THE ETERNAL PURPOSE OF GOD

Lecture Objectives:

Since man is limited to himself and his personal experiences, man can only speculate where he came from, why he is here, and where he is going. This presentation will show that the Creator can best answer questions about man's origin, purpose and destiny.

References:

Psalm 90.1,2; Psalm 19.1,2; Romans 1.20; Genesis 1.31-2.25

Questions for Focus:

1. Apart from what the Bible has said, give the explanation you think is most intelligible as to man's origin and purpose upon the earth.

2. Have you ever wondered why you are here?

3. How do you see history, and do you relate to it?

4. What is the "Christian perspective" with reference to God's purpose for your life?

5. Give a clock to a man who has never seen one and who does not know how to tell time. Can he speak with accuracy or speculation as to the function of the time piece?

6. Who is best qualified to explain the purpose and destiny of man?

1. GOD'S ETERNAL EXISTENCE IS AFFIRMED IN THE BIBLE.
   1. Psalm 90.1,2 - Relate directionally the words: "everlasting to everlasting" as the apply to God.
   2. Did God pre-exist before creation?
2. GOD CREATED THE PHYSICAL UNIVERSE FOR PURPOSES WELL DEFINED IN HIS REVELATION TO MAN.
   1. Psalm 19.1,2 - Note the two qualities of God that are manifested by the physical creation.
   2. Romans 1.20 - speaks of two qualities of God's nature revealed in creation. What are they?
   3. How are these qualities of God "clearly seen" in creation?
3. GOD PLANNED MAN'S DESTINY AND ITS ULTIMATE OUTCOME BEFORE CREATION.
   1. Man was created in "the image of God." Genesis 1.26
      1. The image was spiritual not physical.
      2. The Hebrew word for "image" is "deep shadow".
      3. Man bears the rational, volitional, intellectual and freedom qualities characteristics of God.
   2. God placed man in an earthly paradise called Eden.
      1. Genesis 1.31 - Write down from the text God's view of all that He had made.
      2. Genesis 2.15 - What tasks did God assign man?
      3. Genesis 1.26-28 - Define in a few words the reproductive role given to Adam and Eve.
      4. Genesis 1.26-28 - What was man's position over all creation?
      5. Genesis 2.21-25 - Was the marriage of Adam's offspring a part of God's plan?
4. HUMAN SIN FRUSTRATED GOD'S PURPOSE FOR MAN BUT DID NOT DESTROY GOD'S PLAN.
   1. Man's sin degraded his personal life and the physical world.
      1. Read Genesis 3.14-19 and discover:
         1. What sin did to man:
         2. What sin did to his world:
         3. What penalty God imposed on Satan:
   2. Did God make a promise about man's future through Christ? What was it?
      1. Whose "head" was bruised?
      2. Whose "heel" was bruised?
      3. Explain how "head" and "heal" relate to a solution for man's guilt and sin.
   3. Note the overlay and see the picture of five possible conditions of sinful man.
   4. All Old Testament history form Eden to Christ is God working out His will to accomplish His ultimate purpose for mankind.
      1. From Adam until Moses God reveals himself through human drams: the flood, Tower of Babel, Sodom, Gomorrah, plagues in Egypt.
      2. He was selecting and refining the genealogical family of the future Christ.
         1. In Eve the promise was generic - Gen. 3.15
         2. In Abraham it was family - Gen. 12.3
         3. In Judah it was tribal - Gen. 49.8-10
         4. In Israel it was national - John 4.22
      3. NOTE: Further discussion will be had on this material under the heading - "The Promised Messiah" [Presentation number six].
5. CHRIST, GOD'S PLAN FOR MAN'S REDEMPTION, WAS IN GOD'S SCHEME OF SALVATION...EVEN BEFORE THE WORLD WAS CREATED.
   1. His life, death, and resurrection is the basis of God's eternal purpose.
      1. Remember God's purpose in Eden (Genesis 3.15).
      2. Consult 1 Peter 1.18-20 and answer these questions:
         1. What is Christ's role in recreating man?
         2. When did God originally plan Christ's involvement?
   2. In God's purpose something had to "cover" man's sins.
      1. Hebrews 2.17-18 explains His priestly/sacrificial role.
      2. Acts 2.23-24 - To qualify for this task two things had to occur. What were they?
      3. 1 Corinthians 15.1-4 calls Christ's ability in this matter "the Gospel." Good News!
   3. Those "covered" became "gathered" into His church. Ephesians 3.10-11, 20-21.
6. GOD'S PLAN IS COMPLETED WITH MAN REDEEMED IN HIS PRESENCE.
   1. 1 Thessalonians 4.13-18. Arrange in order of the sequence of events that will happen when Christ returns.
   2. 1 Corinthians 15.50-58. What further glories are mentioned with His return?
7. WITH GOD'S PLAN OF REDEMPTION COMPLETED, BOTH THE SAVED AND LOST WILL HAVE THEIR REWARD, THE CREATION WILL HAVE SERVED ITS PURPOSE.
   1. Note 2 Peter 3.8-13 and Hebrews 1.10-12.
   2. What does God promise His people?
8. A REVIEW BRIEFLY STATED
   1. Through the material creation, God is glorified.
   2. Through the spiritual recreation, of humanity Jesus Christ is glorified.
   3. Through Christ's redemption of humanity, man is glorified, both here and after this life.