1. Living Life from God’s Perspective Adapted from A Purpose Driven Life Rick Warren

2. How do you see your life? Life is a *circus *a pain *struggle *what you make of it *Roller coaster experience *game of dominoes – play thehand you’ve been dealt

3. How do you see your life? Ernie Smith said LIFE IS JUST FOR LIVING and he’s right

4. We express our life through The way we dress The hair style we choose The car we drive The way we spend our time How we spend our money The places we go Even TATOOS!!!

5. Our View of Life is expressed: Expectations Goals Relationships In what drives us Our values Our priorities IF you see life as a rat race then you try to be a winning Rat Michael Jordon sees life as a game… WINNING is all that matters

6. What about Life from GOD’s Perspective? … do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind

7. Picture # 1 -Life is a TEST What is the picture of your life? Peter says -New Birth Living Hope An Inheritance 1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

8. Picture # 1 -Life is a TEST Life is a TEST God Tests his people Characterlove Faithintegrity ObedienceLoyalty Various words used: Tests Temptations refining

9. Picture # 1 -Life is a TEST Life is a TEST People who faced great tests: JosephRuth EstherDaniel God Tested Abraham God Tested Jacob Some failed the test David Adam & Eve

10. TESTS have a purpose TESTS reveal and develop true CHARACTER Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear 1 Peter 1:17

11. How you respond to TESTS is what matters How we respond to Success Illness Conflict Disappointments Even the weather!! God Sees the response and evaluates our true character

12. God Tests My Faith –Through problems My HOPE –By how I handle my possessions My LOVE –Through people Our most important test is how we act when we cannot feel God’s presence

13. 2 Chron:32:31 God withdrew from Hezekiah 2 Chronicles 32:31 However, when ambassadors arrived from Babylon to ask about the remarkable events that had taken place in the land, God withdrew from Hezekiah in order to test him and to see what was really in his heart

14. 2 Chron:32:31 God withdrew from Hezekiah He enjoyed a close fellowship with God but at a crucial point in his life God left him alone to test His Character, to reveal a weakness and to prepare him for greater responsibility

15. Everyday A growth opportunity to: Deepen your character Demonstrate your love Depend on God Reveal character qualities that were not there before

16. METAPHORS of Life in the BIBLE Life is a TEST These have come so that your faith.. which is greater than gold.. may be proved genuine, and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed., 1 Peter 1:7

17. Life is a TEST No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Cor 10:13

18. God’s Perspective James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

19. WE must accept such trials as part of the refining process that burns away the impurities God’s Perspective

20. Our trials, struggles and persecutions strengthen our faith and make us useful to God God’s Perspective

21. What are you going through right now? God wants you to know that He is in the process of strengthening your faith…… don’t give up now!! God’s Perspective

22. PICTURE # 2 – Life is a Trust Life is a TRUST All we have belongs to God – it is on loan to us It’s God’s property before you came here and it will be loaned to someone else after you die.

23. PICTURE # 2 – Life is a Trust 1 Corinthians 4:7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

24. Seeing Life as a TRUST helps us to have an eternal perspective in all we say and do Matthew 25: 14-29 A businessman entrusts his wealth to the care of servants whilst he was away On his return he evaluates each servant’s responsibility and rewards accordingly PICTURE # 2 – Life is a Trust

25. What has God entrusted to you? The Good news of the Gospel A holy Sacrament – The Remembrance Feast – until He comes

26. What do you do with what God has entrusted to you? God Promises 3 rewards Affirmation – good job done- well done Promotion – you will be given greater responsibility Celebration – come and share your master’s happiness

27. How do we do? Money is a TEST and a TRUST Our Finances teach us to TRUST Him For many MONEY is the greatest test of all Our check book reveals our trustworthiness

28. Life is a TRUST Life is a TEST and a TRUST and the more God gives to you the more responsible He expects you to be Luke 16:10 Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much

29. Picture #3 - LIFE is a Temporary Assignment Are you: A Pilgrim? An Explorer? A Landowner? Psalm 39:4 Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. Job 14:5 Man's days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed

30. Picture #3 - LIFE is a Temporary Assignment Job 8:9 for we were born only yesterday and know nothing, and our days on earth are but a shadow. Compared with eternity.. LIFE is brief Some live as if there is no tomorrow – the prodigal son

31. Picture #3 - LIFE is a Temporary Assignment 1 Peter 1:17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear A healthy respect for an Almighty God

32. Picture #3 - LIFE is a Temporary Assignment 1 Peter 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Don’t become too attached to this world.. It will rob you of your soul

33. Picture #3 - LIFE is a Temporary Assignment We are being prepared for something Better Don’t become mesmerized by attractions and enjoyable experiences- it is fleeting!

34. Picture #3 - LIFE is a Temporary Assignment When Life gets rough and we become overwhelmed by doubt or wonder if living for Christ is worth it the effort REMEMBER You’re not home yet

35. Picture #3 - LIFE is a Temporary Assignment Earth is not our final home; we were created for something much better Our time on earth is not the complete story of your life It takes faith to live on earth as a foreigner

36. LIVE TODAY as if it was your last… With a sense of enthusiasm, passion and joy for the next day you could be in heaven

37. Live a life of significance because Life is a TEST Life is a TRUST Life is a TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT