WEBVTT
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What is the purpose
for your life?
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Do you know?
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Do you even care?
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This last question,
"Do you even care?"
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should shock our senses.
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Why would anyone not want
to know the purpose for
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his existence?
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We come into this
life knowing nothing.
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We involuntarily arrived
one day and today we find
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ourselves somewhere,
at some age and stage
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of life, and being
who we are.
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What an enigma.
00:29.095 --> 00:31.898
But at some point, often
in our teenage years,
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or as we near the end
of life, we wonder,
00:34.968 --> 00:36.836
"What's it all about?"
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Do you, dear friend, ever ask
yourself this question?
00:40.607 --> 00:42.609
And if not, why?
00:42.675 --> 00:46.045
Sadly, too many don't
seem to be very concerned.
00:46.112 --> 00:48.815
But we here at Tomorrow's
World keep trying to give
00:48.882 --> 00:51.217
you the answer to this
question, and while
00:51.284 --> 00:54.654
thousands do order our
resource that explains it,
00:54.721 --> 00:57.257
many thousands do not.
00:57.323 --> 01:00.160
Apparently, there are more
people interested in the
01:00.226 --> 01:04.164
future of the world than
their personal, eternal future.
01:04.230 --> 01:07.434
On today's Tomorrow's
World program, we're going
01:07.500 --> 01:10.203
to consider the most
important questions of all
01:10.270 --> 01:13.606
for each and every
one of us: Who am I?
01:13.673 --> 01:15.475
Why was I born?
01:15.542 --> 01:17.644
What is the
purpose of life?
01:17.710 --> 01:20.313
What is God's plan for me?
01:20.380 --> 01:22.382
I'll answer these
questions on today's
01:22.449 --> 01:24.851
program, and I'll also
tell you about our
01:24.918 --> 01:27.520
resource that gives a
fuller explanation from
01:27.587 --> 01:29.556
the pages of the Bible.
01:29.622 --> 01:32.559
So be sure to have writing
material available to take
01:32.625 --> 01:35.495
down our contact
information to receive
01:35.562 --> 01:39.799
your free copy of, What
Is the Meaning of Life?
01:39.866 --> 01:43.303
Now stay with me as I'll be
right back in five seconds
01:43.369 --> 01:47.106
to answer this most
important of all questions.
01:47.173 --> 01:53.546
♪
01:53.613 --> 01:56.716
A warm welcome to all of
you from those of us here
01:56.783 --> 01:58.318
at Tomorrow's World.
01:58.384 --> 02:01.721
On today's program, I'll
be answering the most
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important of all questions:
"What Is the Purpose of Life?"
02:06.726 --> 02:10.129
The answer is found in the
pages of the Bible,
02:10.196 --> 02:12.732
and it's not what
most people think.
02:12.799 --> 02:16.469
It's not to float around for
eternal retirement in heaven.
02:16.536 --> 02:20.707
No, dear friends, it's
infinitely greater than that.
02:20.773 --> 02:23.309
The meaning of life
question has been mulled
02:23.376 --> 02:25.812
over and debated
among philosophers and
02:25.879 --> 02:29.449
theologians for millennia,
yet, the answer has been
02:29.516 --> 02:31.084
with us from
the beginning.
02:31.150 --> 02:34.587
No, we are not left to our
own puny minds to discover
02:34.654 --> 02:37.724
some novel idea that
suits our fancy.
02:37.790 --> 02:41.761
There is a far greater
purpose than most imagine.
02:41.828 --> 02:45.064
Those who subscribe to
an evolutionary origin to
02:45.131 --> 02:47.967
life, thus in their own
minds doing away with the
02:48.034 --> 02:51.070
need for God, have
no real answer.
02:51.137 --> 02:53.773
What grand purpose can
there be for a life
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confined to the
here and now?
02:56.543 --> 02:59.679
Even if you live a thousand
years and come up with a
02:59.746 --> 03:04.017
cure for cancer, what good
will that do you in the end?
03:04.083 --> 03:07.554
When you die, all hopes,
dreams, and temporal
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rewards will end in the
blackness of darkness
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forever if
there is no God.
03:13.393 --> 03:16.863
Philosophy Professor
Thaddeus Metz summarizes
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a multitude of theories
on life's purpose from
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theologians and philosophers,
and he mentions that:
03:23.503 --> 03:27.407
Lately, however, an
extreme form of naturalism
03:27.473 --> 03:30.410
has arisen, according
to which our lives would
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probably, if not
unavoidably, have less
03:34.380 --> 03:37.050
meaning in a
world with God...
03:37.116 --> 03:40.920
In other words, to them,
God's existence would
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take away from a
meaningful existence.
