:: City Harvest Church ::

Is there more to life than just getting an education, carving out a career, finding a partner in marriage, setting up a family, earning enough money for retirement, and then dying at a ripe old age? Most people live their entire lives without ever knowing the answers to these questions. They live through year after year with no idea why they exist.

Everybody wants to be happy. And in the pursuit of that happiness, we try all ways and means to find it. Some look for happiness by acquiring possessions. However, as you probably know from your own observations, some of the richest people around are also some of the saddest. Money cannot buy genuine, long-lasting happiness.

Some look for happiness by seeking pleasure. If that were possible, then late night partying and indulgence in worldly vices would surely be the answer. But alas, they often leave behind a hollow and empty aftertaste in every pleasure-seeker. Well, there are still others who look for happiness by gaining prestige and power. If that is the key, then some of the most famous international statesmen and Hollywood movie stars ought to be the happiest people around. However, no one can hold on to prestige and power forever. They are not eternal; you cannot find genuine, long-lasting happiness in them.

So, why are you here? Can you really find true joy and happiness in life? The answer is "Yes"! And the key to true happiness lies in the understanding of your purpose in life.

Why am I here?

The Bible says that there is a God who loves you very much.

Jeremiah 31:3
"The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: 'Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; ..."

Ephesians 2:4
"But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, ..."

This God, who is a good God, created you to have a relationship with Him and to enjoy His blessings.

John 10:10
"[Jesus says] I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly (to have life in all its fullness)."

However, there is a problem.

What is the problem?

Man chose to rebel and ignore God's principles for living:

"Well, if it feels good, I will do it ... I don't care what God has said!"
"This is my life and I will do what I like!"
"I don't need God, I only believe in myself!" The Bible calls this attitude sin. The fact is that all of us have sinned against God in our attitudes, words and deeds.

Romans 3:23
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

1 John 1:8 (TLB)
"If we say that we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth."

We have all told lies, lost our tempers, acted proudly, hurt others with our words, and entertained unloving and immoral thoughts in our minds. All of us have indeed sinned against God and the tragedy is that sin breaks our relationship with Him. Sin causes us to fear God and live our lives outside of His will.

When our relationship with God is not right, it causes problems in every area of our lives: marriage, career, relationships, finances, health, et cetera. But worst of all, sin has an eternal consequence ...

Romans 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death, ..."

The eternal consequence of sin is death. By this, God is not merely talking about the passing away of a person when he dies physically. For the sinner, there is a death worse than physical death; it is called eternal death. That means, forever and ever, the sinner is cut off from God and His goodness. He is banished from the presence of God for all eternity!

What is the solution?

What a sad end for the sinner! However, what is sadder is that even when we know that only God can fulfill our deepest needs, we still try the wrong ways in getting to know Him:

"Well, my mother is a Christian, so I guess that means I am okay!"
"It doesn't matter what you believe ... as long as you are sincere."
"If I don't drink, smoke, gamble or womanize, I guess God will overlook my sins."
"If I work really hard, get a good education and secure a good career, I will earn my salvation."
"If I become very religious, go to churches and temples, and give donations to charity, I will get to heaven when I die."

Man has tried to bridge that gap through good works, charity, religion and philosophy. But none of these methods can save us or rid us of our sins and reconcile us back to God. The Bible says that there is only one way ...

John 14:6
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."'

Because the one who commits sin must be punished and condemned, there is only one way out for the sinner. Somebody must be judged in your place. So, two thousand years ago, God emptied Himself of His glory and came in the form of a human being, Jesus Christ. He personally became that Substitute for you and me.

This is the good news for every sinner: Jesus has already taken care of your sin problem!

Romans 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

And the reason God did this was because He loves us and wants us to know Him.

Romans 5:8
"But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

What must I do now to be saved?

What must you do now to be saved?

You need to take the "A-B-C" steps to salvation by prayer:

(A) Admit that you are a sinner and need to turn from your sins (repentance).

(B) Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died to pay for your sins and He is alive today.

(C) Confess Jesus Christ as Lord (or Master) and invite Him to come into your life.

You may pray a simple prayer like this:

"Dear Lord Jesus, I admit I am a sinner and I need your forgiveness. I believe that you died for my sins on the cross. I now open the door of my life and invite you in to be my Savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of my life from now on. Make me the kind of person You want me to be. I pray this in Your name, Amen."

Remember:

Romans 10:9
"That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

John 1:12-13 (TLB)
"But to all who received Him, He gave the right to become children of God. All they needed to do was to trust Him to save them. All those who believe this are reborn! - not a physical rebirth resulting from human passion or plan - but from the will of God."

Once we are saved, what is the purpose for living?

Once we are saved, what is the purpose for living? Once you are saved, you become a child of God, a believer of Jesus Christ. The Bible calls you a "Christian." Your new relationship with God will bring a real, genuine happiness into your life.

Psalm 144:15
Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!"

The Christian life is never static or boring. It is a very exciting and supernatural journey!

There are five basic goals in every Christian's life. As you pursue after these goals, you will find a great fulfillment in your life. You will also find yourself growing more and more spiritual as a believer.

1. WORSHIP
To know God and to love Him.

2. DISCIPLESHIP
To have your character changed to be more like Jesus.

3. FELLOWSHIP
To build meaningful relationships with other Christians.

4. MINISTRY
To use your talents to serve others.

5. EVANGELISM
To share this good news with others who have yet to know Christ.

The five goals of worship, discipleship, fellowship, ministry and evangelism can only be properly carried out in the spiritual environment of a local church. So, go and get a Bible today and start reading the Word of God. Then find a Spirit-filled, Bible-believing church where you are comfortable in and start attending it regularly as soon as you can.

Welcome to your new life in Christ, my friend. Put on your "seat-belt" and get ready for the great adventure that God has in store for you!

If you live in Singapore and would like to know more about the prayer you have just made, or you would like to learn more about City Harvest Church's weekend services, please fill in this online form and we will contact you.