Understanding the “Big Picture” or the “Finished Product” is the key to understanding any created thing’s purpose and intent! (blueprints)
Many times, people get pre-occupied with arguing over the details, they lose sight of the “big picture!”
Because of the fall mankind, mankind has misunderstood God’s “original purpose” and “intent” for their lives
To understand the "Big Picture" in the Bible, we must look at God’s overall narrative, which has a specific “Beginning and outcome.”
Today we want to start the Journey of understanding the “Big Picture”
The Specific Beginning:
Gen 1:26-28 26 Then God said, "Let us make human beings in our image, to be like ourselves. (Purpose)They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground." 27 So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Purpose)28 Then God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground." NLT
The Culmination:
Rev 22:3-5 3 No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. 4 And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. 5 And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. NLT
Reign: to rule, to influence, to keep in order under kingly rule! (steward)
The Big Picture
In Genesis: God gives humans the command to "reign over" and "govern" the earth as stewards of His creation.
Created in God’s image and likeness, they would be stewards of God’s creation
In Revelation: The story concludes with the promise that His servants "will reign forever and ever," signaling the “intent or permeance” of the original purpose.
If we started with the mandate to reign and end with the promise to reign, what does that tell us about God’s “intent and purpose” for us?
God’s Intent for you and I!
All of Mankind was created in the Image of God unlike other species with intrinsic worth to represent Him on earth!
Mental & Rational Capacity: Humans reflect God through their ability to receive, reason, and impart inspiration.
Moral & Spiritual Nature: Humans are designed with a conscience, enabling them to understand morality and have a relationship with God.
As a result of these inherent qualities, mankind was created to be an expression of the image of God!
Function as Representatives: Mankind was given dominion over the Earth, acting as stewards or "ambassadors" to rule on God's behalf.
Dominion (reign) Distorted
As a result of the fall of mankind, with the god given desire to rule and reign, mankind throughout history has attempted create a religions, governments and societies apart from the “Rightful Ruler”!
Was this part of God’s plan or the result of mankind’s choices? What was and is God’s plan according to His Foreknowledge?
Gen 3:15 15 And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel." NLT
How could the woman’s offspring strike at Satan’s authority?
Gal 4:4-5 4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. NLT
There was a common language, Roman was peaceful, travel was at its best!
Rom 5:17-19 17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God's wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. 18 Yes, Adam's one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. 19 Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous. NLT
Through the Blood of the New Covenant, mankind’s relationship with the rightful ruler (Christ) had been restored, therefore mankind’s purpose and intent were restored!
Through the Broken body of Christ, wholeness has been redeemed for us!
Jesus is the King of the Kingdom Matt 4:17 (First public address) 17 From then on Jesus began to preach, "Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near." NLT (A kingdom must have a domain, territory)
Matt 12:25-29 25 Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, "Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart. 26 And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive. 27 And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. 28 But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. NLT
Luke 17:20-21 20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." NKJV
His Kingdom Domain!
Matt 6:9-10 9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. NKJV Ps 115:16 16 The heavens belong to the Lord, but he has given the earth to all humanity. NLT
What does reigning on this earth look like? 2 Cor 5:18-21 18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, "Come back to God!" NLT
Ambassador: the highest-ranking diplomat representing their country, acting as the personal representative of their “head of state” (Christ)
This is the "Intent” or the “Big Picture” for relationship and order. The answer to why “why am I here on this earth”: To be an ambassador, to represent God and to bring healing and order to this chaotic world!
If God’s rule is going to take place on this earth, who will represent Him on this earth?
Eph 3:7-11 7 By God's grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News. 8 Though I am the least deserving of all God's people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. 9 I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning. 10 God's purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord. NLT
If our church were an embassy what should people experience when they walk through the doors?
