Ghana Teaching - Understanding Your Purpose: Called, Formed, and Sent by God

Purpose Begins With God

Today we are talking about purpose. Many people search for purpose by looking inward. They search their talents, their passions, their dreams, or their emotions. Others search for purpose in success, influence, or comfort. But Scripture teaches something very different. Purpose does not begin with us. Purpose begins with God.

Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you. Before you were born I set you apart.” Ephesians 1:11 says that God works all things according to the counsel of His will.

This is where purpose begins. Not in your ambition, but in God’s intention. You do not create your purpose. You discover it. And the One who gives purpose is the One who formed you, chose you, and called you.

In Ghana, people talk a lot about destiny and calling. That is good. But today we anchor those ideas in Scripture. Your purpose is not random. It is not a guess. It is not chance. It is rooted in the mind of God.

Let us walk through how God reveals purpose and how you can walk in it.

2. Identity Comes Before Purpose

If you do not know who you are in Christ, you will never understand what you are called to do. Identity always comes before assignment.

2.1 You are chosen and known by God

First Peter 2:9 says, “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people.” Ephesians 2:10 says, “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.”

Identity first. Purpose second.

God never begins with your abilities. He begins with your identity. If you think purpose is about talent or opportunity, you will chase the wrong things. You will compare yourself to others. You will measure your value by your gift instead of your identity.

You are chosen. You are created with intention. You are set apart. And your purpose flows from this reality.

2.2 God uses your story, gifts, and personality

Romans 12 teaches that we all have different gifts according to the grace given to us.

This means that nothing in your story is wasted. Your background, your struggles, your victories, your pain, and your experiences have shaped you for the purpose God has prepared.

You are not an accident. Your story is not random. God weaves all of it together to prepare you for your calling.

3. Purpose Is Rooted in the Great Commandment and Great Commission

Many people want to know the specific details of their purpose, but they ignore the clear foundation God has already given.

3.1 Love God and love people

In Matthew 22 Jesus says the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. The second is to love your neighbor as yourself.

Purpose always flows from love. If you do not love God, you cannot fulfill your purpose. If you do not love people, you cannot fulfill your purpose. Every calling God gives is rooted in love for Him and love for others.

3.2 Make disciples

In Matthew 28 Jesus gives the mission for every believer: “Go and make disciples.” In Acts 1:8 He says the Spirit will empower you to be His witnesses.

Your unique purpose has shape and flavor, but your foundation is the same as every believer. You are called to make disciples. You are called to advance the kingdom. You are called to bring others into the life you have found in Jesus.

Purpose is not something only pastors have. Every believer has a mission.

4. Purpose Requires Surrender

Many people want to discover purpose, but they do not want to surrender. God reveals purpose to surrendered hearts, not striving hearts.

4.1 God reveals purpose through surrender

Romans 12:1 to 2 says to present your body as a living sacrifice and to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will discern the will of God.

Purpose becomes clear when self is laid down.

Psalm 37:4 to 5 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” This does not mean He gives you whatever you want. It means He shapes your desires so that what He wants becomes what you want.

4.2 God guides step by step

Proverbs 3:5 to 6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”

God rarely shows the full picture. He gives steps, not blueprints. He gives direction, not detail. He asks for trust, not control.

Your purpose unfolds as you walk with Him.

5. Obstacles to Purpose

There are things that will try to pull you away from your divine calling.

5.1 Fear

Second Timothy 1:7 says God has not given you a spirit of fear.

Fear of failure, fear of people, fear of not being enough, fear of the unknown. Fear kills purpose. You must confront fear with faith.

5.2 Comparison

Galatians 6:4 warns us to examine our own work and not compare ourselves with others.

Comparison is a thief. It steals joy. It steals confidence. It steals calling. God did not make you to be someone else. He made you to reflect His glory in your own way.

5.3 Sin and compromise

Hebrews 12:1 tells us to lay aside every weight and the sin that clings closely.

Sin will always weaken your sense of purpose. Compromise will always cloud your calling. Holiness sharpens direction.

6. Purpose Is Fulfilled Through Faithfulness

Purpose is not fulfilled through talent, popularity, or opportunity. It is fulfilled through faithfulness.

6.1 Fruit grows from faithfulness, not fame

Luke 16:10 says, “He who is faithful in the little will be faithful in much.”

Faithfulness in small assignments prepares you for greater ones. If you cannot serve in private, God will not trust you in public.

6.2 God rewards obedience

Colossians 3:23 to 24 says to work with all your heart because you serve the Lord Christ, and He will reward you.

God sees what people do not. He rewards what people overlook. Purpose grows through consistent obedience.

7. Invitation and Ministry Time

Let us respond.

What has God been forming in your heart? What fears are holding you back? What sins are weighing you down? Are you willing to surrender your future to the One who created you? Are you ready to walk in obedience step by step?

Pray:

“Lord, I surrender my life, my future, and my desires to You. Reveal Your purpose to me. Shape my heart, guide my steps, and empower me to fulfill what You created me to do. I trust You. Lead me in Your will and use my life for Your glory. In Jesus name, amen.”