"FOR ME TO LIVE IS ?"

May 14   “FOR ME TO LIVE IS ____?_____”    Philippians 1:21

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)

*Special Request: Please pray for Jeany O’Neal and Ray Hocutt and their families, in the passing of their Father, Roger Hocutt.

What is it that makes people different?  Physically, each of us are different because we have different colored eyes, hair, and skin and have different features and different sizes, but what really makes us different is not so much the physical characteristics, but our purpose in life.  Each of us have a different purpose in life and that makes us different from other people.  Have you ever stopped to think about where you will be once you have fulfilled your purpose?  Will you be better off?  Here is the warning!  Our purpose in life can destroy us or it can fit us for everlasting life.  Our physical differences will not make any difference as to where we will spend eternity, but our having different purposes or goals in life will!  Some folks have as their purpose in life to obtain power.  Some folk’s life’s purpose is to obtain possessions.  Some folk’ purpose in life is to obtain great wisdom.  Some folk’s purpose in life is to engage in non-stop pleasure.  So, what is wrong with these things?  If we live our lives with the main purpose of attaining these things, we are in for a rude awakening at the end of our lives.  These things may have a place in our lives; however, we should not let our lives revolve around them.  The Bible gives us our purpose for existing in Philippians 1:21, “FOR TO ME TO LIVE IS CHRIST, AND TO DIE IS GAIN!”  Paul had found what was important and his life revolved around Him ---JESUS CHRIST!  There is no better purpose in this life than to strive to keep Jesus as the CENTER of our lives!  What is the difference between people?  Physically, there are many, but these will not determine our eternal destination.  What WILL make the difference is what we make our purpose in life!  God gave us the ONE REAL PURPOSE:  “For me to live is Christ…” and when that is true, “…To die is gain!”  Will you make this your goal, your purpose?  Christ loves you and is waiting to have you come to Him!  Are you in a right relationship with God?  If not, the answer is simple.  ADMIT YOU ARE A SINNER ("All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23): BELIEVE THAT JESUS DIED FOR YOUR SINS, ROSE FROM THE DEAD AND THAT YOU TRUST IN HIM ALONE FOR YOUR SALVATION. ("Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved." Acts 16:31): CONFESS YOUR SINS ("If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins." 1 John 1:9)…If you would like to invite Jesus into your life, pray this prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I understand that I am a sinner and I ask You for forgiveness. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins so that I could receive Your forgiveness and have eternal life. I ask You to come into my life right now and become my personal Savior. From this day forward, Lord, I give you control of my life. Make me a new person and help me to live for You. Amen… If you prayed to receive Jesus, I would like to know about it. You can contact me through this Facebook page. Praise God!  – “You are the son/daughter of a King who is not moved by the world!  For your God is with you and goes before you.  We do not rear because we are HIS!”    Stay Strong, Stay Focused… Remember, THE BEST IS YET TO BE!