considered" everything loss. He weighed things in his mind and concluded that he was willing to give up everything because knowing Jesus was better, for to gain Christ is all,

RUBBISH
Paul considered things of this world as "rubbish." Rubbish is the worthless, useless leftovers, you throw away. If you offered him wealth, he would think it trash compared to Jesus.  All the wealth of the world combined is small change compared to the Lord.

LOSS
To follow Christ cost him his seat on the council, lost his status as a national and religious leader; he became an outcast to his own society and community, he was disowned by his countrymen he was stoned, beaten, and whipped on various occasions. Finally, unjustly imprisoned he gave his life as a martyr for Christ.

JESUS
     * Jesus is worth giving up TV to spend time reading the Bible.
     * He is worth sacrificing the promotion to be able to have time to serve in Christian work.
     * He is worth giving up popularity to befriend the unlovely and bring them to Christ.
     * He is worth a smaller bank account so that we may give liberally to the work of Christ's kingdom.
     * He is worth a few minutes of sleep to wake early for Morning Prayer.
     * He is worth giving up a romance to experience the depth of his love.

SURPASSING GREATNESS
Jesus is worth more than all these things. Jesus outweighs all things in beauty, greatness, worth, and reward. Jesus offers to come into our life but he doesn't force himself on us and he refuses to compete. He wants us to choose. He wants us to have that love that declares “Jesus over all.”

Jesus is worth the sacrifice and he will reward both in this life and the next.

To learn more about the Gospel see my other blog.

(c) Adron 4/3/10