“The Path To Purpose pt. 2!”
Pastor Jim Lowe III
Sunday Morning, 9:30am Stream 02/16/25 (3rd Sunday Message)
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{All scriptures are NIV84 unless stated}
Let’s talk about a plastic bag. How many of us have these?
You get them when you go to the store.
They put your stuff in them and you can carry them to the car. Many of us don’t throw these away.
What are uses for plastic bags?
trash can liner car trash cans
packing for luggage
put things like shoes in the plastic bag to protect clothes. wet clothes to separate from dry
picking up after your pets
clean faucets and shower heads a hat when it rains
It has many uses!
But what’s the ACTUAL purpose for these?
It was designed as an alternative for paper bags. It was to help with deforestation.
It can do a LOT of different things… but it was created for one.
You Can Do Many Different Things, But The Best Thing Is What You Were Created For!
Message Title:
“The Path To Purpose! pt. 2”
We talked last about how we make plans to do many things. We had plans for the game last week.
We have plans for this afternoon.
We might know where we’re gonna eat already.
We might be planning for that Sunday nap after eating.
We may be planning our next vacation.
But all those plans require other things to work to make it happen.
For our plans to be successful…
there are other things that have to work.
It’s the same with the Lord’s plans for us.
Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
You have a God who has plans for you. a God who has thoughts for you.
But just like the plans we make…
The Lord needs us to do OUR part to make the plans work.
The Plans The Lord Makes For Me Requires Me To Do My Part!
This is why we need to be focused more on our purpose. What are the things we are supposed to be doing?
The Lord Doesn’t Create Anything Without A Purpose
Genesis 1 talks about the creation of everything. There was a reason for everything.
This includes us.
If We Are Here, We Have A Purpose!
Some of us may ask the question:
So what does that purpose look like?
Colossians 1:16
16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
Things created by him and for him. We were created by God…
And we have a purpose!
The Path To Purpose:
We were created by God.
What we do is supposed to be FOR him.
We were created by him FOR him.
The Lord designed a purpose for us that would ultimately bring him glory.
We Are Here For The Lord’s Glory, Not Our Own
We were put here for him.
We are part of a larger plan…
and THAT plan will bring him glory.
The Path To Purpose:
You may find that your purpose might be something others do already. although it looks the same.
it’s not the same.
Don’t Judge Your Success Based On Someone Else!
Yes the Lord may have called them. but he also called you.
pray that what is meant for you. is what you do!
You are unique!
your path is what makes your purpose unique!
Proverbs 20:24
24 A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?
You might wonder why you went through some of the things you did.
The Lord Can Use Your Story To Bless Someone Else!
It may not be a pastor.
but maybe a motivational speaker.
it could be a small group leader.
it could be working with broken people.
It could be an author.
It could be a spiritual counsellor. It could be a songwriter.
That’s what we’re working to find out.
New for today:
The Path To Purpose:
I am talking about occupation: When we’re young:
We get asked:
“What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?”
We base it off our interests…
we may go to school for this occupation. we may get our doctorate.
we may get our masters.
we may get a job that pays amazingly. or terribly…
But JUST because we put the work in…
doesn’t mean we’re walking in our purpose.
Example:
Jesus had followers. Specifically 12 disciples.
Do you know what their profession was?
Some of them were fishermen. Some were tradesmen.
Judas dealt with money.
But it’s hard to find detailed info on the disciples.
It’s hard to find out exactly WHAT they all did before they followed Christ. Why?
Because their TITLE was their purpose.
All these centuries later…
we only know them by their purpose.
“Only What You Do For Christ Will Last”
It’s not about the amount of money we make.
Heaven forbid we’re underpaid and overstressed.
We hope the work we do will be setting us up for some type of crown somewhere.
We deal with the job…
because we need the money. because we need the training.
we want to feel proud of the work we do.
we want the job to be better as a result of us.
But those things are only temporary.
