PAST = PURPOSE

The David Alliance [email protected] Garth Heckman So what am I talking about today?  But we get our gifting, our passions our talents and our purpose all confused. What is what? Gifting is a natural ability. Athletics, singing, math, Art Passion is something we love doing. Performing, creating, teaching, playing Talents are typically something we have practiced to achieve.  And sometimes these all weave together for the perfect storm.    But none are the sum total of our purpose!    The Bible doesn't give just one single sentence for a person's purpose;  it unfolds it like a grand narrative with a few core pillars.    OT and NT a person's ultimate purpose is generally broken down into three main relationships:    -  your relationship with God,    -  your relationship with others,    -  and your relationship with the world around you.   1. To Know God and Bring Him Glory MGLG At the very foundation, the Bible states that humans were created by God and for God. Your primary purpose is to be in a relationship with Him and to reflect His character to the world.   Reflecting His Image: In Genesis 1:27, it says humans are made in the "image of God." Think of this like a mirror—our job is to reflect His love, justice, kindness, and creativity into the world. Bringing Him Glory: MGLG -The prophet Isaiah quotes God as saying, "Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made" (Isaiah 43:7). BOTTOM LINE: LOOK LIKE GOD AND MAKE HIM LOOK GOOD       2. The Twin Pillars: Love God, Love People When Jesus was asked what the most important commandment in the entire scripture was, He simplified the entire Old Testament law into two direct actions. This is often looked at as the "Ultimate Summary" of human purpose.   MATTHEW 22:37 The first commandment Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and spirit. Second greatest is to lover your neighbor as yourself.        3. Cultivate the World (The Cultural Mandate) Purpose in the Bible isn't just spiritual; it's also practical and action-oriented. Right at the beginning of the human story, God gave mankind a specific job description regarding the earth itself. In Genesis 1:28, humans are told to "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it." This is often called the Cultural Mandate. It means humans are designed to be stewards—caretakers of creation. Your purpose includes taking raw potential (whether that's land, a business, a family, or a talent) and cultivating or literally squeezing everything out of it to help life thrive. 4. Walking in Unique, Prepared Good Works   the Apostle Paul writes about how Gods purpose intertwines with our purpose which is good works.  We are uniquely crafted for specific contributions to this world.   "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." — Ephesians 2:10   The word used for "handiwork" or "workmanship" in the original Greek text is poiema (where we get our word poem). The Bible views your life as a unique masterpiece designed to carry out specific good deeds that match your exact strengths, personality, and experiences. Does "Handiwork" Tie into "Good Works"? Thematically yes, strongly: The verse's logic flows from identity (we are God's crafted masterpiece) to purpose (created for good works God pre-planned). Being God's poiema equips and orients us toward the erga agatha. Good works are the outworking and goal of His creative work in us—not the cause of salvation, but its fruit (tying back to vv. 8–9).   Picture this: His work in us, created us for his works through us to fulfill his purpose.      Handiwork vs. Good works in Eph. 2:8,9 Two different words. Gods work is a masterpiece Our work is a labor. ONE IS OUR IDENTITY THE OTHER IS OUR ACTIVITY     Life experiences we see in scripture and the real world.  Their life experiences were not random or wasted but formed the precise preparation, character development, skills, relationships, and credibility God used for their callings.** The Bible shows a consistent pattern: God shapes people through seasons of obscurity, suffering, failure, cultural exposure, and incremental faithfulness long before the "big moment." These experiences built humility, dependence on God, specific competencies, empathy, and strategic positioning.     David (1 Samuel 16 – 2 Samuel) **Key experiences**: Rejected by His father born illegitimate, Shepherd boy overlooked by family, given menial jobs, trials by lion/bear protecting sheep, anointed privately as future king, served Saul as musician/warrior, faced Goliath with past faithfulness as proof, 13 plus years as fugitive hiding in caves from Saul, attracted misfits and losers, forced to work with the Philistines his enemies.    - **How it prepared him**: Learned how to deal with rejection and turn to God. Shepherding taught leadership, courage, and reliance on God (Psalms reflect this). Defeating Goliath came from tested faith in small battles. Wilderness years forged trust in God’s timing (refusing to kill Saul), developed military strategy, and created a loyal following. These equipped him to unite Israel, establish the kingdom, write worship that endures, and prepare the way for the temple/Solomon. His "rejection" years were kingship training.