What is the chief end of man?
Glory • Sermon • Submitted
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· 47 viewsOnly in giving God glory are we able to find real purpose and satisfaction.
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Over the last two weeks we have been discussing God’s Glory.
Today I want to continue that line of thought. With a couple simple questions.
Why do we exist? How can we find fulfilment and happiness?
Why do we exist? How can we find fulfilment and happiness?
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So lets review for just a bit.
What is Glory – Heaviness weight. The word refers to the abundance of one’s character, fame, wealth and etc.
So when we talk about the Glory of God, we are talking about the Unsurpassed awesomeness of God’s character, nature and beauty.
So when we talk about the Glory of God, we are talking about the Unsurpassed awesomeness of God’s character, nature and beauty.
God is telling us to Learn to rest in His glory – But how do we rest in His unsurpassed character, nature, and beauty?
By truly seeing how awesome and fearful he is and at the same time understanding how much he desires us and loves us.
By seeing His perfection and beauty in comparison to our hearts intent.
By resting not in our perfection but in His perfect love and acceptance for us.
Resting in His Glory means we realize, that all is for Him, about Him, to Him and Through Him.
Resting in His Glory means we realize, that all is for Him, about Him, to Him and Through Him.
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Today I want to talk to you about purpose and pleasure.
Today I want to talk to you about purpose and pleasure.
More specifically I want to talk to you about the very purpose for our lives and how can we be satisfied in life?
Why do you exist? What purpose do you have? How can I be happy? How can I have peace?
These are powerful questions and we all wrestle with them on a daily basis even when we do not realize it. Every action we take, every thought we think, every word we speak, is based on how we answer those little questions.
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To do this we are going to look at a story in the book of Acts.
The Story –
Barnabas – Living for God’s Glory
Barnabas – Living for God’s Glory
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All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.
For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.
Joseph is given a nick name - Son of encouragement (Barnabas)
The scriptures want us to see his character and nature.
He cared more about spreading the glory of God by helping others than he did for being noticed.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
When we humble ourselves to bring God glory, God will then give us honor.
When we humble ourselves to bring God glory, God will then give us honor.
Ananias - Living for his own glory.
Ananias - Living for his own glory.
But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.
Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”
As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified. Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him.
About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?”
“Yes,” she replied, “that was the price.”
And Peter said, “How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just outside the door, and they will carry you out, too.”
Instantly, she fell to the floor and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened.
When we live for our happiness we only find destruction.
When we live for our happiness we only find destruction.
When we live for our own glory we only find misery.
When we live for our own glory we only find misery.
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What are we made for?
What are we made for?
Westminster Catechism –
Westminster Catechism –
What is man’s chief end?
What is man’s chief end?
Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.
Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.
Bring all who claim me as their God,
for I have made them for my glory.
It was I who created them.’ ”
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.
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The Westminster Catechism connects our pleasure to God’s glorification.
When we chase glory for ourselves it will always lead us to a dark place of unfulfillment.
When we live for our own happiness, we are left with emptiness and loneliness.
When we live to bring God glory by reflecting His nature and character to others, it is there that we find fulfillment.
It is when our lives are for His glory that we find purpose, joy, and satisfaction.
John Piper says it like this:
I am most satisfied when God is most Glorified, and God is most glorified, when I am most satisfied in Him.