Purpose in Reproduction

City Harbor Church – Hampden, Baltimore, MD

Genesis 1:26-28 “Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image and likeness. And let them rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the tame animals, over all the earth, and over all the small crawling animals on the earth.’ So, God created human beings in his image. In the image of God, he created them. He created them male and female. God blessed them and said, ‘Have many children and grow in number. Fill the earth and be its master. Rule over the fish in the sea and over the birds in the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’” – Genesis 1:26-28 NCV

2 Thoughts from Genesis 1:28 on God’s Purpose in Reproduction:

1. God wanted his kids to know what it’s like to be a parent. We understand our parents best when we become parents ourselves.

2. God told Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply. Ultimately our life purpose includes passing life on to others both naturally and spiritually.

What did Jesus say?

“You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit.” John 15:16

“Go, urge people of all nations to become My followers,” – Matthew 28:19-20

“Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: ‘God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.’” – Matthew 28:19-20 The Message

“So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything that I have taught you, and I will be with you always, even until the end of this age.” – Matthew 28:19-20 NCV

“And the number of the disciples multiplied,” Acts 6:7

God’s purpose for our lives:

1. To get to know God. Relationship

2. To become like Jesus. Character

3. To be an instrument in God’s hand. Stewardship

4. To pass God’s life on to others. Reproduction

Notes to consider:

Our lives will be measured by how we fulfill these four purposes. Thankfully, God has sent His Spirit to fulfill these purposes in and through us. God is constantly at work on these. The more we become aware of God’s growth agenda the more our lives will make sense and be fulfilling.

Ultimately these four purposes are interdependent.

Do you see an area of needed growth? Study it in God’s character.

What should we do?

1. Receive love from God and respond with wholehearted joyful devotion.

2. Pray, inviting God’s perspective on your purpose.

3. Read today’s Scriptures and consider what God is communicating about the purpose for humanity.

4. Write, in your own words, God’s purpose for giving humanity the function of stewardship.

5. List your current areas of stewardship.

6. Prepare a plan to think through these areas between now and mid-February.

7. Pray asking God for wisdom about your circles of influence and possible expansion.

8. Pray: “God, I believe You are…because Jesus taught…I believe You gave me the opportunities of…for Your purpose of…”