In a powerful and sobering message, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome challenged believers to confront one of life’s most important questions: Why am I here? Speaking with clarity and conviction, he emphasized that life without purpose is empty, regardless of comfort, success, or peace.
“We have to know our purpose,” Pastor Chris said. “There are a lot of people who live an empty life. They’re just there — coming and going. All they think about is themselves and maybe their families, and that’s enough for them. That’s a terrible life. Not a good way to live.”
His words struck at the heart of modern living, where existence is often reduced to survival, routine, or personal comfort. Pastor Chris reminded listeners that no one was born by accident. Every life carries divine intent.
You Were Not Born for Nothing
Pastor Chris declared that every individual was created with meaning and responsibility. “You have to come to the point where you recognize that you are in this world for a purpose,” he said. “You were not born for nothing. God has a purpose for your life — something you came here to do.”
He explained that purpose does not manifest automatically. God does not force fulfillment upon anyone. Rather, individuals must recognize, accept, and act on the purpose placed within them.
“Don’t expect that God will somehow just make it happen,” he warned. “If you don’t do something about your time, your life, and your impact on the people who come into your world, others will decide what happens — and you’ll be a victim.”
According to Pastor Chris, failing to live purposefully does not only affect one’s earthly life. It carries eternal consequences.
Answering to God for an Empty Life
One of the most sobering moments of the message came when Pastor Chris spoke about accountability before God. He reminded listeners of Jesus’ words that every person will give account even for useless words.
“If you’re going to give account for words that were useless,” he said, “what do you think you’re going to give account for — a life that was useless?”
This statement reframed the idea of judgment not as fear-driven condemnation, but as divine accountability. Pastor Chris explained that God expects every life to produce impact — not just personal success, but kingdom influence.
“How could you live that many years without an impact on your world?” he asked. “Without a kingdom impact on your world — what life have you lived?”
Understanding Why Many Never Discover Purpose
Pastor Chris addressed the reality that many people were never taught to think purposefully. He explained that ignorance of purpose is often inherited, not chosen.
“I’m not trying to blame you for not knowing,” he said. “You might have grown up that way. It doesn’t take a lot to become a parent — it’s biology. But it takes a whole lot more to raise children with wisdom.”
He emphasized that parents can only pass on what they know. If wisdom was absent, it could not be imparted. Yet he made it clear that ignorance is not a final sentence.
“Now you have the opportunity to discover,” he said. “If nobody ever told you that your life was for a purpose, now you’re hearing it. And you better believe it.”
Jesus: The Cure for an Empty Life
Pastor Chris then turned attention to Jesus Christ as the ultimate example and source of purpose. “Nobody inspires me like Jesus,” he said. “If you study His words, you’ll be something. You’ll never live an empty life.”
He emphasized that listening to Jesus and studying His teachings transforms perspective and direction. The words of Christ give clarity, meaning, and spiritual direction that nothing else can offer.
Referencing John 9:5, Pastor Chris quoted Jesus’ words: “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
He explained that light gives direction, dispels darkness, and reveals truth. “Light is truth,” he said.
From Christ the Light to Believers as the Light
Pastor Chris then drew attention to a powerful shift in Scripture. While Jesus declared Himself the light of the world during His earthly ministry, He later spoke those same words to His followers.
Quoting Matthew 5:14, he said: “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.”
“He knew He was leaving,” Pastor Chris explained. “And we ought to know we are leaving too. But as long as we are in the world, we are the light of the world.”
This, he said, is not a title — it is a responsibility.
Living as Light with Responsibility and Impact
Being the light of the world means more than personal faith. Pastor Chris taught that believers are called to actively dispel darkness through their lives, words, and actions.
“You have to think like this,” he said. “We dispel darkness. Doesn’t matter what they bring.”
Quoting Jesus again, he emphasized: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Light, he explained, is not passive. It shines deliberately. It exposes truth. It guides others out of confusion.
A Life Others Can Depend On
In closing, Pastor Chris challenged believers to live lives that others can depend on — lives that save, guide, and uplift.
Referencing Paul’s instruction to Timothy, he said that through meditation on God’s Word, one can “save yourself and those who hear you.”
“Can your life become that dependable?” he asked. “That others can be saved by you — because they listen to you and their lives get better?”
As long as believers remain in the world, they carry the responsibility of light. Their words matter. Their choices matter. Their lives matter.
“As long as I am in the world,” Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.”
Pastor Chris reminded believers that now, we carry that light — and the responsibility to let it shine.