Doctrine: Creation: Humanity and Purpose

Doctrine Talk

According to google- here is how to find purpose and meaning in life..ready:

- Learn to be happy

- Follow your gifts.

- Set goals

- Do something different

- stop watching TV.

…the list goes on and on..

People in our world are constantly looking for purpose and meaning to life. And most of the time it revolves around what they think is going to bring happiness and comfort.

But what happens when life isn’t what you were hoping for?

When the job you worked so hard for, fell short of your expectations.

When that marriage you thought was going to give you everything you ever wanted- ended up being harder than you ever imagined.

Maybe, you got all the things you thought you wanted and yet- after a temporary high- you found yourself feeling empty.

Maybe you thought you knew your purpose and then it seemed like life just blew up in your face…now what?

In order to find purpose and meaning we have to look to the one who created us-

God- our creator did not just arbitrarily start creating, throwing things together hoping it worked out…

no…he was intentional and purposeful.

When he created humans- he created us with a sense of need.

Before sin ever entered the world- we were created with an intellect- a longing for deeper meaning in life-

God purposely created us with a hole in our hearts that was only meant to be filled with and by Him.

But, instead of going to God to fill that hole- Adam and Eve believed the lie that God was holding back on them.

There they were, in a garden, surrounded by a world that gave them more than they could ever want or imagine and instead of walking with God and giving Him the glory…they wanted to be God...

So..they chose to break fellowship with Him and at that moment sin entered the world.

While this was the greatest tragedy to ever occur- our God immediately moved towards them- ready with an active plan to redeem sinners and restore intimate fellowship with Him through Jesus Christ.

God is the one who gives our life purpose and meaning…

When we have a right relationship with Him, our Creator- then we can flourish.

In the OT we see evidence of this truth as we look at the lives of the people of Israel.

Israel experienced God’s highest purpose as a nation when they obeyed and submitted to Him.

Nothing in this world compares with knowing God, walking with Him, and experiencing his love and mercy.

God wants us to experience a life full of purpose and meaning not just in eternity, but on this earth.

Your highest purpose in life can only be experienced when you yield yourself to God and His ways.

So what is the purpose of my life?....preschool children’s leaders help me out…if you know it say it with me...

…My purpose is to KNOW God, love Him and glorify Him....

**if you were struggling to pick a song for tomorrow, well, you are welcome.

Let me say that again…our purpose is to KNOW God, LOVE him..and glorify Him.

When I do not believe that only God can give my life purpose, I spend countless hours striving to find hope and happiness in the inadequate pleasures of this life.

When I believe that only my Creator can help me be what he created me to be, I seek God…This belief should motivate me to go to His word and spend time in prayer as I seek to know Him.

- As you look at your life…are there places where you are saying “yes” to things don’t line up with God’s purposes?

Is there an area in your life you need to yield to God?

Would you ask Him to reveal it to you…then take that step of obedience and give it to Him today...

Only God can feed your soul and give your life purpose. - The women, students, and children you lead can only find true purpose as they come to know God. - How does this perspective elevate your commitment to those He has called you to lead this year in BSF?

God’s purposes for me do not require easy circumstances.

His presence and power permeate daily life and give hope for eternity.

In God alone my heart finds a home.

Would you share a prayer request with the person next to you- and then we will pray?

EXTRA LECTURE THOUGHTS:

God used Israel to bring redemption to all who put their faith in Jesus.

If the Goal is restoration—> then there must be redemption for what is broken. —> How do we know what was broken, we go backwards…to look at how it was supposed to be in the first place…to creation.

Creation.

Rebellion.

Redemption.

Restoration

God’s purpose in creation: God created the world so he would be glorified.

And then…God created humanity- humans were unique in that they alone were made in the image of God. Only humans possess the ability to have relationship with God. Only humans possess the ability to reflect God’s character.

Primary purpose: Jesus will forever reign over His redeemed people in a new heaven and a new earth.

Secondary purpose: creation and redemption of humankind—> the means to how God will accomplish the primary

Theme of Bible: Restoration.

I. Introduction: Purpose

Illustration/General opening: Everyone wants to know their purpose?

DOCTRINE: Humanity: Creation and Purpose

God’s purpose has never changed.

Fall of Humanity: Genesis 3 **Need for a plan to carry out purpose established**

Need to read OT with God’s purpose in mind

God’s purpose, was himself- that means that his plan is always to get creation back to…himself. He is the central figure.

AIM: God faithfully carries out his purpose to bring glory to Himself despite humanities failures.

