Purpose in Gods plan

1 In the beginning the Word already existed.

The Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

2 He existed in the beginning with God.

3 God created everything through him,

and nothing was created except through him.

4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,

and his life brought light to everyone.

5 The light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness can never extinguish it.

6 God sent a man, John the Baptist, 7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. 8 John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. 9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. [1]

What on does that mean?

Illustration

Dad was aircraft fitter – lots of memories of strange tools. Little boxes of weird implements - some of which he had made for particular jobs working on aeroplanes.

WHAT ARE THESE? – Selection of tools for congregation to identify.

All these have specific jobs.

Lots of people in the world who do not know why we live, why we are here. What is our real purpose? That we even have a purpose.

Some people believe their existence is a random happening, an accident of nature.

A chance result of a passionate (or not so ) moment.

And this commonly draws them to the conclusion that they are not worth very much.

Science would tell you that chemically / elementally you are worth approximately $4.50.

Question;

How do you know your true worth if you don’t know what you are for?

Watch Illustration. Driving along and there is a watch an baby in road. You will hit one but can swerve to miss one – you have to choose. Which one will you swerve to miss.

The watch is designed and built, it has a definite value and purpose.

Science would tell us humans are here by comic accident.

Yet we know that we would swerve to miss the baby NOT the watch.

Let me read to you

12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. [2]

The bible has a completely different view on who we are as human beings. It explains how we all have a purpose and why we are here in the first place. It lifts us higher, much higher, than a random happening or accident of nature.

Identity is a massive issue in the world today.

Men and women are searching for their true identity.

Now in its 16th series - The BBC programme ‘Who do you think you are’ is watched by millions and has been copied in almost every country in the world. It is that popular.

But it is a programme that tells a person a bit of their history and however interesting that may be it cannot tell them why they are here and what they are to do while they are here.

The bible does.

I want to highlight 3 things from the beginning verses of John’s gospel that reveal how much God values you.

1) We are not alone.

Loneliness is prevalent in epidemic proportion

· An estimated 1 million people over 65 who are always lonely

· half of all older people (about 5 million) say the television is their main company

· 17% of older people are in contact with family, friends and neighbours less than once a week and 11% are in contact less than once a month

· 36% of people aged 65 and over in the UK feel out of touch with the pace of modern life and 9% say they feel cut off from society.[3]

V4 …4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,

and his life brought light to everyone.[4]

2) He has spoken

v6 God sent John the Baptist to tell everyone about the light…

He continues to speak through his word the bible but also through the work of the spirit, and even through our very lives. Creation itself tells of God’s wonders.

3) He reveals who He is.

14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.[5]

All this reveals who we are, our identity.

“But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, he gave the right to become children of God. V 12

We can all be children of God.

10

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

When you think about the love of God and to think that there is this almighty being sat on His throne right now with lightening, thunder & fire and millions of angels worshipping Him. And the thought of Him, that God sending his son to die on a cross for us….we’ve heard the story so much it can become…common.

(I hope it never does) but it can become that way. When you think about it that is amazing!

To think that God Almighty went through that for me. My response to that should never be Oh well I’ll go to church and give 10% of my income and try not to swear too much.

It doesn’t make sense. Our response should be an intense, sacrificial love back to him.

When God is described in the bible he is NOT this cuddly little being I can stick in my pocket and pull out when I want him.

God is a holy, holy God. I am dependant on him for every breath.

He determines my life this day.

This is the God of the universe and the bible says the fear/respect of him is the beginning of wisdom.

Sometimes the gospel is preached and the way it is sometimes put across is…if you come to Jesus he will give you this and that. You can have this or you can have that.

But my understanding of the gospel spelled out in scripture is….I will follow Jesus even if….. even if I lose everything I’m going to keep following him because he is worth it. He’s a treasure so great. No matter what happens. If I lose everything I will still following him. He is that great.

You may be sat there today thinking well I’m doing quite well, I got some money, my family, some nice things, I don’t really need Jesus right now. Or you may be sat there thinking the opposite – ‘everything in my life has not gone how I wanted’ why should I turn to God?

The bible tells us life, here is a vapour in the light of eternity.

Jesus invited people to come follow him but he didn’t cheapen it by offering freebies or begging people. In fact he said, come follow me but it may be something that divides your friendships or even your family and we may not have anywhere to sleep tonight. Take up your cross and follow me.

But people knew he was the real deal and so they followed him. And the bible says, He is the same yesterday, today & tomorrow. He has not changed. He is still the risen, son of God. The one who hung on the cross for my sin and your sin. The one who was dead for 3 days and then was resurrected. The one who told his disciples, “All authority has been given to me..”

This is the same Jesus who is speaking to your spirit right now. He wants you to know that you are not a random accident. You can know your purpose. You can have all your sin forgiven, dealt with and washed away. And you can know him.

The great designer, beginning and end, Alpha & Omega. The Good Shepherd. The Lord of Life.

[1] Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2013), .

[2] Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2013), .

[3] http://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org.uk/information-on-loneliness/loneliness-research/

[4] Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2013), .

[5] Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2013), .