03:44.090 --> 03:47.093
Professor Metz then
explains several theories
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put forward to come to
this absurd conclusion.
03:50.964 --> 03:53.600
The first theory
postulates that God's
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existence places us
in a master/servant
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or parent/child
relationship, thus:
03:59.973 --> 04:03.476
...our independence or
dignity as adult persons
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would be violated.
04:05.144 --> 04:09.415
Put another way, we could
no longer be our own boss.
04:09.482 --> 04:13.152
We would have to answer
to a higher power and
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atheists and agnostics
chafe at such an idea.
04:17.357 --> 04:20.860
Professor Metz points to
an additional "God, don't
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tell me what to do"
line of reasoning:
04:22.962 --> 04:26.132
Another salient argument
for thinking that God
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would detract from meaning
in life appeals to the
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value of privacy.... God's
omniscience [all-knowing]
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would unavoidably make
it impossible for us to
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control ... the most
intimate details about
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ourselves, which, for
some, amounts to a less
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meaningful life than
one with such control.
04:45.752 --> 04:49.789
Apart from revelation from
God, the subject is broad,
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technical at times,
and, well, meaningless.
04:53.993 --> 04:56.863
Leave God out and there
can be no purpose beyond
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our far-too-short
temporary existence.
04:59.799 --> 05:02.935
But, not surprisingly,
there are those who argue
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against eternal
life itself.
05:06.039 --> 05:08.007
As the professor explains:
05:08.074 --> 05:11.344
First and foremost, there
has been the argument that
05:11.411 --> 05:14.947
an immortal life could
not avoid becoming boring,
05:15.014 --> 05:17.984
rendering life pointless
according to many
05:18.051 --> 05:20.820
subjective and
objective theories.
05:20.887 --> 05:24.123
One of the major Jewish
sects during Jesus' day
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also believed that there was
no future beyond the grave.
05:27.960 --> 05:31.230
Note this encounter
between the Sadducees and
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Jesus when they challenged
Him about the resurrection--
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Matthew 22, and verse 23:
05:37.804 --> 05:41.140
The same day the
Sadducees, who say there
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is no resurrection, came
to Him and asked Him,
05:44.410 --> 05:47.146
And when brought before
the Council, the Apostle
05:47.213 --> 05:50.383
Paul created a near riot
between the Pharisees and
05:50.450 --> 05:52.552
Sadducees over
this subject.
05:52.618 --> 05:54.921
But when Paul perceived
that one part were
05:54.987 --> 05:58.658
Sadducees and the other
Pharisees, he cried out
05:58.725 --> 06:01.961
in the council, "Men and
brethren, I am a Pharisee,
06:02.028 --> 06:05.098
the son of a Pharisee;
concerning the hope and
06:05.164 --> 06:07.967
resurrection of the
dead I am being judged!"
06:08.034 --> 06:10.603
For Sadducees say
that there is no
06:10.670 --> 06:14.273
resurrection--and no
angel or spirit; but the
06:14.340 --> 06:16.442
Pharisees confess both.
06:16.509 --> 06:19.512
Some among the Christians
at Corinth were influenced
06:19.579 --> 06:21.614
by this erroneous idea.
06:21.681 --> 06:24.817
Paul's first letter to
that church addresses the
06:24.884 --> 06:28.688
subject of the resurrection
from the dead in chapter 15
06:28.755 --> 06:32.925
and he reasons with perfect
logic the futility of life
06:32.992 --> 06:36.028
if it is only for
the here and the now.
06:36.095 --> 06:39.999
For if the dead do not rise,
then Christ is not risen.
06:40.066 --> 06:43.302
And if Christ is not
risen, your faith is
06:43.369 --> 06:46.439
futile; you are
still in your sins!
06:46.506 --> 06:49.609
Then also those who have
fallen asleep [or died]
06:49.675 --> 06:51.744
in Christ have perished.
06:51.811 --> 06:54.847
If in this life only we
have hope in Christ,
06:54.914 --> 06:58.017
we are of all men
the most pitiable.
06:58.084 --> 07:00.620
Paul later explains
the senselessness of
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self-sacrifice if all that we
have is the here and now--
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taking it to its natural
conclusion. Verse 32:
07:09.262 --> 07:12.431
If, in the manner of men,
I have fought with beasts
07:12.498 --> 07:15.735
at Ephesus, what
advantage is it to me?
07:15.802 --> 07:18.905
If the dead do not rise,
"Let us eat and drink,
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for tomorrow we die!"
07:21.073 --> 07:23.643
But before we set off
to eat, drink, and die
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forever, let's ask
ourselves the central
07:26.312 --> 07:29.148
question Paul addresses
in this chapter:
07:29.215 --> 07:32.451
"Is there a resurrection
from the dead?"
