December 27
Revelation 3:1-6:17
Why am I here? What is the purpose of my existence? We have all heard and perhaps have asked these questions. We often mistakenly work so hard to make our mark in this world, to be a somebody. So let me start by answering these questions in a way which goes completely against the world's philosophy. You are here because of God, for He created you. And the purpose of your existence is to serve and worship Him. A number of thoughts might come to mind at such statements: that doesn't seem fair, fun, fulfilling, etc. But that is because we miss the point, freedom does not come from exerting our independence, but realizing our dependence on Him. Growing up is not pulling away from your earthly parents and finding yourself. It is moving from dependence on your earthly parents and learning to become dependent on your Heavenly Father. If you're concerned that you will not enjoy life, our Father knows what we need and what we will enjoy, as we read in Matthew 7:8-11, "For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him." This is what He promises if you stop seeking self and seek Him, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, that we read in Galatians 5:22-23, "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control..."
When we worship, we ascribe worth to that Person. We read in Revelation 4:11, "“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.” This is part of the worship scene in heaven. John is witnessing this scene when a question is issued as to who is worthy to take the title deed of the earth from Satan, after Adam lost it due to sin, as we read in 5:2, "And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?” We often fail to realize and fail to partake in the worship due our Savior, as we see a new worship song in heaven, as we read in 5:9-13, "“You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.” Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered— to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.” And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.” Now, that is worship.
Contrast this with what the world offers. The world teaches you through evolution that you are nothing more than the end result of a random and meaningless process which began with some primordial soup. While in this world, it is then up to you to make something and a name for yourself, after all there was no purpose in your origin. But every worldly pursuit will end in frustration as it never seems to be enough. This is the vain result of self-worship, or ascribing worth to ourselves. The most freeing thing is to realize God is perfect, all-loving, all-knowing, all capable, and is more than able to make our life beautiful if we simply align our wills with His will for our lives. Consider how inept, we the self-made man truly is, as we read in Romans 8:26-27, "“Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.” Yes, the self-made, self consumed doesn't even know what to really ask for. God created you, and He also created everything good for you to enjoy from your environment, to marriage, to music, etc. So stop trying to achieve in your own flesh and strength, you will only remain in a frustrated state. Trust God and give Him your life and you will experience more on this earth than you ever could have imagined and carry that joy and fullness of life right into eternity.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: