Purpose

Now as we've been working through this series, on blessings of obedience, in a part of The Obedience comes with of course, coming to the Lord and finding salvation and part of the obedience is truly. Trusting him putting our faith in him. And then of course we talked about really looking to him and seeking his knowledge and understanding. Last week. We're looking at purpose this week, but it goes through that series that process and so that will take a look at that process right now. In Romans chapter 3 verses 21 to 26. But now, apart from the law of the righteousness of God has been made known to which the law and the prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ. To all, who believe there's no difference between Jew and Gentile for all, have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and all are Justified freely by the grace through the Redemption that came by Christ. Jesus God presented Christ, as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness because in his forbearance, he had left the sins committed. It beforehand unpunished. He did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time so that as too. So as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. And Ducks. It is his evidence in our lives. That gives us the purpose for what we way. We live. You know, when we receive Jesus Christ, it changed our lives and hopefully our desires in what we do in our lives and that leads to the purpose that we have. And that's going to be the focus today. All right, on the Prairie Quest. We need to remember to continue to pray for Leona. Hopefully she'll be able to come home tomorrow. We'll see and continue to pray for that. We also want to remember to continue to pray for Lacey. Cousin cousin. Cousin. She is going through a long process of a babbling cancer and will do so for the next five years or so. So it's a long-term process and

The battle becomes Fierce at times and struggles and then I think all of us know somebody who's going through those issues. So, I will pray for her and for the family as they also battled through these issues, helping we also need to remember, Tanya. She's going up to see the doctor on Thursday. It's going to be a lot of driving this week. Isn't it Sonia up to Portland on Thursday? And then the Friday heading to Prineville and back on. I don't know when you guys are coming back, but then he wake lots of travel there, but hopefully get some wisdom and guidance from the doctor in terms of understanding what's going on with the system. There. So, let's go to prayer. Father in Heaven, how we thank you for. You're mighty presence in our lives of other as we look to you and we find the Billows of life just to mounting up around us. We can take comfort in knowing that you were there to be our hope and God so that we can find peace even in the most violent of circumstances because we know you're there and you're walking with us and helping us along the way. And so as we begin the bring these request before you, we understand that your Mighty hand is involved in each of them already. And yet we want to bring them to you because we would have recognized your hand and your work. In each of these things. We lay at your feet father. We want to remember particularly those of our friend. Start Community, our families that are struggling with their relationship with you some more Believers or that think that they have it together and yet, they're struggling in those relationships and other times. It's people that simply don't know you and I are going in the wrong direction. The great tithe that is washing towards hell is a hold of them and they need to be grasped by the Savior and led to safety. We pray that each of us would be involved in the work that you have to leave their lives to the truth. Lord, we want to also remember the request that were made and we do want to remember Leona and the battle she's going through.

This is a huge struggle for Leona. And and for Shirley, and Janice is they go through this with her, the struggle in the grief and the pain is really there and we pray for your comfort and your guidance as they go through this, that they would feel. So your Mighty hand leading them along the way. We do want to pray for Lacey as well, that as she battles this that she would continue to look to you to find the the relief of your presents with her and we pray for each step that she goes through that. She would find that she is being lifted up. By your Mighty hand and encouraged by those who love you and care for you father. We do pray for the family that they would feel your abiding presence as well. And father we want to remember Tanya is she and and Kane are involved in this whole process of going through this struggle, another time. And we pray that you would give the doctor's wisdom and figuring out the steps to be taken. And that she would have her confidence that you are carrying her through this. Even through the desperate struggles, pray for your alertness for their lives as they travel these long distances and try to keep focus on so many different things. I'll be with and guide them along the way. Lord, we want to remember those unspoken request that each person has here that they cry out to you and various themes. We pray that your Mighty hand would be there to guide them to give peace and comfort and understanding for all those issues. And now father as we continue to Worship, You may our hearts truly be open to your work. In us, that we would set all things aside except for our desire to praise you and find glory. And you oh Lord, Our God in Jesus name. Amen.

Annette song as 475 in your hymnals. The name of it is consecration. It's really a prayer as we think he fits in your heart.

I can wear my life.

My home.

Mai Tai.