07:32.518 --> 07:35.454
Either there is
or there isn't.
07:35.521 --> 07:38.658
If there's no life after
death, we are left without
07:38.724 --> 07:41.761
a lasting hope as we will
see in the next segment
07:41.828 --> 07:44.130
of this program. But
first, I want to
07:44.197 --> 07:46.465
tell you about today's
free offer--
07:46.532 --> 07:48.868
What Is the Meaning of Life?
07:48.935 --> 07:52.872
In this resource, the late
Dr. Roderick C. Meredith asks:
07:52.939 --> 07:57.210
Is there any transcendent
reason for you to be alive?
07:57.276 --> 07:59.912
Can you have a
remarkably interesting
07:59.979 --> 08:02.915
and fulfilling destiny
ahead of you, regardless
08:02.982 --> 08:05.418
of your present situation?
08:05.484 --> 08:08.754
Can you be 100 percent
sure of a future
08:08.821 --> 08:12.792
rendezvous with
happiness, joy, and peace?
08:12.859 --> 08:15.194
Or are you living a
fleeting, disappointing
08:15.261 --> 08:18.598
existence on planet Earth
with no more purpose for
08:18.664 --> 08:21.667
your life than the birds,
the bees, or, for that
08:21.734 --> 08:24.937
matter, the worms that
crawl in the dirt?
08:25.004 --> 08:29.041
These are serious questions
for serious-minded people.
08:29.108 --> 08:33.012
Wouldn't you like to know
the purpose of your existence?
08:33.079 --> 08:36.182
You can know and it's
clearly revealed in the
08:36.249 --> 08:38.284
pages of your Bible.
08:38.351 --> 08:40.620
And what the Bible
actually says about the
08:40.686 --> 08:43.489
purpose of life, as
opposed to what people
08:43.556 --> 08:48.427
think it says, is both
shocking and exciting.
08:48.494 --> 08:50.029
What Is the
Meaning of Life?
08:50.096 --> 08:52.732
will guide you to those
passages that make life's
08:52.798 --> 08:56.535
purpose so clear that even
a child can understand,
08:56.602 --> 09:00.907
so order your free copy of
What Is the Meaning of Life?
09:00.973 --> 09:02.541
And do it today.
09:02.608 --> 09:06.012
And when I come back,
we'll explore further why
09:06.078 --> 09:09.649
there can be no lasting
happiness in a life void
09:09.715 --> 09:12.184
of God and eternal life.
09:12.251 --> 09:13.152
♪
09:13.219 --> 09:20.226
For today's free
offer call...
09:20.293 --> 09:25.131
Or go to...
09:25.197 --> 09:27.900
This clear and
straight-forward resource
09:27.967 --> 09:30.603
will help you understand
this vital truth--
09:30.670 --> 09:33.973
straight from the
pages of the Bible.
09:34.040 --> 09:36.475
If you're calling for the
first time, you will also
09:36.542 --> 09:39.145
receive a free annual
subscription to Tomorrow's
09:39.211 --> 09:40.713
World magazine.
09:40.780 --> 09:44.283
Six inspiring issues
discussing news, science,
09:44.350 --> 09:46.986
and modern culture will
help you make sense of
09:47.053 --> 09:50.723
your world from a
biblical perspective.
09:50.790 --> 09:53.693
Call today and join
millions around the world
09:53.759 --> 09:56.329
who are turning to
Tomorrow's World for
09:56.395 --> 10:01.701
truth, prophecy, and hope
in these confusing times.
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Call now!
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Or go to...
10:07.473 --> 10:12.611
♪
10:12.678 --> 10:15.181
On today's Tomorrow's
World program,
10:15.247 --> 10:18.584
I'm discussing the purpose of
life, and if there is
10:18.651 --> 10:22.555
no God, there can be no life
after death: no memory,
10:22.621 --> 10:26.692
no thoughts, no joy,
no happiness--only
10:26.759 --> 10:29.528
the blackness of
darkness forever.
10:29.595 --> 10:31.998
As Paul convincingly wrote,
10:32.064 --> 10:34.934
If, in the manner of men,
I have fought with beasts
10:35.001 --> 10:38.204
at Ephesus, what
advantage is it to me?
10:38.270 --> 10:41.974
If the dead do not rise,
"Let us eat and drink,
10:42.041 --> 10:43.809
for tomorrow we die!"
10:43.876 --> 10:47.213
Ancient king Solomon
sought the purpose of life
10:47.279 --> 10:50.449
through wine, women, and
song; and he discovered
10:50.516 --> 10:53.285
that none of these brought
lasting happiness.
10:53.352 --> 10:55.621
What was the
purpose of it all?