When we die…
we can’t take that with us.
But the Lord has developed something we’re even better at doing. and THAT we can take with us!
2 Corinthians 4:18
18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
again:
Doing Well In Your Profession Doesn’t Mean You’re Doing Well In Your Purpose
Because there can come a time when the profession keeps us so busy. we don’t have time for purpose…
and THAT is unfortunate.
The Path To Purpose:
Exodus 3 talks about Moses at the burning Bush. The Lord gives him purpose.
Exodus 3:7-10
7 The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
God’s Purpose For Moses:
- To Lead God’s People To The Promised Land
Moses wasn’t given his purpose before this.
He was born…
he grew up.
he killed an Egyptian who was mistreating an Israelite.
He ran away…(disappeared)
Even Through Your Past Makes You Feel Unqualified, The Lord Still Has A Purpose For You!
We all have a past!
The Lord still wants to use you for his glory!
When the Lord approached him…
he was watching the sheep of his father in law.
The Lord shows him his purpose.
Moses’ first answer is “how can I do that?”
Exodus 3:12
12 And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”
The Lord says he will be with him. this is the proof:
after it’s done…
you’ll see it was me all along.
Don’t Spend Too Much Time Thinking About How You’re Going To Do It! You’ll See How The Lord Helped After You’ve Started Doing It!
It can be difficult to see the Lord some times… but when we look back…
we know he was there the whole way. “footprints poem.”
But Moses was questioning how he would do this. The Lord told him he was already equipped.
Moses asked how could he do something like this?
Exodus 3:12(a)
12 And God said, “I will be with you.
This was all that Moses needed. He told Jeremiah the same thing.
Jeremiah told him he was a child.
The Lord told him, “I am with you.”
The Lord Will Help You With Your Purpose!
2 Peter 1:3
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
Once you have him,
There is nothing extra you need.
Zechariah 4:6
6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.
This is saying that by yourself it’s too much. but with the Lord with you…
it’s done!
Philippians 2:13
13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
The Lord works in you to do it!
The Lord told Moses the cheat code:
Exodus 3:7-10
7 The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
He told Moses to go in verse 10.
He told Moses he was sending him.
But he also said in verse 8:
Verse 8:
8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land…
The Lord told him he was going to do it himself!
All he needed from Moses was to go.
The Lord Will Help Us With Our Purpose! We Just Need To Show Up!
So how do we find what our purpose is?
How Do I Find My Purpose:
How Do I Find My Purpose:
Pray about your purpose.
Psalm 32:8
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.
The Lord designed it for you and isn’t trying to hide it. Ask the Lord for clarity on what he designed for you.
Pray About Your Purpose And Write Down Everything You Hear
We write it down so we can check it later to make sure we heard right.
How Do I Find My Purpose:
AFTER you’ve checked with the Lord. let’s check yourself.
Ask yourself questions:
What Am I Passionate About?
Helping?
Listening?
Encouraging Praying For Others?
Sharing The Word of God?
How Do I Find My Purpose:
What has he already placed in your hands? What gifts do you have?
What Are Your Spiritual Gifts?
Knowing what the Lord has given you can help you find your purpose. There is a test online you can take:
giftstest.com
Look at what you score well with.
Check Your Scores With What You Heard The Lord Say To You
This gives you an idea on where to start looking.
How Do I Find My Purpose:
Your Spiritual Leader can help you with your purpose.
But more specifically…they can help you train for that purpose. They can offer opportunities to help you develop that purpose.
Make Sure To Follow Up With Them!
If you told them two years ago and haven’t heard anything. follow up!
Remember:
The Path To Purpose:
-
Your Purpose Will Bring Glory To Our God
-
Your Purpose Was Designed For You
-
Walking In Your Profession Doesn’t Mean You’re Walking In Your Purpose
-
You Won’t Have A Purpose You Aren’t Equipped For
And how do we start to find it?
How Do I Find My Purpose:
