Living A Life On Purpose
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 1,834 viewsNotes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Introduction
Introduction
Its a new year. How many of you try to set goals for the new year? Now that we are 11 days into the year, How many would be honest and say you have already lost track?
I love this time of new because it is a time to reset, a time where you can have a fresh start. I found this little poem about a new year.
I am the New Year. I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.
I am your next chance at the art of living. I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months.
All that you sought and didn’t find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it but with more determination.
All the good that you tried for and didn’t achieve is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires.
All that you dreamed but didn’t dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have—these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose.
I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance to Him who said, “Behold, I make all things new.”
Tonight, you may be seeking a deeper new years resolutions than simply saving money or losing weight. Tonight may find you asking questions like why am I here? What is my purpose? If you are asking those questions, you are not a lone. Some people seem to wander through life not really having a purpose or dreams. You know what kind of people I mean. Those that just go from one meaningless job to the next, with no drive or hope that things will get better. This is what our world is like. There are many in our world even today that live hopeless lives.
But that is not or should not be the life of the believer. We have hope and we have purpose. That is God’s plan for His people: to live a life on purpose. We are not here by accident, we didn’t miss our generation. People often say they wish to have lived in a different time or generation.
But May I remind you of the word spoken to Esther.
For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
You are living in 2023 for a purpose. You are not even here tonight by accident. God has you here at this time for a reason. God has a purpose for you. This time of year is a great time to check God’s purpose for your life and get back on track if you have left it along the way.
For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
This is a profound statement about David. He served his own generation by the will of God. Many times we look back at generations behind us and want to fix their mistakes, but we cannot change them. We think ahead to the generations after and as if we can effect their course. Although our impacted may effect them, when the time comes they will have to make their own choices. We have to serve our generation here and now by the will of God.
One thing God can ask of us, that is to do what He tells to do and live our lives on purpose for Him. But what is that purpose? How do we know, and do we have examples? Well, God gives each of us a specific purpose like being a missionary to Uganda like we heard from last week, or a Pastor, or teacher, or whatever specific purpose God has given to you. But there are purposes that God gives to every believer. And He has given us examples in His Word. So tonight, I would like to look at four purposes God has for every believer and four example of these from the Word of God. These are familiar to you, but each of them lived their lives on purpose. Because of that God used them to make a great impact.
Purpose to be Sanctified
Purpose to be Sanctified
Daniel 1:8
Daniel and His three friends had a purpose to be sanctified before God. They chose to be different from the Babylonian way of life that was displeasing to God.
Most of us are familiar with the story of Daniel. He was living as a young man in Israel. Happy in his homeland when all of a sudden he is pulled from his home and from his family. He is brought to the palace of Nebuchadnezzar. Where He was being forced to strip himself of his entire identity. Nebuchadnezzar brought these young men in to train them to be Babylonian and brain wash them into being the spokesmen to the people of Israel. But they were told to forget everything they know of homes, their families, and their God. All while embracing the Babylonian gods and way of life. Daniel and his friends refused.
Daniel had a purpose to not defiled. He choose not to displease his God.
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Daniel knew that drinking the wine offered to false gods, and meat that was against God’s Law. He Knew that he was doing more than simply drinking and eating. He was forgetting his God and becoming just like everyone else around him. Daniel had a purpose to be different. Daniel wouldn’t just give in to the sins against his God. He wouldn’t just go with the flow, or do it just because everyone else will think he is cool. He didn’t care if someone thought he is weird or a Bible thumper. He said I will not be defiled and I will please my God.
Our world sure seems to be changing fast. Even just 10 years ago it was unheard of to hear some of the sins that are not only in the open. But we are told to except them as just the way of life now. Times have changed, America has changed from what it once was.
French writer Alexis de Tocqueville, after visiting America in 1831, said “I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests—and it was not there. I sought for it in her rich mines, her vast world commerce, her public school system, and in her institutions of higher learning— and it was not there. I looked for it in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution—and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great!”
Every day believers must make the same choice that Daniel made. Are we going to along, keeping our heads down to not stand out in the crowd.
Or do we stand up like Daniel and say I will not defile myself! We are told over and over in the Word of God to be set apart. To be different, not to just be weird but to live a holy live before a Holy and righteous God.
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
And the list could go on. It would be easy to just be like everyone else, to have the motto of the world to look out for number, “me, myself, and I.” To be give in to every kind of sin and pleasure this world has to offer. Daniel had a purpose to be sanctified. What about you?
Purpose to Study
Purpose to Study
Ezra purposed to study, and to teach God’s Word. Ezra lived around the time that Isreal was returning back to their homeland out of captivity. Ezra was a great man of God. He was used of God to bring reform to His people who had returned from captivity to rebuild the temple and walls of Jerusalem. Ezra used the Word of God to bring revival to the heart of the people.
While the people had been away for 70 years many had forgot the ways of the Lord. While there was some excitement about rebuilding and returning home. It wasn’t long before the people had gone back into the ways of their captors and the sinfulness of their own hearts.