10:55.688 --> 10:59.492
He concluded in the end
that all was vanity and
10:59.558 --> 11:01.394
grasping for the wind.
11:01.460 --> 11:04.964
"As it happens to the fool,
it also happens to me,
11:05.031 --> 11:08.134
and why was I
then more wise?"
11:08.200 --> 11:11.737
Then I said in my heart,
"This also is vanity
11:11.804 --> 11:14.540
[or worthlessness]."
For there is no more
11:14.607 --> 11:17.510
remembrance of the wise
than of the fool forever,
11:17.576 --> 11:20.546
since all that now is
will be forgotten in the
11:20.613 --> 11:24.250
days to come. And how
does a wise man die?
11:24.316 --> 11:26.152
As the fool!
11:26.218 --> 11:29.688
Therefore I hated life
because the work that
11:29.755 --> 11:32.425
was done under the sun
was distressing to me,
11:32.491 --> 11:41.834
for all is vanity and
grasping for the wind.
11:41.901 --> 11:44.236
You can never match
Solomon when it comes
11:44.303 --> 11:48.974
to wine, women, and song.
Neither with fame nor fortune.
11:49.041 --> 11:51.477
Most who try, find that
what they thought would
11:51.544 --> 11:53.646
make them happy does not.
11:53.712 --> 11:56.615
Consider the lives of
so many celebrities who
11:56.682 --> 12:00.286
outwardly "have it all."
Some get strung out on drugs,
12:00.352 --> 12:04.490
others have one failed
marriage after another.
12:04.557 --> 12:09.095
Ponder the recent tragic case
of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard.
12:09.161 --> 12:14.400
Both had good looks, fame,
and fortune, but it's evident
12:14.467 --> 12:18.404
that none of this provided
the happiness that both sought.
12:18.471 --> 12:21.006
This is not to say that
every rich person has a
12:21.073 --> 12:24.910
failed marriage or that all
celebrities are unhappy--
12:24.977 --> 12:27.880
only that lasting
happiness does not come
12:27.947 --> 12:31.050
from temporary pleasures,
and unless there is a
12:31.117 --> 12:33.886
God who can resurrect
you from the grave,
12:33.953 --> 12:37.590
anything you do in this
life is temporary.
12:37.656 --> 12:41.360
How can we be certain
that we can live again?
12:41.427 --> 12:43.729
While there are those
who claim a "near death"
12:43.796 --> 12:46.966
experience, only One was
resurrected after three
12:47.032 --> 12:49.902
days and three nights in
the grave, and that was
12:49.969 --> 12:51.937
nearly 2,000 years ago.
12:52.004 --> 12:55.441
But Paul answers that question
in this same "resurrection
12:55.508 --> 13:00.112
chapter," [1 Corinthians 15]listing by name individuals
13:00.179 --> 13:02.882
who saw Jesus after
His crucifixion,
13:02.948 --> 13:04.283
and then he asserts:
13:04.350 --> 13:08.220
After that He was seen by
over five hundred brethren
13:08.287 --> 13:11.357
at once, of whom the
greater part remain to the
13:11.423 --> 13:14.627
present, but some
have fallen asleep.
13:14.693 --> 13:17.229
This was written less
than 25 years after the
13:17.296 --> 13:22.168
crucifixion and most of
those 500 were still alive.
13:22.234 --> 13:26.005
What credibility would
Paul, or his letter, have
13:26.071 --> 13:27.773
if this were not true?
13:27.840 --> 13:30.776
And scholars recognize
further evidence.
13:30.843 --> 13:35.114
According to John 7:5,
Jesus' own half-brothers
13:35.181 --> 13:38.150
did not believe in Him
prior to the crucifixion,
13:38.217 --> 13:41.320
but afterward, they
became disciples.
13:41.387 --> 13:44.123
James went on to be the
leader of the Jerusalem
13:44.190 --> 13:47.893
congregation and wrote
the epistle of James.
13:47.960 --> 13:51.297
His half-brother Jude
also became a believer and
13:51.363 --> 13:53.632
wrote the letter
bearing his name.
13:53.699 --> 13:57.036
Furthermore, history
records that of the twelve
13:57.102 --> 14:01.340
apostles [Remember that Mathias
replaced Judas], only John
14:01.407 --> 14:03.809
did not die
a martyr's death.
14:03.876 --> 14:07.913
Now, many have died as martyrs
for a cause they believed in,
14:07.980 --> 14:14.053
but how many would die for a
cause they knew to be a lie?
14:14.119 --> 14:18.157
Jesus' twelve apostles knew
the resurrection was true.
14:18.224 --> 14:21.894
The question remains:
If God exists and there
14:21.961 --> 14:25.130
is life after death,
what does that mean?
