You are married - you have children - life seems to be good - kids are in a descent church -
They even hang out with good friends - today they are in School Columbine High to be exact -
As the day begins to unfold - you are aware that trouble is on the horizon.
Paint up the scenario
You begin to pray OH yeah - you have prayed before but never like this.
God, if you will spare my child if you will allow them to come out safe I will - I will
What would you write? Be honest! Not just morally or scripturally correct Be honest! Be Real
The one thing I want most in Life is OR If you were asked - what are you searching for in life?
How would you respond?
Two basic responses are usually given - {1} temporal {2} eternal
Temporal answer is - I want to be happy. Have you ever given or been given this answer?
Eternal answer / Best answer - to Glorify God or to make God happy and allow Him to make me happy.
What is the most important thing in your life?
Jesus understood and outlined HIS purpose for existence Luke 19:10; John 2 - came to convert
But what is your purpose?
PURPOSE: WEBSTER . . . AN ACTION IN COURSE OF EXECUTION. SOMETHING TO BE ATTAINED.
AN INTENTION; RESOLUTION; AN INTENTIONAL DETERMINATION .
BIBLICALLY - IT IS A SETTING FORTH; A PROPOSAL.
Let us look at the life of a man by the name of Paul.
Saul knew the historical Christ. He had knowledge - he had understanding Yet he was LOST!
Great training Scholarly Brilliant
Saul the antagonist - turned to Paul the Apologist A persecutor now turns proclamator!
1 Cor. 15:3,4,8 I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, [4] and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, [8] and last of all, as it were to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.
I met personally - Whom I knew about historically. Acts 9 lays out his radical transformation!
Philip. 3:4-7 If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: [5] circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; [6] as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. [7] But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
This is who I use to be He would say I had Proper credentials - BUT BUT that was not enough!
This is what Ive come to realize
Phil. 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
What is your life PURPOSE?
Share the testimony of a friend one who has been searching.
Principle Thoughts
Your purpose in LIFE will determine: Primary Text Philippians 1
1. How you handle PROBLEMS.
2. How you make DECISIONS.
3. How you deal with OTHERS.
James 1:2-5 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, [3] knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. [4] And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. [5] But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
When you have the right purpose statement - you will say
I know that God allows things to happen to me - in order that good things will happen in me -
In order that eternal things can happen through me.
I. Your purpose in LIFE will determine - How you handle PROBLEMS.
Philip. 1:12,13 Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else
My situation is not the best. The food is not necessarily the best. Being chained to a Roman guard is not my desire. BUT - BUT - BUT - God is good! Christ is sufficient!
What is your attitude like when things are going BAD or Tough When problems hit - what is your attitude.
One man has said that the key to success - is learning to MANAGE the EXPECTATIONS of others!
II. Your purpose in LIFE will determine - How you make DECISIONS.
[22] But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. [23] But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; [24] yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. [25] And convinced of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith
Where I am - does not define WHO I AM Circumstances dont make me - they reveal me!
Christs servant is selfless - not selfish! What is GOOD -verses- What is BEST!
What is the process of your decision making? Are you consumed totally with you? Others? With who?
What motivates you in making decisions? Fame - Finances - Family approval OR Faith in Jesus!
One writer stated
The bitterest sorrow a man can know is to aspire to do much and achieve little - NOT SO!
The bitterest sorrow a man can know is to aspire to do much and to do it - only to realize that it was not worth doing.
III. Your purpose in LIFE will determine - How you deal with others.
[27,28] In whatever happens - conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel
How do you deal with others? Are you other sensitive?
I counted dollars while God counted crosses - I counted gains while HE counted losses author
I counted my worth by things kept in store - He sized me up by the scars I had bore unknown
I counted honors and sought degrees - But HE wept as HE counted the hours on my knees
I never knew until one day by the grave - How vain are the things that we spend our lives to save.
You mean so much to Our Loving GOD!
The Irony is this - You have to die to self! You have to give up you!
Bottom Line - You need an encounter with GOD!
Whether you are a seeker or a current follower What is your decision?
More thoughts on Purpose
I. Discover your purpose for existence.
Be fresh and flexible with your style - but be FAITHFUL - never alter the substance.
Why were we created? Why was I placed here on the planet?
II. Define your purpose. Great Command / Great Commission
Mt. 22:34-40 ; Mt. 28:18-20
Missions to Jesus was not an after thought - it was HIS only thought.
a. Love God - Passion to know and Love God Phil 3:10
Knowing must precede showing and going.
b. Make Disciples - be Pointed in the message you share. Preach JESUS!
c. Baptize - Plug others into fellowship. We are called to belong - not just believe.
d. Teach them - Emphasize the Process of Discipleship. * Jesus was with them!
III. Develop your purpose. Live it out
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