Pastor Jim Lowe III
Sunday Morning, 9:30am Stream 02/23/25 (3rd Sunday Message)
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{All scriptures are NIV84 unless stated}
Last week we opened talking about plastic bags. the multiple uses for them.
why it’s not a bad idea to have multiple.
we even had someone in church who had one on them! but we also talked about it’s main use.
Today let’s look at WD-40. Uses:
Can remove tar, tree sap, and bird poop from cars
Cleans and polishes certain things. Removes gum from walls and floors easier. Keeps bugs away.
Clean toilets.
remove crayon stains
Lubricates squeaky drawers, doors and more.
Over 2000 official uses!
Folk Remedy:
People also used it for a time on their knees! “lubricate the joints”
do NOT do this…
We have many uses for this product…
but it was originally created in 1953.
It was made to prevent rust and corrosion on a missile. That’s what it was made for!
We may have found many uses for it…
but these are NOT it’s original purpose.
There are many things WE as people can do as well.
But because the LORD developed our purpose… what we do will never be as good…
as what the Lord created us for.
Message Title:
“The Path To Purpose! pt. 3”
Today we are finishing our talk about purpose.
We’ve spent 2 weeks talking about the Lord’s plans for us. to prosper us and not harm us.
We know these scriptures and want to quote them.
“God’s gonna bless me.” “God’s gonna prosper me.”
But those plans require things to fall into place to make them work. Namely US.
He told Abram in Genesis 12.
Genesis 12:1-2
The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
He told Abram to leave where he was. That was the first thing said.
Assuming Abram did THAT… then comes the blessing.
If We Want The Lord To Do For Us, We Have To Do Our Part!
Bishop has a statement:
"The End Result Of Obedience Is Always Increase!”
This means we have a part to play.
The Lord designed a purpose for us in mind… we need to start walking in it.
The Path To Purpose:
This is important because some of us may have tried to do something. and it doesn’t look like it’s taking off.
we may start something and only a few people participate. You may post encouraging messages on social media…
and you get no reaction.
No one notices…
But don’t focus on the impact too soon. Especially when it comes to your purpose!
Don’t Judge Where God Can Take You Based On Today!
Zechariah 4:10a (NLT)
10 Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.”
What you have and what you do might appear small. But if the Lord is with you…
What you see isn’t what it really is. Does anyone know about gardening? Those who have a garden.
We don’t plant seeds expecting it to be a tree tomorrow.
But after time if we take care of it… and tend to it…
we know it will be something bigger. possibly something that will out live us.
The Lord Is A Master At Taking A Little And Making It Much!
John 6:1-4
Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), 2 and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick. 3 Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4 The Jewish Passover Feast was near.
A great crowd of people followed Jesus because miracles were happening.
John 6:5-6
5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
He asked Phillip to test him.
He already had a plan for what he was going to do.
You might be in a situation where you don’t know the answer. You might be posed with an impossible decision to make.
Nothing Takes The Lord By Surprise! If You Are With Him, It Is Going To Work Out!
Why?
Because the Lord already knows what he’s going to do. So how did Phillip do?
The Lord asks where we can get bread for these people.
John 6:7
7 Philip answered him, “Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”
Phillip has his answer. “it can’t be done.”
Phillip was messing up because he was looking at the wrong thing.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)
7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.
Remember That When You Are Walking In Your Purpose, The Lord Wants You To Trust Him! Even When Things Look Bad, He Has A Plan!
John 6:8-9
8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”
Andrew did a little better.
He came up with a solution…
but even his best solution wasn’t enough to solve the problem.
And he SAID that!
But they tried…and here is where the Lord stepped in.
John 6:10-11
10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
You might be the disciple trying to figure out how things are going to work. you might feel like you have nothing to work with.
but the Lord will see that you have all you need when you are walking with him. because SOMEONE is out there who has what you need.
it might not look like much…but that combined with YOUR purpose and the Lord.
You might be starting out with nothing…but the Lord will turn it into something!
Also the other way.
you might be like the boy ;the one who is only working with a little. you might feel that what you have isn’t enough.
when you do things, people don’t support. they don’t listen to you.
they don’t show up when you try certain things.
you might feel like what you do only helps a small amount of people. but there will come a time when the Lord is ready to do something.
and all that’s necessary is the “little” you do have.
The Lord Will Turn What You Bring Into Whatever He Needs It To Be!
Don’t judge your purpose by how effective it might look today.
The Lord told Jeremiah… don’t say you are a child.
You Are Beyond Capable! If The Lord Called You To This, You Can Do It!
Don’t judge tomorrow based on today.
The Path To Purpose:
We have a directive from Christ himself on what the major function of our purpose would be.
Matthew 28:19-20
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Go and make disciples.
go and share the good news.
let others know there is a God who loves them. help someone ELSE build a relationship with Christ
Our Purpose Will Be Something That Benefits Others!
Here is an example:
Ephesians 4:11
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
He gave some…
to prepare the people for works of service.
Until we all reach unity in the faith… until we become mature…
getting the whole measure of the FULLness of Christ!
1 Peter 4:10
10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
Use the gifts you have to serve someone else… to help someone else.
That purpose will be something designed to help someone else.
The Path To Purpose:
Remember we were created for our purpose.
it is what we are SUPPOSED to be doing! it is the RIGHT thing to do.
We Have A Responsibility To Walk In Our Purpose!
This is what the bible tells us.
James 4:17
17 Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.
If you know the good you OUGHT to do.
the things you’re supposed to be walking in. the things you were put here for.
the lives you were supposed to encourage. help…
if you do NOT do it. you are in sin.
In Luke 12:35:
Jesus told a parable about being watchful.
After he finished, Peter asked him what did it mean?
Jesus tells him that it’s good for the servant ready for the masters return. doing what they are supposed to be doing.
but woe to the servant who thinks they have time to do what they want.
the master will come at a time they aren’t expecting.
Luke 12:47-48
“That servant who knows his master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
This is the parable of the talents all over again. We each have a work to do.
We Each Have Been Given A Purpose. We Are Responsible For It!
{Recap}
The Lord has created something for EACH of us to do. He didn’t create anything without a reason.
That includes you.
The Path To Purpose:
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Your Purpose Will Bring Glory To Our God
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Your Purpose Was Designed For You
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Walking In Your Profession Doesn’t Mean You’re Walking In Your Purpose
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You Won’t Have A Purpose You Aren’t Equipped For
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Where You Start Isn’t Anywhere Close To Where The Lord Is Going To Take You!
don’t judge the results too early…
make sure you’re following the Lord.
it’s not for you.
it’s supposed to help someone else.
If he gave it to us…
we must walk in it.
Because we will be held accountable for it.
IF we don’t do what we’re supposed to… it’s sin.
How Do I Find My Purpose:
-
Check With The Lord
-
Check With Yourself
What non spiritual things do I have a talent for? What do I have a passion for?
What things keep me up at night?
What can I see myself doing?
*It’s not about if you LIKE doing it.*
What spiritual gifts/talents has the Lord given?
Find some place and start serving in that area.
Try something…
because trying something is better than doing nothing.
When Moses followed the Lord…
sometimes they went ways that didn’t make sense to others… but it’s not anyone else’s walk.
it’s your walk…
on a purpose unique to you.
THAT purpose is something that is part of God’s plan for you.
If You Want To Prosper, You Have To Walk In Purpose!