14:25.197 --> 14:28.067
What is God's purpose
for you and me?
14:28.133 --> 14:32.304
I'll answer that question
after a short 15 second break,
14:32.371 --> 14:34.540
but I want to remind
you of today's offer--
14:34.607 --> 14:37.243
What Is the
Meaning of Life?
14:37.309 --> 14:40.779
This resource can be yours
absolutely free of charge.
14:40.846 --> 14:43.849
All you have to do is let
us know that you want it.
14:43.916 --> 14:46.485
You will not receive
harassing letters or phone
14:46.552 --> 14:49.855
calls asking for donations
or to buy something.
14:49.922 --> 14:52.858
Everything we have here at
Tomorrow's World is given
14:52.925 --> 14:54.927
away free of cost to you.
14:54.994 --> 14:58.264
Members of Living Church
of God and our coworkers
14:58.330 --> 14:59.999
have already paid for it.
15:00.065 --> 15:03.335
But are you content with
coming up to the last days
15:03.402 --> 15:07.039
of your life and not
knowing why you lived?
15:07.106 --> 15:08.641
What Is the
Meaning of Life?
15:08.707 --> 15:12.411
points you to scriptural
passages that explain
15:12.478 --> 15:17.316
God has a purpose for you. So order your free copy today.
15:17.383 --> 15:20.386
And when I return in
15 seconds, I'll show you
15:20.452 --> 15:24.590
what the Bible says about
the meaning for your life.
15:24.657 --> 15:25.758
♪
15:25.824 --> 15:27.493
This clear and
straight-forward resource
15:27.559 --> 15:30.362
will help you understand
this vital truth--
15:30.429 --> 15:32.931
straight from the
pages of the Bible.
15:32.998 --> 15:33.999
Call now!
15:34.066 --> 15:37.936
Or go to...
15:38.003 --> 15:40.039
♪
15:40.105 --> 15:43.642
On today's Tomorrow's World
program I'm explaining
15:43.709 --> 15:47.179
that there is a
purpose for your life,
15:47.246 --> 15:49.815
and before the short break
I said I would show you
15:49.882 --> 15:52.785
what the Bible says
about that purpose.
15:52.851 --> 15:55.821
Do you know why man has
so much greater mental
15:55.888 --> 15:57.756
capacity than animals?
15:57.823 --> 16:00.993
Several animals have
larger brains, but none
16:01.060 --> 16:03.696
come close to man's
capacity to reason,
16:03.762 --> 16:05.998
to think, to innovate.
16:06.065 --> 16:09.735
None can devise a plan to
go to the moon and return.
16:09.802 --> 16:13.038
None can build a
telescope, a television,
16:13.105 --> 16:14.540
or a computer.
16:14.606 --> 16:18.010
Yes, I know, your dog is
pretty amazing, but there's
16:18.077 --> 16:19.745
something fundamentally different between
16:19.812 --> 16:21.146
the two of you.
16:21.213 --> 16:23.282
What makes the difference?
16:23.349 --> 16:25.651
How is it that man can
build machines to go
16:25.718 --> 16:28.487
higher, faster, and
further than any animal?
16:28.554 --> 16:31.724
And why is it that with
all our intelligence,
16:31.790 --> 16:35.027
we cannot get along
with our fellow man?
16:35.094 --> 16:36.662
Why divorce?
16:36.729 --> 16:39.098
Why wars between nations?
16:39.164 --> 16:41.900
Why people scamming,
stealing, and bludgeoning
16:41.967 --> 16:43.135
one another?
16:43.202 --> 16:45.671
We begin our search for
the answer in the first
16:45.738 --> 16:47.373
chapter in the Bible.
16:47.439 --> 16:50.542
Here we find God's
purpose for mankind.
16:50.609 --> 16:55.047
Then God said, "Let Us
make man in Our image,
16:55.114 --> 16:58.817
according to Our likeness;
let them have dominion
16:58.884 --> 17:01.787
over the fish of the sea,
over the birds of the air,
17:01.854 --> 17:05.324
and over the cattle, over
all the earth and over
17:05.391 --> 17:08.260
every creeping thing that
creeps on the earth."
17:08.327 --> 17:13.465
So God created man in His own
image; in the image of God
17:13.532 --> 17:18.036
He created him; male and
female He created them.
17:18.103 --> 17:20.105
How many read over
this passage without
17:20.172 --> 17:22.174
considering what it means?
17:22.241 --> 17:26.178
In plain language, God
did not make man after any
17:26.245 --> 17:30.382
animal kind, but His
[that is, God's] kind.
17:30.449 --> 17:32.785
We're different because
we were created in God's
17:32.851 --> 17:34.620
image and likeness.
