Finishing the Race: Living with purpose (Part 2)

REVIEW

Last week we were reminded that God called each us for a purpose.

He wants us to live a life of significance—not just survive, or be successful; but, to make a difference and leave a legacy that portrays a life that made a difference as a result of walking with Jesus Christ.

As I reviewed last week, I realized I failed to cover the the last of the “4 things” knowing your purpose does for us.

Reduces frustration

Increases motivation

Enables a more focused life

Prepares us to face God

the last was the one I missed...

Prepare us to face God

There are 3 basic facts we know about the Christian Life:

1. God made each of us for a purpose, because He doesn’t make anything without a purpose.

2. God invested each of us with certain talents, abilities, and gifts. He placed within us desires, interests, and abilities He expects us to use to fulfill our purpose for existence.One day God is going to ask for a return on His investment in us!

3. Someday I will die and God will ask me how I used the resources He provided to me. God expects a return on each investment. He didn’t just give us talents, abilities, and gifts to waste on ourselves. He wants you to use them for the purpose He designed them for!

2 Corinthians 5:10 The Message

10 Sooner or later we’ll all have to face God, regardless of our conditions. We will appear before Christ and take what’s coming to us as a result of our actions, either good or bad.

The Message

2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

10 Sooner or later we’ll all have to face God, regardless of our conditions. We will appear before Christ and take what’s coming to us as a result of our actions, either good or bad.

Judgment seat: place where the Judge decides!

One day God’s going to do an audit on your life. He going to give you a Final Exam!

I believe at least 3 questions will on the final exam...

1. “What did you do with My Son, Jesus Christ?” He’s not going to ask what denomination you were. He’s not going to ask if I’m a Baptist, Catholic, a Buddhist, Moslem, Mormon or Jew! He’s going to ask in some form, “What did you do with My Son, Jesus Christ?”

Did you ask Him to rescue you from sin? Surrender to Him as Lord and Savior? Bend you knee to Him, worship Him, acknowledge Him as God? Did your life reflect the relationship you claim?

Jesus came so we could have a relationship with Him. Have you accept Jesus Christ into your life and heart, and develop a relationship with Him as Lord, Savior, Boss, CEO!”

2. The second question He’s going to ask is, “What did you do with all the talents, abilities, and gifts I gave you?

Did you just spend it on yourself or did you use it for the purpose I created you for? “What did you do with what I gave you?”

3. I think there may be a third question God may ask. “How did you treat my people?”

When I search Scripture I find God is in the business of forgiveness and restoration. Too often the Church today is in the business of judgment and rejection!

Galatians 6:1–2 ESV

1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Notice Paul says: "you who are spiritual…" This automatically disqualifies many people today!

Those who are SPIRITUAL are further defined so there is no confusion; they walk in the Spirit, are filled with the Spirit, and show evidence of the fruit of the Spirit.

1) Walk in the Spirit

Must Be Clean - "ye who are spiritual" This automatically disqualifies many people today! Those who are SPIRITUAL will: 1) Walk in the Spirit 2) Be filled with the Spirit 3) Bear the Fruit of the Spirit

2) Be filled with the Spirit

3) Bear the Fruit of the Spirit

If this doesn't describe you, you have no business trying to "fix" someone else! But if you walk in the Spirit (5:16) and possess the fruits of the Spirit that are described in (5:22-23) you are qualified. You are not only qualified to participate in this ministry... YOU ARE COMMANDED TO! For those who are qualified and ready to participate in the "Ministry of Restoration" you must ensure that you do it the right way!

However, if you walk in the Spirit, are filled with the Spirit, and show evidence of the the fruit of the Spirit you are qualified. You are not only qualified to participate in this ministry... YOU ARE COMMANDED TO! For those who are qualified and ready to participate in the "Ministry of Restoration" you must ensure that you do it the right way!

Last week we looked at the importance of living with significance. We were reminded how God planned works for us to complete before He calls us home.

Practical Exercises

Now if this does not describe you, you have no business getting into other people’s business!

