Sermon Central
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Purpose Driven Life
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 4, 2004 (message contributor)
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1. Irreplacable - Purpose Driven Life
Contributed on Oct 4, 2004
The World looks at us and sees us as one step above the ape. But God says that’s wrong. God says we’re one step below the angels.
OPEN: I read the true story about a 6-year-old who called his mother from his friend Charlie’s house. Apparently, he and his friend had been playing in the living room and tossing around a football… when they broke a lamp. His mother was understandably distraught, and he attempted to comfort her ...read more
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2. Shaped To Be A Servant - Purpose Driven Life
Contributed on Oct 10, 2004
There are Christians who wander around in their faith having little direction or purpose... they seem to be getting nowhere with their lives. Paul, however, tells us we do have a purpose for our faith. What is it?
OPEN: The story is told of the time Albert Einstein was taking a train to an out of town engagement. The conductor stopped by to punch his ticket, but the great scientist preoccupied with his work, explained that he couldn’t find his ticket. Not in the coat pockets, not in the briefcase. The ...read more
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3. Making God Smile - Purpose Driven Life
Contributed on Oct 18, 2004
Not all gifts bring God delight. What could possibly make it so that God would not take pleasure in what I try to do for Him?
OPEN: (I went up on podium with t-shirt and tie that my two children had bought me for my birthday) A week ago last Wednesday was my birthday. My daughter bought me this tie (with Jesus on a blue background), and my son picked out this t-shirt (with a lion and Jesus and the message: "King of ...read more
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4. Formed To Be Friends Of God - Purpose Driven Life
Contributed on Oct 26, 2004
Jesus said that we’re His friends... but what do friends of God do???
OPEN: Friendship is an elusive commodity. I have sought quotes and illustrations on this topic and found only a few observations I found to be enlightening… but the few that I did find were enlightening: One Native American Indian Tribe described a friend as: “someone who carries my sorrows on his ...read more
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5. Adopted For A Purpose - Purpose Driven Life
Contributed on Nov 1, 2004
Adoption is often seen, by those who have been adopted - as a mark of rejection or abandonment. But God sees it as an opportunity and an adventure.
OPEN: One woman shared a story of her childhood as a victim of polio. She said, “When my mother left me in Sunday School I always asked to wear her locket. She thought I liked the locket, but that wasn’t it at all. I knew I wasn’t worth coming back for, but I knew she would come back for her ...read more
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6. A Purpose Filled Love - Purpose Driven Life
Contributed on Nov 7, 2004
Many people down thru the ages have been "purpose driven"... but have failed to understand the most important part of what makes us a Christian. Do you know what might have been missing in their lives?
OPEN: A mother looked out a window and saw Johnny playing church with their three kittens. He had them lined up and was preaching to them. The mother turned around to do some work. A while later she heard meowing and scratching on the door. The cats were obviously upset and frightened. She ...read more
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7. Purpose Driven Worship - Purpose Driven Life
Contributed on Nov 14, 2004
Most of us think we have worshiped when we have felt the music has been uplifting and the sermon challenging... but Scripture seems to say something else. What do you think God believes is the mark of true worship?
OPEN: I love to collect stories, jokes and all kinds of odd information. As I was going through my files, I happened on the following oddities about how did we ended up with the measurements we now use as a society. • Inch – was based upon a King by the name of Edgar… and an inch was the distance ...read more
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8. Purpose Driven Strength - Purpose Driven Life
Contributed on Nov 22, 2004
Paul rejoiced in his weaknesses and hardships and difficulties... was he crazy? No, he had learned the source of strength in his weakness.
OPEN: Years ago, the story was told of a Sunday School teacher who – on the Sunday before Thanksgiving - was encouraging the children in her class to share things they were grateful for. A little boy was asked what he was thankful for, and he thought for a moment. Then the boy went through a ...read more