17:34.686 --> 17:41.427
Write down Genesis 1:26-27,
and read it for yourself,
17:41.493 --> 17:44.797
and consider what it means.
Or simply order our free
17:44.863 --> 17:47.399
booklet, What Is the
Meaning of Life? as
17:47.466 --> 17:49.168
this is explained there.
17:49.234 --> 17:53.405
God created us after His
own kind with amazing ability
17:53.472 --> 17:57.443
to think, to reason,
and to do marvelous things.
17:57.509 --> 18:01.580
But why don't we conduct
ourselves in a godly manner?
18:01.647 --> 18:03.849
The missing element
is explained
18:03.916 --> 18:05.918
in the second
chapter of Genesis.
18:05.984 --> 18:09.688
There we find that man is
made a free moral agent
18:09.755 --> 18:12.224
with the ability
to make choices.
18:12.291 --> 18:15.027
And the LORD God commanded
the man, saying,
18:15.093 --> 18:19.431
"Of every tree of the garden you
may freely eat; but of the tree
18:19.498 --> 18:22.868
of the knowledge of good
and evil you shall not eat,
18:22.935 --> 18:27.539
for in the day that you eat
of it you shall surely die."
18:27.606 --> 18:30.375
He was given the ability
to choose between
18:30.442 --> 18:33.979
right and wrong, between
good and evil.
18:34.046 --> 18:37.182
Notice how this is spelled
out at a later time for
18:37.249 --> 18:41.987
the nation of Israel--
Deuteronomy 30:19,
18:42.054 --> 18:45.858
I call heaven and earth as
witnesses today against you,
18:45.924 --> 18:49.595
that I have set before
you life and death,
18:49.661 --> 18:53.866
blessing and cursing;
therefore choose life,
18:53.932 --> 18:56.835
that both you and your
descendants may live.
18:56.902 --> 19:00.205
While we sent men to the moon
and brought them back safely,
19:00.272 --> 19:03.709
to this day we cannot
get along with one another.
19:03.775 --> 19:06.578
There are too many failed
marriages; too many
19:06.645 --> 19:09.848
murders, rapes, and
assaults; too many wars,
19:09.915 --> 19:13.519
cutting short the hopes
and dreams of millions.
19:13.585 --> 19:17.322
Sometimes people ask why
God, with all of His power,
19:17.389 --> 19:21.126
does not stop the atrocities
that occur here below.
19:21.193 --> 19:23.962
But which of these same
people are willing to
19:24.029 --> 19:26.498
submit to God's
will in everything?
19:26.565 --> 19:30.869
God made us as free moral
agents for a reason, and we'll
19:30.936 --> 19:34.773
explore that reason in the
last portion of today's program.
19:34.840 --> 19:37.709
But first I want to give
you one more chance to
19:37.776 --> 19:40.512
take down our contact
information to receive
19:40.579 --> 19:44.917
your free copy of What
Is the Meaning of Life?
19:44.983 --> 19:48.387
This vital resource goes
into detail, straight from
19:48.453 --> 19:50.155
the pages of the Bible.
19:50.222 --> 19:53.458
As we say so often here
at Tomorrow's World:
19:53.525 --> 19:57.129
"Don't believe us just because we say it, believe it
19:57.195 --> 20:00.098
because you find in
your own Bible."
20:00.165 --> 20:01.900
What Is the Meaning of Life?
20:01.967 --> 20:04.069
goes straight to the
scriptures and reveals
20:04.136 --> 20:07.272
what they say about
the purpose of life.
20:07.339 --> 20:10.442
So, call the toll free
number, or go to our
20:10.509 --> 20:12.811
website to order
your free copy of
20:12.878 --> 20:15.380
What Is the Meaning of Life?
20:15.447 --> 20:19.851
And after this short break,
I'll show why God made us
20:19.918 --> 20:21.386
free moral agents.
20:21.453 --> 20:29.127
For today's free
offer call...
20:29.194 --> 20:34.299
Or go to...
20:34.366 --> 20:37.002
This clear and
straight-forward resource
20:37.069 --> 20:39.771
will help you understand
this vital truth--
20:39.838 --> 20:42.874
straight from the
pages of the Bible.
20:42.941 --> 20:45.477
If you're calling for the
first time, you will also
20:45.544 --> 20:48.180
receive a free annual
subscription to Tomorrow's
20:48.246 --> 20:49.615
World magazine.
20:49.681 --> 20:53.185
Six inspiring issues
discussing news, science,
20:53.251 --> 20:55.921
and modern culture will
help you make sense of
20:55.988 --> 20:59.691
your world from a
biblical perspective.
20:59.758 --> 21:02.794
Call today and join
millions around the world
21:02.861 --> 21:05.364
who are turning to
Tomorrow's World for
21:05.430 --> 21:11.036
truth, prophecy, and hope
in these confusing times.
