Reflecting God's Glory: Our Purpose and Stewardship

 

Summary

In the beginning, God created humanity in His image, granting us dominion over the earth and its creatures. This divine act of creation is not merely a historical account but a profound theological statement about our purpose and identity. We are called to live Coram Deo, before the face of God, reflecting His glory in every aspect of our lives. The Westminster Shorter Catechism succinctly captures this purpose: to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. This is not just a theological concept but a lived reality, as even a child can grasp the profound truth that all creation exists for God's glory.

The structure of creation, as outlined in Genesis, reveals a crescendo of significance culminating not on the sixth day with the creation of humanity, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath. This day of rest is not about idleness but about holiness, pointing to the ultimate purpose of creation: Sabbath holiness. We are made in God's image, endowed with the capacity to reflect His character, holiness, and sovereignty. This reflection is not passive but active, as we are called to exercise dominion over creation, not as tyrants but as stewards reflecting God's rule.

The New Testament further illuminates this purpose. In Romans 8, Paul speaks of our predestination to be conformed to the image of Christ, culminating in our glorification. This process of sanctification and glorification is the fulfillment of our purpose to mirror God's glory. Our dominion mandate is not a license to exploit but a call to steward creation wisely, reflecting God's character in our care for the world.

Moreover, our reflection of God's image extends to the pursuit of knowledge and beauty. The scientific enterprise, the study of God's creation, is an act of worship, thinking God's thoughts after Him. Similarly, art and beauty are not mere preferences but reflections of God's character. The church must reclaim the pursuit of beauty as an essential aspect of glorifying God, recognizing that true beauty is rooted in God's nature.

In all these ways, we are called to reflect God's holiness, sovereignty, labor, knowledge, and beauty, fulfilling our purpose to glorify Him. This is the essence of our existence, to live for the glory of God.

Key Takeaways:

1. Living Coram Deo: Our lives are to be lived in the presence of God, reflecting His glory in all we do. This means acknowledging His authority and seeking to glorify Him in every aspect of our lives, from our work to our relationships. [04:26]

2. Sabbath Holiness: The ultimate purpose of creation is not merely to exist but to enter into Sabbath holiness, reflecting God's rest and sanctity. This calls us to a life of holiness, mirroring God's character in our daily actions. [09:44]

3. Dominion and Stewardship: We are given dominion over creation, not to exploit but to steward it wisely, reflecting God's sovereignty. This requires us to care for the world as God would, exercising authority with responsibility and love. [16:30]

4. Pursuit of Knowledge: The study of God's creation, through science and learning, is an act of worship. By understanding the world, we think God's thoughts after Him, glorifying Him through the pursuit of truth and knowledge. [23:04]

5. Reflecting Beauty: Beauty is an essential aspect of God's character, and we are called to reflect this in our lives and worship. Art and beauty are not subjective but rooted in God's nature, and the church must reclaim this pursuit as part of glorifying God. [27:11]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:28] - Creation in God's Image
- [02:24] - The Seventh Day: Sabbath Rest
- [04:07] - The Big Idea: Coram Deo
- [06:50] - The Structure of Creation
- [08:26] - The Significance of the Seventh Day
- [10:08] - Reflecting God's Holiness
- [12:18] - Predestined to Conformity
- [14:42] - The Golden Chain of Salvation
- [16:12] - Dominion and Stewardship
- [18:48] - Labor and Tending the Garden
- [20:39] - The Beginning of Science
- [23:04] - The Pursuit of Knowledge
- [25:20] - Art and Beauty in Worship
- [27:58] - The Objective Nature of Beauty
- [33:36] - Reflecting God's Glory

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 1:26-31
2. Genesis 2:1-3
3. Romans 8:28-30

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Observation Questions:

1. What does it mean for humanity to be created in the image of God according to Genesis 1:26-27? How does this relate to the concept of dominion over creation? [00:28]

2. In Genesis 2:1-3, what is the significance of God resting on the seventh day? How is this day described differently from the other days of creation? [03:08]

3. According to Romans 8:28-30, what is the purpose of being predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ? How does this relate to the concept of glorification? [12:54]

