THE MEANING OF LIFE

 

Welcome to all here today. All of us in this church are here because we are on a continuing search, a search for God. We are looking for a meaning in our lives, an answer to the question; what is my life about?

We are here in the spirit of fellowship, walking alongside each other in our unique search for God. Each of us will have a different answer and a different relationship with God. 

But as a community - a fellowship - we have a common interaction with each other and with God that is special. None of us is an island, we all need assistance from other people. And, in our spiritual church, we need our fellowship community.

CANDLE-LIGHTING CEREMONY

As we begin to look deeper into the question of the meaning in our lives, let us light our fellowship candle from this large candle. This great Easter candle burning here before our altar symbolises Jesus Christ. 

We bless this candle at Eastertime, and it symbolizes for us the life and energy of Jesus Christ our Savour. His Light burns for all to see, and enlightens our candle.

We are enlightened by Christ, and share with others the goodness and encouragement we have received from Him, much as we share the Light of this candle. (During this ceremony, light a candle. If you are worshipping with your family or congregation, other members of your community may light their candles from your candle, and then pass the light on from candle to candle until the entire church stands with the lit candles.) If there is danger of fire, then use flameless battery-operated candles. If this is not possible, why then, let the love in your heart shine like a candle before God. 

OPENING PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, we bow our heads before you in supplication and praise. You, the Son of God, have great powers of Being. Look kindly on us here today, as we gather to praise and worship you. We give thanks for your goodness and support to us in our lives.

I now invite you all to blow out your candles and be seated.

MESSAGE

The theme today is John 17:18

"As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world."

Jesus' message to us in these heartfelt words of His is that the core of the meaning in our life is to be as He was; a messenger to others of the goodness and promises of God. Because God sent Jesus out into the world, Jesus will now send us out into the world.

God keeps us secure in our faith through His power, and sets us apart in our faith through His Word. Jesus thus sends us out to share our faith with the world. We are thus, to be missionaries of His Word.

To be a missionary is to share what God has done for you and the word of the Bible. In order to know the right time to share, you have to be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. There are different ways of sharing the message that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and is our Saviour. These ways include sharing the message of Jesus with your family, your friends and colleagues. Your approach can be casual. You talk about familiar interests, but gradually move to the message of Jesus.

Another approach is to share the Gospel, showing people who ask about God what God says about Himself. Tell others of Romans 10:9, "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."

As missionary you can give your testimonial to others. You can open it up like this; I had a personal spiritual experience. Would you like to hear about it? If they say yes, then just describe how you came to know Jesus. You briefly talk about the circumstances of your life and how you came to know Jesus.

In my own life I have experienced that witnessing to Jesus can happen in so many ways. Years ago I illustrated a book my mother wrote on the sacraments and faith in Jesus Christ. I drew pictures, one of them of a girl receiving communion and seeing Jesus behind the host. After publication, I read a newspaper critic's review. She perceived my artwork as exceptionally poor. I sighed, and moved on. What to do? I knew I was not a great artist, but my heart certainly belonged to the Lord.

Ten years later, when I had long forgotten about the book, a young lady traced my whereabouts and appeared at my work one day. She wished to tell me she had come across a copy of the book at a second hand book sale. She purchased it, took it home, and read and reread the book during the night. The book spoke deeply to her. In the early hours of the morning as she stared at the picture of the girl seeing Jesus behind the host at communion, faith in Jesus Christ was born in her. She became a Christian and was baptised.

She met a young man and over time he had become a Christian after attending church with her. They were both about to be married shortly in the church, and were intending any family God would gift them with to know about Jesus Christ as Savior. She wanted to thank my mother and myself for the gift of faith which had come to her from God through the book.

I was stunned. What a critic had experienced as poor art unsuitable for the book had been part of the inspiration Jesus had used to gift the precious gift of faith to another. Truly I realised that God's ways are not our ways. Jesus used my weakness as an artist to let His great Light shine through. I had found the meaning of my life; to bring others to Christ, as others have brought me to Him. Ponder after our shared Eucharist how Christ is sending you out into the world. How is He calling you to share His message?

OFFERTORY

During this offertory time, please tithe a gift which you can afford. Perhaps you will give the gift of your time to help another. Maybe you can listen to someone in need of support. Perhaps you wish to tithe a gift of service, or give a gift of funds to someone in need. Please remember that orphanages are desperately in need of assistance. Please be generous to those in need, according to your ability. 

If you are unemployed, retired, sick or with little funds, please gift of your prayer for this world which is so desperately in need of holy servants of God.

 CONCLUDING PRAYER

As you go out from our place of worship to the challenges and work of your daily life, let Jesus' strength and our commitment as a community strengthen you. As you extend the meaning of your life as missionary of Christ to your family, friends and colleagues, I pray that the strength and love of Jesus Christ and His angels bear you up in all your decision making and difficult times. 

BENEDICTION

May the blessing of Almighty God be with all of us as we go out to share the love and message we have received today to others. May you all be strengthened and enriched by the grace of God given to you.

Amen.

Rev Catherine Nicolette Whittle