The Breastplate of Righteousness pt. 5

Protecting the Lungs- Purpose

The Breastplate doesn’t just protect your heart…it also protects your lungs.

What do your lungs represent?

Life and purpose

Genesis 2:7 “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”

Job 33:4 “The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”

John 20:22 “And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Ezekiel 37:1–14 NKJV

The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.” Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.” ’ ” So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them. Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” ’ ” So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army. Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’ Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,” says the Lord.’ ”

Isaiah 55:11 “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”

John 19:30 “So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”

Luke 23:46 “And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.”

He didn’t breathe His last until everything He came to do was complete.

Everyone has purpose.

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Sometimes we lose sight of our purpose and we get off track.

Once upon a time the government had a vast scrap yard in the middle of a desert. Congress said, “Someone may steal from it at night.” So they created a night watchman position and hired a person for the job.

Then congress said, “How can the watchman do his job without instruction?” So they created a planning department and hired two people: one to write the instructions, and one to do the studies.

Then Congress said, “How will we know the night watchman is doing his job correctly?” So they created a Quality Control department and hired two people: one to do the studies and one to write the reports.

Then Congress said, “How are these people going to get paid?” So they created the following positions: a timekeeper, and a payroll officer, then hired two people to fill the positions.

Then Congress said, “Who will be accountable for all of these people?” So they created an administrative section and hired three people: An Administrative Officer, Assistant Administrative Officer, and a Legal Secretary.

Then Congress said, “We have had this command in operation for one year and we are $18,000 over budget, we must cut back on overall cost.” So they laid off the night watchman.

Saul- Thought he was serving God, but he was persecuting God’s people and thus hurting Jesus.

John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

The enemy wants to steal your purpose.

If you are in a depression…you’ve lost sight of your purpose.

If you are escaping into anything other than Jesus…you have lost sight of your purpose.

If you are living in your feelings and letting your flesh rule…you have lost sight of your purpose.

If you are focused on your pleasure…your rights…what other people are not doing for you…you have lost sight of your purpose.

Study- People who know their purpose and are aware of that purpose in a specific situation are much more calm in a crisis.

So what is your purpose?

We all have some of the same purpose, but each one of us has a specific purpose that is attached to our life and our life only.

Romans 12:2- Renew your mind

Matthew 6:33- Seek the Kingdom of Heaven and the righteousness of Jesus above all things.

1 Thessalonians 5:18- Give thanks in all situations.

2 Peter 1:3 - Use what God has given us to live a holy and godly life.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

Your unique purpose will be found in your pain.

Joseph

David

Your purpose revolves around 3 things:

The Great Commission- Sharing the gospel in the way only you can do it (personality, etc)

Your gifts

Your experiences