Ezra came back and led reform and revivals. Ezra and Nehemiah gathered the people together after the walls were finished. For 7 days, from day break until noon the people stood and heard the Word of God being presented and preached from by Ezra. From that the nation of Israel turned back to God.
You may be thinking, how did one man lead an retire nation to turn its course and come back to God in a revival? The key is found in this verse.
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
Ezra’s purpose was to seek the Word of God and to do it. Ezra led great revivals and helped turn a nation, not because have his greatness but by the Word of God.
You want help for the problems that life throw at you in 2022, or that might come your way in 2023? Do what Ezra did. Purpose to seek God’s Word and to do it.
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Pastor studies and studies, and he get behind this pulpit week in and week out, and he opens the word of God and pours out God’s word before us. Yet, there are some that hear the Word of God being poured out and do nothing with it. James has be ye doers of the Word and not hears only.
I had a college professor in a pastoral class say, “Your sermon is never finished until the people of the church you are leading do what God is speaking of them.”
Why is it so important to act on what you hear or read from the Word of God? Because there is power in God’s Word.
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Daniel purposed to be sanctified, Ezra purposed to study God’s word.
Purpose to Stay
Purpose to Stay
Paul had a purpose to continue serving God with his life. No matter what life throw at Paul, he was going to live a life of purpose in service to his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and to be faithful to Him.
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul is arguably one of the greatest men in service to God. He stood before kings, and great crowds of people and preached the gospel of Jesus. But Paul didn’t just serve God when it was convenient of him to do so. He kept serving God even when most men would have even up or said “God must not be in this place because its too hard.”
Paul speaks of this to the church at Corinth in his second letter to them.
Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
Paul knew what it was like to face tails. But Paul remained faithful. He didn’t just give up when got hard. He pressed towards the mark. And at the end of his life he was able to write to Timothy.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
We have had the privilege of the religious freedom in America today. But some walk away from the Lord through things like a death of a loved one, or a hurtful word spoken from a fellow believer.
Many things may come in our path of life. Many people may mock us, call us crazy, or even doubt we are capable. But God is faithful and worth a life of service. Why? Because He died for us.
For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
This leads to our last purpose tonight.
Purpose to Show
Purpose to Show
Jesus came to live among us and came to show us how to live a life that is meaningful and on purpose. Jesus truly is our greatest example of living a life of purpose. We often say, we can never live up to the life of Christ. And that is true. But that doesn’t mean we don’t strive to be more like Him everyday. Jesus always knew His purpose was. Even when He was just 12 years old He says this when Mary finds Him in the temple. After they had left Him in Jerusalem.
And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
All through Jesus’ ministry He shows us how to live in the power of God and a live of purpose. Never forgetting that He was here to do the will of God.
Just before He healed a blind man He says this
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
Everywhere you look in the life of Jesus, He reflex a life of purpose.
We are here now to continue to reflex the example that Christ left for us. Your Testimony matters. When you reflex a godly lifestyle people see Christ in you. But when you don’t and people that know you to be a Christian they think your a hypocrite.
A Sunday school teacher was endeavoring to impress upon a class of boys the importance of living the Christian life. “Why do people call me a Christian?” the man asked.
After a moment’s pause, one youngster said, “Maybe it’s because they don’t know you.”
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
That doesn’t mean we are to live perfect lives. But we should strive to reflex and live like Christ.
Salvation changes lives. You should look and act different than you did before salvation, and different than the world around us.
When native converts of the island of Madagascar used to present themselves for baptism, it was often asked of them, “What first led you to think of becoming Christians?” The answer usually was that the changed conduct of others who had become Christians was what first arrested their attention.
“I knew this man to be a thief; that one was a drunkard; another was very cruel and unkind to his family. Now they are all changed. The thief is an honest man; the drunkard is sober and respectable; and the other is gentle and kind in his home. There must be something in a religion that can work such changes.” The converts would say.
Does your life show others the way to Christ? Or is there not difference?
Just as God gave Jesus a work to do, God has given us a work to do.
Jesus says this in His prayer for the disciples.
I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
Later in His prayer He prays for there work.
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Jesus came to show us as believers the example of living a life please that is please to God. But Jesus came with a purpose to show man the way of reconciliation to God. He came that men may know God and fellowship with Him once again.
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
You see man was created to have fellowship with God. Adam and Eve in the garden were able to walk and talk with God. But then came the temptation from Satan and the disobedience of man. And man knew that moment that they had sinned against God and they were ashamed to stand before Him.
And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.
Romans tells us that because of sin the fellow with God was broken and that sin was passed down to everyone born of man.
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
The consequence of our sin was separation from God forever. The first part of Romans 6:23 tell us that our payment for sin is death, is that separation from God. But How could this fellowship ever be restored?
We can’t do it on our own. He gave us Jesus.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Tonight, if you have ever accepted that gift from God you are not here by accident. He wants to restore fellowship with you and give you a home in heaven. But that is only through the purpose that Jesus came.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Will you come tonight and accept that gift? And Christian are you living a life of purpose? Here are four purposes to strive for in 2023. Why don’t you come and commit those to God tonight?