In today’s podcast episode, Family Ministries Pastor Dave Carl and Associate Pastor of High School Ministries Nathan Kocurek discuss a topic many have wrestled with but usually don’t want to say out loud for fear of being judged harshly. Listen to the episode, and reference the show notes below for takeaways, Scripture references, and more resources.
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What Is the Purpose of Christianity?
It is not uncommon to become disillusioned with the pressure to live up to a standard of “Christianity.” The pressure to be good, to be knowledgeable, to meet expectations of spirituality, etc., can be overwhelming. Many of us have questioned to ourselves or others, “Is this all?” After several years of ministering to teenage guys and men, both Dave and Nathan are ready to share insights on the missing component holding most believers back from committing to a Christian walk that is healing, fulfilling, and empowering.
It’s All About Relationship!
The evidence is there that God created us to be in relationship with Him from the very beginning. He didn’t create humans because He needed something from them. Think of the day when your first child was born—how overwhelmed you were with love and admiration. All you wanted to do was hold and love this new creation. Think of God as a parent on a grander scale. Can you imagine the overwhelming feeling of love God must have each time a new life is created? Can you imagine how He smiled when He created you?
This is the key: God wants intimacy with you! He wants you to want intimacy with Him! He wants a deep, abiding relationship with you!
- God’s Creation of Humanity: Genesis 1:26-30, 2:5-25
- Dwell in the House of the Lord: Psalm 27
- Paul’s reminder of the relationship God desires with us: Romans 8
There Are Obstacles to This Relationship
We have an enemy who is trying to interfere with the relationship with God we are meant to have. The enemy can make life without Christ look so much easier, more fun, and exciting.
You can go through life desiring relationships that are outside of this relationship with God, but without this relationship, your longings will never be met. Ultimately, if you had someone helping you see what an intimate relationship with Christ could look like, you would want to be a godly man or woman. You would know what it looks and feels like and desire it.
- David is a great example; he is known as a man after God’s own heart: 1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22
- Jesus answers the question from the Rich Young Ruler: Mark 10:17-27
- God will rejoice over you: Zephaniah 3:17
God wants us to be set free from the feeling that He does not really want us. That noise we hear in our heads that says, “I could not possibly have any interest to God.”—how powerful would it be to be set free from that fear? God created us to do awesome stuff, but not alone—with Him.
We recommend approaching intimacy with God in community of other believers who are also pursuing God. We would love to walk with you and point you to Him. Reach out and connect with us at parentingpathwayblog@stonebriar.org.
