Resetting My Purpose

Why “Reset?”

Welcome church family and guest to our new series “Reset.”

There is a huge reason why I’m advocating for the for a reset rather than a restart. Restarting is shutting down and then booting up the same process, programs, and goals, nothing changes when you restart a computer. Compared to a computer reset it uninstalling the old and updating it with new and improved applications so it runs better and smoother.

Similarly the church need to do a software cleanup and reintroduce better methods of ministry while we head into the new year.

Here are a few reason why we need to “RESET” the church in the year 2021.

It’s a biblical (Rom 12:2)

Romans 12:2 ESV

2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

2. It’s healthy - proactive change bring modification that we want. Which is why in the next five weeks we are resetting our purpose,mission, generosity, integrity, and courage.

3. It’s time - no better time to hit the RESET starting the beginning of the year. It’s the season in which you’re most likely going to embrace it, so let’s start.

I know it’s hard to reset, old habits die hard.

The inner struggle of Purpose

That’s why we create these ideas for reset like New Year resolutions (Trying to live right) i.e. finishing at home project, healthier living, begin a new hobby.

Yet, we do these new year resolution to reset our purpose and make us better.

Yet, our purpose in life in not these trend that ebb and flow, but are deeper than a new year resolution.

Maybe you’re here and you don’t know your purpose in life. Which takes us to road of Jericho.

Background of Jesus to Jericho

1. Jesus foretells his resurrection (Luke 18:31-34) His time was getting closer to day of his crucifixion.

2. Jesus healing the blind man (Luke 18:35-43) Everyone saw the miracle of Jesus.

3. People followed Christ (Luke 18:43) This get’s Zacchaeus attention when everyone is approaching Jesus.

Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)

1. His story (betrayer, enemy, oppressor) Traitor to his fellow Jews, stole extra from them and loved being rich.

2. Jesus' invitation to dine with a sinner. The long lost Jew, Zacchaeus who was dead in his sins found salvation by the grace of Christ. Even when his own people despised him, Christ called him by name. "Let me stay at your house!" Jesus Christ, is the Great Shepherd and is calling the lost home.

3. Genuine repentance resets Zacchaeus life' purpose. He gives half the the poor and restores those who he defrauded fourfold.

4. Jesus mission to draw those who lost their God-given purpose. Through God’s grace Zacchaeus found salvation from his sins.

Repentance resets life's purpose

1. The nature of repentance: sorrow of sin, confession of sin, confession specific sins, and making appropriate restitution.

2. God gives us a chance to repent (Clements quote)

“O then, brothers, having received no small opportunity to repent, having the chance, let us turn back to the God who called us while we still have one who accepts us. 2 For if we renounce these enjoyments and conquer our soul by not doing its evil lusts, we will have a share in the mercy of Jesus.”

-Clement

3. Repentance resets our relationship with God and others (A Christmas Carol)

Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol the character of Ebenezer Scrooge who repents by giving generously the the poor, he accepts his nephew's invitation to Christmas dinner, provides for Cratchit and his family, and donates to the charity fund. In the end, he becomes known as the embodiment of the Christmas spirit.

DT: My life's purpose resets when I repent of all my sins.