That's a really great song to lead into the message today. I hope you listen to the words as you saying a bit of phrase there as well. God does work in Mighty way. Thank Kathy for choosing that song. She knew what the message would be and is certainly leads that way. I think it's those of you young'uns ready to head out.

All right. Well, that start with the word of Prayer. Our dear father in Heaven, how we rejoice in your Mighty work in our lives? We were born in sin and headed towards hell and you reached out and rescued us along the way those of us who have actually called upon your name. Who have faith in you and we thank you and praise you for that. In our Thanksgiving, help us to remember that you've also set aside for work and it's important for us to remember that. That is part of the call and part of the steps that we are to make in this life. As you have left us here to serve you. We pray that your spirit would be powerful and mighty as we listened to your words and find your guidance, and your spirit lead me as I humble myself before you and trust that you will guide each and every word that flows from my mouth. In Jesus name, we ask these things. Amen. What we are going to be in Ephesians, such Visions chapter 2, if you wanted to go there.

Follow along here. Remember The story given in this story, given in the fusions at this point, is a story of Our Lives as we go along in life. We begin separated from God. I know it sounds horrible, but we are separated from God and that the separation is the send that resides in our lives, you know, and I know that there's an accounting age that comes along when we really are responsible for our choice in this life and every person Has the responsibility to make that choice and that choice is to trust in Jesus Christ for who he was. And who he is. He's the Living God, who gave up his glory and Heaven to come and live a common life here on Earth. Going through all the struggles that you and I face and you do it. Incomplete Holiness and righteousness and then to die on the cross, shedding his blood. And that blood shedding. Is it really important for your life and mine because it is by that shed, blood that we truly can find Redemption. Through the Forgiveness that God gives as we trust in Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior, it changes Our Lives. And gives us A New Hope in a New Direction. And once we receive that it, it we need to come to know him. And that's been this serious. Remember, we started off with the idea of Salvation and how important that is for each. And every person on the face of the Earth. Then we moved to the idea of growing in him last week. We'll look at the need for us to know him more and more. Why? Because that inspires us to really walk as he desires us to walk. And the reason for that is that he has something for you to do in this life and it has nothing to do with your work. It has to do with your service to him. And sometimes we want to pile that on on. Well, did you know? I'm this is what I'm gifted and talented is so that's what God wants me. That's not necessarily. So God wants us to step up to the plate and be involved in serving him. Whatever he calls. Did you listen to the song that we just sang it. It talks about how we yield Our Lives into his hand and let him use us where he is chosen to use us. So it's really important for us to understand that whole process that we're going to because that is what this message is about. It's the whole process, but I want you to focus on the leading leading to the end there and we'll get to that. But that start off with a process Ephesians 2, 1, 2 3. Here's where we were. And if you have not asked, Jesus Christ to be your lord and savior. This is where you are today. And you have a need to make a difference. It says, as for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins in which you used to live. When you follow the ways of this world of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit, who is it working? Those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the Cravings of our flesh and following the desires and thoughts following its desires and thoughts the desires of Satan for your life, like the rest. We were by Nature. Deserving of Wrath and like, I say, that's where we were headed. We were headed towards the wrath of God, that destination of hell where we have suffering and pain for all eternity. Terrible place. And that's where everybody in the world is going until God reaches out and rescues them. It's like a giant river flowing, like a Mississippi that Broad and Powerful River here that we see and then there's this Creek, this flowing next to it. And on the boundary of that Creek is Jesus Christ, and he's reaching out to hearts and live saying come to me and help me get across a way to get into that, Creek, that flows on to Glory the Heaven, and the peace and comfort with the Living God. Okay, and that's where he is going with this as it says, we are all Bound for hell. Your scripture that talks about that. Romans 3 verses 10 and 11. It says, there is no one righteous. Not even one. There is no one who understands. There is no one who seeks. God, that's taken from the Old Testament, but it's stand. There is no one. There was born seeking after God. It's a call that comes on our lives and it comes through the Living. God, working through his word and through you, and through me. That's the way God works.

You and I are responsible in that work. Oh, and you hopefully heard the message and receive that message and trusted in Jesus Christ as your lord, and savior. Now you're in that Creek, that is Flowing towards Glory. And have opportunity to serve the Living. God. There is the ruler that is slowing down that Great and Mighty River along with everyone else and that's the evil one. And Jesus is that this is the guy that wants to lead you astray and keep you going the wrong way and he wants to deceive the people of this world saying, everything's alright. Everything is cool. You're going to be just fine. Just a flowing with me down this River and we'll be just fine.

