Heroes on purpose
Life on Purpose;
OS: 1 Heroes…lived with purpose…
Living with purpose has become a buzz word over the last decade within the myriad of self-help psychology in our culture. I've dedicated my life to assisting others to live true to their own life purpose. "Clarity of Purpose" can give you the courage to live an unconventional life -- a joyful, satisfying, exuberantly alive, outrageously self expressed life -- a life on purpose. And in the process we'll be creating a World On Purpose. Sound interesting? (From: lifeonpurpose.com)
Complicated? (I like things simple – ex. Coffee shop “a cup of coffee” / Camel Lattis / )
TS] Today I want us to be reminded of our basic purpose, and how vital each individual is in accomplishing that purpose.
I. Life on Purpose is a good thing (One thing is better / Big toe specialist / Phil – One thing I do)
A. If you don’t know where you are going; when you get there you won’t know where you’re at.
B. Illu – Road clean up contrast: Prisoners in Orange suits slowly moving along with the church cleaning up Amity Hill road with smiles, and energy – same task, different motivational purposes.
II. 2 The Purpose of Life is to bring glory to God - not negotiable.
A. You don’t have to discover your purpose at all – it is clearly revealed.
1. 1 Corinthians 10:31, So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
2. Psalm 19:1, For the director of music. A psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
B. How do I know?
1. Because God made us for His glory
a. Psalm 100, A psalm. For giving thanks. Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
b. Romans 11:36, For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
c. :Revelation 4:11, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
d. God is the only being in all of existence who can be said to possess inherent glory. We don’t give it to Him; it is His by virtue of who He is.
2. Because Jesus lived with that one ultimate purpose –
a. John 17:4, I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.
TS] Your basic purpose is to bring God glory.
III. To live by this purpose is serious business.
A. How Serious? God judges those who do not give Him glory
1. John 8:50, I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge.
2. Exodus 32:26-30 / Numbers 20:6-12
3. Psalm 69:9, for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.
4. King Herod – Acts – Angel of God struck Him down (eaten by worms)
5. Romans 1:18-23 – “He gave them over”;
B. A hypocrite is one who deliberately tries to steal glory from God. He wants a little glory for himself.
1. Matthew 6:1, “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
TS] Your basic purpose is to serve God. It is a serious matter.
IV. God has made an investment, and God expects a return.
A. Purpose becomes unique only as you consider the “how”
1. God has invested talents, abilities, poured out blessings, etc.
2. Church = body, works of service, etc.
B. All that we do should be done to His glory and that demands excellence! (Col 3:23-24)
1. Here is the question: What is the “whatever”?
a. Work – Work as working for the Lord not for men.
b. Family – Father, Mother, Spouse, Grandparent, for the Lord.
c. Friend – For the Lord
d. Student – For the Lord.
e. Church – For the Lord – not church… (Ministries, etc.)
TS] Don’t underestimate how vital you are to this congregation being able to bring glory to God!
Examples:
Acts 10:7, When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants.
Note: if these three un-named people of the bible had not accomplished this seemingly small task things would have turned out quite differently. Peter, a highly respected leader of the Jewish Christians, needed to be on board if Gentile acceptance would be experienced among these Jewish Christians. Notice the result…
Acts 11:17-18, So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?” When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”
Acts 9:23-25, After many days had gone by, the Jews conspired to kill him, but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
Note: if these un-named disciples (followers of Saul/Paul) had not accomplished this seemingly small task things could have turned out quite differently.
In little more than 10 years Paul established the Church in four provinces of the Empire, Galatia, Macedonia, Achaia and Asia. Before A. D. 47 there were no churches in these provinces; in A.D. 57 Paul could speak as if his work there was done. Paul wrote 13 letters of the New Testament. But, Paul didn’t do this alone. Yes, he had God’s help, but much of that help came through these unsung heroes who supported, protected, prayed for, fed, and traveled with Paul. 3 (names of individuals of the NT)
For example: Romans 16
Romans 16:1-2, I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me.
Romans 16:3, Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus.
Romans 16:7, Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives who have been in prison with me.
Romans 16:13, Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.
Romans 16:22-23, I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord. Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings.
8 Never underestimate the power of the small – God has always specialized in the Mustard seed principle.
Don’t take self for granted.
Don’t take the service of others for granted.
Phil. 1 – Partners for the glory of God.
Changed lives bring glory to God, and that is what its all about – that is why we are a church in the people business. That is why we have a mission to go into all the world – So that our God whom we love with all our heart, soul, and strength receives the glory, honor, and praise that He so much deserves.
Start every day by reminding yourself that your purpose today is to bring Him glory by doing whatever you do with excellence, and going about His work with excellence.
“Will this bring Him glory?”