Understanding Our Existence: Created by God's Desire

 

Summary

In today's gathering, I posed a fundamental question: "Why are you here?" This question extends beyond our physical presence in this place and delves into the deeper existential inquiry of why we exist on this earth. Many of us have pondered this question, seeking answers from God, friends, or family. The truth is, God created us not out of necessity but out of desire. We are here because God wanted us to be, and this realization should shape our understanding of our purpose and existence.

The existence of God is evident in creation, and deep down, everyone knows this truth, even those who claim atheism. The Bible tells us that God's attributes are clearly perceived in the world around us, leaving humanity without excuse. However, acknowledging God's existence is not enough; we must also trust and believe in Him. This belief is not merely intellectual assent but a deep-seated trust in the God of Scripture, who has revealed Himself through His Word.

The reliability of the Bible is often questioned, but it stands as a historically validated document. The New Testament, in particular, has been scrutinized and proven through numerous manuscripts and historical evidence. While we may not have the original texts, the overwhelming number of manuscript copies and their consistency affirm the Bible's trustworthiness. Moreover, archaeological findings and extra-biblical sources corroborate the historical claims of Scripture.

Despite the evidence, belief in the Bible ultimately requires a spiritual awakening. It is the Holy Spirit who gives us a new heart and mind, enabling us to discern spiritual truths. This transformation is akin to developing a taste for something we once disliked. As we grow in faith, our desire for God's Word deepens, and we find life and hope within its pages.

In our interactions with skeptics and critics, we must embody the hope we have in Christ. Our lives should reflect the reality of our faith, prompting others to inquire about the hope within us. This hope is not self-generated but is a gift from God, poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Let us be ready to share this hope with gentleness and respect, pointing others to the source of our faith.

Key Takeaways:

- Our existence is rooted in God's desire, not necessity. Understanding that God created us because He wanted to, not because He needed to, gives us a profound sense of purpose and belonging. This realization should drive us to seek our purpose in Him and live lives that reflect His love and intention. [02:45]

- The knowledge of God's existence is innate in all humanity. Despite claims of atheism, deep down, everyone knows there is a Creator. This truth is evident in creation and is a testament to God's revelation to all people. Our role is to gently guide others to acknowledge this truth and explore its implications for their lives. [03:59]

- Belief in God must go beyond acknowledgment to trust. Simply believing in God's existence is insufficient; we must trust Him and His Word. This trust is cultivated through a relationship with God, where we learn to rely on His promises and guidance in our lives. [09:20]

- The Bible's reliability is supported by historical evidence. The New Testament, in particular, has been validated through numerous manuscripts and corroborated by archaeological findings and extra-biblical sources. This evidence strengthens our faith and provides a foundation for our belief in Scripture's truth. [22:58]

- Spiritual understanding requires a new heart and mind. The Holy Spirit transforms us, giving us a new sense and taste for spiritual truths. This transformation enables us to discern and embrace the truths of Scripture, leading to a deeper relationship with God and a life that reflects His love and grace. [30:08]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:24] - Why Are You Here?
- [01:36] - The Ultimate Question of Existence
- [02:45] - Created by God's Desire
- [03:22] - Innate Knowledge of God
- [04:42] - The Reality of Atheism
- [05:47] - Suppressing the Truth
- [06:59] - Engaging with Atheists
- [08:08] - Belief Beyond Acknowledgment
- [09:20] - Trusting the God of Scripture
- [10:43] - The Reliability of the Bible
- [12:49] - Defending the Faith
- [17:47] - Historical Evidence for the New Testament
- [21:46] - Manuscript Evidence
- [24:40] - Old Testament Trustworthiness
- [28:46] - Spiritual Discernment and Hope

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 1:18-23
2. Psalm 14:1
3. 1 Corinthians 2:14

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Romans 1:18-23, how does Paul describe humanity's response to the knowledge of God? What does it mean to "suppress the truth"? [05:47]

2. In the sermon, it was mentioned that everyone knows God exists, even those who claim atheism. How does this align with the message in Psalm 14:1? [06:21]

3. The pastor mentioned that the Bible is a historically validated document. What evidence was provided in the sermon to support the reliability of the New Testament? [22:58]