And Jesus Point Swimming says, you know, it's just where you guys are your following. This, this evil one who wants to deceive you and Lead You astray? And yet, you keep looking towards him in John 8:44. He says you belong to your father, the devil. Can you imagine that? If you're not following God, that's your father, the devil continuing on and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning not holding to the truth. For there is no truth in him when he lies. He speaks his native language for. He is a liar and the father of Lies. Satan's desire. Is that all people follow his leading? Why Satan those scripture just as well and probably better than you and I he knows what the end means. He can see that everything God has said would happen happens. He knows that hell is his final destination. And he wants each and every person on the face of the Earth to go in that direction. That was his desire for you until you came to know Jesus Christ. And Jesus took you away from that destination, then put you on a new track. But he didn't do it and take you out of this world. He did it and left, you here left, you here because he wants you to be a light to those who are still flowing down the river in the wrong direction. He wants you to use you. He wants to use you and to use me to help people understand that there's a greater truth that they need to take a hold of, and they need to turn away from the lies. That Satan has bestowed upon their lives. Otherwise, we are. Underneath the Wrath of the Living God. You know, when God is a God of Justice and when we do not find forgiveness for those sins, Justice means that we are condemned eternally.

You know, and we have people in our Lives who are family people in our Lives who are friends and acquaintances and people in our lives that are neighbors of ours.

And the fire of hell is touching their toes and is starting to burn a little bit.

You know, are we going to sit and watch them go? That way, is the big question that God asks, those of us who truly trusted him. Are we going to allow that to happen? Or are we going to take a stand and step up and help them? See the truth of the light? Ephesians 5:6 says let no one deceive you with empty words for because of such things. God's Wrath comes on those who are disobedient. A disobedient. One is simply one who chooses the world above the Son of God. Jesus Christ. That's the thing that leads us to obedience is believing in Jesus Christ. And it's for each and everyone of us. Not one of us was clean and holy enough to do it. I wasn't and either where you and we needed to find a way. Romans 9:20 to what if God all those choosing to show his wrath and make his power known bore with great patience, the objects of his wrath prepared for Destruction. you know, God is a patient God and he's waiting a long time and

There comes an end, though. Remember the flood way back in Genesis chapter 6, 7 and 8, you know, we see the story of the wad and God came to know as this build this ship, it took no a hundred years to build this Ark. And God was patient through all of it. Wanting the people to come to repentance. You know, here's the sign. This Arc that is being built is safety. And if you choose not to take advantage of that safety, you were lost forever. And everybody on the face of the Earth,, blee millions of people. If you kind of figure out the historical references billions of people. We're Bound for hell and didn't change their way. Only eight were say. Think about that. When Jesus comes to the people and says, you know, your follower is that the evil one? He's not kidding. He's not playing James. He wants people to make a change, and it's for all of us that need to make that change. Okay, that's the hard part. Now. Let's go to the better part, the good stuff for you. And for me God's love Ephesians 2:4 through 7, but because of his great love for us, God who is rich in Mercy made us alive with Christ. Even when we were dead and transgressions, It Is by Grace, you have been saved and God raise us up with Christ and seated us with him and they heavily Realms in Christ Jesus. In that wonderful to think that when God looks at you and me, he is looking at the future that we have. We're sitting with Christ in glory. It's not a wonderful thing. I mean, when you think about that continuing on, in order that the coming ages, he might show the incomparable Riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness, to us in Christ. Jesus. What kind is for him to allow Jesus Christ to come to Earth, to give up all his glory. So that you and I could have glory in heaven and that's what he did, you know. He loves us that love and we have that great opportunity to think. Wow. I have that security in heaven for me. As I trust in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior Romans 5:8. It says, but God demonstrates his own love for us in this while we were still sinners Christ died for us. In other words. He did the work for you, and for me. I don't have to do anything. I don't have to go to a priest and find out what indulgences I need to. Give all that I have to do is go to the savior. And find the grace and the mercy has for me because the works already done that blood was already shed. It was she had to wipe away every one of my sins, and every one of your sins, and all that we need to do is go to him and say, father, forgive me. I trust in you as my Lord and Savior and he forgets, Every time he forgives. We need to trust it as our Lord and savior, The Works already done. We have crossed over, we've taken the hand of the Savior and he's drawn us out of that Great River and put us in that Creek. On our way to Glory. He has covered everything and we have an eternity to look forward to worshipping. The Mighty God. John 5:24 says very, very truly. I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me. That's God has a turtle life and will not be judged, but has crossed over from Death To Life.