When someone intervenes into another person’s life and they do not walk with God and bear His fruit, it rarely turns out good!

Last week we looked at the importance of living with significance. We were reminded how God planned works for us to complete before He calls us home.

I asked you last week to do some practical exercises, two of the questions were, “What do I enjoy doing?” and “What has driven my life so far?”

Start with a life assessment: ask yourself some questions...What do I enjoy doing? The Lord often directs us with our passions—those things that give up meaning and satisfaction and benefit others.What has driven my life so far? Often, what you are doing now is preparing you for what you will do later.Has it been guilt? Fear? Worry? Resentment? Your past? Other people? Making money? What’s been driving my life so far? ILLUS: The man who getting an engineering degree, and had a passion for working with youth and children and building things. His passion was in teaching kids how to build things out of wood!READ and consider some more questions:What is the first thing I think of when I wake in the morning?What is my greatest fear?How do I want to be remembered? Do an assessment and discover your passion! Next week, I’ll ask you to share some of your answers.

Finishing the Race: Living with purpose

Last week we looked at the importance of living with significance. We were reminded how God planned works for us to complete before He calls us home.

Scripture tells us, each of us are created by God for His purpose. …

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

workmanship: product God made; poetic composition; masterpiece

a poetic composition; masterpiece;

We were put on this earth to leave it a better place, to make significant contributions.

You may not think you are doing that! But if you ask those who know you, I believe you will be pleasantly surprised!

Last week I asked you to do some practical exercises, two of the questions were, “What do I enjoy doing?” and “What has driven my life so far?”

We are God’s workmanship (masterpiece)… made for a purpose! Planned in advance before you were born!

You were put on this earth to leave it a better place, to make some kind of contribution with your life.

Psalm 139:13–16 The Message

13 Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb. 14 I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! 15 You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. 16 Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.

psa 139:

Last week we at the importance of living with significance. We were reminded

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

that God planned works for us to complete before He calls us home.

“We are God’s workmanship (masterpiece), created in Christ to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

but He made you for a purpose. And that purpose, was determined

•You were made for a purpose. God not only planned in advance before you

were born but He made you for a purpose. And that purpose, was determined

in advance.

You were put on this earth to leave it a better place, to make some kind of contribution with your life.

contribution with your life. God planned you before you were born.

“We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ to do good works which God

What did you discover?

prepared in advance for us to do.”

You were made for a purpose. God not only planned in advance before you

were born but He made you for a purpose. And that purpose, was determined

in advance.

Notice it says “We’re God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus… to do good

works.” You were created, you were put on this earth to make a contribution,

wait for responses...

not just to take up space.

You were put on this earth to leave it a better place, to make some kind of

contribution with your life. God planned you before you were born. You were

made for a purpose.

Each person here was shaped differently by God for His purposes. I believe every person longs to know how God shaped them and for what purpose!

We long to know...

God shaped your life to fulfill a purpose!

HOW HAS GOD SHAPED MY LIFE?

Remember, God created you as a poetic composition for a unique purpose, and He does not want your life to be wasted. He gave you a unique blend of skills to ensure the success of His purpose for your life…

wasted. He gave each of us a unique blend of skills to ensure the success of

His purpose for our lives…

spiritual gifts. He gives these spiritual abilities the moment you become a

You are born with innate talents and abilities which you developed through your life.

believer. Every Christian has at least one.

When you were reborn in Christ, God gave you at least one spiritual gift.

Throughout our lives God shapes us using the gifts, talents, and abilities He placed within us...

I love the way The Message translates this truth in Psalm 139:

Psalm 139:13–16 The Message

13 Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb. 14 I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! 15 You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. 16 Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.

S: God shaped you with SPIRITUAL GIFTS

You are born with innate talents and abilities which you developed through your life.

When you were reborn in Christ, God gave you at least one spiritual gift.

