2010-11-05 - Purpose

Part 1

Note: This sermon is based on a sermon originally preached 3/31/2003.

I want us to look at some deep questions and find answers in the Bible. The questions I hope to get us all to think about are things like: "Why am I here?", "What am I doing?", "What's it all for?", and "What is my purpose?" At home I have a cross with a part of Psalm 138:8 on it.

Psalm 138:8

(KJV) The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

(NIV) The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever- do not abandon the works of your hands.

This is, I believe, the key verse for the Purpose Driven Life books. My wife got them for me for Valentine's Day. Maybe she was trying to say, "Honey, I love you but you're just wander around doing nothing. Find some purpose in your life." Actually she knew I had been eye-balling them for some time. I haven't read them but, a few weeks ago in our men's Bible study, we talked about Jesus and his purpose. That discussion got me thinking about purpose and I want to share some of those thoughts with you.

Jesus' Purpose

Jesus knew well his purpose. In Luke 19:10 he declares it; he says, "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Way back at the age of 12 in Luke 2:49 when we see him about his Father's business to the cross when he declares "it is finished" in John 19:30 we see Jesus single minded and focused on accomplishing that task.

His purpose was to restore the relationship with God that sin had severed. He fulfilled this purpose through his teachings, his deeds, and his sacrifice. His teachings taught us the way. His deeds reflected the power and glory of being on the way in fellowship with the father. And his sacrifice opened up the way, the road to reconciliation.

Jesus had purpose, a reason for being, and so do you and I.

My Purpose and Your Purpose

What about you what is your unique purpose in life?

Before you answer, consider that we all have some shared purposes. First we have what I'd call "General Purposes". These are the things God expects all of us to do. To see these let's look at three scriptures.

Deuteronomy 10:12-13

12. And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,
13. To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?

I like this because it's a rhetorical question. It needs no answer because it answers itself. What does God require? He requires we respect Him, walk in His ways, love Him, and serve Him with all of our being, and keep His commandments.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 - Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

And lastly my favorite of the three...

Micah 6:8 - He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Love God, serve Him, obey Him, respect Him, and commune with Him. These are all general purposes that he desires of every person.

Until next time.

IHFHBOH

acdum@hotmail.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org

All verses are from the King James Version unless otherwise specified.