Focus is Purpose

Introduction

Do you know what you were born to do? Do you know what youre passionate about? As I consider this particular group I’m blessed to minister to this week, when I ask you all these questions there are two responses I get generally: One, is truly creative and imaginative, showing that this individual understands that there is no limit to what they can accomplish if they truly work hard and take the necessary steps to achieve it. The other response is that they have no passion or are unsure about what it is they’re supposed to do. Now, don’t you go judging them because it may be the friend youre sitting next to. It may be you. Purpose is a big word and means big things and can be intimidating when you don’t have that feeling.

*Explain ikagai

But what if I told you your entire purpose for being was to belong to someone? How would that make you feel? What if I promoted being the butler in the mansion over owning the mansion, or the team manager rather than the star player? What if I then told you that the role of the butler and the role of the team manager had access to all the rights and privileges of the owner of the house or the owner or captain of the team? Does it sound like that math is math’n correctly?

Focus: This text shows that those chosen by God for specific purposes may not need to receive the same blessings the same way as everyone else in order to experience the blessing of provision by God.

Function: This passage should encourage us to strive for whatever it is that God is calling us to do rather than looking at what someone else may have, focusing on the giftings and callings God lays our on our journey of godly living.

Big Idea: Our God-given purpose is all we need to be blessed.

The Inheritance

Inheritance (nachalah) נַחֲלָה - possession, or property

Distinction between an hand me down and inheritance:

Hand me down: Big bro or big sis have a shirt that they always wear and you like that shirt but they wont let you wear it, until one day they come to you and say “ Hey, I cant fit this anymore, you can have it.” Now it could be true that they can no longer fit the shirt, but some of us have some older siblings that give us stuff just because they don’t like it anymore.

An inheritance is a bit different.

1. Biological Inheritance:

Genetic Transmission: Inheritance, in the context of genetics, refers to the passing down of genetic information (DNA) from parents to offspring. This ensures the continuity of species and the propagation of variations that drive evolution. 

Trait Transmission: Inheritance explains how traits like eye color, height, and susceptibility to certain diseases are passed down within families. 

Evolutionary Importance: Genetic inheritance is essential for the survival and adaptation of species over time. Variations introduced through inheritance allow populations to better adapt to changing environments. 

2. Social Inheritance:

Wealth and Status:. Inheritance of wealth and social status can significantly impact an individual's opportunities and life trajectory. 

Family Legacy: Inheritance also encompasses the passing down of values, beliefs, and cultural practices. 

Social Stratification: Inheritance plays a role in how wealth and power are distributed within society, influencing social class structure. 

An inheritance is not a “hand me down” in that it is a passive passing of insignificant things with no impact other than to offload from one person to another. An inheritance is a transfer of something significant in order to maintain its value and worth and impact. Inheritances are important.

Why did each tribe receive an inheritance?

The Levites

Why didn’t the Levites receive an inheritance?

Sometimes God’s withholding of a blessing of a thing is a reservation for a blessing of a responsibility. “You don’t need to have that because you are this.”

The chef at your favorite restaurant, the one youre planning on going to after your graduation or for your birthday, doesn’t get the blessing of having a table in the best spot of the restaurant. They’re busy with their responsibility of ensuring you have a good meal. But they do get the benefit of creating the flavors, being the first to taste the flavors, and receiving the compensation for their labor.

Being consecrated (set apart) doesn’t always bring general pleasures, but it does grant private privileges.

Daniel and the Hebrew boys (Hananiah Mishael, Azariah) eating a different diet than the Babylonian young men (Daniel 1)

God as our inheritance

Eternal Life: Christians inherit eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. 

The Kingdom: The Bible speaks of inheriting the kingdom of God, both as a present reality and as an ultimate destiny. 

Spiritual Blessings: Believers receive spiritual blessings like forgiveness of sins, adoption into God's family, and being filled with the Holy Spirit. 

Imperishable Inheritance: 1 Peter 1:3-12 describes the inheritance as imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven.