Your Purpose Gives God Praise (Living 2021 On Purpose pt. 2)

Sunday Morning
Pastor Jim Lowe III
Sunday Morning,  9:30am Stream
1/10/21

{All scriptures are NIV unless stated}

 

There’s been a really big headline in the news.

Storming the Capitol

Damaging and Stealing Things From Inside

Creating Terror Within Our Elected Officials

The Deaths of 5 People…

This Was Terrible

One Thing I Feel Led To Address Right Now

Signs with “Jesus Is My Savior, Trump Is My President”

It’s okay to have your political ideals and beliefs.

But the problem is putting God in it.

This is hurtful in a way many probably won’t talk about.

Why is this a problem?

  1. It Implies There Is A “God-Party”

-           If you voted for the party, you have voted for God.

-           If you voted for any other party, you have voted for Satan.

-           As if if Jesus were alive today, he’d choose a side.

-           There is good and bad with every party.

-           There is good and evil with BOTH sides.

-           A sin-less God cannot be joined with a sinful people, idea or party!

-           When Pres Trump was elected: “Jesus is coming back to the white house.”

-           God is God…and will NOT sit in our box no matter how nice we make it.

-           But because many believe in a ‘God Party,’ they will always support that party because it will always be right to them.

The Third Commandment:

Exodus 20:4

4 “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

Do not make an idol in the form of anything.

Be it an ideal.

Be it a MAN.

Be it a platform!

Why else is this a problem?

  1. Because This Is “God’s Party,” This Was God’s Will

-           Again If Jesus walked this earth today…it implies he’d be there as well.

-           He’d be sitting at Pelosi’s desk in a photo.

-           But since he wasn’t there…signs are made to remind people this is done for the LORD!

-           Support whatever group or ideal you want, but I cannot see God’s will in this.

-           God would have 5 people to die, one an officer defending…to solve what?

  1. It’s Damaging To The Body Of Christ

-           How does this look to those looking at Christians?

-           How does this look to those of different opinions and parties who are Christians?

-           This creates division in the body!

-           This makes the entire body of Christ look bad!

2 Corinthians 5:20

20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

We have to make sure we aren’t damaging God in our actions.

It’s hurtful to others.

It’s hurtful to God.

Just because someone said they’re doing something in the name of God…

Doesn’t mean they are.

The Fourth Commandment:

Exodus 20:7

7          “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

There are many who think they’re doing the will of God…but they aren’t.

There are many who think God is on their side…

But we should be on the Lord’s side.

Joshua asked the man/angel “Who’s side are you on?  Us or our enemies?”  “Neither.”

Think what you want.

Fight for what you want.

But don’t assume God’s putting his name on our mess.

Matthew 7:21-23

21 “Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!

I don’t agree with a God-party mentality.

Not every one on one side is an angel.

Not every one on the other is a demon.

So vote with the ideas on what you think is best for our country.

But make sure you’re with God.

But don’t assume God is with you.

Last Week:

We talked about purpose.

Our Purpose Is Designed To Give God Glory

1 Peter 2:9

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

You are a chosen people -> that you may declare the praises of him…

You have a purpose - to give God glory.

Repeat:

{I Have A Purpose}

{That Purpose Will Give God Glory}

Today:

Three Terms To Talk About Today:

God’s Plan

God’s Purpose For Me

God’s Temporary Assignments

When it comes to purpose:

How Many Of You Know God’s Purpose For You?

Some of you might know what it is.

Since talking about it, I’ve talked to some people who believe they know what it is.

If you do know what it is…you should hear last week’s message for sure.

If you heard it…you should listen again and get ready to live 2021 on Purpose.

Some are still trying to understand what it is.

How Do You Begin To Find Your Purpose If You Don’t Know It?

One person’s purpose may not be someone else’s.

So how do you figure out what it is for you?

How do we find out what that thing is?

God Wants Us To Know Our Purpose In Life

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.

God will tell us and teach us the direction we should go.

He will tell us the way to head.

He will show us the way.

This goes to the first way we can find our purpose:

Ways To Find Your Purpose:

  1. God Can Directly Tell It To You

Job 33:14 - we know God speaks.

Since we know God does speak…

He can tell us directly what his purpose for us is.

Let’s look at some of those conversations:

Jeremiah 1:4-7

4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” 6 Ah, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” 7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.

Jeremiah was told as a child he was to be a prophet to the nations.

Since the purpose is to give God glory,

How Does Jeremiah’s Purpose Glorify God?

He is a prophet speaking on behalf of the Lord.

He is pointing people back to God the Father.

He is a mouthpiece for the things God wants said.

Here’s another:

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.”

The disciples as adults were given their purpose.

Right before Christ left them, he gave them their purpose.

They were to go and make disciples of all the nations.

How Does The Disciples’ Purpose Glorify God?

They are telling others about Christ.

-           Making disciples.

-           Teaching them the teachings of Christ.

This is how it gives God glory.

Another example:

Acts 26:9-18

9 “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them. 12 “On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ “ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.

Paul was one who actually persecuted Christians.

He and those with him were knocked to the ground by a light from heaven.

It blinded Paul for 3 days.

But his purpose was to be a servant for Christ and turn people from darkness to light.

How Does Paul’s Purpose Glorify God?

He brings people to Christ.

All these years later…we still use letters he wrote to different churches as guidance for us.

Another example:

Bishop Lowe

He tells the story of being in St. Louis in the front yard of a family member’s home when he was 6.

He was rolling down the hill.

He stopped once as he laid there and heard the voice of the Lord.

“I want you to be a minister.”

His purpose would glorify God by devoting his life to tell others about God.

He has done that.

Me:

God spoke to me when I was a child.

