SUNDAY SERVICE

February 24, 2008

KNOW YOUR PURPOSE

This message is from last year...but is on my heart for today because, no matter how much we may know it, we often need it reinforced.

WITHOUT A SENSE OF PURPOSE, LIFE IS DEPRESSING. HERE ARE SOME DEFINITIONS OF PURPOSE:

  The object toward which one strives or for which something exists; an aim or a goal:

1: an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions;

2: what something is used for

3: the quality of being determined to do or achieve something

Does your life have a purpose beyond eating, sleeping, taking care of yourself, work, raising a family, and having fun?

Most companies have a statement of purpose, Ministries have a mission statement, and each of us needs to know what his or her life purpose is. This is something that is given by God. Our goals may change as we get more direction and revelation, but our life purpose remains the same. Do you know what your life purpose is?

To have power in your life, you must discover what that purpose is.

Romans 8:28 AMP 28We are assured and know that God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.

YOU WERE CREATED FOR A PURPOSE. FOR YOUR LIFE TO BE FULFILLING YOU NEED TO BE FULFILLING YOUR PURPOSE.

Jesus had a purpose:  to do God’s will…

John 6:38 Amplified Bible
For I have come down from heaven not to do My own will and purpose but to do the will and purpose of Him Who sent Me.

To save mankind

Matthew 18:11 "For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

HE DID NOT LET ANYTHING SWAY HIM OR DIVERT HIM FROM THAT PUPOSE:

John 12:27 Amplified Bible  Now My soul is troubled and distressed, and what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour [of trial and agony]? But it was for this very purpose that I have come to this hour [that I might undergo it].

Human beings often get diverted because life presents so many distractions. It might be interesting to have a prayer journal and write down what God puts on our hearts to do—then go back and see if it ever got done. It might also be interesting to discover exactly what came up and distracted us so that it never got done.

WE NEED TO WATCH OUT FOR DISTRACTIONS, DETOURS, DECOYS. GOD HAS A PERFECT WILL FOR US AND ANYTHING ELSE IS SECOND BEST. SATAN WILL DISTRACT IS WITH GOOD THINGS BECAUSE “GOOD” IS THE ENEMY OF “BEST”.

Every Believer has a general purpose and message: WE’RE PRIESTS OF GOD. WE MINISTER TO PEOPLE AND WE MINISTER TO GOD. THAT’S WHAT PRIESTS DO. AND WE’RE ROYAL BECAUSE WE ARE CHILDREN OF THE KING.

1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

You and I are here to proclaim Jesus---to call people to God---to be ambassadors. But, beyond that we have an INDIVIDUAL purpose, and a unique Life Message. You can't separate your purpose from the Love of Jesus.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

IN ORDER TO FULFILL YOUR PURPOSE AND DESTINY, GOD IS CHANGING YOU DAY BY DAY, HOUR  BY HOUR.

2 CORINTHIANS 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

You cannot accept things the way they are. You are always in transition---being conformed to His Image in order to fulfill your Purpose.  

You won’t fulfill your purpose in total isolation. You need people—GOOD PEOPLE!

PURPOSE IS MADE CLEARER BY COUNSEL: Proverbs 20:18 AMPLIFIED Purposes and plans are established by counsel; and [only] with good advice make or carry on war.

The right people can help you get to your purpose. The wrong people can keep you from it.

RIGHT PEOPLE: God’s people, positive people, people who bring out the best in you—who will tell you the truth even if it makes you angry with them.

Proverbs 27:6 King James Version
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

 WRONG PEOPLE: Ungodly people who are negative and bring out the worst in you—who will flatter you and withhold the truth. They don’t care enough to confront you.

You need to find and fit in with god’s plan for you.

Romans 8:29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

 There is a deliberate plan that God has set for you to fulfill your destiny.

The greatest wisdom you will ever find is when you are walking IN HIS WISDOM FOR YOUR LIFE! Wisdom is always connected with purpose. So are blessings and giftings. Give the world the best you have and the best will come back to you.

A CLUE TO FINDING YOUR PURPOSE: WHAT IS IT THAT YOU WANT TO DO? WHAT DESIRE (GODLY) COMES BACK OVER AND OVER?

What are your core essential dreams? That's the direction your works and ministry should take. Don't spread yourself thin doing a lot of things you shouldn't be doing; concentrate on what you need to be doing to fulfill your purpose.

Also, you can't stay in the same position forever---you have to move on. You don't want do keep doing something just because everyone else is doing it.

You want to finish your course. Your best constantly changes. You grow and learn, so aspire to giving more and more every day.

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE MESSAGE? It's the thing that pervades everything you do in your ministry and message. My message always involves Hope and Destiny and LIFE FROM THE DEAD. Yours may involve Healing or Deliverance. It might involve teaching people to be prosperous. It may be giving comfort ---relieving pain. It may be helping people reach their fullest potential.

Every day, when you get up, ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you; to help you make the right choices. Small choices carry us toward our destiny.

Every person is on a journey through life. The question which we must think about is this: "Where am I going to end up?" "Where will my journey bring me?"

It should bring you to your Destiny.

Psalm 57:2 AMP  2I will cry to God Most High, Who performs on my behalf and rewards me [Who brings to pass His purposes for me and surely completes them]!