Wow. We've done it. We've crossed over from Death to life. We're living people.

And you guys are serving him right now. You know that you're here. You're worshipping the Mighty God and you're serving him. That brings honor and glory to his name is not a wonderful thing.

When he died on the cross and went to the Grave, he was resurrected from that grave. And that Resurrection from the grave tells us of our wonderful future because remember, when he was resurrected, he went into the glory. He got to sit down at the right hand of the Throne of God. In other words. He dwells with a mighty God as he is, God himself. Father Son and Holy Spirit, but we have that same. Hope that his resurrection is a Prelude to our Resurrection when we pass from this life. In fact, as I said before God already looks his ass as resurrected people in him. Romans 6, 4 and 5 says we were therefore buried with him through baptism into this death in order that Jesus just as Christ was raised from the dead, through the glory of the father. We too, may live a new life.

New life. Wow. For if we have been United with him in death, like his we will certainly be United with him in a resurrection like his We have a wonderful Resurrection story.

And by God's recollection, it's already accomplished. Isn't that amazing? I mean when you think about a God exists and the past the present and the future and so he sees your life and Glory. He sees it. What incredible kindness of a living God to do all that for us and accomplish it all and all that we have to do is say yes Lord. Yes, Lord, Isaiah 54 8 says, in a surge of anger. I hid my face from you for a moment. But with Everlasting kindness I will have compassion on. You says the Lord your Redeemer. See, God is a god of great compassion. He's done the work. He's done everything that needs to be done. And all that you have to do is receive that merciful Grace, that he has to give. So, where does that lead us? How does that take us on? We've looked at it. We, okay. We've looked at Salvation. We looked at working with him seeking him and knowing him, where does it all lead? And that's the conclusion that we want to come to today is what where that leads us in this life. And so finishing it off here in a few seconds to 8 through 10. It says, for it is by Grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not from yourselves. It is a gift of God. In other words. Not my work is work not by works so that no one can boast for we are God's handiwork created in Christ. Jesus to do, good works. In other words, God has works for you. And for me. And it says, which God prepared in advance for us to do, you know, the works are out there for us to do. But we're called to find that work that God has for each of our Lots. Define each of those works. We have been Justified Justified, not by our works. But by the grace and mercy of the Living, God, who loved us so much that he wouldn't allow us to stay there Bound for hell, but he wanted to turn it around. So back to Romans chapter 3, verses, 23 and four. We read this earlier this morning for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are Justified freely by his grace through the Redemption. The team by Christ Jesus. Wow. We have been redeemed. It's done. The work is done. The Redemption is done. When you trusted in Jesus Christ, as your lord and your savior, and it all comes by your willingness to believe that. Jesus Christ. Did everything. He says that this word is true. And final that God is the god of Truth. Not the father of Lies. Is it Satan? Who wants to see people and turn them away from the truth? Romans 5:1. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith. We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. You have peace with God. He's not angry with you anymore. There's no wrath in God against your life. But you have peace with God. Remember, when he came to the disciples first thing, you said peace, be with you because I paid the price for your life's. And now we have peace together and he says that to every single person that receives Jesus Christ as their lord and savior. You now have peace with the Living God and that wonderful. Absolutely, no work by you and me. Remember we've gone to this chapter a bit lately Chapter 3 of Philippians, you know, where in Chapter 3 Paul talks about all the great things he did and he did do some great things. If anybody was to be justified by their works it would have been Paul. He did some great things, but then he says in verse 8. It's just rubbish everything. I did. It's just rubbish. I didn't do anything worthwhile.

