Renewed: Daily Practices for a Fresh Life

Week 2: Renewed Purpose

Without true purpose for our lives, we run the risk of feeling exhausted the same daily routine.

We may have a sense that we live each day with nothing to show for it and no meaning.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV84

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

Point 1: God Made You On Purpose and for A Purpose

We take pride in things we create.

Because God made us He has the right to give us our meaning for life.

We were created for good works that God has prepared for us

Don’t live for self; embrace God’s new, renewed, greater purpose for your life.

The example of Saul of Tarsus

Acts 9:1–2 NIV84

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.

A story of purposelessness

Point 2: Misplaced Purpose

Maybe you relate to Paul: negative aspirations or evil intent

Maybe your relate to the 2nd story: longing for something more in life

Saul’s purpose was interrupted

Acts 9:1–9 NIV84

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

Jesus confronts Saul

Saul’s life was changed — renewed purpose, new mission

If you want to know what your current purpose is in life is, then just look at where all your time, energy, attention, and affection go.

Many people invest all of their lives in purposes that do not really matter in the end.

Sometimes God offers us disruption that can help us find renewal.

Jesus had different plans for Saul then Saul did.

Jesus has different plans for us then we might have, too.

Acts 9:10–19 NIV84

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.

Saul’s restoration was physical AND spiritual

Saul was God’s “chosen instrument” to reach the Gentiles

How would it feel to know that you’re a chosen instrument of God for doing good in the world?

God uses many different agents to help us discover the renewed purpose for our lives as well.

God can use people, circumstances, hardship, opportunity, the Bible as agents.

Either way, we have to keep our eyes and ears open to find our purpose for which we were made.

There are some indicators that the Bible points to help us determine when God is speaking to us.

Point 4: The Path to Purpose

Our renewed purpose will always align with what God has already stated in the Bible.

Our renewed purpose is almost always something that we cannot do on our own.

Our renewed purpose is often a “leap of faith.” We must step out to find out.

Saul’s entire life’s purpose changed. Instead of wiping Christianity out he became a main spreader of the Gospel.

You may feel like you are too far-gone. You’re not! God is never done with us, and he will use anyone for his Kingdom Purposes.