At PBC we've been in a sermon series, “Back to The Basics,” in which, we've explored the distinction between purpose and function and how wonky things get when we forget that.
When function (preaching, worship, evangelism, mission, etc.) supplants purpose- things get ugly in no time, e.g. splits, schisms, persecutions, insurrections, grudges, gossip, factions, envy, jealousy, hatred, malice…
Galatians 5 is pretty clear about the outcome of all that sinful nonsense - and that’s within our churches (people, not denominations, institutions, organizations or buildings)!
Q: What’s the difference between purpose and function? What happens to our testimony as followers of Christ when we twist that around?
Our purpose is to glorify God in all things, at all times, forever. We see that throughout Scripture (Ps 34:3; 86:12; Dan 4:37; Rom 15:5-13; 8:28). The manner with which we accomplish that, i.e. how we glorify God, is our function.
Q: What’s the difference between purpose and function? What happens to our testimony as followers of Christ when we twist that around?
Our purpose is to glorify God in all things, at all times, forever. We see that throughout Scripture (Ps 34:3; 86:12; Dan 4:37; Rom 15:5-13; 8:28). The manner with which we accomplish that, i.e. how we glorify God, is our function.
Therefore, it's critical to understand our purpose, as human beings, disciples of Christ, followers of Jesus, and fishers of men is NOT to preach, NOT to worship in Spirit and truth, evangelize to the lost, minister to the broken, pray without ceasing, sing, serve, love, teach, disciple, or any other activity or ministry.
Our purpose is quite simply to glorify God in all things, at all times, forever. How we accomplish that is function.
Q: Why is it so easy for us to make function the chief thing? What are the inherent dangers?
In Genesis 2:15 the Lord God dedicated Adam in the garden of Eden to glorify Him as the pinnacle of the Creator’s creation. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are God’s “poema,” His masterpiece, handiwork, and craftsmanship! Humanity alone was created in the image and likeness of God (Gen 1:26).
Q: Why is it so easy for us to make function the chief thing? What are the inherent dangers?
In Genesis 2:15 the Lord God dedicated Adam in the garden of Eden to glorify Him as the pinnacle of the Creator’s creation. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are God’s “poema,” His masterpiece, handiwork, and craftsmanship! Humanity alone was created in the image and likeness of God (Gen 1:26).
Humanity alone is recorded in Scripture as having the breath, wind, the Spirit of God breathed into us (Gen 2:7). Then God dedicated the man in the garden of Eden to glorify God by functioning as God intended - to “awbad” (i.e. serve, minister, worship) and “shamar” (i.e. guard, watch over, protect).
Let’s focus on three aspects of function here: Context, Content, and Consequences.
The CONTEXT is God-ordained relationships, i.e. our relationships with Holy Trinity God, our sovereign Creator, with others, with self, and as stewards of God’s creation.
Q: Why is it so important to understand the relational context of our function and the priority of those God-ordained relationships (God, others, self, and creation)? What happens when the context gets out of order?
The CONTENT of function was explicitly communicated by the Lord God to Adam (prior to Eve’s existence) in no uncertain terms:
And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” -Genesis 2:16-17
Scripture doesn’t tell us how much time transpired between the creation of the woman (Eve), at the end of Genesis 2, and her casual theological frolic with the crafty serpent when Genesis 3 begins.
Let’s focus on three aspects of function here: Context, Content, and Consequences.
The CONTEXT is God-ordained relationships, i.e. our relationships with Holy Trinity God, our sovereign Creator, with others, with self, and as stewards of God’s creation.
Q: Why is it so important to understand the relational context of our function and the priority of those God-ordained relationships (God, others, self, and creation)? What happens when the context gets out of order?
The CONTENT of function was explicitly communicated by the Lord God to Adam (prior to Eve’s existence) in no uncertain terms:
And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” -Genesis 2:16-17
Scripture doesn’t tell us how much time transpired between the creation of the woman (Eve), at the end of Genesis 2, and her casual theological frolic with the crafty serpent when Genesis 3 begins.
We do know Adam failed in epic fashion (Rom 5:12). The Lord God established Adam’s function (serve and watch over) prior to fashioning the woman. Adam was to glorify God (purpose) by serving, ministering, worshiping, and guarding, watching, protecting God-ordained relationships in Eden.
Q: What is significant about Eve not yet having been fashioned from Adam when the Lord spoke to him in 2:16-17? Why is the time aspect irrelevant between the close of chapter two and the start of chapter three?
