What is Our Purpose?

God blessed us with a great study last evening.  The topic was What is Our Purpose?  We looked at the Bible to find the answer to this question.  We learned that God wants us to have reverence for Him and to keep His commandments.  Furthermore, God wants us to show kindness, love, mercy and goodness to people around us, and to provide for both their spiritual and physical needs.

These are the notes from this talk.

November 15, 2010

What is Our Purpose?

Opening Question:  What is your favourite object or tool and what is its purpose?

While occasionally it is possible to use an object not exactly to their made-for purpose, most of the time the result will not be that satisfactory or at times it could be disastrous.  Think about using a sledgehammer instead of a mallet or a simple hammer.  Certain objects are designed and made with a unique purpose and if not used according to that purpose they will be broken and destroy everything else in their path.

Now let us look at our purpose according to the word of God, the Bible.

God created us with a unique purpose

Earlier we have discussed how God created us in His image (Genesis 1:27).  This means that we have in us the potential to be good, patient, loving, kind, graceful, and merciful and all the qualities that God has instilled in us.

Ecclesiastes, in the Old Testament, is written by Solomon, the wisest man ever to live on the earth (and also one of the richest men – 1 Kings 10:23).  In Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, we read: 13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.  14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

According to Solomon, the duty of all mankind is to fear or have reverence for God and to keep His commandments.  God will judge everything that we do, whether it is good or evil, so we need to be careful with our lives.

In the same way that a marathon runner prepares for a very long time for his race, training and working hard to achieve his goal, in the same way we are to strive with our best efforts in order to achieve our goal and fulfil our purpose.

Besides Jesus, no one else can offer eternal life.  Jesus said in John 14:6 that: Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

So if our purpose is to keep God’s commandments.  How do we keep the commandments of God?

By studying the Bible and learning about Jesus and about the commands that God has given us through Jesus and the words of the Bible.

Jesus himself told his apostles before going back to Heaven, in Matthew 28:18-20: Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

One of our purposes is not only to study and learn the commandments of God, but to obey the Bible and what it says as it is Words from God. 

Another purpose for Christians is to take care of the needs of other people, not only their spiritual needs, but also their physical needs.  Many verses in the Bible tell us about the responsibility of Christians to do good and to help other people, in whatever they need.  James 2:14-17 tells us that: 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?  15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.  16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?  17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

What is James talking about here?

Our purpose is to help each other, our brothers and sisters.

Paul tells us very clearly and plainly in two letters about what is expected of Christians, people who are trying to be like Christ.  We read in Galatians 6:2: Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. And in Philippians 2:3-4: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

What does it mean to carry each other’s burdens?

Helping and providing for the needs of the other people.

What does it mean to look for the interest of the other, not just for your own interest?

That whatever other people need we should look to fulfil that need and not ignored it.

2 Timothy 2:20-22 says:  20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use.   21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.  22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

What are some of the evil desires of youth?

Wanting to get rich, wanting to be powerful and famous, etc.

What does it mean to pursue righteousness?

To do those things that according to the standards of God, not of man, are considered right.

Conclusions

God has created us for a unique purpose: to show reverence to Him and to keep his commandments.  We need to learn about the commandments of God, teach them to the world and provide not only for the spiritual needs of the people, but also for their physical ones.

Campus Bible Talk 2010