4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between the pursuit of knowledge and worship? What role does science play in this understanding? [23:04]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of living "Coram Deo" challenge the way individuals view their daily lives and responsibilities? What does it mean to live all of life before the face of God? [04:07]

2. The sermon emphasizes "Sabbath Holiness" as the ultimate purpose of creation. How does this idea influence the way one might approach rest and work in their life? [09:44]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the church should reclaim the pursuit of beauty? How is beauty connected to God's character and glory? [27:11]

4. How does the sermon interpret the dominion mandate in Genesis? What are the implications of viewing dominion as stewardship rather than exploitation? [16:30]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your daily activities. How can you intentionally live "Coram Deo," acknowledging God's presence and authority in your work and relationships? [04:26]

2. Consider your current approach to rest. How can you incorporate the concept of "Sabbath Holiness" into your weekly routine to better reflect God's rest and sanctity? [09:44]

3. Think about your role as a steward of creation. What practical steps can you take to care for the environment and reflect God's sovereignty in your actions? [16:30]

4. In what ways can you pursue knowledge as an act of worship? Identify a specific area of learning or study that you can engage with to glorify God. [23:04]

5. Reflect on the role of beauty in your life and worship. How can you incorporate more beauty into your spiritual practices and community life to reflect God's character? [27:11]

6. Identify a specific area in your life where you can better reflect God's holiness and sovereignty. What changes can you make to align more closely with this purpose? [10:08]

7. How can you encourage others in your community to see the pursuit of knowledge and beauty as integral parts of glorifying God? What conversations or actions can you initiate this week? [23:04]

Devotional

Day 1: Living Coram Deo
Our lives are to be lived in the presence of God, acknowledging His authority and seeking to glorify Him in every aspect of our lives. This means that every action, thought, and decision should be made with the awareness that we are before the face of God. Living Coram Deo is not just a theological concept but a practical reality that calls us to reflect God's glory in our work, relationships, and daily activities. It is a call to live with integrity, knowing that God sees and knows all. This perspective transforms mundane tasks into acts of worship, as we strive to honor God in all we do. [04:26]

"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him." (2 Chronicles 16:9 ESV)

Reflection: In what specific area of your life can you more consciously live in the presence of God today, acknowledging His authority and seeking to glorify Him?


Day 2: Sabbath Holiness
The ultimate purpose of creation is not merely to exist but to enter into Sabbath holiness, reflecting God's rest and sanctity. The Sabbath is a day set apart for holiness, not idleness, reminding us of the sacred rhythm of work and rest established by God. It is a time to cease from our labors and focus on God's presence, allowing us to reflect His character in our daily actions. Embracing Sabbath holiness means living a life that mirrors God's sanctity, finding rest in Him, and allowing His peace to permeate our lives. This calls us to a deeper understanding of holiness as an active pursuit of God's presence and character. [09:44]

"Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done." (Genesis 2:1-2 ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally set aside time this week to enter into Sabbath rest, reflecting on God's holiness and allowing His peace to renew you?


Day 3: Dominion and Stewardship
We are given dominion over creation, not to exploit but to steward it wisely, reflecting God's sovereignty. This dominion mandate is a call to care for the world as God would, exercising authority with responsibility and love. It challenges us to view our role as stewards, not owners, of the earth and its resources. By reflecting God's character in our care for creation, we honor Him and fulfill our purpose. This perspective transforms our interaction with the world, encouraging us to make choices that reflect God's love and wisdom. [16:30]

"The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers." (Psalm 24:1-2 ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to better steward the resources and environment around you, reflecting God's care and sovereignty?


Day 4: Pursuit of Knowledge
The study of God's creation, through science and learning, is an act of worship. By understanding the world, we think God's thoughts after Him, glorifying Him through the pursuit of truth and knowledge. This pursuit is not merely academic but a spiritual endeavor that deepens our understanding of God's character and creation. It calls us to engage with the world intellectually, seeking to uncover the mysteries of God's handiwork. In doing so, we honor God by valuing the gift of knowledge and using it to reflect His wisdom and creativity. [23:04]

"It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out." (Proverbs 25:2 ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate the pursuit of knowledge into your daily life as an act of worship, seeking to understand and reflect God's wisdom?