21:11.103 --> 21:12.371
Call now!
21:12.437 --> 21:16.375
Or go to...
21:16.441 --> 21:21.747
♪
21:21.813 --> 21:24.416
The idea that God is
creating man in His own
21:24.483 --> 21:28.487
image is truly profound
and this theme is found
21:28.553 --> 21:29.955
throughout the scriptures.
21:30.022 --> 21:33.325
David looked up at the
night sky and wondered why
21:33.392 --> 21:37.062
God would even be interested
in puny little man, asking,
21:37.129 --> 21:40.699
What is man that You are
mindful of him, and the
21:40.766 --> 21:45.737
son of man that
You visit him?"
21:45.804 --> 21:49.941
The book of Hebrews picks up
on this question and explains:
21:50.008 --> 21:53.145
"You [that is, God]
have put all things in
21:53.211 --> 21:57.115
subjection under his [that's
man's] feet." For in that
21:57.182 --> 22:00.585
He put all in subjection
under him, He left nothing
22:00.652 --> 22:02.521
that is not put under him.
22:02.587 --> 22:06.024
But now we do not yet see
all things put under him.
22:06.091 --> 22:09.327
But we see Jesus, who was
made a little lower than
22:09.394 --> 22:12.364
the angels, for the
suffering of death crowned
22:12.431 --> 22:16.401
with glory and honor, that
He, by the grace of God,
22:16.468 --> 22:18.403
might taste death
for everyone.
22:18.470 --> 22:21.373
For it was fitting for
Him, for whom are all
22:21.440 --> 22:25.477
things and by whom are all
things, in bringing many
22:25.544 --> 22:29.548
sons to glory, to make the
captain of their salvation
22:29.614 --> 22:36.354
perfect through
sufferings.
22:36.421 --> 22:39.091
The Bible reveals a plan
and purpose being worked
22:39.157 --> 22:42.961
out that is far greater
than going off to heaven for
22:43.028 --> 22:46.531
retirement to stare into
the face of God for eternity.
22:46.598 --> 22:50.102
Why is it, dear friends,
that people do not accept
22:50.168 --> 22:52.504
what the Bible plainly says?
22:52.571 --> 22:56.208
The Apostle Paul is not
vague about our future.
22:56.274 --> 23:01.379
He explains in Romans 8:14-15
that we will be
23:01.446 --> 23:05.383
sons of God and joint
heirs with Christ.
23:05.450 --> 23:08.320
For as many as are led
by the Spirit of God,
23:08.386 --> 23:11.089
these are sons of God.
23:11.156 --> 23:13.692
For you did not receive
the spirit of bondage
23:13.759 --> 23:16.628
again to fear, but you
received the Spirit of
23:16.695 --> 23:20.999
adoption by whom we cry out,
"Abba, [meaning "Daddy",
23:21.066 --> 23:22.534
and] Father."
23:22.601 --> 23:24.770
Now notice what
he says next:
23:24.836 --> 23:27.706
"The Spirit Himself bears
witness with our spirit
23:27.773 --> 23:30.375
that we are
children of God."
23:30.442 --> 23:32.511
Did you catch that?
23:32.577 --> 23:35.781
We are to become
children of God.
23:35.847 --> 23:39.417
Human kind, as brought out
in Genesis 1, was made in
23:39.484 --> 23:43.522
the image and the likeness
of God, not of any animal
23:43.588 --> 23:46.258
kind, but of God Himself.
23:46.324 --> 23:49.728
Can you believe what
the Bible clearly says?
23:49.795 --> 23:51.463
Notice further:
23:51.530 --> 23:55.267
"and if children, then
heirs--heirs of God and
23:55.333 --> 23:58.436
joint heirs with Christ,
if indeed we suffer with
23:58.503 --> 24:02.073
Him, that we may also
be glorified together."
24:02.140 --> 24:04.810
In previous generations
we understood that the
24:04.876 --> 24:09.648
masculine man or mankind,
represented both men and
24:09.714 --> 24:14.085
women in this context; but
if anyone is offended by that
24:14.152 --> 24:19.090
micro-mini-aggression, note that women are not left out.
24:19.157 --> 24:22.260
I will be a Father to you,
and you shall be My sons
24:22.327 --> 24:30.001
and daughters, says
the Lord Almighty.
24:30.068 --> 24:31.636
But how can this be?
24:31.703 --> 24:36.374
Notice again from
Romans 8 and verse 16:
24:36.441 --> 24:39.845
"The Spirit Himself bears
witness with our spirit
24:39.911 --> 24:42.948
that we are
children of God."
24:43.014 --> 24:48.854
Here we find two spirits:
God's spirit and "our spirit."
