Purpose of Heart (2)
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The man without purpose is like a ship without a rudder.
Thomas Carlyle
Purpose of Heart is the idea that we live our lives with a specific purpose and direction
Our purpose is not merely a fleshly purpose but rather, a much larger spiritual purpose....a purpose with a more far reaching eternal purpose
one that is specific in nature and purposeful....meaning: with a defined plan, purpose, resolve, will
the Greek word for purpose is: “Prothesis” and holds the same meaning: a defined plan, purpose, resolve or will.
23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
this was a statement made by Barnabas to the Grecian Jews in Antioch
he was reinforcing the idea that they should continue with the Lord with purpose of heart or: following Christ with a commited plan, purpose, resolve and with the will to see it through.
serving God with purpose of heart is when our service and drive moves from our head knowledge to our heart felt drive and purpose.
Barnabas was reinforcing what their intention should be
Intention means: a determination to act in a certain way: Resolve
or to act a certain way with a specific purpose or goal in mind.
he was encouraging them to cleave to the Lord with purpose and specific intention
when a person cleaves to something it means:
to adhere firmly and closely or loyally and unwavering
when we live this way, we find the true meaning of the scripture in:
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
God has always had a specific purpose for everything he does in creation as well as in us...
the direction and purpose for a child of God should always be to fulfill the purpose of God first...
what does a purpose driven heart look like.
what does a purpose driven heart look like.
these are some of the necessary elements involved for a christian living a purpose driven life for God.
a firm foundation
defined direction
spiritual drive/passion
deterministic purpose often involving self denial
A solid foundation
A solid foundation
Every house that is built must first start with a firm foundation.....
a storm hit the country of France. That nation had put its confidence in its leaders, the army and the Maginot line, the famous fortification facing the German border that was supposed to stop any attack from the side of the Germans. But when the German army attacked France in 1940, it took them only two months to overrun the proud nation of France. Why did France fall? Some say that it was not for lack of an army but for lack of moral resources. Both the army and the government had been undermined by the famous Nazi spies, called the fifth column. The French had lost the battle even before the war started. France could not withstand the onslaught of the German army and spy system. The nation lacked the material and moral resources for the engagement at hand. And having no foundation, she fell.
the devil works on us in much the same manner:
he constantly tries to undermine our relationship and walk with God; if we listen and allow the devils influence to control us, we will fall to the pressure.
just like the bible story of the two house; one built on sand and the other built on a rock. one wise, the other foolish.
if we fail to build our spiritual house on the rock it will fall as did the house built on sand.
we must not forget the moral of that story:
The wise man builds upon the rock. The foolish man builds upon the sand. However, in this parable we must pay attention to the point that Jesus is driving home.
The punch line of the parable in Matthew 7 is verse 24 and 26.
"Every one who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man" 3 (24) "And every one who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man." (26) In other words, to hear and do the words of Jesus is to build on solid foundation
we must build on a rock(christ) not on sand (this world)
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,
We are that building....the very habitation of the Holy Spirit
the whole intention of a house built upon a firm foundation is that when the storms of life come…this spiritual house will not fall but will remain standing strong.
Well Defined Direction
Well Defined Direction
a defined direction should consist of a goal and a plan.
a goal is where we want to go or what we want to accomplish. and a plan is how can i get there.
18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
As a follower of Christ..our spiritual direction is defined through the word of God..
in this, our direction and purpose should not be in merely making heaven but rather in building the kingdom of God here on earth.
this endeavour requires a commited purpose, a passionate pursuit and a made up mind
62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
spiritual drive and passion
spiritual drive and passion
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
when we begin to walk with God we must always remember the first principle of pursuit.
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
Passion is the catalyst that launches all of our ambitions and goals.
definition of passion from our previous lesson:
intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction
ardent affection : LOVE (Ardent=characterized by warmth of feeling typically expressed in eager zealous support or activity
Quote:
Once something is a passion, the motivation is there. (Michael Schumacher)
Matthew C. Trust God’s Provision, Not Your Own (6:25–34)
If our life is not to be preoccupied with fretting over basic needs, what is our concern to be? The answer is, his kingdom and his righteousness. Those two terms are almost synonymous. God’s kingdom means his sovereign rule in heaven and on earth, most particularly in and through the life of the individual believer. To seek his kingdom is to seek to ensure that his righteousness is done in heaven, on earth, and, most particularly, in and through our lives.
the goal is to take our minds off ourselves and focus on Gods’ divine purpose for us and what he would have us to do.
just as Peter began to sink when Christ bid him to come out of the boat:
he began to take his eyes off of Christ and began to focus on the storm.
when we are preoccupied with this world and our problems. God can not be glorified in us.
Self Denial
Self Denial
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
In denying ourselves, we take up our cross meaning:
what ever comes my way or whatever it takes I will serve the Lord.
no matter what I have to do or whatever the world throws at me
15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
“The cost of true greatness is humble, selfless, sacrificial service. The Christian who desires to be great and first in the kingdom is the one who is willing to serve in the hard place, the demanding place, the place where he is not appreciated and may even be persecuted. Knowing that time is short and eternity is long, he is willing to spend and be spent. He is willing to work for excellence without becoming proud, to withstand criticism without becoming bitter, to be willing to sacrifice when sacrifice demands
17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.
God is made perfect in our denial of self.
his glory is seen rather than our selfish pride.
conclusion
conclusion
we must remind ourselves daily to live with purpose of heart lest we forget what it is that we are here for.
lest we forget from whence our strength comes from.
we must keep focus and purpose always foremost in our minds
Spiritual life depends on the purpose we cherish.
Charles Spurgeon