What is the meaning of it all! Have you ever heard or thought of that question? What in the world is our purpose, or better yet, my purpose on this earth?
It’s an age old question, much like the creation question which came first, the chicken or the egg?
One thing to be certain though, we each have a spot carved into this life. We each have a foot print placed onto the ground and we each are destined for greatness, if we so choose.
I remember growing up, my mother always told me you can be anything you want to be, just work hard and trust God.
I can’t always say I always worked hard, and I can’t always say I trust God, but I can say in my journey of life, I do have a purpose and reason that I am here.
So the title of the sermon today is Our purpose, his will!
In the reading today in the epistle to the Ephesians, we see a statement that does seem to perplex us into another realm, but also gives us a glimmer of hope knowing “We have everything in Christ.”
Lets read in verse 4-6, “In love He predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, with which He favored us in the Beloved.”
If you read this, you should get a sense that God chose for himself a people to be his own! That includes you! The word predestined means to mark out the boundaries before-hand. Knowing we each was created and knitted in our mothers womb, he knew who we each are.
Do you remember, in the beginning, God created man in his ‘own image.’ Nothing about that statement shows dislike, or ignorance. Nothing about Gods creation is set before us to be valued or labeled as worthless.
In continuing, the adoption mentioned was his purpose for us to inherit all of Gods glory. This also means we are chosen for salvation.
Think about it friends. As a believer of Jesus Christ, at the very moment when we was saved, baptized and our name written in the lambs book of life, if we had no purpose on this earth, why wasn’t we just swept away straight into heaven to be with our Lord and Savior? There is always a seed of doubt that is planted in our world today. Its something we each are very guilty of at some point in our lives.
Paul is telling us clearly at the very beginning of chapter one, God has a plan for us, but let me read on.
Jumping down to verse 9, “In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He
set forth in Him, regarding His plan of the fullness of the times, to bring all things together in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.”
So here mystery is not a secret, rather the truth that have been previously unknown.
I found this statement that I think fits rather well here. “"To live a God–centered life, you must focus your life on God’s purposes, not your own plans. You must seek to see from God’s perspective rather than from your own distorted human perspective. When God starts to do something in the world, He takes the initiative to come and talk to somebody. For some divine reason, He has chosen to involve His people in accomplishing His purposes." Wow, doesn’t that say a lot?
However, in the world today, there are many that do not have a clue or reason to suggest they have a purpose.
Here is food for thought! It is reported that nearly 1 in 20 americans have the dreaded feeling that they are worthless! They have no value, and there is nothing worth truly living for. Whether or not this is resulted from a genuine mental illness or by choice is not clear, but needless to say, it is not something to shune or ignore when so many are in need of help.
So lets read on, “In Him we also have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things in accordance with the plan of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in the Christ would be to the praise of His glory. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of the promise, who is a first installment of our inheritance, in regard to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.”
Friends, in a nutshell, We Love God because God First Loved Us!
All things are Gods, but we are his chosen people, all who believe and call upon the name of the Lord.
The epistle of Timothy tells us “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was granted to us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel”
Are you starting to get the picture? To God be the glory!
How in the world can we feel so disconnected from a so much loving God? This is a great question! A very simple answer called, SIN!
Sin is what separates us from God, Sin is what destroys our joy, peace and love. Sin that drives us into areas where we don’t ever intend to go.
But, if sin rules in the world, where do I fit in?
Bill Hybels' The Power of a Whisper (p.110-111):
"Don't ever buy into the idea that everything God prompts His followers to do will be uncomplicated or low-cost. Sometimes God asks His children to carry heavy loads, as He did with the apostle Paul. But even--and often especially--under those backbreaking burdens, God's purposes are fulfilled. When our (whispered) task is tough, the reward of knowing we've helped further His Kingdom and bettered our broken world is all the sweeter.
"If you ever find yourself with a difficult assignment, why not try giving God thanks for trusting you with something that needs your particular strength. He assigns tasks to the right person every time. He did it throughout history, and He still does it today. As you walk whatever potholed path He has asked you to walk, never forget the tough journey that Jesus Himself once made. ...Christ was asked to bear the most difficult assignment of all--to lay down His life as a redemptive sacrifice for humankind. He chose to obey. And because of His obedience, you and I enjoy our redemption today."
WOW! What a statement.
Inclosing friends, let me leave you with something that I think is very satisfying.
Why did God save his people from slavery in Egypt? God had a plan for his people to serve him and live life more abundantly in a land which he promised.
Why did God destroy all the enemies of the people of Israel? No one goes against Gods people without his approval and purpose to succeed in the end.
Why does not God answer all my prayers? If every single prayer was answered in our timing, there would be no need for other people in the world to live but you! He does use all of his creation to fulfull his purpose of Love.
Friends, the best advice I can give you is this!
FOCUS ON GODS PURPOSE an NOT YOUR WILL! He has a plan for each of us. To give you hope and a future, Amen.