The Purpose of Life

Why am I here?

Why did God created the universe?

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.

I. Why should I fear God?A. Because man does not fear God.

Romans 3:10-18as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." "Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive."

"Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness." ..."There is no fear of God before their eyes.“Romans 3:10-18

B. Because man does not respect God’s Will.

1. Man is not afraid to violate His Law.2. Man does not respect the presence of His Owner and Provider.

That is the ultimate problem inthe world.

The glory of God is not honored.The holiness of God is not reverenced.The greatness of God is not admired.

The power of God is not praised.The truth of God is not sought.

The wisdom of God is not esteemed.The beauty of God is not treasured.The goodness of God is not savored.

The faithfulness of God is not trusted.The commandments of God are not obeyed.

The justice of God is not respected.The wrath of God is not feared.

The grace of God is not cherished.The presence of God is not prized.

The person of God is not loved.

Matthew 15:8–9: “This people honors me with

their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship

me.”

C. Because Life will be Good to those who obey God.

A sinner may commit a hundred crimes and still live. Oh yes, I know what they say: "If you obey God, everything will be all right,

but it will not go well for the wicked. Their life is like a shadow and they will die young, because they do not obey God."

Ecclesiastes 8:12-13

Solomon indulged himself to the greatest pleasures any man can experience, but he ended as a miserable man.

After all his human achievements, human wisdom and human pleasure...

...no peace...no happiness

...no satisfaction...no meaning

The reason we feel empty and weak, is because we pursue things and relationships that destroy relationships that we should value.

When man does not fear God, obey God, follow God, and love

God and His Words, man’s life remains meaningless, purposeless, dark, disorganized,

chaotic and empty.

Every attack to God is an attack to human happiness.

That’s why the greatest purpose of man is to fall in love with the

greatest Person.

This alone will give man true happiness, contentment,

satisfaction and life.

A life of godliness and virtue—this is the chief good for man.

There is no better or deeper satisfaction to be found on earth than that which springs from reverencing God and keeping His commandments. This was the grand “conclusion” at which Ecclesiastes had arrived.

II. What does it mean to fear God?

A. To be alarmed“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Matthew 10:28

The biggest problem in the world for every human being—from the poorest to the richest, from the sickest to the healthiest—is the same: how to escape the wrath of God that hangs over all humans because of our sin.

-John Piper

II. What does it mean to fear God?

A. Fear means submission.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God.

A. Fear means dread [takot].

Acts 51 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself,but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.

3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”

5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.

7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”

9 Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

B. Fear that is caused by “expectation of judgment”

For if we go on sinning wilfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Hebrews 10:26-27

C. To fear committing sin.Your evil will chastise you, and your apostasy will reprove you. Know and see that it is evil and bitter for you to forsake the LORD your God; the fear of me is not in you, declares the Lord GOD of hosts. Jeremiah 2:19

D. To love Him.

Can you fear God and love Him at the same time?

D. To fear God is to Glorify God.

Acts 12:21-24

On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them.

And the people were shouting, "The voice of a god, and not of a man!“

Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last. But the word of God increased and multiplied.

“The chief end [purpose] of man is to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever.” (1 Corinthians 10:31, Ps.73)

–Westminster Catechism

Whether you are doing house government, study management, sports, cooking, meeting friends... ...fulfill your purpose by following His Will in every way.

Find your purpose...Live your purpose...

Come to Christ, Not just as your Savior from Hell...

Come to Him for He is Your Greatest Treasure

Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst”

(John 6:35).