Our Purpose - Part 2

A Recap:

Dictionary Definition- the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.

Being & doing anything other than what we were created for (our purpose) will lead to feelings of hollowness & obsolescence.

Every choice you make takes you toward your purpose or away from your purpose.

Your life will move in the direction of your most dominant thought(s)

Every human being has a God-designed, God-given, God-empowered purpose (whether saved or unsaved)

The Ark Christian Church Has a Purpose

To the glory of God, we exist to serve by showing The Way!

To the glory of God, we exist to serve by showing The Way!

If God placed you in this church, your purpose is tied up with The Ark

Purpose≠Goal

If we mistake a goal for our purpose we will run out of reason to exist

Olympic medals cannot be our purpose

Family cannot be our purpose

Work cannot be our purpose

Finances cannot be our purpose

A goal can be accomplished. A purpose will take your lifetime to fulfil.

Living out the Purpose of The Ark

We are showing the way to those that don’t know Christ and to those still becoming like Him

This means that walking out the Purpose of "Showing The Way” will primarily happen outside of the context of a church gathering.

Our purpose will permeate everything that we do.

We show The Way in our daily life through our love, our character, our reflection of Christ in our words and deeds.

Psalm 68:6 NKJV

6 God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

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1 Corinthians 12:18 NKJV

18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.

God knew the purpose to which He called The Ark and He, in His infinite wisdom, placed & set you here

God knew you were to be a partaker in the purpose of The Ark & that The Ark would be a partaker in your purpose.

Your personal purpose will intersect with the Purpose of the church you are called to be a part of & where God has placed you.

The specific way you let your light shine into the world will be unique to your purpose, but you are called to show The Way.

1 Corinthians 14:33 NKJV

33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

James 3:16 NKJV

16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

Your personal purpose will intersect with the Purpose of the church you are called to be a part of & where God has placed you.

The specific way you let your light shine into the world will be unique to your purpose, but you are called to show The Way.

If God placed you at The Ark, you belong & there is a place for your purpose within The Ark.

If you aren’t certain of your purpose yet, start by significantly participating in the purpose-filled activities of this church & your personal purpose will begin to clarify within you.

When you feel that incredible sense of fulfillment, you are beginning to touch upon your purpose.

We are showing the way to those that don’t know Christ and to those still becoming like Him

This means that walking out the Purpose of "Showing The Way” will primarily happen outside of the context of a church gathering.

Our purpose will permeate everything that we do.

We show The Way in our daily life through our love, our character, our reflection of Christ in our words and deeds.

Purpose≠Goal

Living Purpose-fully

Living Purpose-fully

Matthew 5:14 NKJV

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Matthew 5:16 NKJV

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Remember, every choice we make will take us toward our purpose or away from our purpose.

Our purpose should be the “tie-breaker” in our decision making process - If something takes us toward our purpose, we should do it - if it takes us away from our purpose, we should not do it.

Have you eliminated the things & activities & lifestyles that keep you from your purpose?

-Personally, I know that God has told me that my purpose involves building the church in other nations. SO, when the churches in other nations call, I do not need to ask the Lord about going. That is what He created me for.

We have intentionally evaluated and removed the activities that do not take us toward our purpose at The Ark.

So, as a part of this body of believers, you should not have to wonder if you should participate in and support the activities we have on our church calendar.

Life Fit- Body is the temple of the Holy Spirit & we should exemplify care for the Temple of the Holy Spirit. (As Christians & Arkies, we should be the most fit, the most able, the most healed, the most healthful people on the planet & never have to tell God that we can’t go somewhere or do something for Him)

Connect Groups - The world will know us because of our love one for another (John 13:35) - So we develop deep authentic relationships (Ekklesia - an assembly or group of called out ones)

Bible College -We can’t show the way or live The Way if we don’t know The Way ; ; ;

Living the abundant life - John 10:10

It’s totally fine to ask how something reflects our purpose at The Ark, we should have an excellent answer for you.

This way you can have total confidence that your participation will take you towards your purpose.

1 Peter 3:15 NKJV

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

It’s totally fine to ask how something reflects our purpose at The Ark, we should have an excellent answer for you.

This way you can have total confidence that your participation will take you towards your purpose.

Just One Thing

Know your God-given purpose & decide to live purpose-fully both personally and corporately.

Life Fit- Body is the temple of the Holy Spirit

Communion = Koinonia = Participation Fellowship

Connect Groups - The world will know us because of our love one for another

1 Corinthians 10:16 NKJV

16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

Bible College -We can’t show the way if we don’t know the way

Returning our Tithes to the Lord -

Living the abundant life -

Discussion Questions:

It’s totally fine to ask how something reflects our purpose at The Ark, we should have an excellent answer for you.

What unethical experiment would have the biggest positive impact on society as a whole?

Have you defined your God-given purpose in 1 sentence? If so, please share it. If not (& it’s because you don’t know your purpose), please take a few moments to pray with your Connect Group to ask God to reveal your purpose to you.

Please read and share how this passage might be important to the way you interact with your church body.

Please share at least one decision you can make immediately & consistently that will help to take you toward your purpose?