Finding Purpose - Part 1 [Notes]

April 24th, 2022

There is a purpose behind everything in life. For Christians, this realization can help sustain us, especially during difficult times. We can find meaning in our work, in our family, and from life itself... We can even find meaning behind the pain and suffering we endure. Join us as we begin a new series called "Finding Purpose," and invite a friend who may benefit from these messages.

Today's Takeaway // Because God created and recreated us, we have purpose in life

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, all the earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female. ^[1]
- Genesis 1:26-27_{[1] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (Ge 1:26–27). (2009). Holman Bible Publishers.}

God created us to reflect his glory

Being in God’s image means that humans share, though imperfectly and finitely, in God’s nature, that is, in His communicable attributes [A communicable attribute is an attribute God shares in common with us.] (life, personality, truth, wisdom, love, holiness, justice), and so have the capacity for spiritual fellowship with Him.^[1]
– A.P. Ross
_{[1] Ross, A. P. (1985). Genesis. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 29). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.}

For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what He has made.
– Romans 1:20a

God created us to have a relationship with him.

God created us to rule

Because God recreated us, we are able to represent God to the world

For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.
- Ephesians 2:8-10

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come… Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ…
- 2 Corinthians 5:17, 20a

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.^[1]
- Ephesians 2:10, NIV (1984)
_{[1] The Holy Bible: New International Version (Eph 2:10). (1984). Zondervan.}

God has made us what we are. He has created us in Christ Jesus to live lives filled with good works that he has prepared for us to do.^[1]
– Ephesians 2:10 (God’s Word Translation)
_{[1] GOD’S WORD Translation (Eph 2:10). (1995). Baker Publishing Group.}

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. ^[1]
- Ephesians 2:10, NLT
_{[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Eph 2:10). Tyndale House Publishers.}

The word “workmanship” [poiēma from which we get our English word, “poem”]…denotes a work of art or a masterpiece. God has prepared a path of good works for believers which He will perform in and through them as they walk by faith.^[1]
- Hoehner, H. W.
_{[1] Hoehner, H. W. (1985). Ephesians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 624). Victor Books.}

For we are God’s coworkers.
– 1 Corinthians 3:9a

Discussion Questions //

Why do you think so many people lack meaning in life? How do you think our culture adds to the hopelessness and lack of purpose people are experiencing?
Read Genesis 1:26-28. What do you think is the significance behind the fact that we were created in the image of God? How does this point to our worth or value?
Why do you think God created people? What do you think our purpose in life should be?
Read 1 Corinthians 5:14-15, 17-21. In what ways do we become “new creations” when we place our faith in Christ? What do we learn from these verses about our purpose in life as Christians?
How would you explain to someone who was struggling that they have a purpose in life?
How might you apply today’s lesson to your life?

Devotional //

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