Even before sin entered the mix, humanity couldn’t grasp the concept of purpose. We’re better at -doing- (function) than -being- (purpose) because we love our idols, and we love idols because we, like Satan, love ourselves more than our Creator.
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. -Genesis 3:6
Romans 5:12 convicts us all along with Adam. We too allow function to supplant purpose and invite things to go sideways. Means become the end. Apathy waxes. Compassion wanes. We defile Eden again, and again, and again…
Q: What is revealed about humanity in Genesis 3:6? What does it revealed about YOU?
The CONSEQUENCE is death (Rom 6:23). That’s not metaphor, merely “spiritual,” deferred or delayed, but literal, actual and immediate. Our expulsion from Eden, i.e. God’s Presence, is death by God’s own definition.
Q: What’s the problem with reinterpreting the consequence of sin as merely a “spiritual” death rather than a literal and immediate one? Since we all sinned, and we all fall short of the glory of God, we all come into this world in what condition?
God was neither surprised nor thwarted by our sin. Graciously, He didn’t leave it there. The Lamb was slain before the cosmos was created by the Creator (Rev 13:8). Amid God’s wrath and judgment, mercy burst forth!
Q: What is significant about Eve not yet having been fashioned from Adam when the Lord spoke to him in 2:16-17? Why is the time aspect irrelevant between the close of chapter two and the start of chapter three?
Even before sin entered the mix, humanity couldn’t grasp the concept of purpose. We’re better at -doing- (function) than -being- (purpose) because we love our idols, and we love idols because we, like Satan, love ourselves more than our Creator.
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. -Genesis 3:6
Romans 5:12 convicts us all along with Adam. We too allow function to supplant purpose and invite things to go sideways. Means become the end. Apathy waxes. Compassion wanes. We defile Eden again, and again, and again…
Q: What is revealed about humanity in Genesis 3:6? What does it revealed about YOU?
The CONSEQUENCE is death (Rom 6:23). That’s not metaphor, merely “spiritual,” deferred or delayed, but literal, actual and immediate. Our expulsion from Eden, i.e. God’s Presence, is death by God’s own definition.
Q: What’s the problem with reinterpreting the consequence of sin as merely a “spiritual” death rather than a literal and immediate one? Since we all sinned, and we all fall short of the glory of God, we all come into this world in what condition?
God was neither surprised nor thwarted by our sin. Graciously, He didn’t leave it there. The Lamb was slain before the cosmos was created by the Creator (Rev 13:8). Amid God’s wrath and judgment, mercy burst forth!
While condemning the meddling serpent to eternal defeat and torment,and all who follow suit, God simultaneously revealed the Savior would come to reconcile and redeem those who would humble themselves, repent, and follow Him!
So the LORD God said to the serpent… “cursed are you… And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (excerpt from Genesis 3:14-15)
Q: Read Romans 14:23 and John 3:16. What is required by us to reverse the curse of sin? What’s the difference between belief and faith? Read Matthew 7:21-23. Why doesn’t Jesus know them? Read James 2:19. What distinguishes demons, who believe in Jesus, and those attending the wedding banquet of the Lamb in Rev 19?
APPLICATION: Our exclusive purpose is to glorify God in all things, at all times, forever. Our function is to serve and watch over God-ordained relationships. That's what it means to love God and love others. With this in mind, how are you doing? Are you glorifying God in all things, at all times? Are you serving and watching over all of the God-ordained relationships in your life -or pursuing only the stuff that pleases you? Is “church” merely a place you go from time-to-time on weekends or is it the God-ordained relationships you humbly and intentionally invest in at all times - especially when things don't go your way (Matt 5:43-48)?
Are you actively submitting yourself to the authorities God has appointed over you (Heb 13:7)? Are you forsaking meeting together (Heb 10:25)? Are you truly Christ’s martyr/witness and disciple as the Gospel to everyone you meet, thus fulfilling your purpose - to glorify God in all things, at all times, forever - or are you pursuing your own agenda and covering it with religious activities, ritual, ceremonies, and traditions? Consider the life, ministry, humility, and obedience of Jesus.
Are you allowing God to conform you into the image of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, or are you conforming Christ into an image and preference that suits you?
"Even the demons believe, and tremble."
Blessings,
-Kevin M. Kelley
aMostUnlikelyDisciple.com
Blessings,
-Kevin M. Kelley
aMostUnlikelyDisciple.com
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