What is Humanity’s Purpose?

To Please and Satisfy the Lord.

Luke 17:7-10

• :7 – “servant plowing…tending sheep” – refers to those already serving God (our Master)
• :8 – At ALL stages of our Christian walk, we must continually ask, “How can we please The Lord?” Not, “How can we please ourselves/others?”
• THEN, we will know true satisfaction – “AFTERWARD you will eat and drink”

What Would Satisfy the Lord?

1 Thessalonians 1:5-2:12

We impart the Gospel through:

1. Words
   • In boldness (1 Thes. 2:2)
   • Without deceit (1 Thes. 2:3)
   • Pleasing God, not men (1 Thes. 2:4)
   • Not using flattery or covetousness (1 Thes. 2:5)
   • Exhorting, comforting, charging (1 Thes. 2:11)
2. The power of the Holy Spirit
3. Godly character and living
   • Not seeking glory from men (1 Thes. 2:6)
   • Gentle and cherishing (1 Thes. 2:7)
   • Imparting our lives (1 Thes. 2:8)
   • Not being a burden (1 Thes. 2:9)
   • Devout, just, blameless (1 Thes. 2:10)

Ephesians 4:7-16

• “equipping…for the work of ministry” (v.12)
• “edifying of the body” (v.12)
• “no longer be children” (v.14)
• “grow up” (v.15)
• Q: HOW DO WE DO THIS? 
  • A: “every part does its share” (v.16)

Genesis 1:28; Acts 12:24

We must reproduce LIFE

Light Precedes Life

• Genesis 1 – Creation. Pattern of creation: Light was created first; life followed afterward.
• Ephesians – Begins with revelation of our position in Christ (see Eph. 1-2).  From this “light,” flows life/ministry (see Eph. 3-6).

O.T. Examples

Numbers 21:1-9; John 3:14-15 – The Bronze Serpent

• “lifted up” (John 3:14) = death on the cross (see John 12:32-33)
• Numbers 21:4-9
• People complained about their life and the manna (John 6:49-51; 1 Corinthians 10:9)
• They were given over to serpents (Revelation 20:2)
• They could only live by looking at the bronze serpent lifted up (2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:10:14).
• Note:  God did not take away the snakes, He simply asked the people to SEE what had been “lifted up” (Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:8; compare 1 Timothy 3:7 with Psalm 25:15).

2 Kings 2:9-13 – Elisha and Elijah

• v.9 – “double portion of your spirit” – possible type for Christ sending down Holy Spirit when He ascends (see John 14:12)
• v.10 – “if you SEE me when I am taken from you” – the only requirement for Elisha to receive the double portion of Elijah’s spirit was seeing Elijah’s ascended position.  Similarly, as Christian’s see (i.e. understand) Christ’s ascended position, the power and function of the Holy Spirit will become more of a reality in their lives.
• vv.12-13 – “And Elisha SAW it…He also took up the mantle of Elijah”

Conclusion: As God gives us more understanding on His Person and Work, we expect life to flow and follow in our lives and ministries.