1 Corinthians 12:1–11 NIrV

1 Brothers and sisters, I want you to know about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. 2 You know that at one time you were unbelievers. You were somehow drawn away to worship statues of gods that couldn’t even speak. 3 So I tell you that no one who is speaking with the help of God’s Spirit says, “May Jesus be cursed.” And without the help of the Holy Spirit no one can say, “Jesus is Lord.” 4 There are different kinds of gifts. But they are all given by the same Spirit. 5 There are different ways to serve. But they all come from the same Lord. 6 There are different ways to work. But the same God makes it possible for all of us to have all those different things. 7 The Holy Spirit is given to each of us in a special way. That is for the good of all. 8 To some people the Spirit gives the message of wisdom. To others the same Spirit gives the message of knowledge. 9 To others the same Spirit gives faith. To others that one Spirit gives gifts of healing. 10 To others he gives the power to do miracles. To others he gives the ability to prophesy. To others he gives the ability to tell the spirits apart. To others he gives the ability to speak in different kinds of languages they had not known before. And to still others he gives the ability to explain what was said in those languages. 11 All of the gifts are produced by one and the same Spirit. He gives them to each person, just as he decides.

H: God shaped your HEART

Job 10:8 TEV

8 Your hands formed and shaped me, and now those same hands destroy me.

the things that drive you.

Your heart is your motivations, interests, and your core passions—the things that drive you.

God’s values are placed within us at birth and we either conform to Him or deny His authority over us.

Have you noticed that some things really interest you and other things bore you?

you?

Have you noticed that some things really get you excited, and others you couldn’t care less about?

couldn’t care less about?

Where do you think you got your interests? God gave them to you!

you your heart, the things that really interest you, that cause you to get

God gave you your heart, the things that really interest you, that cause you to get passionate. Why did He do that? Because He wants you to be you.

But He wants us to conform to Him not to the world...

passionate. Why did He do that? Because He wants you to be you.

God placed His values in us at birth and we either conform to Him or deny His authority over us.

Job 34:3–4 NLT

3 Job said, ‘The ear tests the words it hears just as the mouth distinguishes between foods.’ 4 So let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.

Job 34:

Romans 12:2 NIV

2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Rom 12

a The Message

Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking.

The Lord shaped your heart and continues to shape it—but He requires us to cooperate in the process by saying NO to sin and YES to Him!

A: God provided you with ABILITIES

..

God provided you with ABILITIES. Those are the natural abilities you were given the moment you were born. Some people have mechanical abilities,

God provided you with ABILITIES. Those are the natural abilities you were given the moment you were born. Some people have mechanical abilities,

given the moment you were born. Some people have mechanical abilities,

You are born with innate talents and abilities which you develop through your life.

You are born with innate talents and abilities which you developed through your life.

God provided you with ABILITIES. Those are the natural abilities you were given the moment you were born. Some people have mechanical abilities,

some are artistic, some have leadership abilities, some sing well or love to play

Some people have mechanical abilities, some are artistic, some have leadership abilities, some sing well or love to play instruments.

instruments.

We all have different gifts, passions, and abilities.

Romans 12:6 The Message

6 let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t. If you preach, just preach God’s Message, nothing else;

ro 12L6

He shaped you with SPIRITUAL GIFTS, TALENTS, and ABILITIES.

Throughout our lives God continues to shape us using the gifts, talents, and abilities He placed within us at birth and rebirth!

P: We were given a PERSONALITY, BODY SHAPE, APPETITES!

Science is just now figuring this out! Yet, Scripture told us over 3000 years ago we are SHAPED in our Mother’s womb!

We are all created as a unique masterpiece, a poetic composition and strategically placed to serve, to build the Kingdom of God.

John 15:16 The Message

16 “You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.

build the Kingdom of God.

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 37.96 τάσσω; ὁρίζω; ἀναδείκνυμι; τίθημι

to assign someone to a particular task, function, or role

E – God uses of planned and disturbing EXPERIENCES

E – Experiences. Obviously God gives us lots of different kinds of

Obviously God gives us lots of different kinds of experiences. And allows us to experience a lot of disturbing situations.

experiences.