4. How does 1 Corinthians 2:14 relate to the idea that spiritual understanding requires a new heart and mind? [29:26]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. The sermon suggests that our existence is rooted in God's desire, not necessity. How does this understanding of creation affect one's view of purpose and belonging? [02:45]

2. The pastor mentioned that belief in God must go beyond acknowledgment to trust. What does it mean to trust God and His Word, and how is this trust cultivated? [09:20]

3. The sermon discusses the innate knowledge of God's existence in all humanity. How might this understanding influence the way Christians engage with skeptics and atheists? [03:59]

4. The pastor emphasized the role of the Holy Spirit in transforming our understanding of spiritual truths. How does this transformation compare to developing a taste for something we once disliked? [30:08]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the idea that God created you out of desire, not necessity. How does this perspective change the way you view your daily life and decisions? [02:45]

2. The sermon highlighted the importance of trusting God beyond mere acknowledgment. What are some practical steps you can take to deepen your trust in God this week? [09:20]

3. When engaging with someone who claims atheism, how can you gently guide them to acknowledge the truth of God's existence without being confrontational? [07:32]

4. The pastor mentioned that spiritual understanding requires a new heart and mind. What are some ways you can open yourself to the Holy Spirit's transformation in your life? [30:08]

5. Consider the evidence provided for the reliability of the Bible. How does this information strengthen your faith, and how can you use it in conversations with others who question the Bible's validity? [22:58]

6. The sermon encouraged believers to embody the hope they have in Christ. How can you reflect this hope in your interactions with others, especially during challenging times? [33:20]

7. The pastor shared that our lives should reflect the reality of our faith. What specific actions can you take this week to ensure your life is a testament to the hope and love found in Christ? [33:51]

Devotional

Day 1: Created by God's Desire
God created humanity not out of necessity but out of His desire. This profound truth gives us a sense of purpose and belonging, knowing that we are wanted by the Creator of the universe. Our existence is not a cosmic accident but a deliberate act of love. This understanding should drive us to seek our purpose in Him and live lives that reflect His love and intention. When we grasp that we are here because God wanted us to be, it transforms our perspective on life and our relationship with Him. [02:45]

"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." (Psalm 139:13-14, ESV)

Reflection: How does knowing that God created you out of desire, not necessity, change the way you view your purpose in life today?


Day 2: Innate Knowledge of God
The knowledge of God's existence is innate in all humanity. Despite claims of atheism, deep down, everyone knows there is a Creator. This truth is evident in creation and is a testament to God's revelation to all people. Our role is to gently guide others to acknowledge this truth and explore its implications for their lives. The beauty and complexity of the world around us point to a divine Creator, and this realization can lead to a deeper exploration of faith and purpose. [03:59]

"For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse." (Romans 1:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a moment when you felt a deep connection to creation. How did it point you to the reality of God's existence?


Day 3: Trusting the God of Scripture
Belief in God must go beyond acknowledgment to trust. Simply believing in God's existence is insufficient; we must trust Him and His Word. This trust is cultivated through a relationship with God, where we learn to rely on His promises and guidance in our lives. Trusting God involves a deep-seated faith that goes beyond intellectual assent, leading to a life that reflects His love and grace. [09:20]

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God fully? How can you begin to surrender this area to Him today?


Day 4: The Reliability of the Bible
The Bible's reliability is supported by historical evidence. The New Testament, in particular, has been validated through numerous manuscripts and corroborated by archaeological findings and extra-biblical sources. This evidence strengthens our faith and provides a foundation for our belief in Scripture's truth. Understanding the historical reliability of the Bible can deepen our confidence in its teachings and encourage us to engage with it more fully. [22:58]

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV)

Reflection: How does knowing the historical reliability of the Bible impact your willingness to engage with its teachings today?


Day 5: Spiritual Discernment and Hope
Spiritual understanding requires a new heart and mind. The Holy Spirit transforms us, giving us a new sense and taste for spiritual truths. This transformation enables us to discern and embrace the truths of Scripture, leading to a deeper relationship with God and a life that reflects His love and grace. As we grow in faith, our desire for God's Word deepens, and we find life and hope within its pages. [30:08]

"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you experienced a transformation in your understanding of spiritual truths? How can you nurture this growth in your daily life?

