Living on purpose
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Living on purpose
CAP
ever heard of YOLO a few years back. went round with yp.
YOLO!
usually an excuse for youth to do something stupid. Drink 7 red bulls Geff! YOLO!
But could also say YOLO so lets make the most of our lives. lets make a difference...
But what difference can our lives make on this earth? What impact do our lives make?
And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of his father, and in his sin by which he had made Israel sin.
listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned!
Then Ezra praised the Lord, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
I’ve only picked a few egs here but the OT makes it v clear repeatedly that when a godly leader is in charge of Israel, the ppl of Israel live in a godly way, but when an ungodly leader is in charge the nation becomes sinful and turns away from God. As the leader goes so do the ppl.
Easy to think I’m just running a leadership session here. BUT! in the words of leif erikson
“We are all leaders-whether we want to be or not. There is always someone we are influencing-either leading them to good-or away from good.”
When? as ppl observe us and take their cues from us./ when they hear our words/ tone of voice/ smile/ There are so many ppl who look up 2us whether we know it or not. Our lives influence those around us more than we can possibly imagine. God has given us all a purpose on this planet. A role to advance his kingdom.
I said something like this in a meeting years ago and someone came up to me after and said “I barely see many ppl in the day so I fail to see how my life can much of an impact. But it matters not whether you are on stage or only seeing a few people a week - the impact we can have is eternal.
I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.
Timothy in charge of the early church at Ephesus was a giant of the faith and achieved loads. But his faith only started cos it came thru his grandmother & mum. STORY my parents not Cs GMA a C. the influence relatives have in families is far greater than what we are aware of.
and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,
God has a crucial plan and role for everyone’s life no matter how small/ insignificant it may feel right now. We need to look at life thru eternal lenses and see God’s big picture. One small change to the rudder on a ship can bring a huge change to the direction it travels.
Everyone’s life is important/ vital in achieving God’s ultimate goal - to see KoH established here. There are ppls lives we are influencing right now that will change eternity.
So, when a godly person is having an impact, things change. Ppl are changed. Their hearts are turned more to Jesus. This is the impact. And the opposite is true if ungodly ppl lead or ungodly ppl influence others. But there’s another verse in Bible which is more stark. It comes in Judges. This is after Israel has been following the godly leader Moses and therefore walking with God. Them the godly leader Joshua took over and Israel continued with righteous lifestyles. Devoted to God. Then...
Judges 2:7–8 (NLT)
And the Israelites served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and the leaders who outlived him—those who had seen all the great things the Lord had done for Israel.
Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of 110.
Judges 2:10–11 (NKJV)
When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel.
Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served the Baals;
When there is no godly voice, no influence who KNOWS God (in the Hebrew that means experiencing him) then ppl turn away from God. An absence of godly leadership, an absence of a Godly example, of a righteous role model will cause ppl to turn away from God. But this word know is important as it brings us back full circle to the 1st preach in the love of God series we started. God wants us to know His incredible love for us. Believe how much He passionately loves us. so much that jesus died for us on the cross to bring us f from our sin, to bring full and enjoyable r with God. Knowing God doesn’t just mean head knowledge, it means know God experientially. Enjoy his spirit/ love/ grace/ hear his voice. in 1 John 4 we are told that it is by experiencing God’s wonderful love for us that we can go out and love others. It is by abiding in Jesus’ love for us that we are fuelled up to make a difference with our lives, to fill the world with God’s presence.
We can all make such a huge difference in this world with the love & power of God residing inside of us. We have a purpose to achieve whilst on this planet
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
We are called to shine for Jesus in a dark world. As we do we make an influence on those around us. We bring KoH to earth.
So let us be bold. People must see us as different if we are to make a difference. I don’t mean plain weird. But we are called to live differently than the world around us.
PUB STORY… person saved
ALLIANCE STORY.... several became v interested in c’y, 2 came to church with me.
Our godly lifestyle infused & empowered with the love & power of God turns hearts to Jesus. In 1 Peter 3 Peter calls all spouses who are married to unbelievers to win them over with lifestyle. Our lifestyles are that powerful.
But they are not all we are to use.
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Ppl still need to hear the good news of Jesus. They still need to be made aware of the gospel. That there is a God of love who desires to break in to our worlds and bring healing, f, freedom, hope. Its v good idea to write down your testimony/ reason for being a C and then pray for opportunities to share your story.
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
So let us live on the front-foot. dwell in God’s love and see others with his love. let us live bold. let us live seeking to make a difference. Living life on purpose.
God desires to have a close, eternal r with every single person on the planet. An immensely enjoyable r whereby we come to enjoy His glorious love everyday. Jesus loves us completely. He desired that r with us so much that He came to this planet and died instead of us that we may have our sins forgiven. Wiped clean. And he was raised to life to make us right with God. To give us peace with God. It is by placing our faith in Jesus that we are made right with God. And so, today is a day to make an extremely important decision.
In a moment I am going to pray and you may find yourself in one of the following three categories. Can I have every head bowed please.
1. You don’t know Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. You have never had a r with Him and would like to make the decision to follow Him today. To receive forgiveness and begin a r with Him.
2. You have walked with Jesus but of late other things have got in the way and you would like to re-connect with Him today. You would like to enjoy God’s love to a measure that you have not experienced for awhile - or maybe at all.
3. You’re not sure of your salvation. You’re not sure that at the end of your life you will be with Jesus and you desire the certainty that Jesus offers.
If you relate to any of those 3 then please pray along with me now, repeating these words out of your own heart.
Lord Jesus, I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I ask You to forgive me for all my wrongdoing, and receive me as Your child. I commit my life to You now. I ask you to fill me afresh with your unconditional love. Amen
With every head still bowed could I ask you to raise your hand if you prayed that prayer?
Pause
Anybody else?
PAUSE – pray for these ppl to receive God’s peace and presence
Thank you Lord for you all incredible love that you have showed us. Pour out your presence. thank you that for everyone today who raised their hands have entered into a most wonderful relationship with you and can be assured of their salvation.
MIN: - WoK 3 ppl suffering often with migraines.
17 ppl here suffering with back pain
4 ppl suffering from regular panic attacks.