GROUP 7
THE MEANING OF LIFE

Subject Two Hundred Fifty-three

THE SUPERIORITY OF MAN

Scripture: Gen. 1:26-27

1. Man as the “soul” of all creation
   The Chinese say that man is the “soul” of the whole creation. Man is superior to all the rest of creation.
2. The body of man
   The body of man is superior to that of any other creature. The human body is the most beautiful, the most dexterous, and the most useful. It is stronger than that of any other creature.
3. The spirit of man
   The spirit of man is unique. No other creature has a spirit. Because of this spirit, man can worship and receive wisdom. This wisdom makes him superior and noble.
4. Man’s life the highest
   Therefore man’s life is the highest of all created life.

Subject Two Hundred Fifty-four

THE MEANING OF MAN

Scripture: Gen. 1:26; Rom. 9:21-23

1. Since man is so superior, there must be a meaning for man’s existence
2. What is the meaning of man?
   Is it to study? to work? to eat? to clothe himself? to marry? to raise a family? to serve others? Is man merely for these things? No one can give an answer to this question.
3. Man as God’s vessel
   The Bible tells us that not only is man created by God, but that he is also created for God. Man has been created to be a vessel to express the image of God. Hence, the real meaning of man is God. The meaning of man is to be for God. If man does not have God, he will be meaningless.
4. Today everyone who feels that life is meaningless feels so because he is not giving himself for God’s purpose with man

Subject Two Hundred Fifty-five

THE NEED OF MAN

Scripture: John 4:13; 7:37

1. Man’s body
   Man’s body needs four basic things: food, clothing, shelter, and transportation.
2. Man’s soul
   Man’s soul has psychological needs. These are related to his mind, emotion, and will. He seeks to meet these needs through such pleasures as education, music, sports, and cultural or social activities.
3. Man’s spirit
   The spirit of man also has its need. The need of the spirit is the deepest and the most real need of man. This need is the need for God Himself. The reason God made a spirit in man is so that man may have need of Him and be able to receive Him. In the same way that God made man’s stomach for digesting food, He made the spirit of man for receiving Himself.