And then he says, in verse 9. And be found in him not having a righteousness of my own, that comes by the law. All those things I did before, but that which is through faith in Christ. The righteous comes from God in the is on the basis of faith, faith in the Living God, and that's where we are. We're facing the Living God. We trust in him, but it calls us to think about. Okay. God, save me, is that all there is? Do I have anything else in this life that he has for me? Or am I just to kind of go along and attend church? And, you know, just recognize him through the things I do and that's I'm good. I'm good. Well, that isn't What God Says, and that's not what he calls us to because he says you were redeemed so that you actually could do something for me while you live on this Earth and 2nd Corinthians. He calls us ambassadors. We are ambassadors for the kingdom of heaven. Goodnight, wonderful. And gives you a little pressed. He's right. I'm an ambassador and Ambassador for heaven. That's even greater than an ambassador to anywhere else in the world. You know, how wonderful is that? Titus says these words in Titus 2:14. It says, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness in to purify himself, a people that are his very own. That's you and me. Eager to do, what is good? So I asked you are you eager to do, what is good, what God has called you to. He's called us to do works is called us to serve him as long as we're here on this Earth doesn't matter, whether were five years old or a hundred years old. He's called us to do his work. As long as he's leaving us here, on the face of this Earth. He's called us to do things for him. And we need to remember that and seeking in all of that.

Are we eager to do the work of the Living? God? I'm going to close with this is I don't know if, you know, I know some of you have picked up the daily bread that we have on the counter in the back and and Mary and I read him each day. And and we were reading it last night. And I thought, wow, this is a great message for what I'm going to preach on tomorrow. Isn't that wonderful. So this is a message from last night some of you yesterday. Some of you have read it, some of you haven't, but here it is. A new calling is what it, what the title lives. And it's taken from 2nd Timothy 2nd. Timothy. 1:9 says, he has saved us and called us to a holy life. So here it is, teenage gang leader, Casey and his followers broke into homes and cars. Rob convenience stores and fought other gangs eventually case. He was arrested and sentenced in prison. He became a short cop shot. Caller. Someone who handed out homemade knives during riots wonderful guy. Hun sounds, pretty terrible. But let's read on sometime later. He was placed in solitary confinement. While daydreaming in his in his cell, Casey experience the movie of sorts replaying key events in his life. And of Jesus being led to and nailed to the cross and telling him I'm doing this for you. Casey fell to the floor weeping and confessed his sins later. He shared his experience with a chaplain who gave him explain more about Jesus and gave him a Bible. That was the start of my Journey of Faith. Casey says, eventually he was released into the mainline prison population where he was mistreated for his faith, but he felt at peace because he had found a new calling telling other inmates about Jesus. In his letter to Timothy. The Apostle Paul talks about the power of Christ to change lives. Remember is he who changes lives? You do the work. But Jesus is the one who will change a lie. And so as long as you're doing the work, you don't have to worry about what happens with the work you're doing the work and God blesses you for that. He's the one that will change the lock. Remember that as you think about talking to others about Christ? Continuing on God, calls us from Lyme's of wrongdoing to follow and serve Jesus. When we receive him by faith. We desire to be a living witness of Christ. Love the Holy Spirit enables us to do. So, even when suffering in our quest to share the good news like Casey, let's live our life, our new calling and living out. Our new calling is when we decide to make God's will a purpose for a lot. That's the message today. Do we make the call of God a purpose for our life? Are we just living out our faith to the end without any concern about where it might lead us and others? But God wants us to make it real in a lot. Imagine if every believer. The truly knows Jesus Christ in our world. All of a sudden took hold a purpose, God's purpose for their lawns. We would see abundant miracles in our world today. And we need to think about. Am I taking God's purpose for my life, in hand willing to do what he wants me to do. Let's pray. Grace's, Father in heaven. Thank you for changing Y and father. If there's people here that you haven't fully gotten a hold of that, haven't made that commitment to follow. You. May your spirit even now be working on their hearts to change them. And may they make a decision today to trust you? but father, for those of us who have

Made that step of Faith than have. Jumped across the Divide. Started on that new direction to Glory, really take the heart, your desire for our lives. For you. Not only have changed us and giving us a new phone, but you've given us a new call. A call to help others. Seek you out to help others grow in you and there's all kinds of ways that this can be done in our lives and you commissioned each of us to take a hold of whatever you called us to do. And do it. So father. May you continue to work on each hard and each life to follow that call. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, the one who made the difference in our lives. Amen.