1. Deep philosophical questions.
2. The three questions that man has been asking almost ever since he has been here.
3. The answers vary depending upon who is asked.
4. The atheist will tell you that you are a mere animal with no soul, no future after this life and no one to whom you must account for actions in this life.
5. The agnostic will tell you that you are an uncertain being in an uncertain world who cannot know anything for sure except the here and now.
6. The humanist will tell you that you are a god and that in and of yourself lies all the answers to all the questions of life, if you but allow them to surface.
7. Using the inspired word of God, common sense and the ability to reason, let us determine God’s answer the three basic questions of life.

1. I am part of the human race.

1. A creature unique from all other species.

1. Not an intelligent animal, but a human, completely different.
2. No other creature has the ability to think, feel, empathize, sympathize, reason, or worship the way a human does.
3. No other creature is on the same level as a human.
4. Genesis 2:18-20 No helper or mate was found to be comparable to him.

1. Adam was unique and distinct from the animals in several ways.
2. His creation is described separately from that of the animals and the rest of God's creative acts (Genesis 1:3-25,26-27; 2:7).
3. God breathed into Adam's body of "dust" the divine "breath of life; and man became a living being" (Genesis 2:7).

2) While no two humans are exactly alike, we are all basically the same.

1. I am made in God’s own image:

1. The exact words are, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness" (Genesis 1:26).
2. The apostle Paul interprets this to mean that God created man with spiritual, rational, emotional, and moral qualities

1. Ephesians 4:24-32 But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
2. Colossians 3:8-10 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,

1. I am a dominant creature:

1. God placed Adam in the Garden of Eden where he was to work the ground (Genesis 2:5,15)
2. Take care of the animals (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:19-20).
3. God made Eve as a "helper comparable to" (well-suited for) Adam (Genesis 2:20),
4. Creating her out of one of Adam's ribs so they were "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24).

1. I am an American:

1. A citizen of one of the greatest societies to ever exist.

1. I have a home, food and clothing in abundance.
2. This places me in an economic position above 2/3 of the world’s population.
3. I have educational and economic opportunities that most of the world does not have.

1. However, with increased opportunity and privilege comes increased

1. From he who has been given more, more is expected.
2. America will the worst place in the world from which to go to Hell.
3. Bibles in abundance.
4. Truth readily available.
5. Obedience easy and accessible. (Water etc.)
6. Caring Christians in every state and almost every county of every state.

3). As an American, I am without excuse when it comes to learning and obeying the

truth.

1. I am a creation of God with a living, active and eternal spirit, no animal can make that claim.

II. "WHY AM I HERE"?

1. Why am I on Earth?

1. To dominate, care for and enjoy the rest of creation (Genesis 1:26-28)
2. To enjoy life with a mate created especially for me (Genesis 2:21-25).
3. To serve my God in humble obedience (Ecclesiastes 12:12-13).
4. To live the abundant life in Christ and to go and tell others about it in an effort to try and persuade them to live this life as well (John 10:10)
5. To serve mankind, and help those who are less fortunate (Galatians 6:10; James 1:27; Matthew 20:20-28).

B. Why am I here at worship this morning? John 4:23,24

1) Many people go to the same place for several different reasons: Wal-Mart

a) Employs go to work

b) Most go to shop

c) Some go to visit coffee shop

4. d) Some go to shoplift.

1. Why are you here today?
2. Impersonal Reasons. brought, or are in training, (Ephesians 6:4).
3. Personal Reasons:

a) Because you know you should be--right action wrong motive, Matthew 15:7,8

b) To be validated one more Sunday! (Catholics, weekly obligation).

4. c) Because its the right thing to do! (Matthew 3:15) To fulfill all righteousness.

6) Entertainment

a) Choirs, elaborate services, musicals, drama, healing services...

b) Self Serving:

c) Naaman, 2 Kings 5:11-12, Was there for ceremony

d) The multitude, John 6:1-15, 66-68

7) Curiosity

a) Pharisees & Sadducees, Matthew 3:7-12

b) John the Baptist, Luke 7:24-28

c) Epicureans & Stoicks, Acts 17:17-21

8) The Preacher

a) Are people converted to the preacher or congregation?

b) Henry Ward Beecher.

9) Godly worship has nothing to do with the talent of the song leader nor with the

eloquence of the speaker. It has to do with you and GOD!

10. If you've come for the "goods" what happens when the fish are gone? (John 6:66)
11. If you are compelled to attend what will happen when you're on your own?
12. Are you here to worship? (Luke 2:41,42; Acts 8:27)
13. Do you love the assembly? (Hebrews 10:25,26_

a) The fellowship, (1 John 1:7)

b) The worship, (Psalm 122:1)

c) To pray & sing together, (Colossians 3:16)

14) Jesus went to the garden, he prayed while the rest slept, (Matthew 26:36-46)

3. WHERE AM I GOING?

1. Financial planners tell us to imagine ourselves 20 years from now and start preparing by saving.

1. As a Christian, imagine yourself 20 years from now.
2. Will you be stronger, or weaker?
3. Will you know more about God’s word and how to please Him or less.
4. Will you look back on 20 pleasant years of Christianity or 20 horrible, unpleasant years of bad memories.

B. Will you be in Heaven or Hell?

1. Many of us won’t be here 20 years from now (70-90;80-100)
2. Only two choices of where to spend eternity.
3. Heaven or Hell (Matthew 25:46).

1. Who am I? A special, unique creation of God. With an eternal spirit.
2. Why am I here? To live for Him and serve Him; & to help and serve mankind.
3. Where am I going? Eventually either to Heaven of Hell.
4. Not so difficult after all is it?