Transcript:

Hello this is Pastor Don of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to The Kingdom Perspective.

To know the purpose of anything you must know what it was designed to do. For example, a smart phone is a great device for connecting you to the world; you can make a phone call, connect to the internet, text a friend, etc. That’s what it was designed to do. However, it is a terrible device for pounding a nail; that’s not what it’s made for. Likewise, a hammer is a great device for driving a nail, but a terrible device for “connecting” you to other people. Don’t try it! It’s not what it’s designed for.

So, what were you made for? Well, the Bible tells us we were made for the glory and pleasure of God. We were made in the image and likeness of our Creator, to put His glory on display. That’s why we exist—to enjoy God by delighting in and showing off His glory.

When God made you, He intended to put His own glory on display. And to the degree we refuse this purpose, to that degree we make a mess of our lives. It’s like using a smart phone to drive a nail or using a hammer to “connect” with our friends.

However, when we trust God and obey His commandments, we experience His pleasure. We enjoy the purpose for which He created us. We live in harmony with our design, and His glory becomes our glory, and His pleasure becomes our pleasure.

We were made to be filled with the eternal joy of God.

And that’s something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.

“Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

  I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;

  I have no good apart from you.”

  As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,

  in whom is all my delight.

  The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;

 their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out

 or take their names on my lips.

 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;

 you hold my lot.

  The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

 indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

  I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;

 in the night also my heart instructs me.

  I have set the Lord always before me;

 because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

  Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;

  my flesh also dwells secure.

  For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,

 or let your holy one see corruption.

  You make known to me the path of life;

 in your presence there is fullness of joy;

 at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

~Psalm 116:1-11 (ESV)

*Below, we are appending some basic catechism questions that go along with this Kingdom Perspective. A catechism is a classical Christian teaching device, helping both children and adults better understand the unique claims of the Bible. Below, you will find questions taken from both a children’s catechism and a more advanced catechism. For the full catechisms, you may go to our "CRC Family Devotional Guide" under the resources menu on the church website.

A Basic Catechism for Children

1. Who made you?

God.

2. What else did God make?

    God made all things.

3. Why did God make all things?

    For His own pleasure and glory.

An Advanced Catechism

1. What is the chief purpose of man? 

Man’s chief purpose is to glorify God (1 Cor. 10:31) and to enjoy him forever. (Ps. 73:25, 26)