Made to Worship - Your Purpose in Life

Made to Worship - Your Purpose in Life

The Desire to Plan and an Unexpected Message

It's natural for people to enjoy planning and knowing what to expect, especially concerning important events like delivering a message or managing workflow. However, there are times when plans don't materialize, leading to a reliance on unexpected sources of guidance. In this particular week, despite a fast-paced schedule, the speaker found himself without a prepared message and turned to reading the Torah portion for inspiration and divine revelation. This act of seeking guidance highlights a fundamental human desire for purpose and understanding.

The Call to Go Beyond Commandments: Embracing Our Vocation

The speaker notes that the week's Torah portion began with Aaron raising his hands to bless the people, a gesture associated with blessing, prayer, and worship in biblical narratives. This led to personal reflections on humanity's purpose and the original vocation of Adam in the Garden of Eden. While the scripture in Ecclesiastes 12:13 states that the whole duty of man is to fear God and keep His commandments, the speaker argues that this is merely the minimum standard, the starting point. As followers of Yeshua (Jesus), we are called to go above and beyond simply adhering to rules, much like a pull-up where the initial pull is not the goal, but continuing and building strength is. Our true purpose lies in actively pursuing the will of the Father and the vocation He placed upon mankind from the beginning.

Worship as Our Foundational Vocation

The central assertion of this teaching is that humanity was created for worship. In God's design, Adam's primary vocation was to worship. The creation of Eve, whose Hebrew name Chava relates to life and bringing life, was not the complete picture. God's instruction to be fruitful and multiply was intended to fill the earth with more worshipers, emphasizing the foundational nature of worship in God's plan. Therefore, worship is not just a Sunday morning activity but a fundamental aspect of our being and a continuous expectation.

Defining Worship: Giving Worth to the Worthy

The word "worship" itself is significant, stemming from the Anglo-Saxon term "worth-ship," meaning to give worth. It implies recognizing the value and specialness of that to whom worship is directed. When we come before God in worship, individually or corporately, we are acknowledging His immeasurable worth and the preciousness of our relationship with Him. Unlike other potential "gods," our God is unique and incomparable. Corporate worship should be a passionate and genuine response to this recognition of God's priceless value. It's not about external factors like lighting, staging, or musical instruments but about the heart's intent to come together with fellow believers and collectively give worth to God.

The Hebrew Root of Worship: Becoming Alive to Our Purpose

The Hebrew word for worship has a fascinating connection to the concept of life. The root of the Hebrew word for worship, "chava," means to bring to life or give life, the same root as Eve's name. This reveals a profound truth: the heart of worship is about rising up and becoming fully alive to who we were made to be as images of God and what we were made to do.

What We Fear to Lose: Defining Our God

Drawing on a quote from Martin Luther, the speaker emphasizes that "your God is that which you most fear to lose". This thought-provoking statement challenges us to examine our deepest priorities and where God truly ranks in our lives. What occupies our greatest fears of loss—family, possessions, career, or God? Our answer reveals what we truly esteem and venerate, what we give worth to, and therefore, what our god is.

The Garden of Eden: The Prototype of Worship

The life of mankind began in the Garden of Eden, a place described as akin to a prototype of the Temple, the very presence of God. Humans originated in God's presence and were created in His image. As God's image-bearers, our vocation was to reflect God's glory into all the world. The instruction to be fruitful and multiply and subdue the earth was not a call to leave the Garden but to expand Eden, extending the atmosphere of worship and God's presence. This expansion of Eden signifies the expansion of worship; our purpose is to go out and worship God before all the world, making more worshipers.

Worship Fuels the Mission: Reflecting God's Presence

Drawing on the work of JK Beale, the speaker highlights that worship fuels the mission of Eden. As bearers of God's image, we reflect His presence through worship, and this propels us forward in our mission to fill the earth with reflections of God's glory. For believers, God's Spirit dwells within, meaning God's presence is with us. We are the image of God, restored to His presence through Christ, a new creation.

Living Out Worship: A Reflection of the King

Our purpose is to be a reflection of the King of the Universe in everything we do. This is the essence of being God's image. Worship is not confined to formal gatherings but extends to how we carry ourselves in the world. It involves acts of service, like praying for someone in need, being an ambassador of the King, and allowing God to work through us regardless of our personal emotions. We are to be willing vessels, conduits for God's love, mercy, justice, and grace. Everything we do should demonstrate God's worth to us.

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Application for Everyday Life:

• Prioritize God in your daily schedule: Dedicate the first part of your day to prayer and seeking God's presence.
• Be intentional about corporate worship: Arrive on time, prepared to engage in praise and fellowship as a community.
• Practice worship as a lifestyle: Let your actions, words, and attitudes reflect God's worth in every situation.
• Serve others humbly: Look for opportunities to serve those around you, mirroring Yeshua's example of servanthood.
• Examine your treasures: Reflect on what you value most and ensure that God holds the highest place in your heart.
• Give generously: Offer your first fruits of time, energy, and finances to God as an act of worship and trust.
• Be a conduit of God's love: Allow God to work through you to show love, mercy, justice, and grace to others.
• Regularly evaluate what you are reflecting: Conduct a daily "audit" to ensure you are reflecting God's glory rather than the values of the world.
• Embrace vulnerability in worship: Like the gesture of raised hands, be willing to be open and surrendered before God.
• Recognize blessings as opportunities to give: Understand that God's blessings are often facilitated through your willingness to give of yourself.

References:

• Ecclesiastes 12:13 - biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/12-13.htm
• Matthew 6:21 - biblehub.com/matthew/6-21.htm
• Luke 6:38 - biblehub.com/luke/6-38.htm

Books and Resources Mentioned:

• Books by J.K. Beale

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