Quotes


But my question, "Why are you here?" really has little to do with the fact that you're sitting here today. My bigger question why you're here, "Why are you here?" is why are you here on earth, why do you exist? Now, I'm sure many of you have thought about that question, you've considered it, you've asked that question of yourself, you've asked it of God, you've asked it maybe of a friend or of a professor, of a mom or a dad, "Why am I here?" [00:01:47]

God made you, and you're here because God wanted you. Now the reality of it is, when it comes to creation, our being made in the image of God, we understand that when we look in the mirror, when we look at another human being, we can't help but believe that there is a Creator. We understand just naturally, and I don't mean just us as Christians, because I realize there are probably some among you that are skeptical and cynical about Christianity and the faith and the Bible. [00:03:00]

Everyone knows that God exists, because God has put it in our hearts to know He exists. You see, here's the harsh reality for those who claim to be atheists. Atheists don't exist. The good news is, is that God believes they exist. But atheists, in reality, know that God exists. But what they do is they try to pretend He doesn't exist and try to convince others that He doesn't exist, and you know why? [00:03:59]

For although they knew God, they did not honor him or give thanks to him as God, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things." They exchanged, they suppressed, they denied, and their foolish hearts were darkened. [00:06:15]

Too often, Christians are pointing their fingers in people's faces rather than putting their arms around their shoulders, pointing them to Jesus Christ. So, we talk about those who believe in God and those who claim to be atheists or agnostics and those who are questioning the existence of God. The reality of it is that at the end of the day, we can do a lot of work, we can show lots of evidences, lots of proofs. [00:08:08]

But at the end of the day, believing in God doesn't get anyone to heaven. I mean, how many times do you meet people who say, "Well, I believe in God." "You know, I am a spiritual person," great! Everyone is a spiritual person. The demons are spiritual beings, they know that God is One and they are fearful, they shudder, they tremble with fear. Everyone believes in God. I could put the question to all of you here today, "Do you believe in God?" [00:08:50]

Here's why you can trust the New Testament. It is an historically scrutinized and proven collection of historical documents written down and recorded by witnesses. The New Testament historical writers recorded the teaching of Jesus and the miraculous events that took place in fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies, some of which have been attested to by ancient and extra biblical historians and antagonists of Christianity. [00:17:40]

The probability that New Testament manuscripts reflect the original text is so overwhelmingly strong that the manuscript copies about ninety percent of the time are identical to the original New Testament. That's amazing! Any of the textual differences in manuscripts that do not exist, do not in any way, they don't in any way, whatsoever, affect any Christian doctrine or core belief. [00:23:03]

And here's the reason, spiritual things are spiritually discerned. The natural man, as Paul writes in 1 Corinthians, cannot understand spiritual things. So, at the end of the day, why do you trust the Bible? Why do you believe the Bible? Why do you read it? Why do you study it? It's because you've been given a new heart and a new mind. And as Jonathan Edwards spoke of this, he said, "You also have been given a new sense, a new taste." [00:29:31]

But the more you grow, the more you mature, the more you have a taste, that sense, that palate will mature, and the more you look to the Word of God not just because your parents are reading it to you, not just because you're hearing it from your pastor, but because you want to go there yourself. Because you know that in the Word of God, though it's sometimes hard to read, because when you read the Word of God it's reading you and investigating you, and that's hard, because it convicts you, it pricks your conscience, it shows you what's wrong with you. [00:32:44]

And when they see us, not perfect, not pretending to be perfect, not just a bunch of happy hypocrites walking around like we're just the perfect bunch of people. No, just being real people. But when they see us, they say, you know, there's something about her, there's something about him. Because when the trials and the hurt comes and the pain comes and the misery comes, there's something in them that still honors the Lord Jesus Christ in their lives. [00:33:14]

And we should be ready, be ready to tell them about that hope. It's not within, it's something above. That we've been born from above, and it's Jesus Christ that is the reason for the hope that is within us. And the reason we have hope within us is because of Him, because of the Holy Spirit in us that gives us hope. That's why that hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us. [00:34:06]

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Transcript
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