Why Are We Here?
Text: Eph.1: 9-10
Intro: The question we’re considering today is one that has puzzled mankind for many years. That question seems to gnaw at the soul of man, for somewhere in the core of his being he knows that life must ultimately have a purpose—that he must have a purpose.
If you were to ask a number of people what was man’s purpose of existence, the answers would be legion. Some would tell you that man’s purpose is simply to make the world a better place. Others might see man’s purpose as merely trying to better one’s self. Still others might respond with the idea that man is here only to explore his world and discover himself.
However, the goal of man’s existence, from God’s point of view, has never been about man himself. According to God’s Word, the goal of man’s existence—his purpose for being here, is to glorify God and fulfill His eternal plan. This was basically the conclusion of the writer of Ecclesiastes 12: 13, when he said, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
With that thought in mind, I would like to suggest three answers to the question of, “Why are we here?” Since man’s whole duty is to obey and honor God, we must assume the answers to our question must have God as the ultimate goal. Let’s briefly consider this question today.
Theme: Man’s purpose for being here is to be:
I. AN EXTENSION OF GOD’S PRESENCE
A. This Is Implied By Man’s Creation.
Gen.1: 26 “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”
NOTE: [1] This verse tells us that God created man in His image and likeness. That fact alone implies that we are to be a physical extension of His presence in this world.
We are created after the likeness of the eternal God. This has both moral and motivational implications. In our morals and motives we are to reflect God’s character. Thus, I am to be not only an extension of his life…I am an expression of his character. If my salvation is working, my life is a fitting expression of what God is like.
Jack Taylor, God’s Miraculous Plan Of Economy, published by Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee; pg. 20.
[2] Another commentator puts it as follows:
He [man] was to be God’s responsible representative and steward on the earth, to work out his Creator’s will and fulfill the divine purpose.
Charles F. Pfeiffer and Everett F. Harrison, Editors, The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; pg. 4.
[3] James Packer has rightly noted:
Our Maker so designed us that our nature finds final satisfaction and fulfillment only in a relationship of responsive Godlikeness—which means, precisely, that state of correspondence between our acts and God’s will which we call obedience.
James Packer, Your Father Loves You, Harold Shaw Publishers, 1986.
B. This Was Intended In Man’s Conversion.
1. What Satan attempted to ruin through sin, God rescued through salvation.
a. His divine nature within enables us to fulfill God’s will.
II Pet.1: 4 “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”
b. His Holy Spirit within ensures our knowledge of God’s will.
John 16: 13 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.”
2. The “new man” is God’s correction for man’s corruption.
Eph.4: 24 “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
NOTE: [1] Paul said the “new man” is created “after God.” That means that it is created “’according to what God is in Himself,’ that is, created after the pattern of what God is” (Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies, Vol. I, published by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Ephesians and Colossians In The Greek New Testament, pg. 111).
[2] In order for one to be an extension of God’s presence in a lost and dying world, they need regeneration, not renovation.
London businessman Lindsay Clegg told the story of a warehouse property he was selling. The building had been empty for months and needed repairs. Vandals had damaged the doors, smashed the windows, and strewn trash around the interior.
As he showed a prospective buyer the property, Clegg took pains to say that he would replace the broken windows, bring in a crew to correct any structural damage, and clean out the garbage.
“Forget about the repairs,” the buyer said. “When I buy this place, I’m going to build something completely different. I don’t want the building; I want the site.”
Compared with the renovation God has in mind, our efforts to improve our own lives are as trivial as sweeping a warehouse slated for the wrecking ball. When we become God’s, the old life is over (2 Cor. 5:17). He makes all things new. All he wants is the site and the permission to build.
Ian L. Wilson.
3. Living according to the dictates of the “new man” makes the Christian an extension of God’s presence in a lost and dying world.
Phil.1: 21a “For me to live is Christ…”
C. This Is Initiated By Godly Conduct.
Eph.2: 10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
II Cor.5: 15 “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”
NOTE: How professing Christians live their lives determines whether or not they fulfill the purpose for which they are here on earth.
A man in the Army of Alexander the Great, who was also named Alexander, was accused of cowardly actions. He was brought before Alexander, who asked what his name was. He replied softly, “Alexander.” “I can’t hear you,” the ruler stated. The man again said, a little louder, “Alexander.”
The process was repeated one more time, after which Alexander the Great commented, “Either change your name or change your conduct.”
Source Unknown.
II. AN EXPRESSION OF GOD’S PERSON
A. Our Lives Should Express His Character.
NOTE: It’s often said of children, “He is just like his father,” or “She is just like her mother.” Statements like that express the idea that qualities found in the child are similar to those observed in the parent. Folks, that should especially be true of the Christian. When the world looks at the Christian, they should immediately notice characteristics of the heavenly Father.
1. Our lives should express God’s love to a lost world.
I John 4: 7 “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
2. Our lives should express God’s purity to a lost world.
I John 1: 6 “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”
I John 3: 3 “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”
3. Our lives should express God’s forgiveness to a lost world.
Rom.12: 17a “Recompense to no man evil for evil…”
Eph.4: 32 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
B. Our Lives Should Express His Compassion.
1. God’s love for the world is our pattern.
John 3: 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
NOTE: God-like love is always sacrificial in nature.
A certain medieval monk announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on “The Love of God.” As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lighted a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say.
Source Unknown.
2. We are exhorted to love all people.
I Thess.3: 12 “And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:”
3. We should especially express love to those who are perishing.
Rom.9: 3 “For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:”
Rom.10: 1 “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.”
NOTE: George Whitefield once said, “My prayer today is that God would make me an extraordinary Christian” (George Whitefield). He wasn’t asking to become a famous Christian. The original idea behind the word “Christian,” is “little Christ.” In other words, a Christian is to be a little replica of Christ. Whitefield wanted his life to resemble Christ as much as possible.
III. AN EXHIBITION OF GOD’S POWER
NOTE: Our lives should be a living testimony to the power of God to change us from what we were, supply our daily needs, and to satisfy our hearts with Himself.
J.B. Phillips paraphrases Ephesians l:19-20, “How tremendous is the power available to us who believe in God.” When we make firm our connection with God, his life and power flow through us.
Ernest B. Beevers.
A. His Power To Save.
Ps.107: 2 “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;”
I Tim.1: 12 “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”
B. His Power To Supply.
II Cor.9: 8 “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:”
Phil.4: 19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
C. His Power To Satisfy.
Ps.107: 9 “For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.”
John 4: 14 “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”
Theme: Man’s purpose for being here is to be:
I. AN EXTENSION OF GOD’S PRESENCE
II. AN EXPRESSION OF GOD’S PERSON
III. AN EXHIBITION OF GOD’S POWER
