Living a Life of Significance

Judges 6:11–12 NKJV

11 Now the Angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites. 12 And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!”

Pray

As we continue our series on the cycle of grace, I want to talk to you about living a life that truly matters.

The writer of Ecclesiastes declares multiple times that life is meaningless or all is vanity (cf. Ecclesiastes 1.2). How often have you felt that way—like nothing you do seems to make a difference or matter in the big scheme of things?

The fact that we wonder this is an indication that we know that there is supposed to be more (cf. Ecclesiastes 3.11). And there are times that we do experience moments that are profound or wonderful. Times when we do something that awakens our soul and stirs up our hope that there is more to life than simply struggle, toil, and vanity.

It’s hard not to look at the chaos and the trouble and turmoil in the world around us. Jesus told us that these things would come and signal that the end is near (cf. Matthew 24.6-12). The only thing that remains in the sifting and shaking is the kingdom of God and those who keep the faith.

When we see all of the trouble that is going on around us—economic, ecological, racial, relational, social, cultural, etc.—it’s hard to feel as though you are doing something well and making a difference. In fact, many of us just feel like giving up and retreating.

But when you discover your worth and purpose according to God you will be more aware of your unique significance, gifts, and way of being in the world.

The value and power of your life won’t be defined by the world around you but you will discover your strength and purpose from the divine purpose of God for your life.

Escaping The Earning Trap

As we’ve discussed throughout this series, pursuing worldly significance by earning, buying, or working our way to importance ultimately fails us.

The cycle of works says that we are significant based on what we have (like money), what we do (our work), and what others think of us (reputation). What makes this even worse is that the standards of what levels we must achieve in order to matter constantly changes.

When we think about it, these standards aren’t what defines significance. If they did, even Jesus’ life would be considered insignificant.

A big question you have to answer is, “Do you know who you are apart from money, work, and reputation?”

To answer that question, we have to see ourselves in truth. And sometimes we are so afraid to see the truth that we distract ourselves by working so hard to matter.

To escape the cycle of works and the earning trap we need to learn how to embrace our eternal worth and live according to purpose.

We have blind spots and can’t see ourselves for who we really are. This is why it is so important that you discover the truth that you are who God says you are. He knew you and created you for a purpose (cf. Jeremiah 1.5, Ephesians 2.10).

Embracing Significance

The Scriptures offer us some practical ways that we can escape the earning trap and embrace our eternal significance.

Accept Your Worth

One of the main definitions of significance is the quality of being important. It indicates and describes value and worth.

The first step of embracing significance is to accept your worth or understand your uniqueness. It’s recognizing what God has put inside of you.

Judges 6:12 NKJV

And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!”

Judges 6:14 NKJV

Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?”

Judges 6:16 NKJV

And the Lord said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.”

Judges 6:22–24 NKJV

22 Now Gideon perceived that He was the Angel of the Lord. So Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord God! For I have seen the Angel of the Lord face to face.” 23 Then the Lord said to him, “Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die.” 24 So Gideon built an altar there to the Lord, and called it The-Lord-Is-Peace. To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

This dialogue between God and Gideon is powerful. In the story, Gideon was hiding from the Midianites. He thought little of himself and his family position. And listen to the word of God to him: You mighty man of valor.

He then sends him to go save Israel from the people he was hiding from. God told him to go in this might of yours. What was this might? It was the declaration of God over His life…he was a mighty man.

And God promised to be with him and help him succeed in his purpose.

Ultimately, this revelation brought peace in the face of fear and confidence to move forward.

It took Gideon some time to embrace this reality. But because he did, Israel was saved and the worship of God was returned to Israel.

You need to remember that God has a word for you.

You are God’s chosen (1 Peter 2.9)

You are a friend of God (John 15.15)

You are a child of God (John 1.12)

You are His beloved (2 Thessalonians 2.13)

When the world, flesh and devil want to tell you that you aren’t special or you don’t matter, or you won’t make it, stand on the truth of what God has said. The devil is the accuser and he labels us and seeks to box us in and imprison us by our past or our weakest moments (cf. Revelation 12.10).

But you are who God says you are! And you overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of your testimony (Revelation 12.11).

Illustration: Whenever there were questions about Jesus’ ability or value or worth He responded with an I AM statement. When Jesus didn’t show up on time to heal Lazarus, Martha doubted His purpose. She thought He was a healer but now she wondered. Jesus asked her if she believed Lazarus would live again and she said yes, but in the future. Jesus said, no, you have this wrong…I AM the resurrection and the life (John 11.25).