Day 5: Reflecting Beauty
Beauty is an essential aspect of God's character, and we are called to reflect this in our lives and worship. Art and beauty are not subjective but rooted in God's nature, and the church must reclaim this pursuit as part of glorifying God. By recognizing and creating beauty, we participate in God's creative work, reflecting His character in our expressions of art and worship. This calls us to appreciate and cultivate beauty in all its forms, seeing it as a reflection of God's glory and an opportunity to draw others to Him. [27:11]

"One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple." (Psalm 27:4 ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally incorporate beauty into your life and worship, reflecting God's character and drawing others to Him?

Quotes


The big idea is Coram Deo that we are called to live all of life before the face of God in the presence of God beneath the authority of God to the glory of God In The West Westminster Confession in the Westminster Shorter Catechism the question goes this way what is man's Chief end that is what's the purpose of human existence and the short answer is man's Chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. [00:04:13]

I can study theology until I pass into glory and can never learn anything more profound than what I've just heard from the lips of this child that God creates all things for his glory now I think one of the things that we miss when we read the creation account is the significance of the structure of creation. [00:05:38]

The ultimate day is on the seventh day which the scriptures tell us indicates two very significant things the first thing is it is the day on which God rests not that he does nothing that he's idle because he still has to sustain everything that he's made over the first six days but he's he rests now from the labor of creation. [00:08:30]

I see a hint here of the goal of creation I say a hint here that is unraveled gradually progressively through all of Redemptive history and that hint points to this that the purpose of our existence ultimately is Sabbath Holiness we were made for Holiness We Were Made In His Image we were made uniquely among all of the creatures that he fashioned. [00:09:29]

We reflect his righteousness by being made in His image we reflect his sovereignty by exercising Dominion we reflect his labor by tendering tending the garden and subduing the Earth and then we see that Adam and Eve has given the task of naming the animals now that could be looked at in a very simplistic manner. [00:19:38]

The pursuit of knowledge the pursuit of nature the pursuit of biology the pursuit of physics the pursuit of astronomy all these things are part of what it means to glorify God this divorce in our day between Theology and a study of nature is is a false antithesis according to Creation but Adam and Eve were given the task not only to hear the word of God. [00:23:00]

One of the great tasks that God gives his people in creation is not only to mirror and reflect his Holiness his righteousness his Dominion his labor his knowledge His science but also to mirror and to reflect his Beauty have you ever seen a two-legged stool the only two-legged stools I've seen are ones that have third leg broken. [00:25:37]

We recognize that we're living in an age of complete relativism where the secular culture is saying beauty is in the eye of the beholder beauty is simply a matter of preference this is the kind of thing that Rook marker saw as illustrative of the death of a culture only when a culture is Godless can people talk about art as being something purely subjective. [00:27:28]

If we are Christians we understand that there really is such a thing transcendently as the beautiful and that which is beautiful is rooted and grounded in the objective character of God shaer looked at our culture looked at the church and said the church hasn't got past the second commandment where God in the decalogue prohibits the making of graven images. [00:27:56]

God gave detailed instructions for his house he was the great architect who insisted that the place in which his people would assemble to worship Him would be a place that manifested his Beauty with the finest art that the Holy Spirit himself could inspire Schaefer talked about the difference between Heavenly art and representational art. [00:30:06]

These things were done for Glory and for Beauty and the psalmist tells us to Worship the Lord in the beauty of Holiness these are just a few things that we see in God's work of creation that God calls thus those of us who bear His Image to mirr and reflect Holiness not unholiness to mirror and to reflect his Dominion not slavery. [00:33:01]

We were made for Glory for the glory of God let's pray our father and our God we have chosen the ugly over the beautiful slavery over Dominion idleness over labor ignorance over knowledge and sin over Holiness restore to us the image that was fulfilled in our savior that indeed he may be the first born of many brethren. [00:34:39]

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Transcript
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