CHBC Connect for August 23, 2024
Being a Church that Exists for the Glory of God:
God’s Purpose for CHBC: To be a Church that Exists for the Glory of God
When I speak about CHBC I talk about our purpose, our mission, our vision, and our core values. Nothing of consequence happens without purpose. The wisest man in the world, Solomon, sought for purpose in life and discovered it is absolute futility to seek meaning and purpose in this life only. His concluding comments on his search are these: Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, discovered the futility of life when it is lived only for this world. He gives these concluding remarks in the book of Ecclesiastes: "Here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
Fearing God and keeping His commandments is another way to say live for His glory. We glorify God by enjoying Him, loving Him, trusting Him, and obeying His will, His Word, and His commandments (The New City Catechism, Question 6). True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord (Prov. 1:7). The ability to discover purpose or meaning begins with reverential awe of God. To see His beauty in the world, in the way He works, in the wisdom of His commands, and in the glorious nature of the gospel is necessary for wisdom. Wisdom is necessary to find purpose. And our purpose is to bring Him glory.
The search for purpose is the life of glorying in God. This is our purpose as human beings, and it is our purpose as a church. We glorify God as a church when we enjoy God, love God, trust God, and obey His will, His word, and His commands. Therefore, we are wise to give attention to the gathered worship, the Sunday School, and every other ministry of the church to make much of God, to learn His Word, to study His ways in our world, and to press one another toward obedience to Him. That is wise living. And that not only gives us purpose but fulfills His purpose for the church.
By His Grace and For His Glory,
Pastor Mark
