Some Observations in Life Our most basic human needs are for security and significance Security: the awareness of being unconditionally and totally loved Significance: the realization that “I’m valuable and what I’m doing is worthwhile”

Some Observations in Life Our most basic human problem is placing our significance in the wrong places What does it mean to do something significant? What kinds of things are considered significant in the eyes of God? Where do we get our sense of significance from?

Some Observations in Life “Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 2:11)

Some Observations in Life I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired men and women singers, and a harem as well – the delights of the heart of man. I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. (vv.4-9)

Some Observations in Life I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired men and women singers, and a harem as well – the delights of the heart of man. I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. (vv.4-9)

Some Observations in Life Our most critical decision in life is to make our lives count before God Matthew 6 Jesus’ recurrent emphasis: “die to live” “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them.” (vs.1)

Some Observations in Life Our most critical decision in life is to make our lives count before God Matthew 6 Jesus’ recurrent emphasis: “die to live” “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do … to be honored by men.” (vs.2)

Some Observations in Life Our most critical decision in life is to make our lives count before God Matthew 6 Jesus’ recurrent emphasis: “die to live” “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in synagogues … to be seen by men.” (vs.5)

Some Observations in Life Our most critical decision in life is to make our lives count before God Matthew 6 Jesus’ recurrent emphasis: “die to live” “When you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.” (vs.7)

Some Observations in Life Our most critical decision in life is to make our lives count before God Matthew 6 Jesus’ recurrent emphasis: “die to live” “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting.” (vs.16)

Some Observations in Life Our most critical decision in life is to make our lives count before God Matthew 6 Jesus’ recurrent emphasis: “die to live” “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” (vs.19)

Some Observations in Life Our most critical decision in life is to make our lives count before God Matthew 6 Jesus’ recurrent emphasis: “die to live” “Therefore … do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.” (vs.25)

Some Observations in Life “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)

Some Observations in Life “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33) Message 1: “What path are we seeking?” Message 2: “What is the kingdom of God?” Message 3: “What is this righteousness God requires?”