Stand on God’s word. Declare your “I am” statements: I am a child of God. I am God’s beloved. I am a chosen generation. I am holy. I am the righteousness of God in Christ. I am a friend of God!

Acknowledge Your Purpose

The second thing we need to do is acknowledge that we have a purpose. We need to remember that God has given us a role to play in His story.

Right after God spoke to Gideon and called him a mighty man of valor and told him to go forward in the strength of that identity to fulfill his purpose, God told him to tear down the altar of Baal and build an altar to the LORD on top of it (see Judges 6:25-35).

Gideon did so, though under the cover of night. The next day people saw it and were mad and came looking for Gideon because they heard he was responsible. But Gideon’s dad stepped in and challenged them. He said that if Baal was god then let him respond for himself.

Then something powerful happened.

Judges 6:34–35 NKJV

34 But the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon; then he blew the trumpet, and the Abiezrites gathered behind him. 35 And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh, who also gathered behind him. He also sent messengers to Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.

As Gideon embraced who God said he was and began to walk in his purpose others noticed. The grace of God came upon him and he began to move in the strength of the Spirit.

Gideon was signaling God’s move in Israel. The word significance comes from signify. To signify means to be a sign of, point out, express, indicate.

Luke 11:29–32 NKJV

29 And while the crowds were thickly gathered together, He began to say, “This is an evil generation. It seeks a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. 30 For as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so also the Son of Man will be to this generation. 31 The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.

In this text Jesus said that Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites and that He himself was a sign to His generation.

Part of your significance is to be a sign to others. When you walk in your purpose you point to the glory of God your creator. When you accept your unique way in this world with the gifts and talents that God has given you you display His workmanship (cf. Ephesians 2.10).

Jesus put it this way, “You are the light of the world. You are the salt of the earth.” When men see your good works—when you shine your light—they glorify your heavenly Father (Matthew 5.3-16).

Illustration: Convergys. Sharing faith through word and works. Jennifer leaving party to get saved.

When you do what you were created to do it reflects the wisdom and beauty and creativity of your God. The good things in you cause people to respond to God and makes the sharing of your faith effective (Philemon 1.6). So acknowledge your purpose in God and recognize that you have an important role to play in God’s story in this world.

Advance Toward the Promise

Finally we need to advance toward the promise of God. What I mean by that is to aim our lives and advance toward the fulfilment of what God has said.

The root of significance is the word, sign. The development of this word literally meant a “standard that one follows” like a military standard.

As you advance towards the promise and purpose of God you become a standard that others follow.

Judges 7:15–18 NKJV

15 And so it was, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, that he worshiped. He returned to the camp of Israel, and said, “Arise, for the Lord has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand.” 16 Then he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet into every man’s hand, with empty pitchers, and torches inside the pitchers. 17 And he said to them, “Look at me and do likewise; watch, and when I come to the edge of the camp you shall do as I do: 18 When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then you also blow the trumpets on every side of the whole camp, and say, ‘The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!’ ”

Gideon called the men to follow him as He followed the direction of the LORD. As a result, they saw the victory and God was glorified.

1 Corinthians 11:1 NKJV

Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

See your legacy and your significance is derived from abiding in Christ. It is found in following His life and example and giving others a model to follow.

We follow Christ and our kids follow us.

We follow Christ and our coworkers follow us.

We follow Christ and outsiders see our light and are drawn to Christ.

Illustration: Smith Wigglesworth

When you consider living a life of significance think of what you want your family, friends and neighbors to say about you at your funeral.

Will the the life you lived and the legacy you leave behind point people to eternity and challenge them to follow your example as you followed Christ?

Conclusion

Living a life of significance is living a life that matters, shows others what matters, and is a standard for others to follow.

You are loved by God. Accept your worth and embrace what God has said about you.

You were created to reflect some aspect of the image and glory of God. You were created for good works. Acknowledge your purpose and embrace your role in the world.

Your life was meant to be a sign to others. Your legacy is meant to be a standard that others can follow. Advance toward the promise of the heavenly calling (cf. Hebrews 3.1, Acts 26.19).

You will discover that as you do these things you will begin to escape the trap of the cycle of works and you will begin to rest and find peace in who God has called and created you to be.

Ultimately you will discover that you matter to God and have something significant to do in this life because of who you are. You are who God says you are!

Pray