II. Division 1: God’s Plan Revealed Genesis-1 Kings 11

a. From here on out cycle repeats: Plan-> rebellion—> redemption —> leads to restoration

b. To Adam and Eve: Genesis 3:15

Promise of a savior

c. Through establishment of Israel- God’s chosen people (COVENANT)

Abraham: Genesis 12:1-3; 17 –> Promise of Restoration

Isaac

Jacob

12 sons

= 12 tribes

Moses

King David

In revealing his plan, he also reveals himself to his people.

Principle: PURPOSE God reveals himself for the purpose of ___glorify himself_____.

Application: God’s characteristics or attributes tell us about God.

Our purpose should be the same as God’s purpose…

Are you living for yourself and what you want or God’s purposes.

We must read OT with a correct view of God and who he reveals himself to be.

III. Division 2: God’s Plan for Redemption 1 Kings 12- Malachi

a. Through a divided kingdom

b. Through exile

c. Through the Prophets

Principle: God is faithful to sustain His people and keeps his promises.

APPLICATION: God’s faithfulness

GOSPEL-> are you redeemed

Just like God was faithful to Israel, he is faithful to you in your life and your situation.

God’s faithfulness to Israel shows us God’s faithfulness to us. God never changes. Through Israel we see the constant theme of God’s faithfulness over and over to a unfaithful people.

GOSPEL

Just like God had a plan and purpose for Israel, he too has a plan and purpose for your life.

Are you submitting to God’s plan for your life? Or are you too busy running after your own?

Do you live as a child of God or one of this world- running after happiness, success, comfort?

Where might God be asking you to surrender to His plan? Is there a place he is asking you to serve that you have resisted because it would take away from your personal time and comfort?

we can look at God’s plan for Israel and be confident that just like he was orchestrated

Application:

We can trust that in the broken places in our life- there is purpose. Everything happens for a reason, there is no such thing as a coincidence.

IV. Conclusion

It’s important for us to know and remember God’s purpose as we begin to read next week. Next week we are going to see God’s people divided

Division 1: Purpose

The answer is: relationship.

God created an elaborate, perfect, and beautiful kingdom for HUMANS and then created them so they could enjoy it- care for it- and as they did so they would continuously give glory and worship to the ONE who created them as they walked in perfect relationship with Him.

He lavished GOOD things on His people. Everything He made was for their good and HIS glory.

From the very beginning we see a GOOD God who loves to give good gifts for his people- everything he does is in pursuit of being in perfect relationship with the ones he loves.

Now last week I told you that the God of OT is the same God of the NT and the same God that is living and active in our lives today.

That means if God was good here, in the beginning, then God is still good….If he was working for the good of his people them, he is still working for the good of his people now.

As we move through our study this year- it is going to be important for you to hold fast to who God is as described in His word. We will frequently talk about God’s attributes, which is just another name for his characteristics. His attributes are who He is. As you read the scriptures this year- take a highlighter in a designated color and highlight every time you see an attribute of God mentioned. Challenge yourself to look for who He is as revealed in scripture- not who you think he is based off of your own experiences and reasoning.

Sometimes things in our lives happen for God to get our attention- it’s meant to be a wake up call- to draw us back to him- an instead, we shout- how dare you, you must not love me…

One of my daughters was recently frustrated by a consequence she had received after she disobeyed.

She quickly got angry- telling me that it was my fault she had disobeyed in the 1st place and that when I talk to her that way- meaning, when I give her a consequence- that she feels like I don’t love her.

I will be honest- I was pretty infuriated that she had somehow come to that conclusion, because nothing could be farther from the truth. I was so frustrated in the moment because I didn’t know which comment to address first- the fact that she blamed me for her disobedience or the fact that she had concluded I didn’t love her because I gave her a consequence.

As I was sitting there trying to figure out what to say next- I realized something- this is EXACTLY how I respond to God- all. the. Time. I rebel, I sin, the consequence of my actions frustrate me and then I blame God for not being good when all he wants is for me to obey so we can be in perfect relationship- because THAT is what is GOOD for me. But I spend so much time convinced that I know what is good and he doesn’t.

Rebellion—>Redemption—>Restoration.

Over and over again we see God’s people rebel, God redeem and then he restores....and all of this leads us to an ultimate restoration.

So God’s purpose in creating the world was to bring glory to himself, but his purpose in giving us the Bible is redemption which leads ultimately to restoration.

Understanding God’s purpose in creation is crucial for understanding our own purpose in life.

If everything in creation was created with the purpose of bringing God glory- then as created beings- we too should live life with the purpose of bringing God glory.