According to His Purpose

Introduction to Series:

One of the most astounding discoveries I have encountered in the Word of God is this matter of purpose.

There came a point in my life upon reading and studying the Word of God, when the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to the truth that was already there.

And why did I not know this before, I was saved—- I had repented of my sin and by faith trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ.

And I will tell you, because I had not sought His will.

The Bible says in Philippians 2:13 “13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

I began to see this recorded in His Word on every page that there is a purpose.

There is His purpose and my purpose is bound up in His purpose.

I am convinced in fact that most Christians today have not truly settled the matter of their purpose in this world.

And for this reason, God’s people are spending their lives moving from one thing to the next—spending the precious commodity of time and of life that God has given without any understanding of what is and what will be.

I could illustrate it simply this morning by asking you to consider:

Why did you come to the house of the Lord this morning?

As you consider that question, I am sure you would agree if I were to ask for individual answers, I am sure we would find a multitude of answers.

The answer to that question is bound to the purpose of your life.

Do you want to know what the trajectory of your life will be?

It will be in the direction of what you determine the purpose of you life is.

Do you want to know what will be the sum total of what your life will be about?

Well tell me what Is your purpose?

What about when I get up and go to work on Monday morning, to what purpose am I going to work?

One preacher whom I greatly admire said this, “The will of God [or we might say the purpose of God] settles everything else in life. When you know it is God’s will, it settles what you get paid, it settles where you live, it settles you worries about where you are going to take your kids to a doctor or hospital, it settles the concerns you have about your neighbors.” (Sexton)

Our understanding of this is so important, that it is the major subject of the entire Bible.

God not only expresses His purpose, in doing so He defines for us our purpose as well.

It could be summarized in three words: The Lord Jesus Christ.

I like to begin this morning by introducing this series, “For A Purpose” by beginning with God and His purpose.

Let’s begin by reading this passage in 2 Timothy,

2 Timothy 1:8–11 “8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.”

If I could put a title to this message, it would be found in the very language that God uses in verse 7, “According to His Own Purpose.”

Would you pray with me?

Let’s Pray.

Amen.

You may be seated.

It is a shame today that so many of our young people have been indoctrinated with the lie of Satan, that there is no purpose in this life other than the whims of the flesh and consequently no God.

As a matter of fact the very foundation of evolution comes with high price tag of no purpose and no god.

Because of this the masses of people all over this world drift through life chasing whatever object or dream is posted on social media.

I am amazed at how easily people are swayed and turned.

As Paul stated they are walking “according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:” —- the drumbeat of a fallen world—- a world separated from God because of sin—- the drumbeat from the fallen one Satan Himself.

But for the Christian, the one who has repented of their sin and trusted in Christ it should be different.

There is a context to life that God reveals to us and it begins with God Himself.

Without the Lord Jesus Christ nothing in this life makes sense.

Without God and His Word, there is nothing but the lie of evolution and an empty life with death awaiting us at the end—

My friend the blessedness of knowing the Creator reveals to you and I our purpose.

God’s purpose is etched all over the Word of God. When we come to understand this truth, everything else in life becomes plain.

I would like to give you one basic truth and three statements concerning that truth.

Now tonight, in speaking to you all and the graduates I will speak about Your purpose, but in order for you and I to rightly understand that, we must begin with God’s purpose.

First, would you notice in verse number 9

The Bible says, “9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”

Let us realize this morning first that:

I. God’s Purpose Is His Own

The Bible begins with the expression, “In the beginning God…”

A. It Is Eternal

B. It Is Unstoppable

Isaiah 14:26–27 “26 This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: And this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations. 27 For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? And his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?”

Isaiah 46:9–10 “9 Remember the former things of old: For I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times the things that are not yet done, Saying, My counsel shall stand, And I will do all my pleasure:”

Ephesians 1:11 “11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:”

C. It Is In Christ Jesus

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter One: Christians Courageous! (2 Timothy 1)

We are part of a great eternal plan that God determined “before the world began.” God knows the end from the beginning. He has purposes for His people to accomplish for His glory. Suffering is a part of His plan. Jesus Christ suffered in the will of God here on earth, and all those who trust in Him will also suffer.

If God permits us to suffer, after giving us such a wonderful salvation, what right have we to complain or quit! “God has a purpose in mind,” Paul advised. “Let Him work out that purpose.”

Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1992), 643.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter One: Christians Courageous! (2 Timothy 1)

It is His purposes that we are to fulfill; and if these purposes include suffering, then we can accept it by faith and know that God’s will is best. This is not fatalism. It is confidence in the wise plan of our gracious Heavenly Father.