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Isaiah 26:1-10, focusing on verse 8 Intro: There is something in man that yearns to know his purpose. He innately knows that he was created and placed on this planet to do something just left to himself though, He will never get to the bottom of it. Tonight we kick off a study of the Shorter Catechism and it begins with the reality of the purpose for which we are created in its first two questions:
Q1: What is the chief end of man? A1: Man's chief end is to glorify God, (Romans 11:36; 1 Cor 10:31) and to enjoy him forever (Psalm 73:24-26) Q2: What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him? A2: The word of God, which is contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him. (Isaiah 8:20; Luke 16:29, 31; Galatians 1:8-9; 2 Tim 3:15-17)
To unpack this, there are five questions we need to work through: 1. What is the purpose of man? Immediately I need to re-work that question. The Catechism rightly asks, What is the chief end of man meaning that there are lesser purposes for man as well. Some of these would include: y Exercising dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:26) y Replenish and fill the earth (Genesis 1:28) y To do justice and love kindness (Micah 6:8)
2. Why is this his purpose? Well, consider two things with me: y Consider who God is Watson again notes, God is the chief good...he is the fountain good. All other goodness is but second-hand goodness. Remember what the Bible says in Romans 11:36 - For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.