Christ: The Fulfillment Of Life

The religion of Jesus is meant to be something that a person lives, not simply an “academic” endeavor Christianity provides us with all things needful

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: II Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: II Peter 1:3

The religion of Jesus is meant to be something that a person lives, not simply an “academic” endeavor Christianity provides us with all things needful Doing the will of Christ completes, makes us whole It works to form us into the very image of Christ

And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Colossians 3:10

My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, Galatians 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, Galatians 4:19

The book of Philippians provides us with the tools to become like Jesus

Christ Provides The Purpose of Life Christ Provides The Purpose of Life

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

The purpose of life is to serve Christ!

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 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. Ecclesiastes 12:13

The purpose of life is to serve Christ! Without the Lord in our lives, our lives have no lasting meaning There is not profit in anything else if this is not true of us

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26

The purpose of life is to serve Christ! Without the Lord in our lives, our lives have no lasting meaning There is not profit in anything else if this is not true of us For what are you living? For whom are you living?

Christ Provides The Pattern for Life Christ Provides The Pattern for Life

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:5

He not only died for us, He lives for us

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were

Literally “By His Living” reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Romans 5:6-11 reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Romans 5:6-11

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: I Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: I Peter 2:21

He not only died for us, He lives for us With Christ as our pattern we will have and manifest: A forgiving spirit

But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. Mark 11:26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. Mark 11:26

He not only died for us, He lives for us Compassion With Christ as our pattern we will have and manifest: A forgiving spirit

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Romans 12:15, 16 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Romans 12:15, 16

He not only died for us, He lives for us Compassion With Christ as our pattern we will have and manifest: A forgiving spirit Temperance

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. I Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. I Corinthians 9:27

He not only died for us, He lives for us Compassion With Christ as our pattern we will have and manifest: A forgiving spirit Temperance Love for the lost

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10

For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Romans 9:3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Romans 9:3

Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. Romans 10:1

He not only died for us, He lives for us Compassion With Christ as our pattern we will have and manifest: A forgiving spirit Temperance Love for the lost Fruit of the Spirit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:22-26 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:22-26

Christ Provides The Prize for Life Christ Provides The Prize for Life

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Philippians 3:13-14

The prize is eternal life

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:1-3

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Titus 2: For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Titus 2:11- 13

The prize is eternal life The prize is obtained when the race is complete, the fight is over, the victory has been achieved

But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. Mark 10:30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. Mark 10:30

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. II Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. II Timothy 4:7-8

Christ Provides The Power for Life Christ Provides The Power for Life

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

He is the Source of that power and without Him we can do nothing of eternal profit for ourselves or others

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:4-5 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:4-5

Christ: The Fulfillment Of Life Provides the Purpose of Life Provides the Pattern for Life Provides the Prize for Life Provides the Power for Life

From an outline by Lee Davis