Grace for a Purpose Driven Life Chapter 40

I. What Is A Life Purpose Statement?

- these are some general characteristics of a purpose statement:

A. It’s a statement that summarized God’s purposes for your life.

* The Dutton family exists to bring glory to God by . . .

- this is not about specific goals – goals are temporary

Example: Our kids 2004 Summer goals – S.O.I.L. = Serving Organization Initiative Loving – these fit more into the next category . . .

B. It’s a statement that points the direction of your life.

• Proverbs 4:26 Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established.
• Proverbs 17:24 Wisdom is in the presence of the one who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth (no direction)
• Philippians 3:14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

C. It’s a statement that defines or allows you to measure your “success”

Philippians 1:10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ;

D. It’s a statement that clarifies your roles.

- Most of us have multiple roles to fulfill – Input: Name several of them?

> husband/wife – parent – employee – church member – church leader – neighbor – friends – counselor – servant of God . . .

E. It’s a statement that expresses your shape.

- Not the shape of your body . . .

- But rather it reflects the unique way that God has made you for His glory/service

II. Life’s Five Greatest Questions

A. What will be the center of my life?

* This is the question of worship

- This goes all the way back to Gen. 3 – who is going to be god in your life? Who are you going to live for? What are you going to build your life around?

- Some homes are ‘child-centered’ – others are ‘wife’ centered or ‘husband’ center – you could sing, “It’s All About Me, Jesus” – or ‘job’ centered

Point: Whatever is the center of your life is your god!

Q: How do you know what God is at the center of your life?

“When God is at the center, you worship – when He’s not . . . you worry! Worry is the warning light that God has been pushed to the sideline.” – p. 314

- Paul put it this way:

• Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

B. What will be the character of my life?

* This is the question of discipleship!

Q: What kind of a person are you going to be?

> this is not about what you DO but what you ARE – your character (what you are when nobody is looking!

C. What will be the contribution of my life?

- This is the question of service!

Q: What do you want to look back on in 20 years and say that you’ve accomplished?

- Paul stated it clearly in:

• Acts 20:24 "But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.

D. What will be the communication of my life?

* This is the question of your mission to unbelievers

- Our purpose statements should include a vision for the lost – a burden /concern for the unsaved God has placed around us!

F. What will be the community of my life?

* This is the question of fellowship!

- This has to do with the way you obey the ‘one another’ passages in the Bible

Q: What are you doing to include others in your life?

• Galatians 6:10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

- Some may be asking: But what about God’s will for my life – my job, who my kids marry, where we choose to live?

- those are secondary issues compared to fulfilling your purpose!

Cf. Knowing The Will of God series available on the web or MRC

• What matters most is that you fulfill God’s eternal purposes regardless of where you live or work or whom you marry.
• Proverbs 19:21 Many plans are in a man's heart, But the counsel of the LORD will stand.
• 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

II. God Wants to Use You

• Acts 13:36 "For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his fathers and underwent decay;

• Neither past nor future generations can serve God’s purpose in this generation. Only we can. Like Esther, God created you “for such a time as this.”
• 2 Chronicles 16:9 "For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His."
• 1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air;
• Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

“One day history will come to a close, but eternity will go on forever. William Carey said, “The future is as bright as the promises of God.” When fulfilling your purposes seems tough, don’t give in to discouragement. Remember your reward, which will last forever. Imagine what it is going to be like one day, with all of us standing before the throne of God presenting our lives in deep gratitude and praise to Christ. Together we will say, “Worthy, Oh Master! You, our God! Take the glory! The honor! The power! You created it all; It was created because you wanted it! We will praise Him for His plan and live for His purposes forever!” – P. 319

• Revelation 4:11 "Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created."

Input: What you learned from this series – How have you changed? Grown? Taught your kids?

Q: When will I take the time to write down my answers to life’s five great questions? When will I put my purpose on paper?