There is a
Reason for everything
The Purpose
Driven Life
Part VI
Sermon by Manfred Schreyer
Read Part: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | of this Sermon Series
(Rom 11:36 NIV) For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
When we think about our purpose . . . we think about ourselves. We
question: Why are we here? What purpose do we possibly have?
Let us think for just a second about the rest of the world: When we look
around we have to be amazed by the many wonders of the world and the
universe. The functioning of the orbits, the gravity that is just at the
right distance, the beauty of colors, the integrate design of all living
things, the harmony of all things in the universe, etc.
And when we look at the wonders we have to come to the conclusion that all
these wonderful things fulfill one purpose: To show the glory of God to us.
The sole reason for existing is to proclaim the glory of God.
You may ask: Well, what do you mean by the glory of God?
When you talk to an artist who is painting a picture, he or she will tell
you that a picture drawn is never finished. It is never complete; it is
never how the artist wants 100%. When you discuss an artwork with an artist,
the artist will tell you about the work he or she has placed into the art
piece. Every time the artist thinks it is done, a new thought strikes, an
improvement comes to mind . . . it is never finished. The greatest pain for
the artist is actually to let go of the piece.
It is similar when I write a sermon. Although I very seldom look at the
written document that I wrote a week or so before, I often look at the
document at home once I have taken notes for myself and I will add new
thoughts, correct spelling errors, etc. I delete items, because I feel that
another story may fit better, I strike out a thought and substitute it with
another. My last keystroke is often added just before midnight on Saturday
evening. Even then, when I drive to the church I find myself, striking
things out and inserting a new thought.
And when I give the word of God to you, it is not unusual that I am
overcome with new thoughts that I feel I must proclaim . . . which I had
never written down.
Then when I take the sermon and post it on our site, I will still make
corrections, I will add new thoughts and delete others. Finally I will post
it.
After some weeks on the website I notice that specific sermons are read
more often than others and often I am embarrassed, because I feel I should
have written better, I should have given a better explanation of things . .
. and so I will go in and I will make corrections.
I guess this process will never end for me as a minister and the process
of improvement will never end for the artist who will finally sell his
artwork to a collector.
When God created the heavens an the earth, God mentioned to us in His word
in Genesis that all things were perfect. Perfect?
I cannot even imagine what perfect is. There is nothing in human creation
that is perfect. Everything created by humans can use improvement.
But not so with Gods creation. We can add NOTHING to His creation or to
his perfection. We have to give our God glory . . . He alone deserves the
Glory . . . He alone created the day and the night, the waters and the
hemisphere, all living things and He alone provided a way for us to have
shelter and food.
When you read the Word of God you will notice that only two of Gods
creation have failed to brig glory to God. One is the fallen angel and the
other are the human race.
All sin (the separations from God) is the manifestation to deny that Gods
way is the true way and the proclamation that we can add new and better
things to the process of the universe.
The very same people deny God the glory, because they willfully declare
themselves as creators.
Jesus said:
(John 17:4 NIV) I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you
gave me to do.
Well, what work did God give him to do? God told Jesus His will for
humanity. He told Jesus that if He would die, He would redeem humankind so
that we may live.
And Jesus went to work. And Jesus says: I gave glory to you by following
your will.
And so, how do we bring Glory to Him?
1. We bring glory to Him by worshiping Him.
God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied with Him.
2. We bring glory to Him by loving other.
(1 John 3:14-15 NIV) We know that we have passed from death to life, because
we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. {15} Anyone
who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has
eternal life in him.
3. We bring God glory by becoming like Christ
2 Cor 3:18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are
being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes
from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
4. We bring God glory by serving others with our gifts
(1 Pet 4:10-11 NIV) Each one should use whatever gift he has received to
serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
{11} If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of
God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so
that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the
glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
5. We bring glory to God by telling others about God
(2 Cor 4:15 NIV) All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is
reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the
glory of God.
The purpose of our life is to acknowledge that only God is in total
control and the maker of all things on earth. Nothing but nothing can be
changed in the scheme of things by you or by me. You and I will not be able
to make the sun shine brighter, we will not be able to shift the climate of
California to Ohio, we will not be able to create a human out of the dust of
the earth . . . we have to believe that only one deserves the glory in all
of this . . . and that is God.
But all the points I mentioned take effort, sacrifice and it takes the
conscience choice of taking the difficult path rather than the easy path.
And the reason I know so will is, because the Gospel tells me. Here is
Jesus Christ, the son of God and the son of man . . . just like you and I.
You are the sons and daughters of our creator our almighty God . . . He is
hanging on the cross and most Christians assume that Christ was just content
with the idea that He would be able to serve God and to give God the glory .
. . but in that very moment, in the moment of decision Jesus has the human
thought that crosses our mind as well:
(John 12:27-28 NIV) "Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say?
'Father, save me from this hour'?
Brothers and sister Jesus is giving us answers, even in the hour of His
death.
Is your heart troubled as you go though this life? Are you willing to give
it up, to go a different, an easier path? Have choices presented themselves
to you that may not be to the glory of God?
And Jesus answers like this, because Jesus knew that we would be confronted
with crossroads. The crossroads of living for ourselves, comfortable, or to
live with the purpose of Gods glory . . .
Jesus says:
No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. {28} Father, glorify
your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will
glorify it again."
Read Part: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | of this Sermon Series
|
|
|