Purposed Living

Introduction:

Illustration:

Have you ever ready a book that absolutely captivated you? The story line was beyond intriguing; the characters, amazing; the ending, incredible. It quickly became a book that you couldn’t put down.

Over the last several days, I have been reading an autobiography where the author recounted he and his friends challenge filled, yet rewarding lives. When they were about 13 years old, the author and his three friends were kidnapped and taken over 500 miles away from the home that was so mercilessly destroyed. Their captors eliminate these young boys past from their hearts and their minds by changing their names, forcing them into a new society and culture, trying to change their religion, all while enticing them with the best they had to offer.

But through the years, these boys, who grew to be men while captive, never forgot who they were or where they came from. As a result, they often found themselves facing serious challenges that were matters of life and death. But each challenge left their captors more astounded at how they survived and the boys more determined to never forget who they were. In the end, we find the captors were more influenced by the captives than the captives were by their captors.

In the end, we find the captors were more influenced by the captives than the captives by the captors.

Transition: I love reading stories like this! They are exciting, motivating, and challenging. And if you haven’t already figured it out, the title of this autobiography, which is also the name of the author, is Daniel.

Turn with me this morning to and look with me this morning at verse 8 as we begin.

READ

1. Purpose to be Pure ()

2. Purpose to Trust ()

3. Purpose to Worship ()

4. Purpose to be Faithful ()