´´RAZON DE VIVIR´´ PASTOR ARTURO QUINTERO

Opening Hymn and Welcome

Introduction to the Gathering

• The meeting begins with a hymn expressing belonging to Christ and forgiveness through His sacrifice. This sets a spiritual tone for the gathering.

• Attendees are welcomed warmly, including those joining via social media, emphasizing community and inclusivity.

Acknowledgment of God’s Presence

• The speaker invites attendees to express gratitude towards God, highlighting the importance of thankfulness in faith.

Personal Testimonies and Prayer Requests

Sharing Personal Gratitude

• A member expresses gratitude for daily life and opportunities to connect with others, particularly mentioning a colleague facing severe struggles. This highlights the theme of support within the community.

Urgent Prayer Request

• The individual shares about their colleague, Larry, who is battling suicidal thoughts and drug addiction at just 24 years old, underscoring serious mental health issues faced by young people today. They request prayers for him as he navigates these challenges.

Community Support and Celebrations

Additional Testimonies

• Another member thanks God for being part of the congregation and requests prayers for personal challenges they are facing while celebrating their recent 78th birthday, reflecting on wisdom gained over time.

Prayers for Others

• A prayer request is made for Lesbia Capa in Guatemala who is struggling with cancer after losing her close friend; this emphasizes compassion within the community towards those suffering from illness.

Focus on Youth Engagement

Encouragement for Young Members

• A member urges collective prayer for youth participating in an upcoming event (PDE), stressing the need for divine assistance in recalling learned teachings amidst challenging times when interest in faith may be waning among young people. This reflects concerns about youth engagement in spirituality today.

Call to Action: Evangelism Priority

Emphasis on Evangelism

• Pastor Abel calls upon the church to prioritize evangelism as essential work during urgent times, indicating that spreading faith should take precedence over other activities within church departments like health or corporate matters. This highlights a sense of urgency regarding spiritual outreach efforts within the community.

Prayer and Reflection on Living for Christ

Opening Prayer and Call to Action

• The speaker emphasizes the urgency of prayer as Jesus' return is imminent, urging the church to participate in evangelism, especially during upcoming conferences.

• A heartfelt prayer is offered, thanking God for protection and guidance while asking for the Holy Spirit's presence among the congregation.

Healing and Support

• The speaker expresses concern for members suffering from illness, requesting divine healing and support for those struggling with addiction or suicidal thoughts. They seek hope through Christ.

• Specific prayers are made for individuals like Larry, highlighting a collective effort to uplift those in need within the community. Additionally, there’s a focus on welcoming newcomers with love.

Strengthening Community Bonds

• A call is made to pray for youth participating in church activities, emphasizing their potential future leadership roles through learning God's word. There’s also a request for strengthening marriages within the church community.

• The pastor is prayed over to deliver a meaningful message that will bless everyone present and those watching online. This reflects an inclusive approach to worship and fellowship.

The Purpose of Life According to Scripture

Centrality of Christ in Life

• The pastor introduces Philippians 1:21, stating that living is centered around Christ while dying brings gain; this sets the stage for discussing Christian life purpose.

Reflections from Ecclesiastes

• The pastor references Ecclesiastes, noting Solomon's search for happiness throughout his life led him to conclude that true happiness does not exist on Earth post-Fall; everything is vanity without Christ at the center.

Addressing Existential Questions

• He poses critical questions about life's meaning if happiness seems unattainable, suggesting many struggle with finding reasons to live due to feelings of despair or lack of purpose.

Biblical Reasons for Existence

• Three biblical reasons are hinted at as essential motivations for living; these will be elaborated upon later but highlight how scripture provides answers amidst life's challenges and injustices.

Ingratitude and Injustice in Life

The Nature of Injustice

• The speaker discusses the pervasive ingratitude and injustice in the world, noting that often the fastest or strongest do not always win.

• They illustrate this with an example of a good person who sacrifices everything but is forgotten after death, while unjust individuals are remembered as heroes.

• The speaker highlights that many notorious figures have monuments erected in their honor, contrasting this with the lack of recognition for virtuous individuals.

Fleeting Happiness

• Happiness is described as transient; moments of joy come from various experiences but are short-lived.

• The speaker points out that some people suffer more than others, leading to a disparity in happiness levels among individuals.

• They emphasize that no one on Earth experiences constant happiness; even those who seem happier face challenges.

Divine Intent and Human Experience

• Despite God's intention for humans to experience eternal happiness, such fulfillment is absent on Earth.

• Jesus acknowledges human suffering in John 16:33 but offers hope by stating He has overcome the world.

Finding Peace Amidst Affliction

Understanding True Peace

• The speaker reflects on how Christians often equate faith with happiness, yet Jesus teaches that peace can exist despite worldly afflictions.

• They reference a sermon about Jabez's prayer for relief from suffering, questioning how many prayers for alleviation are granted.

Life's Challenges and Spiritual Insights

• Many people face failures and health issues, resulting in fleeting happiness rather than lasting joy.

• Jesus reassures believers by offering His peace—a different kind from what the world provides—promising tranquility amidst turmoil.

The Purpose of Life According to Scripture

Mortality and Judgment

• Hebrews 9:27 states it is appointed for humans to die once and then face judgment, highlighting life's temporary nature.

Evidence of Eternal Design

• The speaker argues that God intended humanity for eternal life rather than mortality.

• They mention scientific stagnation as evidence of untapped potential within humans, suggesting we possess capabilities beyond our current use.