Vocational experiences – jobs that we’ve had in the past that shape our lives;

Educational experiences – the things we’ve learned through schools and seminars and things around us that have shaped our lives;

seminars and things around us that have shaped our lives;

Spiritual experiences – things at church, camps, retreats, conferences, tapes, podcasts, people we’ve heard on the radio, quiet times with the Lord, and for many;

people we’ve heard on the radio, quiet times with the Lord, and for many;

Painful experiences – God has shaped you through painful experiences in your life.

Romans 8:28 ESV

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

your life.

The words work together for good are rooted in word picture describing pharmaceutical compounds which requires the mixing of both beneficial and poisonous compounds to produce healing and correction.

The verse reminds us that God is focusing energy and effort to work everything in our lives for good.

out of your pain, your tragedy, your failure, your mistakes.

God never wastes a hurt and sometimes your greatest ministry comes out of our pain, our tragedy, our failure, our mistakes.

Manley Beasley, the great SBC Evangelist from the 80s and 90s when asked how did he deal with the suffering he endured in life replied, “I learned not to waste it!”

Let’s take a side-trip for a few minutes and talk about the Church… Why does the Church exist?

Why does this Church exist? For the past few months I asked that

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Evangelism… “Go ye therefore...”

Discipleship… “Make disciples...”

question and prayer for direction!

Baptism… “Baptizing them…>

But that’s not all! We also exits for two other purposes..

Restoration… “Restore in gentlness...”

Galatians 6:1 ESV

1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

Fellowship… the word means, “joint participation grounded in a common purpose among those who share a common bond” (—Munson)

Galatians 6:2 ESV

2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

GL 6:2

How does this relate to how God shaped US?

We are on mission with God, when we live the message of Christ in the

recent years?

•Some are, others are not…

•In the past few days I’ve received more clarity. It begins to get clear when we

consider what this church is not!

•It is not and will never be a mega-church. We do not have a location that

allows it.

•The Church may reach out to the lost and unchurched, but as I seek clarity, I

do not believe that is our primary purpose.

•We have valuable ministries to the Marshallese people, but we do not exist for

that sole purpose.

Do you realize how God SHAPED you, is linked to how God SHAPED this

church.

So why are we here?

Start with WHAT is the mission of the Department of Defense? To provide

the military forces needed to deter war and to protect the security of our

country!

What is the purpose of the Army? To secure and guard U.S. installations and

properties, and instill order and values before departing.

First Chaplain led Marines to build this Chapel to: On Feb 26, 1944, at 1030,

the 25th Marines had their first Worship Service led by Navy Chaplain George

Davies. 46 men were present. The original intent was to create a hub where

military personnel of all faiths could worship, honor those who died at the

Battle of Kwajalein, and perpetuate a sense of unity to all Americans.

Why did God place this church on this military post? To support the

mission of Army by nurturing the faith of Soldiers, support personnel, and

their families. To instill values that reveal the Person of Christ to those who

know Him and those who need to know Him.

We are on mission with God, when we live the message of Christ in the

workplace, lead others to Him, and respond in love to those who live on and

around this island. We are here to nurture the spiritual life of people on this

island, that we might influence the spiritual life of those beyond.

How does this relate to how God shaped us?

He SHAPED you, then strategically placed you here (), in a church He shaped to fit His purpose.

When we cooperate with God, He aligns our gifts, heart, abilities, personalities, and experiences to His resources, to produce His outcomes!

He shaped to fit His purpose. We are called to nurture the faith of believers and

encourage the surrender of unbelievers to Jesus. How we live, what we say,

what we do influences others to either know or reject the message of Christ.

When we cooperate with God on mission, he aligns our gifts, heart, abilities, personalities, and experiences, to His resources, to produce His outcomes!

Another Marine was nearby cleaning his as well. We had worked together for

weeks, but had not talked about matters of faith.

While cleaning his weapon he suddenly said, “I am missing something!”

I began looking a part to the weapon and asked, “Where did you drop it?”

He said, “No, not that, I have all the parts. I mean, something is missing, you

know in here!” as pointed to his heart.

