WSC, Q. 1

What is the chief end of man?

Introduction

Starting where all things should start

God is sovereign

God deserves praise

Scripture references

Where would you personally go? Do not look at Scripture ref. in WSC

Psalm 86:9 “All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.”

Isaiah 60:21 “Your people shall all be righteous; they shall possess the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I might be glorified.”

1 Corinthians 6:20 “for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

1 Corinthians 10:31 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

Romans 11:36 “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”

Revelation 4:11 ““Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.””

Psalm 16:5–11 “The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Psalm 144:15 “Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall! Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!”

Isaiah 12:2 ““Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.””

Luke 2:10 “And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”

Revelation 21:3–4 “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.””

Psalm 73:25–28 “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.”

WLC, Q.’s 1-2

Quest. 1. What is the chief and highest end of man?

Ans. Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him for ever.b

Q. 2. How doth it appear that there is a God?

A. The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but his word and Spirit only do sufficiently and effectually reveal him unto men for their salvation

WCF 2.1

Man’s purpose

God creates for a reason

This reason is not found in man

Creator-creature distinction

Man created in image of God

Act of creation itself means we owe obedience to God

Act of creation means we are obliged to obey God’s law even if he did not formally give it to us

Man’s problem

Adam’s first transgression = sin for all mankind

Man’s thinking became man-centered

Romans 1 issue

Picture from p. 2 Williamson

What would some people put in the center of figure 1.2 rather than the word “self?”

Why is this really just as bad?

Man’s presumption

“the good of humanity”

Do the wicked glorify God? Explain

Unbelievers may do good but that good is sinfully motivated

WCF 16.7 Works done by unregenerate men, although, for the matter of them, they may be things which God commands, and of good use both to themselves and others: yet, because they proceed not from a heart purified by faith; nor are done in a right manner, according to the word;a nor to a right end, the glory of God; they are therefore sinful, and cannot please God, or make a man meet to receive grace from God. And yet their neglect of them is more sinful, and displeasing unto God.

Glorifying God

Where would you go to find passages encouraging us to glorify God?

Are we making God glorious?

What does it mean to “glorify God”? (allow answers)

Reflecting God’s glory

Why glorify God?

What is our estate before Him?

How do we earn our salvation?

CoW vs. CoG

What is the difference between the way in which the heavens glorify God, and the way in which man ought to glorify God?

Chief end

What is meant by chief?

What is meant by end?

Chief = main purpose

Is it proper for a Christian to have other “ends” besides the end of glorifying God?

You can/should have goals, aims, purposes, etc.

These should not occupy the chief end

Not our only end

Practically

Glorify God in unappealing areas

What departments of life ought to serve the glory of God?

Allow for examples:

Raising children

Cooking dinner

Driving to work

Eating lunch

Which is more to the glory of God: a person who preaches, or a man who works in a factory? Explain

What about false preachers?

“the true view of Christian discipleship is that which sees the whole life as that which is to be consciously lived unto the honor of God, and in the service of his name!” - Williamson