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graciousheaven · 3 months

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Man’s chief purpose in life

There is an undue confusion in the world today about the purpose of our existence. But the God who made the heavens and their host, the earth and all its inhabitants, and who also sustains all that exists, is not a God of confusion. For, not only has God plainly revealed Himself to us, but He has also distinctively made known to us all that we ought to know, that we may do all that we ought to do and abstain from that which ought not to be done. God did not leave us in a vacuum, with the expectation that we would somehow sort things out on our own. Even the very purpose of our existence, God has made it known to us. The Holy Scriptures clearly express that all things in heaven and on earth exist for the glory of God, to “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name” (1 Chronicles 16:29a). In other words, glorifying God is the ultimate purpose for which the host of heaven, the creation itself and all the inhabitants of the earth exist. And glorifying God, as defined by John Piper, means, ‘Feeling and thinking and acting in ways that reflect His greatness, that make much of God, that give evidence of the supreme greatness of all His attributes and the all-satisfying beauty of His manifold perfections.’

The Apostle John’s vision in Revelation 4 gives us a glimpse of the heavenly host ascribing glory and honour to God. John was in the Spirit when he was taken to the throne room of heaven, where he saw the Lord God Almighty sitting on the throne. “Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads” (v.4). V.6b, “On each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind.” V.8-11, “And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who is seated on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created.”

Human existence is not a cosmic accident as some suppose, nor is it devoid of purpose. We were made by God for the glory of God. We do not exist for ourselves but for God our Creator. The Bible not only clearly tells us that all things, man being no exception, are created by God for His own glory, but it also bears witness that the universe is a glorious display of the Majestic Glory (God). “In the year of King Uzziah’s death [Isaiah] saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called out to another and said, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory” (Isaiah 6:1-3).

These words spoken by God’s angelic ministers are a testimony that all things on earth are a glorious display of the beauty and excellencies of God. By His spoken Word, God brought into existence all creatures and assigned to each one usefulness, and to all a purpose: to glorify their Maker – each according to the ability He has given them – and to rejoice in Him alone. In other words, as creatures of God, the purpose of our lives is to glorify God and glory in Him – He is the object of our worship and the object of our joy. We are here on earth to exalt God, to display His beauty, and to delight in His person and works. The key verses that substantiate the affirmation that we exist for the glory of God are from Isaiah 43:6b-7, where God says: “Bring My sons from afar and My daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by My name, whom I created for My glory, whom I formed and made.”

We, the inhabitants of the earth, and everything else on earth exist for the glory of God, to declare His praise (v.21) and to rejoice in Him and His works – just like the angels in heaven give glory and honor to the Lord and rejoice in Him. Thus 1 Chronicles 16:28-34 enjoins the whole universe, “Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering and come before Him! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!” Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for He comes to judge the earth. Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!”

Nothing and no one in all creation should exalt themselves before God, not even the angels of heaven. For the Lord alone is God, and all glory belongs to Him. Nehemiah 9:6 says of the Lord, “You are the LORD, You alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and You preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships You.”

The angels not only worship God, but they also glory in His work of creation – when the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, He asked Job in Job 38:4-7, “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you know understanding, who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it? On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” And apart from praising the power and wisdom of God revealed in the things He has made, the angels of the LORD also glory in His work of redemption – the Lord Jesus says in Luke 15:10, “I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

We ourselves, like the angels, exist to ascribe glory to God – the same is true of the creation. Psalms 19:1-6 reads “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.”

The manifold of God’s works reveals to us who God is. Through the infinite vastness and the beauty and diversity of the creation, God reveals to us His infinite wisdom, beauty, power, goodness, uniqueness, greatness and transcendent majesty. Moreover, God has revealed Himself to us in a very special way through His incarnate Son Jesus Christ, “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15), so that we may know Him more and greatly glory in Him. “For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross” (v.19-20).

As God’s creatures, in all things we must give glory to Him alone. That is to say, all our thoughts and actions and all the words of our mouths must always be a reflection of God’s perfection of beauty and goodness, and God must always be the only object of our worship and joy. For we exist for the glory of God and to glory in Him alone. As the Westminster Shorter Catechism puts it, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” Let us therefore earnestly pursue the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ and glory in Him alone, for to this we have been called. And may the Lord grant us His grace.

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stpaullutheranchurch · 1 year

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december 14 2022

2022 Mid-week Advent II, Wednesday December 14th

Old Testament: Isaiah 40:6-8 “The Word of God stands forever”

Psalm: Psalm 24:7-10 “He is the King of Glory”

Epistle: Romans 16:25-27 “Strengthen you … through the preaching of Jesus”

Gospel: Luke 1:39-56 “Blessed is she who believed”

Sermon Text: Luke 1 or Romans 16

Sermon Title: “The Visitation”

Grace to you and peace, from God the Father and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Earlier in the Gospel of Luke, we see the angel Gabriel appearing to Zechariah to announce the birth of a son to his wife Elizabeth; a special child whom many in Israel would rejoice over, because he would prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. Last Wednesday, we heard the account of the angel Gabriel’s appearance also to Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus. Tonight, we heard of Mary’s visit to her relative Elizabeth, who also was with child, miraculously, “in her old age”. (Luke 1:36a) We do not know exactly how they were related, but Mary was quite anxious to visit with her, who also had a miraculous pregnancy.