Neuronal Capacity and Human Existence

Structure of Neurons

• Neurons in the brain have approximately 30 extensions, resembling a starfish, which are crucial for forming synapses or connections.

• Each of the 500 billion neurons in the human brain has these 30 synaptic connections that serve to store information.

Information Storage Potential

• A single synapse can hold as much information as the entire British Encyclopedia, highlighting the vast storage capacity of our brains.

• Even if one memorizes extensive knowledge like the British Encyclopedia, they would only utilize a fraction of their neuronal storage capacity.

Underutilization of Brain Capacity

• Most individuals do not even tap into 3% of their brain's storage potential over an average lifespan of around 70 years.

• This suggests that about 97% of our brain's capacity remains unused throughout life.

Scientific Insights on Neuron Reproduction

• Historically, it was believed that neurons do not regenerate; however, scientists later discovered this is due to our underutilization rather than an inherent limitation.

• If we were to fully utilize our cognitive capacities, neuron reproduction would occur to accommodate additional information storage needs.

Philosophical Implications on Existence

• The existence of unused neuronal capacity raises questions about evolutionary purpose and divine creation—why create a brain with such potential if it remains largely untapped?

• The argument posits that humans were designed for longer lifespans and greater fulfillment than currently experienced.

Purpose and Decision-Making in Life

• The speaker reflects on biblical teachings regarding human mortality and suggests that life's brevity serves a purpose: making meaningful decisions about salvation.

• Ultimately, life is framed as an opportunity to choose between salvation or not, emphasizing free will in determining one's eternal fate.

The Purpose of Existence: Salvation and Its Importance

The Concept of New Birth

• Jesus offers a new birth, emphasizing the need to let go of one's old nature and be baptized as a declaration of this transformation.

• The necessity of rebirth is highlighted as essential for salvation, which brings a new dimension to life.

Reasons for Existence

• The primary reason for human existence is to achieve salvation; gaining worldly possessions or fame is meaningless if one loses their soul (Matthew 16:26).

• Paul compares life to an Olympic race, stressing discipline and effort in pursuing salvation to avoid disqualification after preaching to others (1 Corinthians 9:26-27).

Seeking the Kingdom

• Jesus instructs believers to prioritize seeking God's kingdom and righteousness above all else, promising that everything else will follow (Matthew 6:33).

• Those who do not seek salvation often pursue temporary pleasures that ultimately lead to dissatisfaction.

Human Direction and Purpose

• Many people lack direction in life, focusing on material wealth rather than eternal significance.

• True ownership is questioned; nothing can be taken beyond death, reinforcing the idea that earthly possessions are fleeting.

Parables Illustrating Salvation's Value

• Jesus uses parables like the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:44-45), illustrating that true value lies in obtaining salvation.

• Sacrificing worldly happiness for eternal life is portrayed as worthwhile; even temporary losses are insignificant compared to everlasting joy.

Second Reason for Existence: Saving Loved Ones

• Beyond personal salvation, Christians are called to help loved ones find salvation too—aiming for shared eternity with family and friends.

• Prayer plays a crucial role in this mission; believers should pray for their loved ones' love for God so they may also attain eternal life.

Existence and Purpose in Life

The Importance of Hope and Opportunity

• The speaker reflects on the feeling of hopelessness as they feel ignored by their children, yet emphasizes that hope persists as long as there is life. They reference a biblical notion that prayer can be powerful.

• The speaker highlights the role of individuals in connecting others to salvation, suggesting that knowing them creates a bond for potential salvation.

Reasons for Existence

• The primary reason for existence is to save those who are lost, akin to Jesus' mission. The speaker notes that sometimes suffering is prolonged to allow others the chance for redemption.

• An example from the crucifixion illustrates God's patience; He allowed Jesus to suffer while waiting for a thief beside Him to make a decision about salvation.

Service to God

• Serving God is presented as both a privilege and an honor. Despite our unworthiness, God offers salvation and promises rewards for our earthly efforts.

• Unlike earthly compensation, which only meets basic needs, God's rewards are eternal and imperishable. This includes promises of glory in His kingdom.

Eternal Perspective on Service

• Those who sacrifice relationships or possessions for God's sake will receive abundant rewards—100 times more than what they gave up—and inherit eternal life.

• Reflecting on Malachi 3, the speaker encourages focusing on eternity rather than temporary worldly success, reminding listeners that God remembers every act done in His name.

Recognition of Sacrifices

• Every action taken for God’s glory is recorded in heaven; this includes sacrifices made at personal cost or through suffering.

• The speaker cites biblical examples where persecution leads to great heavenly rewards, encouraging perseverance despite challenges faced while serving God.

The Significance of Suffering and Service

The Promise of Divine Reward

• The speaker emphasizes that those who suffer for Christ and work in His name will be treasured by God on the day He establishes His kingdom.

• Earthly rewards are temporary and corrupt; true restitution comes from God, highlighting that the ultimate reward is beyond this life.

• In a place free from sorrow, death, or pain, God promises compassion to those who have served Him faithfully, comparing it to a father's kindness towards his obedient child.

Distinction Between Righteousness and Wickedness

• A clear distinction will be made between those who serve God and those who do not; this difference will be evident at the end of times.

• The speaker outlines three reasons to live righteously: personal salvation, saving loved ones, and serving God. This aligns with Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 about fearing God and keeping His commandments.

Call to Action

• A prayer is offered expressing gratitude for being called out of darkness into light, emphasizing the importance of fighting against worldly struggles while fulfilling one's purpose on earth.