Embracing Our Purpose as God's Intentional Creation

From the very beginning, God reveals Himself as Elohim—the all-powerful Creator, sovereign over all things, and the One who speaks life into existence. Just as a simple stool cannot exist without a designer, so too are we intentionally crafted by God, not by accident or random chance. Every detail of creation, from the vastness of the heavens to the intricacies of our own lives, points to a God who is both mighty and purposeful. The name Elohim, first seen in Genesis 1:1, is not just a title but a declaration of God’s supreme authority, creative power, and majestic plurality—hinting at the fullness of the Trinity even from the first verse of Scripture.

Understanding God as Elohim should fundamentally shape how we live. First, it calls us to raise Him high and seek Him first in every aspect of our lives. Our worship, priorities, and daily rhythms should reflect that He is at the center, not the periphery. Too often, we allow the busyness and distractions of life to crowd out our devotion, but Elohim deserves our first and best, not our leftovers.

Second, knowing God as Elohim invites us to rest in His sovereign power. In a world filled with uncertainty and anxiety, we can find deep comfort in the truth that God is in control. He sustains all things, orchestrates every season, and holds our lives in His hands. Letting go of the illusion of control frees us to trust Him more fully, even when we don’t understand the path ahead.

Third, recognizing Elohim as our Creator compels us to relinquish our “stuff”—our ambitions, possessions, and even our very lives—back to Him. We are His workmanship, created for good works and for relationship with Him. Though we have all turned away in sin, God, in His grace, made a way for us to be redeemed through Christ. Our purpose is not found in the temporary things of this world, but in reflecting His image, serving Him, and making Him known.

Ultimately, we are called to humble ourselves, to make ourselves low so that Christ can be exalted in and through us. Just as the stool was made to lift others up, we are created to lift up the name of Elohim, living out our God-given purpose and proclaiming His truth to the world.

Key Takeaways

• 1. You are intentionally created by Elohim, not by accident or random chance. Every aspect of your being—your gifts, your personality, your very existence—was designed with purpose by the all-powerful Creator. This truth should anchor your identity and dispel the lie that your life is meaningless or coincidental. Embrace the reality that you are God’s workmanship, uniquely crafted for His glory. [01:46]
• 2. Worship of Elohim must be central, not secondary, in your daily life. It’s easy to let the demands and distractions of life push God to the margins, but true fulfillment comes from seeking Him first. Examine your routines, your priorities, and your heart—are you giving God your best, or just what’s left over? Let your life be a continual act of worship, keeping the Creator at the center of all you do. [13:27]
• 3. Rest in the sovereign power of God, especially in seasons of uncertainty. The world offers no guarantees, and anxiety often fills the gaps of what we cannot control. Yet Elohim is the sustainer and supreme authority over all creation; nothing escapes His notice or power. Trusting in His sovereignty brings peace, even when circumstances are unclear or difficult. [21:28]
• 4. Let go of the illusion of control and surrender your “stuff” to God. We often cling tightly to our plans, possessions, and ambitions, believing we can secure our own future. But true freedom and purpose are found in relinquishing these to the One who created and redeemed us. Everything we have is temporary, but what we give to God becomes part of His eternal story. [25:01]
• 5. Your highest calling is to reflect God’s image and proclaim His purpose. Despite our failures and sin, God’s grace draws us back into relationship and mission. We are not just recipients of His love, but ambassadors of His truth—called to humble ourselves, lift up Christ, and share the hope of our Creator with a world in need. Ask God to reveal any idols or misplaced affections, and commit to living out your purpose as His beloved creation. [29:18]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:45] - Personal Story: Growing Up at Aurora Campus
• [01:46] - Created with Purpose: The Meaning of Elohim
• [03:20] - Learning God’s Names and Our Need for Him
• [05:07] - Elohim: The Powerful Creator and the Trinity
• [06:14] - Elohim in Genesis: God at the Center of Creation
• [07:17] - The Power of God’s Word: Creation by Command
• [08:16] - Responding to a Culture of Unbelief
• [09:05] - Creation Declares God’s Glory
• [10:07] - Elohim: The God Who Draws Near
• [12:32] - Raising God High and Seeking Him First
• [14:07] - Examining Our Priorities and Worship
• [16:18] - The Discipline of Pursuing God
• [19:20] - Resting in God’s Sovereign Power
• [21:28] - Trusting God in Uncertainty
• [25:01] - Relinquishing Our Lives to God
• [26:15] - Made in God’s Image: Our Value and Purpose
• [27:29] - Redemption Through Christ
• [28:25] - Living Within Our Purpose
• [29:18] - Humility, Mission, and Closing Challenge

Bible Reading

Genesis 1:1, 26-27 (ESV) — > In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
> ...
> Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
> So God created man in his own image,
> in the image of God he created him;
> male and female he created them.

Psalm 139:13-14 (ESV) — > For you formed my inward parts;
> you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
> I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
> Wonderful are your works;
> my soul knows it very well.

Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV) — > For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Observation Questions

1. In Genesis 1, what does the name "Elohim" reveal about God’s role in creation? ([05:07])
2. According to Psalm 139, how does God’s involvement in our creation differ from the idea of random chance? ([01:46])
3. In Ephesians 2:10, what does it mean that we are God’s “workmanship”? How does this connect to the idea of being created with purpose? ([25:01])
4. The sermon mentioned that Elohim is both powerful and personal. What examples from the Bible or the sermon show God drawing near to His creation? ([10:07])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon compared a handmade stool to our own creation. Why is it important to believe that we are intentionally designed by God and not accidents? How might this shape our identity? ([01:46])
2. The name Elohim is plural, hinting at the Trinity. What difference does it make to know that God is both one and yet exists in perfect relationship within Himself? ([05:07])
3. The sermon challenged us to “raise God high and seek Him first.” What are some ways people unintentionally put God on the sidelines of their lives? ([13:27])
4. The idea of “resting in God’s sovereign power” was emphasized. How does trusting in God’s control help us deal with anxiety or uncertainty? ([21:28])

Application Questions

1. The sermon asked, “Are you giving God your best, or just what’s left over?” When you look at your daily routines, what does your schedule say about your priorities? Is there a specific area where you want to put God first this week? ([13:27])
2. Think about a time when you tried to control a situation instead of trusting God. What happened? What would it look like to “let go of the illusion of control” in a current area of your life? ([21:28])
3. The message said, “We often cling tightly to our plans, possessions, and ambitions.” Is there something you’re holding onto that you sense God is asking you to surrender? What step could you take to release it to Him? ([25:01])
4. The sermon described how easy it is to get distracted by “stuff” and let worship of God become secondary. What is one practical change you could make this week to keep God at the center of your life? ([14:07])
5. The pastor shared about being “God’s workmanship, created for good works.” What is one way you can use your gifts or abilities to serve God or others this month? ([25:01])
6. The message challenged us to humble ourselves so Christ can be exalted. Is there a relationship or situation where you need to “make yourself low” so that Jesus is lifted up? What would that look like? ([29:18])
7. The sermon ended by asking, “Are we going to live within our purpose or reject it?” What do you sense God is calling you to do in response to this message? ([29:18])