24:48.920 --> 24:51.256
In this we find
the difference between
24:51.323 --> 24:53.959
God's thinking and
man's thinking.
24:54.025 --> 24:57.996
Humanly speaking, we do
not think as God thinks.
24:58.063 --> 25:01.266
And without His indwelling
Spirit, though intelligent
25:01.333 --> 25:05.871
in material matters, we
lack true love and self-control.
25:05.937 --> 25:10.308
That's why we naturally exhibit
what we call human nature.
25:10.375 --> 25:13.311
"Now the works of the flesh
are evident, which are:
25:13.378 --> 25:17.382
adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
25:17.449 --> 25:22.087
idolatry, sorcery,
hatred, contentions,
25:22.153 --> 25:25.824
jealousies, outbursts
of wrath, selfish
25:25.891 --> 25:30.095
ambitions, dissensions,
heresies, envy,
25:30.161 --> 25:39.037
murders, drunkenness,
revelries, and the like."
25:39.104 --> 25:42.941
But, does that mean we can
never think as He thinks?
25:43.008 --> 25:45.176
Let Paul give
us the answer.
25:45.243 --> 25:49.948
"But as it is written:
'Eye has not seen, nor ear
25:50.015 --> 25:53.618
heard, nor have entered
into the heart of man the
25:53.685 --> 25:56.755
things which God has prepared
for those who love him.'
25:56.821 --> 26:00.792
But God has revealed them
to us through His Spirit.
26:00.859 --> 26:03.461
For the Spirit searches
all things, yes,
26:03.528 --> 26:06.164
the deep things of God."
26:06.231 --> 26:08.600
Paul next explained
why there's a difference
26:08.667 --> 26:12.570
between the animal brain
and the mind of man.
26:12.637 --> 26:16.141
"For what man knows the
things of a man except the
26:16.207 --> 26:18.843
spirit of the man
which is in him?"
26:18.910 --> 26:22.447
Similarly, this explains
the difference between the
26:22.514 --> 26:26.151
mind of man and
the mind of God.
26:26.217 --> 26:29.888
"Even so no one knows the
things of God except
26:29.955 --> 26:31.756
the Spirit of God."
26:31.823 --> 26:34.092
Here we find two spirits.
26:34.159 --> 26:37.195
The spirit of man empowers
the human brain far above
26:37.262 --> 26:40.198
that of the animals, but
without the Spirit of God
26:40.265 --> 26:43.468
dwelling in us, we can no
more understand the things
26:43.535 --> 26:47.005
of God than my dog Marcus
could understand calculus.
26:47.072 --> 26:50.642
To be fully made in the
image and likeness of God,
26:50.709 --> 26:55.180
to think as God thinks,
these two spirits must unite.
26:55.246 --> 26:58.683
For as many as are led by
the Spirit of God, these
26:58.750 --> 27:02.587
are sons of God.... The
Spirit Himself bears
27:02.654 --> 27:06.958
witness with our spirit that
we are children of God,
27:07.025 --> 27:10.328
and if children, then
heirs--heirs of God and
27:10.395 --> 27:14.599
joint heirs with Christ, if
indeed we suffer with Him,
27:14.666 --> 27:17.836
that we may also be
glorified together.
27:17.902 --> 27:21.439
Wow--"children of God...
27:21.506 --> 27:25.510
heirs of God and joint
heirs with Christ."
27:25.577 --> 27:29.314
Now sadly I see that I've
run out of time and there
27:29.381 --> 27:31.883
is so much that I
have not covered.
27:31.950 --> 27:35.720
But for a complete explanation,
order our free booklet,
27:35.787 --> 27:38.023
What Is the Meaning of Life?
27:38.089 --> 27:41.559
It reveals the very purpose
for your existence.
27:41.626 --> 27:44.429
And be sure to come back
again next time when
27:44.496 --> 27:47.532
Evangelists Richard Ames,
Wallace Smith, Rod McNair
27:47.599 --> 27:52.303
and I bring you more good news
from the pages of the Bible.
27:52.370 --> 27:53.938
See you next time.
27:54.005 --> 27:54.906
♪
27:54.973 --> 28:01.646
For today's free
offer call...
28:01.713 --> 28:05.750
Or go to...
28:05.817 --> 28:08.620
Call today and join
millions around the world
28:08.686 --> 28:11.356
who are turning to
Tomorrow's World for
28:11.423 --> 28:15.360
truth, prophecy, and hope
in these confusing times.
28:15.427 --> 28:17.262
♪
28:17.328 --> 28:19.731
The preceding program
is produced by the
28:19.798 --> 28:21.032
Living Church of God.
28:21.099 --> 28:24.803
♪