So, “in those days, Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah” (Luke 1:39), not in Jerusalem itself, but close enough for Zechariah to serve in the temple there. This was no short trip either, being close to 50 miles from Nazareth, so naturally Mary stayed with her for a while, about three months.

“And Mary entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth” (Luke 1:40), thinking to honor her, but before she can, Elizabeth bursts forth with praise for her younger relative, even humbling herself before her. Mary’s place in salvation history is front and center in all of the biblical texts as Christmas approaches.

Now, the angel had earlier told Zechariah that John would be “filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb” (Luke 1:15b). “And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby (John) leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit”. (Luke 1:41) Here is a clear example of a child, even a child in the womb, having true faith in God, through the power of the Holy Spirit. You see here that the work of God’s Spirit is not limited by age or by anything else. (except our unbelief/hard heart????) It also shows that our Lord values the life of the unborn that we so casually throw away in our wicked country.

Elizabeth exclaimed with a loud cry, Blessed are you (Mary) among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me”. (Luke 1:42-43) Elizabeth also recognizes that the child in Mary’s womb is “her Lord” (Luke 1:43b) and she called Mary, “the mother of my Lord”. (Luke 1:43b) As we heard the Psalmist declare, “He is the King of Glory”. (Psalm 24:10b)

It was most certainly pleasing to God that Elizabeth honored Mary in this way and we too honor Mary as a great example of faith and service, just like the saints of old. However, we are not to go beyond this honor, and see her as greater than others; for she too was sinful; in need of a Savior. The child Jesus; whom she bore, was her Savior from sin, as well as ours. “So, we honor Mary and emulate her faith, even as we worship the Christ child”; “for no one comes to the Father except through Jesus”. ((John 14:6b)

Again, Elizabeth praises Mary saying, “For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord”. (Luke 1:44-45) Mary also was saved by grace through faith; she believed the Lord, “and it was counted to her as righteousness”. (Romans 4:3)

She was blessed because of her faith in Christ her Lord and Elizabeth’s words must have encouraged her. One can only imagine the God centered/Christ centered conversations they had over the next few months, regarding the Word and promises of God and “together praising and glorifying God for every good thing that He has shown (revealed) to them and to others”. (CFW Walther sermon on Luke 1:39-56) Both Elizabeth and Mary trusted in the Lord, because they knew that the Lord was in fact trustworthy.

As soon as Elizabeth was done speaking, Mary opened her mouth in praise to God her Savior, saying the beautiful words of the Magnificat. Notice how she points away from herself and her low estate, to the Lord. “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked upon the humble estate of His servant. For behold, now, all generations will call me blessed; for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation”. (Luke 1:46b-50)

“He has shown strength with His arm; and He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things and the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring forever”. (Luke 1:51-55) All of these things are beginning to happen because of the coming birth of this child Jesus.

“And Mary remained with her about three months (perhaps even seeing the birth of John the Baptist), and then returned to her home”. (Luke 1:56) About six months later, Jesus, “the Savior of the Nations” would be born. This is the “good news of great joy” (Luke 2:11) that the angels announced to the shepherds on the day of His birth. He is the Savior of ALL nations, because all have sinned and are in need of His saving work.

Forty days after Jesus’ birth, Joseph and Mary brought Him to the temple in Jerusalem, where the aged Simeon praises the child Jesus and announces that His coming is for all people. “Lord, you are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your Word. My eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of ALL peoples, alight for revelation to the Gentiles and for the glory of Your people Israel”. (Luke 2:30-32) Christ our Lord came to be the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world; Jew and Gentile, Male and female, rich and poor.

God’s desire is that “all would be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth” (1st Timothy 2:4); but sadly, most will reject His gracious invitation to salvation. Simeon further prophesied; “Behold, this child will be appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also) so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed”. (Luke 2:34b-35)

As we heard on Sunday, most are offended by Jesus; even to the point of persecuting His church. Quoting the prophet Isaiah, the Apostle Paul declares; “As it is written, I am laying in Zion, a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame”. (Romans 9:33) The Apostle Peter also, quoting the Psalms, says “they stumble because they disobey the Word … the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” (1st Peter 2:8b, 7) Jesus also said, “Blessed is the one who is not offended by Me”. (Matthew 11:6)

But Satan is quite active in our world, “exercising incredible cruelty towards … those who teach godly things … trying to suppress and distort the Gospel in countless ways … all in order to render this kind of teaching odious”. (Apology XXVIII, par. 24a) Against the devil and the world and our own sinful flesh, we must fight, lest we too become offended by the Word and message of Christ and join the world in their rebellion against God.

