Living on Purpose 2
Living on Purpose #2
12/28/2002 and 12/29/2002
36 “For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep;………..” Acts 13:36 NIV
Proverbs 19
21 Many are the plans in a man’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 20
5 The purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters,
but a man of understanding draws them out.
-The greatest tragedy in life isn’t dying, it is living and not having a reason/purpose.
EXAMPLE: “Andrei Bitov, .., grew up under an atheistic Communist regime. But God got his attention one dreary day. He recalls, “In my twenty-seventh year, while riding in the metro in Leningrad I was overcome with despair so great that my life seemed to stop at once, preempting the future entirely, let alone any meaning. Suddenly, all by itself, a phrase appeared: Without God life makes no sense. Repeating it in astonishment, I rode the phrase up like a moving staircase, got out of the metro and walked into God’s light.”(Rick Warren)
-We must have a purpose.
-We have a purpose from God in eternity as well as in this life.
Ephesians 3
7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
-Your eternal purpose is to behold God and reflect Him.
-You are chosen as a vessel of His mercy to reveal to the universe forever, HOW GOOD HE IS.
-What is inside of God is reveal in His work in You.
-You have this treasure in an earthen vessel to show that the credit and the glory goes to Him and not to you.
-Sign me up. BUT WHAT ABOUT HERE? WHAT ABOUT NOW?
-Someone said “LIFE IS A TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT”.
-That is true. It is just part of our eternal purpose.
-Solomon was searching for the meaning of life. He summed it up in Ecclesiastes.
Ecclesiastes 12
12 Remember your Creator
in the days of your youth,
before the days of trouble come
and the years approach when you will say,
“I find no pleasure in them”—
2 before the sun and the light
and the moon and the stars grow dark,
and the clouds return after the rain;
3 when the keepers of the house tremble,
and the strong men stoop,
when the grinders cease because they are few,
and those looking through the windows grow dim;
4 when the doors to the street are closed
and the sound of grinding fades;
when men rise up at the sound of birds,
but all their songs grow faint;
5 when men are afraid of heights
and of dangers in the streets;
when the almond tree blossoms
and the grasshopper drags himself along
and desire no longer is stirred.
Then man goes to his eternal home
and mourners go about the streets.
6 Remember him—before the silver cord is severed,
or the golden bowl is broken;
before the pitcher is shattered at the spring,
or the wheel broken at the well,
7 and the dust returns to the ground it came from,
and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
8 “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. a
“Everything is meaningless!”
The Conclusion of the Matter
9 Not only was the Teacher wise, but also he imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. 10 The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.
11 The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one Shepherd. 12 Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.
Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.
13 Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.
-Your purpose is hidden in Christ with God.
-The key to your future is tied to Jesus and His family.
-I have been talking about the purposes of God for us as a family-as a church.
-Why are we here? Why do we get together?
-What is it that God has in mind for this section of the world and how do we fit into it?
-Your bulletin has a purpose statement.
The purpose of Faith Christian Fellowship of Warrenton is growth. We are to help believers grow up in Christ, Grow together in relationships, and grow out through evangelism.
-It also has what are called values. These are the key to our purpose as a church as well, I believe, as individuals.
-We looked at #1- EVERY BELIEVER SHOULD HAVE A PERSONAL (GROWING) RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
-Everyone of us are designed as individuals to walk with God and know Him as a friend.
-We looked at #2-EVERY BELIEVER SHOULD BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND EXPERIENCING THE POWER OF GOD.
-In other words, the only way to have a changed life that God is using to change other lives is to be relying on God’s power.
-We must learn to live beyond our ability and rely on God in our lives.
-This is in you relationship to Him, your relationship to others, your job, your ministry, your money and everything else.
-It includes the gifts of the Holy Spirit but it shouldn’t be limited to a particular manifestation. Your power is tied to and finds its source in God.
-Here is #3-FCF OF WARRENTON IS A FAMILY CHURCH-A PLACE WHERE CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND ADULTS ARE ALL IMPORTANT.
-I want to approach this from two directions.
-First, whatever age you are and whatever season of life you are in….you are important.
-We are famous as people for wanting to be something besides what we are.