When we cooperate with God on mission, he marries up our gifts, heart,

abilities, personalities, and experiences, to His resources, to produce His

outcomes!

1. GOD WANTS TO YOU TO INVEST YOUR S.H.A.P.E. IN HIS MISSION!

don’t they come?

Because, God’s mission for us, is to get nurtured, then to go to where they

are and live that others will see a little of Jesus in us, then want what we

have!

Church! God is calling you to mission!

1. GOD WANTS TO YOU TO INVEST YOUR S.H.A.P.E. IN HIS

MISSION!

When we surrender to Him and allow ourselves to be used where He placed us to serve His purpose, then we have a sense of meaning and purpose, making significant contributions in others, and we leave a legacy that is bigger than our lives.

serve His purpose, then we have a sense of meaning and purpose, making

significant contributions in others, and leave a legacy that is bigger than our

lives.

2. GOD WANTS YOU TO INVEST YOUR TIME

Every person here was made for a purpose and God has a place for you to invest your life. And no one gets to retire!

invest your life. And no one gets to retire!

You can’t say, “I already passed the torch to the younger generation and I’m done!”

done!”

You might have finished that job, but you still have another—you are not finished with life, until you have ensured your lessons are passed on.

You might have finished that job, but you still have another—you are not

finished with life, until you have ensured your lessons are passed on.

When we are young, our strength is in our physical abilities—we don’t have enough life experience to draw on anything else! As we age our strength becomes the life we have lived, and the lessons we have learned.

enough life experience to draw on anything else!

• As we age our strength becomes the life we have lived, and the lessons we

have learned.

If I asked you today to tell me the single greatest lesson you have learned from life, what would it be?

our mission is complete!

• If I asked you today to tell me the single greatest lesson you have learned from life, what would it be?

Have you ensured that lesson will live on? It may be the very lesson someone needs to learn to fulfill their purpose or keep them from sin!

from life, what would it be?

• Have you ensured that lesson will on? It may be the very lesson needed by

your co-worker to supply them with hope, or encourage them, or keep them

from sin!

3. HE WANTS YOU TO EXTEND YOUR MINISTRY

Extending your ministry is accepting your days are numbered; and unless you pass on what you have learned, it will be lost.

pass on what I have learned, it will be lost. Then the lessons of my life, will

People need modern day examples of faith, repentance, and restoration.

not serve the purpose God intended.

People need modern day examples of faith, repentance, and restoration.

• David serves as an example of a man who grievously sinned and was restored to walk with God.

restored to walk with God.

• Solomon serves as an ancient example of the futility felt by living a life without God.

without God.

• Paul serves as an example of an evil life turned into one that honors God and nurtures His people.

and nurtures His people.

• The Biblical stories of faith serve as reminder that God is SHAPING your life to tell His story!

life to tell His story!

YOU are the present heroes of the faith that others can see and day say that they personally knew a person who walked with God!

1 Corinthians 7:17 ESV

17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.

says, “Each one should retain the place in life that the Lord has assigned him to and to which God has called him.”

the Lord has assigned him to and to which God has called him.”

Don’t compare your story to other people. Your were intended to live a unique life, with a unique story.

life, with a unique story. One day you’re going to stand before God in heaven

One day you’re going to stand before God in heaven and He may say, “I shaped you life and placed you in Augusta, Georgia to nurture the faith of those around you. To instill values that revealed My Son to those who knew Him and those who needed to know Him.

and He may say, “I shaped you life and placed you on Kwaj to nurture the faith

Are you fulfilling your purpose?” Are you living a life of significance, fulfilling God’s PURPOSE?

of those around you. To instill values that revealed My Son to those who knew

I BELIEVE many people linger because they have not yet passed on to others what God needs those individuals to hear to keep them from sin or to guide them to fulfill their purpose.

Him and those who needed to know Him. Did you fulfill your purpose?”

What example of faith will be told at your funeral?

A life of significance, is a life lived fulfilling God’s PURPOSE