Our Old Testament reading reminds us how fleeting our lives are; that we are all going to die; for “all flesh is grass and all its beauty is like the flower of the field … the grass withers and the flower fades”. (Isaiah 40:6b, 8a) The solution to our death is found in the incarnation; God humbling Himself by becoming man in the person of Jesus and dying to atone for all our sins and conquering death by His bodily resurrection. This is the Gospel message we proclaim from God’s Holy Scriptures; for “the Word of the Lord will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8b)

In his doxology to the Roman churches, Paul also clearly states where our spiritual strength comes from. It comes from the Word and Sacrament, where God gives His gifts of forgiveness of sins, life and salvation to His people. “Now to Him who is able to strengthen you according to my Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ … and has been disclosed and through the prophetic writings (God’s Holy Word) has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God”. (Romans 16:26a)

So, like Mary and Elizabeth, we find our strength not in ourselves, not in the wisdom of this fallen world; but in the message of the cross; of Christ crucified for you and for me and for all; that we might live with Him forever. Now, “to the only wise God, be glory forevermore, through Jesus Christ (our Lord). Amen”. (Romans 16:27)

The peace of God …

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faithwbjung · 7 years

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My Reason to Live

I frequently experience the thought of departing from this world. Not that I have ever wanted to end my life, but the thought of being with Christ in a pain-free world often sounds more appealing than living in this world with pain. One time, one of my friends asked me, “Faith, why do we even live? I just want to be with the Lord.”

When he asked me that question, one important truth about our lives came to my mind. Paul described this truth in Phillippians 1:

I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. (Philippians 1: 23-26, ESV).

If the reason for Christ’s death was our salvation alone, it would be pointless to live in this world as believers. Christ died not only for our salvation but for God’s glory. And the very purpose of our lives is to declare praise to the One for and through whom everything was created (Isaiah 43:21). Our redeemed lives are for the benefits of those who have not yet known Christ and ultimately for the glory of God to be known in all the nations and to be a light for the nations, that His salvation may reach to the end of the earth (Isaiah 49:6b).

Living as believers in the broken world is painful because we imagine and look forward to living in a new heaven and a new earth described in Revelation 21 without the pain caused by the Fall that happened in the account of Genesis 3. But Christ has become our peace (Ephesians 2:14), and we as believers can live out our lives as peacemakers in the world that is full of hurts and pain because the Source of peace lives within us. So Let us walk a walk in a manner worthy of the gospel.

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

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shatar-aethelwynn · 6 years

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Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth- everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.

Isaiah 43:6b-7

#biblequotes #isaiah

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keeganbooks · 7 years

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KNOWING YOUR BIBLE

As we enter this week of celebration of the 4th of July, we are very thankful for the freedom that we have as citizens of this nation. As believers in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we believe the freeing-knowledge that Jesus suffered and died to take our sins from us and to give us a new life in Him. In John, chapter 8, verses 31-32, Jesus said that if we continue in the Word (God’s Holy Word to us, the Bible), we will be Jesus’ disciples and we will know the truth and the truth will set us free. In John, chapter 11, verses 25-26, Jesus says “ I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die...” (Read Isaiah, chapter 53, verses 1-12 and Matthew, chapter 8, verse 17).

In John, chapter 14, verse 6b-7 Jesus said ...”if you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him. By studying Jesus’ life, death and resurrection in the New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the believer will learn about how God thinks and how God wants the believer to think and act.

Through reading the Bible and growing in the knowledge of who Jesus is, as well as knowing we have been forgiven of our sins and given a new life in him, the believer will grow ever more stronger in the faith and in the love of Jesus. Learning to look up Bible verses, learning where the books of the Bible are located and the organization of the books of the Bible, will help the believer gain proficiency in the use and the study of the Bible. Go the webpage above left and review recent blogs that were written in the past 6-8 weeks, that give tips and other information that will help the believer grow in the knowledge of the Bible.

In our last blog, a discussion was held on growing in strength and faith in the Lord God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Verses on strength and faith were listed in both the Old and New Testaments, with the listing of verses on each subject intermingled with verses on either subject. Verses on each subject will again be listed below for further contemplation and study. Verses are taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.

Nurturing our souls by “drawing near to God...” (James. chapter 4, verse 8a), through prayer, reading the Bible, listening to sermons and attending church worship services, will make us “ strong in the Lord and the strength of his power...” (Ephesians, chapter 6, verse 10.) The stronger our belief is in the Lord God, the stronger our faith is in Him. Enjoy your Bible study!

Verses on STRENGTH: Ephesians, chapter 6, verses 10-17; Joshua, chapter 1, verse 9; Psalm, chapter 16, verse 8; chapter 23, verses 1-6; Psalm, chapter 27, verse 14. Isaiah, chapter 40, verses 28-31. Isaiah, chapter 41, verse 10 and verse 13. Isaiah, chapter 43, verses 2-3.

Verses on FAITH: Hebrews, chapter 11, verses 1-3, verses 4-12, verses 23-31. and verses 32-34; Matthew, chapter 7, verses 7-11; Matthew, chapter 21, verses 21-22; Luke, chapter 5, verses 12-13; Luke, chapter 7, verses 1-10; Luke, chapter 8, verses 43-48. Luke, chapter 19, verses 1-6; Psalm, chapter 108, verses 1-4; Lamentations, chapter 3, verses 21-33; Jeremiah, chapter 31, verse 31.

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