Question 2: Why are we here?

OK, so the title might be a little misleading on this one. I felt like the best way to get at the remaining questions was to set a little context. So this week’s message was mostly about setting the stage for answering future questions like, “Does God have my life all pre-planned, or do my decisions really matter?” and “Why do bad things happen if God is in charge?”

I have to acknowledge my indebtedness to Greg Boyd for the outline/framework I used here. He’s a pastor & author whose work I’ve appreciated ever since I bumped into one of his books a few years ago.

What do you think of the framework laid out here? Do you find it helpful? Does it make sense? Share your thoughts in the comments section at the end.

-Rich

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WHY ARE WE HERE?
October 1, 2006

Remember: Questions are good!
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. – Matthew 22:37-38 (NIV)

A brief outline of history…

1. Creation & God’s Original Goal

…your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. – Matthew 6:10 (NIV)

Then God said, “Let us make humans in our image, in our likeness. Let them rule the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the domestic animals all over the earth, and all the animals that crawl on the earth.”
So God created humans in his image. In the image of God he created them. He created them male and female.
God blessed them and said, “Be fertile, increase in number, fill the earth, and be its master. Rule the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that crawl on the earth.” – Genesis 1:26-31 (GW)

(God shared his authority with us. We became responsible for part of his kingdom.)

2. Our Rebellion

A. Why we’re created free.
…because God is love. – 1 John 4:8

B. Our surrender to Satan. Satan is…

• 2 Corinthians 4:4
• Ephesians 2:2
• John 12:31; 14:31; 16:11
• 1 John 5:19
• Luke 4:6-7

(When we rebelled, we handed over our part of the kingdom to the enemy, so that it became his kingdom, with us as his slaves.)

C. The effects of the rebellion on creation.
Against its will, everything on earth was subjected to God’s curse. All creation anticipates the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. – Romans 8:20-23 (NLT)

3. The Kingdom Revolution

A. Jesus comes to…

…destroy the devil’s work. – 1 John 3:8 (NIV)

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. – Hebrews 2:14 (NIV)

He canceled the record that contained the charges against us. He took it and destroyed it by nailing it to Christ’s cross. In this way, God disarmed the evil rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross of Christ. – Colossians 2:14-15 (NLT)

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves… – Colossians 1:13 (NIV)

B. The Mustard Seed Revolution (Matthew 13:31-32)

C. The Personal Kingdom Challenge
(making our own personal “kingdom” a part of Christ’s kingdom by allowing him to reign as king over our lives.)

D. Joining the (“looks like Jesus”) Kingdom Revolution

Follow God’s example in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins. – Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT)

4. The End

The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.”
And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.” – Revelation 11:15-17 (NIV)