-The old want to be young-the young want to be older, the married want to be single and the single want to be married.
-The 6th graders want to be youth and the youth want to be old enough to drive.
-We waste a lot of time wishing we were something else.
-By doing that, you miss the point.
-JOHN OSTEEN-NEW CAR EXAMPLE.
Acts 17:26
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.
-You’re here on purpose and you are here on time.
-John Brokaw wrote a book called The Greatest Generation.
-He wrote it about the WWII generation who fought in the war then rebuilt America as well as Europe and Japan.
-Why were they great? Because of the size of the challenge.
-Great leaders rise to great challenges.
-Churchill was known as one of the greatest leaders but he had one of the greatest challenges.
-The same is true for Abraham Lincoln.
-There has to be a reason.
-When David as a young man went to face his biggest challenge and giant, he needed a reason-a purpose.
1 Samuel 17-KJV
29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?
-Enjoy the season you are in. Stop wishing you were different and use what God has given you.
-I have a magazine called “HalfTime” –This is where it starts to get good.
-I find it hard to believe that I’m half way there. But I am thrilled about reaching baby boomers.
-There are millions of us. I’m not conceding to anybody yet…young or old.
-I’m still here! I’m a vital part of God’s plan until they close the box.
-Then it really starts to get good!
-SECOND- We need to see the value of ministering to all ages.
-We aren’t holding you over until the optimum time. This is the time for you to grow in God.
WHAT ABOUT CHILDREN?
Matthew 10
40"He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. 41Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. 42And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
-When I preached at this church in 1984 I then drove to Florida. On the way I listened to a series by Willie George on the value of kids’ ministry.
-It became a part of my life and focus.
-As a result of that we ended up with Becky as a children’s minister then others.
-We spent money on a trailer for more space. We put money in training and now full-time staff.
-We have invested in buses and a major commitment in bus ministry on Saturday night.
-We have great workers and a great commitment to ministering to kids.
READ INFO FROM DOBSON
-Our new building project includes the space for an indoor and outdoor playground-an expanded 5th and 6th club room as well as a multi-purpose youth children sanctuary seating just under 300 per service.
-In order to really change our world we need to focus on kids.
-We aren’t going to baby-sit them. We want to train them.
-We want to help you train them.
-Kids can love God too.
TESTIMONY (or video)
WHAT ABOUT YOUTH?
-When I was 11 years old I was saved.
-I went to school looking for a Christian.
-If I would have even had a Living Bible or something it would have been great.
-We are in the midst of a youth revival, in this church and in the world.
-God is touching the hearts of kids.
-I want to hear some testimonies of some kids who grew up strong in the Lord and who still are.
-We have a strong group of kids who can influence others.
-I expect it to only get bigger.
-All youth need is the same thing we all need: REALITY!
-God cares about youth.
-Serve your creator in the time of your youth.
TESTIMONY(or video)
-You aren’t too old to be used by God either.
-We are planning a special room in our new building where 55 and olders have a small group before service.
-Then for ½ hour before service it serves as a hospitality room for 55 and older.
-We are bringing special groups like the Martins February 8th to address different styles of music.
Psalm 92
12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
13 planted in the house of the Lord,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,
15 proclaiming, “The Lord is upright;
he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”
Psalm 71
17 Since my youth, O God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
18 Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, O God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your might to all who are to come.
-You are still important!
-I love Paul’s attitude. The only reason he stayed as long as he did was because he knew he was needed.
-THIRD- This is #4-EVERY BELIEVER HAS A MINISTRY OR A PLACE OF SERVICE.
-You have a place of service.
-You should be receiving and giving.
-We need you contribution and care.
-The youth should have a ministry-place to work.
-You will never be fulfilled just receiving.
-Find a place to work or you will never reach your potential.
GET A JOB!!
BE A WORKER!!
SACRIFICE FOR OTHERS!!
-My whole function as pastor is to prepare you to be a worker for the Lord.
-If you aren’t working, I’m failing!
Summary
1-YOU ARE IMPORTANT-WHATEVER SEASON YOU ARE IN
2-THIS CHURCH IS COMMITED TO MINISTERING TO YOU
3-THIS CHURCH IS COMMITED TO GETTING YOU TO SERVE