The question du jour was "What does my heart beat for?" Troy asked this question a few ways and then showed a video of "his holiness," the Dalai Lama in his first television interview with Ann Curry on the Today Show. Ann asked DL where people should gain contentment in a world with such turmoil. He replied that all problems are temporary (ok, i'm there), but we as humans have a gentle and creative nature (eh...not so much), and we have the ability to overcome most human problems ourselves, not counting natural disasters...and that change will not come from the sky (wow, harsh, DL), but from human experience... He thinks that the 21st century will be the "Compassionate century" IF we can develop a positive vision and just be happy.
(Wow, DL. And seriously, Ann Curry, stop treating him like he's the Lord, cause he's not. )
Troy then went on to say that many Christians will describe their "walk" as just a way to be happy... "I'm just trying to live an honest life...just trying to be happy."
To what end, anonymous Christian, are you trying to achieve this? What is your purpose for this lifestyle? Because if you don't know, you are probably going to be UNhappy really quickly, pal.
John Piper:
"We as Americans, utterly devoted to personal individual fulfillment and satisfaction, so that the idea of devoting our lives and ministries to building a body of Christ that as a whole looks Christ-like and as a whole has strong faith and as a whole has unified knowledge and as a whole looks and acts like the mature man, Christ Jesus---the idea of devoting ourselves to that, is very difficult to grasp."
Most of what Piper is saying is coming directly from Ephesians 4:11-16, which was the scriptural focus of the sermon.
11 And m he gave then apostles, the prophets, the o evangelists, the p shepherds [2] and teachers, [3] 12 q to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for r building up s the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to t the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, u to mature manhood, [4] to the measure of the stature of v the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, w tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in x deceitful schemes.15 Rather, y speaking the truth in love, we are to z grow up in every way into him who isa the head, into Christ, 16 b from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, c when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (ESV Study Bible Online)
It's basically saying that guess what? You all have a purpose and that purpose is for the work of ministry for the building UP of the body of Christ SO THAT there will be a unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, achieving mature manhood---continually building itself up in LOVE.
What is it within me that fights this ultimate truth? Is it my gentle and creative nature? Or is that just pride wanting to achieve its own end or no end at all.
Why wouldn't I want to be a part of such a profound purpose?
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