For a LONG TIME I was always second guessing if I had heard correctly.

How am I glorifying God?

I am now doing the best I can to tell others about Christ.

These are a few examples of God speaking directly to us.

What Is Another Way We Can Determine Our Purpose?

We know God can tell us…what’s another way?

Ways To Find Your Purpose:

  1. We Can Determine It Based On What We’re Shown

Samuel

1 Samuel 3:2-14

2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. 6 Again the Lord called, Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8 The Lord called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 11 And the Lord said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle. 12 At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family—from beginning to end. 13 For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptible, and he failed to restrain them. 14 Therefore, I swore to the house of Eli, ‘The guilt of Eli’s house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.’ ”

What Was Samuel’s Purpose?

God didn’t directly say here.

He told him things he was going to do.

Understanding the gifts of God, Samuel was appointed a prophet.

God told him things that he was GOING to do.

How Would This Glorify God?

He would be the mouthpiece to tell others of what God was going to do.

Speaking in the name of the Lord.

Who else?

Daniel

How did he find his purpose?

From the bible study on the book of Daniel…

His purpose wasn’t directly spoken by God.

Yet he learned he was given the ear of the Kings of Babylon.

He was God’s voice to those in power.

His purpose glorified God in bringing a kingdom to know of God who didn’t before.

Joseph

How did he find his purpose?

From the study on the life of Joseph…

His purpose wasn’t directly spoken by God.

He had dreams that were difficult to understand.

Yet his purpose was to be the one who would go through hell…

To randomly end up in front of Pharaoh…

To interpret his dream…that would save the world during an upcoming famine.

His purpose glorified God by saving EVERYONE, and saying it was God’s power that did it!

He was a man of integrity, and gave God glory the entire time.

Why do I keep asking about how these things give God glory?

Abraham

When he was 99 years old.

God told him of the covenant he would do with him.

He would be the father of many nations and the covenant would last for generations.

He would have to teach them the laws of the Lord.

God would get glory by having a people through Abraham he could call his own.

Your Purpose Is Designed To Give God Glory!

Repeat:

{I Have A Purpose}

{That Purpose Will Give God Glory}

 {If It Doesn’t Give God Glory,}

 {It Isn’t My Purpose}

We have examples of people learning their purpose as children.

Jeremiah

Samuel

David

Bishop Lowe

We have examples of people fully understanding their purpose as adults.

Daniel

Joseph

Paul

Abraham

The Disciples

So What Do We Do While Trying To Discover Our Purpose?

While we’re waiting to hear from God.

What do we do?

While We’re Waiting To Hear From God, Do Something!

Serve!

Get in someplace and serve to help God’s people!

1 Samuel 3:1-2

The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions. 2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place.

Sound familiar?

Before God spoke to Samuel to reveal his purpose…the bible made SURE to mention that Samuel was SERVING under Eli!

But there’s more!

Jesus gave purpose to his disciples!

-           Those who were serving under him!

If You Are Trying To Find Purpose, Start Serving!

Jesus gave the disciples their life purpose right before he left them.

But they were together for years!

They were serving him!

What happened in the meantime?

Did they not have anything?

Sure they did!

They did a lot!

Christ gave them temporary things to do!

God Gives Temporary Assignments Also

What is that?

A Temporary Assignment Is Something That Is In The Will Of God, But Has A Shorter Duration Than Our Full Purpose

Example From Last Week:

Matthew 14:25-29

25 During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

Peter asked for this…

Jesus told him to come on.

While this is now something Peter needs to do…this is NOT his purpose.

Peter Wasn’t Created For The Sole Purpose Of This Event

When the event ends, Peter no longer had a purpose?

Could Peter have “multiple purposes?”

How many different things can he be made for?

It Was A Temporary Assignment

It was still designed to give God glory.

-           Peter and the other disciples saw that Christ could give power to them to do miraculous things.

God may have a temporary assignment for you to work in the parking lot ministry.

But your purpose be something completely different.

God may have you do mission work as a temporary assignment, but your purpose is something other than being a missionary.

Same thing happened in the Old Testament

Genesis 2:15

The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

This was not Adam’s full purpose.

This was Adam’s assignment.

Working and taking care of the ground meant to do many things.

One day might be watering…

Another might be planting…

Another might be harvesting…

Each were assignments…

As we work to find our place in this world.

As we work to find what we were created for.

Serving is the way to find it!

God isn’t looking for people who are just sitting around.

Are You Serving?

It is through your serving that we find clarity in things we desire.

Why Would God Reveal Purpose And Assignments If We Already Show Him We Won’t Serve?

On my call to ministry, I’ve had a lot of assignments.

I’ve ministered in the youth choir.

I’ve been in church plays.

I’ve ministered in the puppet ministry.

I’ve been in the music ministry.

I’ve been in video/audio.

I’ve been a Deacon.

I’ve been a minister.

I’ve been a Youth Pastor.

ALL of these things helped shape the person I am today.

Your Temporary Assignments Help Prepare You For God’s Plan For Your Life

If you don’t know your full purpose,

Get busy serving in your ministry.

God Likes To Reveal Things To Busy People

If God is leading you to work with different ministries within your church…do it.

It’s giving God glory now…and it’s preparing you for your greater purpose.

 

Recap:

  1. I Have A Purpose That Glorifies God
  2. God Can Reveal It To Me If I Don’t Know It
  3. God Also Has Temporary Assignments For Me
  4. Serving Is The Best Way To Find God’s Full Plan For Me

If you know your full purpose…it’s time to get started.

If you don’t know it…work your assignment.

If you don’t know your assignment…start serving and watch God give it to you.

Let’s encourage others in 2021 to start living on purpose.

Let’s make a difference in the world!

 

 

 

 

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