What is our purpose
Resurrection and Chaos
Imagine worship in which people actually come alive.
That's what happened to a primitive tribe in the jungles of East Asia, when missionaries showed them the Jesus film. Not only had these people never heard of Jesus, they had never seen a motion picture. Then, all at once, on one unforgettable evening, they saw it all—the gospel in their own language, visible and real.
Imagine again how it felt to see this good man Jesus, who healed the sick and was adored by children, held without trial and beaten by jeering soldiers. As they watched this, the people went crazy. They stood up and began to shout at the cruel men on the screen, demanding that they stop.
When nothing happened, they attacked the missionary running the projector. Perhaps he was responsible for this injustice! He was forced to stop the film and explain that the story wasn't over yet, that there was more. So they settled back onto the ground, holding their emotions under control.
Then came the crucifixion. Again, the people became so upset that they began to weep and cry with such loud voice of grief that once again the film had to be stopped. The missionary again tried to calm them down, explaining that the story still wasn't over, that there was more. So they pulled themselves together once again and sat down to see what happened next.
Then came the resurrection. Total Chaos broke out this time, but for a different reason. The whole group spontaneously exploded into a party. The noise of celebration was so loud you could hear nothing else. The people were dancing and slapping each other on the back. Christ is risen!
Again the missionary had to shut off the projector. But this time he didn't tell them to calm down and wait for what was next.
All that was supposed to happen—in the story and in their lives—was happening.
What is our purpose in life?
I said last week that this service is not for you, that it was for God. I want to explain it a little more.
In one of the classical church confessions of the early church it says that we exist "To glorify God and enjoy Him forever."
One of the old time Theologians said “The glory of God is man fully alive, and the life of man is the vision of God."
So imagine a worship service in which people actually come alive. Ask God to pierce your heart anew with the burning wonder of it all.
(1.) To glorify God (The glory of God is man fully alive)
- What does that mean? We see these words used in the Bible over and over. But what does it mean?
- Glory — (Heb. kabod; Gr. doxa)
- Abundance, wealth, treasures, and hence honor
- God has no problem with us having things, wealth, blessings, actually he wants us to have them, but for the right reasons. You see when his children look good he looks good. It was always so that when God’s people prospered he received the Glory. The Temple Of Solomon
As an interesting bit of information this was what the temple of Solomon cost:
The gold, silver, and brass, used in the construction of the temple, amounted to an estimated $35 billion; the cost of the stone and timber in the temple, $12,7 billion. The jewels $35 billion. The vessels of silver $2,5 billion; the vessels of gold, $2,7 billion; the silk robes of the priests, $50,000; the purple robes of the singers, $1,million; trumpets, $1,million; other musical instruments, $2,million.
Ten thousand men were working in Lebanon cutting wood, 70,000 were laborers, and 20,900 men were overseers, all of whom were employed seven years.
Food and wages,$470 million.
This house was for God.
2 Chronicles 7: 1 (Dedication of the temple) When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. 2 The priests could not enter the temple of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled it. 3 When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, “He is good; his love endures forever.”
- Extravagance, not wasteful!
- Giving Glory.
- How do I do that? Do I build a temple like Solomon? No!
- The veil was torn, he now lives in us! We are the temple of the Holy Spirit! * What do I do then? Cover myself with Gold?
- The glory of God is man fully alive
John 10: 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
What does abundant life look like? Ask people! Health, peace, wealth, joy, love,…..
Through Jesus he supplies everything I need to give him Glory! The Church that has grasped this will become the source to the world. We will bring God Glory by being fully alive, by receiving and giving out from our lives what he has given.
Matthew 5: 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
- Glory : My life should be a reflection of who God is, the light that shows how bright the source is.
- Does my life show that I know God?
- What does this light look like?
(1.) On your face? Smile
(2.) In sickness? Health
(3.) In turmoil, confusion? Peace
(4.) In poverty? Wealth
(5.) In sadness? Joy
(6.) In loneliness? Love
Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Colossians 1:10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
1 Timothy 6:18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
2 Timothy 3:17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Titus 2:7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness
Titus 2:14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Titus 3:1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,
Titus 3:8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
Titus 3:14 Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
1 Peter 2:12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
* If I fully live the life that God has given me by living to do good, I will not only bring him Glory, but he will come and live in me. (The life of man is the vision of God.") How I live in every situation is his vision for my life.
Seated Next To Butcher
In the Talmud, the rabbis tell of the time when …
Rabbi Joshia, a pious teacher of the Law, was sleeping. A voice came to him in a dream. “Joshia, rejoice! It had been decided that you shall sit next to Nenes the Butcher in Paradise.”
Rabbi Joshia awoke in tears. “How terrible! So this is to be my reward for a lifetime in the Lord’s service. I have not ceased to study the Torah. I have taught 80 disciples. Yet, I am considered to be no better than Nenes the Butcher.
Rabbi Joshia vowed not to return to the House of Study until he had found Nenes the Butcher and discover what was behind this startling revelation.
After searching through many towns, Rabbi Joshia finally came to the small village in which Nenes lived. When he asked about Nenes the Butcher, the people were surprised. “How is it that a learned and eminent man like you should come searching for such an ignorant and insignificant person?” But he persisted in questioning “What sort of man is this Nenes the Butcher?” They replied that there was nothing to tell. “You must see him for yourself.”
Messengers were sent to the house of Nenes. “No,” replied the Butcher, “a great man such as Rabbi Joshia would not want to see me. You must be mocking me. I cannot come with you.”
Greatly embarrassed, the messengers returned to tell Rabbi Joshia what Nenes had said. “But I have vowed not to set foot again in the House of Study until I have talked with Nenes the Butcher. If he will not come to me, I shall go to him.”
Nenes the Butcher was frightened when he saw him approaching. “Why do you wish to see me?” “I must ask you a question—what good have you done in your life?”
“I am no one of importance. I am just an ordinary butcher. I have no time for study or for performing good deeds, for I care for my weak and aged mother and father.”
When he heard this, Rabbi Joshia embraced him and kissed him on the forehead. “Blessed are you, my son, and blessed are your deeds. I am exceedingly happy that I have been considered worthy of being your companion in Paradise.”
Rabbi Joshia knew that, in God’s sight, the insignificant deeds done for Him are as precious (and equal) as the great works done publicly.
(2.) Enjoy Him forever.
o There is a difference in enjoying ourselves and enjoying him!
§ What do I think of when I hear this? Laughing children.
§ To be together, laughing, running, talking, eating, and playing.
§ We are so serious that we have lost our child like faith; we are so dry that no one wants to know our God, because they can’t see us enjoying him.