Questions Only God Answers

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Questions Only God Answers!

• Pastor Scott Oelhafen
• February 4/5, 2007
• 1 Corinthians 1 1-9
• Who Am I?
• Why Am I Here?
• Where Am I Going?

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Think of wherequestions come from

• Four Year Olds
• Humor
• Grown-Ups
• Kids in School

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Great Questions

• At graduation what do I want to be?
• At marriage proposal will I say I do?
• At death what happens next?

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Questions Only God Answers1. Who am I?
(accident or design)2. Why am I here? (make
money, have fun or ???)3. Where am I going?
(heaven, hell, ???)Only Jesus gives us our
identity, purpose, and eternity
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Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by
the will of God.Why did Paul begin this way?-
Corinthian congregation was near dear to
Pauls heart- Members of church disrespected
Paul His divine call- Paul simply explained
his apostolic authority- Paul was qualified to
explain to Christians who they are
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Paul answers Who am I?

• to the church of God in Corinth, to those
  sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy

• Paul boldly explains believers are Gods
  sanctified people
• Believers are justified (declared innocent of
  sin)
• Believers are sanctified (sanctified made
  holy)

Bottom Line We are Gods saved sanctified
people
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Paul answers Who am I?

• To the church of God in Corinth, to those
  sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy
  , together with all those everywhere who call on
  the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

• God hasnt left us alone, but joined us to
  others
• Who we are isnt determined by our job,
  compliments, or performance in sports or the arts
• Who we are is defined by God what He has done

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Lion King (Simba Rafiki)You dont even know
who you areGod says that we are not here by
some chance, but by His design
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Paul answers Why Am I Here?

• For in Him (God) you have been enriched in every
  way in all your speaking and in all your
  knowledge because our testimony about Christ was
  confirmed in you.

• God put us here blessed us with spiritual gifts
  to put to good use in His kingdom
• Believers have a real purpose to roll up our
  sleeves and gratefully use our God-given gifts to
  serve others

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Christians need to know our purpose and do
something about itOur Christian mission is
not 1. Make ourselves more comfortable 2. To
massage the saintsOur Christian mission is
to proclaim Christ to use our time, talents,
testimony, treasures
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Paul answers Where Am I Going?

• Therefore you do not lack and spiritual gift as
  you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus christ to be
  revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so
  that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord
  Jesus Christ.

• Do you believe in destiny? You should Gods
  destiny
• When we close our eyes in death, we will open
  them in heaven. And God will keep us strong in
  His Word

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New Football Study by the Houston ChronicleWhat
happens to football players when they retire?-
65 of NFL players leave the game with permanent
injuries- 1 in 4 players report financial
difficulties in the first year of retirement-
Suicide rate of NFL players is 6x/higher than
national average- 78 of NFL retired players are
bankrupt, unemployed, divorced within 2
yearsWhy are we here? Not for money, fame, --
for Jesus
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Questions Only God Answers!

• Remember the name Jesus
• Jesus gives us our identity
• Jesus gives us our purpose
• Jesus gives us our eternity