Why Am I Here? I. Introduction A. Why am I here? B. The ultimate question of purpose 1. Our attempt to sort out our existence 2. As meaning-hungry creatures, our attempt to provide meaning to life C. So how do we go about considering this question? D. Why are we here? II. Source of Meaning A. Many times, the search for the answer to the question of purpose and meaning is a question about the "big picture" B. Why do we exist? C. Many look to science for answers 1. Are we just the highest development in an evolutionary chain? 2. Is our existence, ultimately, meaningless? 3. Are we just cursed with questions that have no discernible answer? D. Others look to other places 1. Government: existence in terms of good citizenship 2. Society/culture: these days, in our culture, existence in terms of work and consumption E. While many may believe this, the Scriptures present a different story for man and the "big picture" F. God and Man 1. Creation as act of love a. John 17:20-23, Romans 1:19-20, 1 John 4:8 b. God's divine nature evident in the creation c. God as One in Three Persons, defined as love d. Creation then an act of love 2. Man as Created by God in His Image a. Genesis 1:26-27 b. Here God indicates that He is the Creator of mankind c. Mankind is special: they are made in His image d. They have the ability to think and recognize the existence of that which is spiritual 3. Man as created for relationship a. John 17:20-23, Acts 17:26-28, Romans 1:19-20, 1 John 4:8 b. Of all the creation, man as considered God's offspring c. God thus as creating universe, mankind in it, seeking relationship with mankind d. Mankind as seeking relationships among themselves as well (cf. Genesis 2:24) G. In terms of God and man, therefore, why do we exist? 1. We exist as the creation of God a. Creator as having authority over creation (Romans 9:20-21) b. Existence as a gift from the Creator c. We exist, therefore, by the good will and free gift of God our Creator! d. Meaning then rooted in God who has purposes and intentions! 2. We exist for relationship with God a. We exist to praise the Creator for what He has done (Psalm 33) b. We exist to serve the Creator and His purposes (Genesis 2:15, 1 Peter 4:19) H. Even though sin has separated us from God (Isaiah 59:2), He has accomplished salvation for us so that we can have association with Him and accomplish His purposes (1 John 1:1-2:6) I. Our primary meaning, therefore, involves maintaining a relationship with our Creator and serving Him! III. But Why Am I Here? A. We can see that according to the "big picture," meaning in life is tied with our Creator and His purposes B. Yet, in theory, anyone can become a servant of God the Creator (Galatians 3:28) C. Servants of God come in all types of sizes and colors and abilities and places! D. So, we may ask, why am I here as a servant of God? E. Why am I here as a servant of God in terms of my identity? 1. As humans, we want to connect our identity to our purpose 2. "Who am I?" seems to lead right into "why am I here?" 3. In short, you are the sum of your strengths and your weaknesses a. God speaks often of the gifts/talents that believers have b. Matthew 25:14-30, Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12:12-28, 1 Peter 4:9-10 c. Not everyone has the same talents or gifts! F. Why am I in this place at this time as a servant of God? 1. We also like connecting our purpose to our place 2. Why am I here? 3. Easy answer: you are here to serve God here 4. Consider the book of Esther 5. We can find ways to advance God's purposes through our place and station in life G. Thus, these questions can only be answered in terms of each servant's relationship with God 1. This does not change all of our need to be conformed to the image of God in Christ: avoiding sin, manifesting fruit of Spirit, etc. (Romans 8:29, Galatians 5:17-24) 2. Nevertheless, each of us must come to terms with our individual purpose as servants of God 3. Where are we weak? Where are we stronger? 4. What do we need to work on? What can we do for the Kingdom? 5. What can I do for God in His service where I am stationed? H. This search takes place in the context of humble service for God! 1. The disciple must seek the will of God in humility (Hebrews 11:6, James 4:10) 2. He or she will endeavor to serve God in every opportunity 3. Through constant practice, they perceive their strengths and weaknesses (Hebrews 5:14) 4. As they seek to subject their thoughts, feelings, and actions to God, their purpose can flow from their identity as servants of God (Galatians 2:20, Philippians 3:13-14) I. Establishment of purpose as servant of God informs purpose in other relationships 1. We are to understand that our service to God informs our service in other contexts 2. Ephesians 5:22-33: relationship between husband and wife, purpose of each in relationship, rooted in relationship of Christ and church 3. Ephesians 6:1-4: relationship between parent and child rooted in humble service to God, exhortation toward His purposes 4. Ephesians 6:5-9: service in employer/employee relationship based in service to God in Christ our Master 5. Root question: how do I honor God through my relationships? 6. How do I present the image of Christ to all those with whom I come into contact (cf. Matthew 5:13-16)? J. In the end, therefore, the question returns to us: really, why am I here, right now, and how can I serve God here? 1. Ephesians 3:10-11: God has an eternal purpose in Jesus 2. Romans 8:28-30, Ephesians 1:3-11: God has called us for His purposes 3. Therefore, it is incumbent on us to ascertain how we can serve God where we are, having rooted our ultimate purpose in Him 4. Prayer is highly recommended (cf. Ephesians 6:18)! IV. Conclusion A. Why am I here? 1. I am here because God is love, the Three in One in relational unity, and in love sought to share in that relationship with the creation and specifically mankind made in God's image, His offspring 2. I can have relationship with God and with others properly only through reconciliation with God and my fellow man through Christ 3. I must then be conformed to the image of Christ to truly be one with God in Christ, and seek to serve God in every capacity of my existence 4. In that relationship with God I can discover how I can best serve Him in the place and station I find myself B. Let each of us consider ourselves, and strive to be servants of the God of Heaven! C. Invitation/songbook