Why Were You Born?
John 18:34-37
34 Jesus answered, "Do you say this of your own accord, or
did others say it to you about me?"
35 Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the
chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you
done?"
36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my
kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been
fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my
kingdom is not from the world."
37 Then Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus
answered, "You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born
and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear
witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my
voice.“
John 18:34-37
This Year’s Theme: At His Cross
June’s Theme: I Find Purpose
Today’s Lesson: Why Were You Born?
WHY WERE YOU BORN?
• What is the purpose of (your) life?
• Not just philosophically
• But practically, how should you spend your life?
WHY WERE YOU BORN?
• What is the purpose of (your) life?
• Various answers given
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There is no meaning—depressed people and atheists
Finding peace and tranquility—Eastern philosophy
Self denial, self improvement—Stoics
Influence society with MY important message
Finding true self, living in the present—not past/future
Climbing a personally defined ladder of success
To have instant gratification
WHY WERE YOU BORN?
• What is the purpose of (your) life?
• Various answers given
• I am a “nobody” I could never be used
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Look at the twelve “nobody” apostles
• Ignorant and unlearned fishermen; an uncontrolled,
impetuous man; a despised person, etc.
He took Amos a fruit picker and shepherd
He took a young shepherd boy to become a king
He took Isaiah from unknown source to become prophet
He took Legion & told him to stay home (Mark 5:18-19)
WHY WERE YOU BORN?
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What is the purpose of (your) life?
Various answers given
I am a “nobody” I could never be used
Can He take you?
• Jeremiah found out when an adult
• Esther never knew
• Without revelation, you cannot know certainly
WHY WERE YOU BORN?
Two Simple, yet profound, answers
• King Solomon’s search and conclusion
• The wisest man search for the answer
• His conclusion—“Fear God and obey Him”
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His
commandments, For this is man's all.
14 For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret
thing, Whether good or evil.
Ecc. 12:13-14
WHY WERE YOU BORN?
Two Simple, yet profound, answers
• King Solomon’s search and conclusion
• Jehovah’s words to Isaiah
7 Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I
have formed him, yes, I have made him.“
Isaiah 43:7
WHY WERE YOU BORN AGAIN?
• So we could enter His Kingdom—John 3:3-5
5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water
and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
John 3:5
WHY WERE YOU BORN AGAIN?
• So we could enter His Kingdom—John 3:3-5
• To be His voice to the lost—2 Cor. 5:19-20
18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through
Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not
imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of
reconciliation.
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading
through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.
2 Cor. 5:18-20
WHY WERE YOU BORN AGAIN?
• So we could enter His Kingdom—John 3:3-5
• To be His voice to the lost—2 Cor. 5:19-20
• To be His priest & serve Him—Heb. 13:15-16
15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is,
the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well
pleased.
Heb. 13:15-16
Becoming Part of His Family
• Believe
John 3:16
• Repent
Acts 17:30
• Confess Faith
Acts 8:36-37
• Be Baptized Into Him
Gal. 3:27
Added to His church, His body, His kingdom
• Be Faithful until death
Rev. 2:10