Living Life With Purpose, On Purpose Series

Series - "Living Life to the Full"

Living with Purpose on Purpose (LTF-04)

Eph. 1:9-12

There is an abundance, these days, of pop-psychologists hawking their self-help seminars on the sidewalks of almost every sphere of life. Gurus of every ilk flood the internet selling their secret formulas and magic juices for a more successful and more fulfilling existence. And there is, of course, no shortage of needy and sometimes very successful people in the market willing to part with their hard earned money to gain the insights that are being peddled.

This is because seeking fulfillment in life is almost a universal phenomenon. And the primary problem stems from the fact that while most everybody knows when they were born, very few know why they were born - and so they are searching for meaning. Your alarm clock could tell you what time to wake up in the morning, but it cannot tell you ‘why’ to wake up in the morning.

Even in a meeting like this, if I had to ask by show of hands how many people believe that God has a purpose for their lives, almost every hand would be raised. Yet if I had to ask how many know their God-given life-purpose, conspicuously few would remain in the air. Most people are living life without knowing what their purpose is. Nevertheless, they yearn to live meaningful lives.

Well this morning as we pick up our series, "Living Life to the Full" I want to talk with you about "Living Life With Purpose, On Purpose." Please open your Bibles with me to the book of Ephesians and the first chapter.

While you are turning there may I suggest that one of satan’s most powerful lies is to tell you that God does not or no longer has a purpose for your life, or that you cannot know that purpose. You are here by chance. Your existence is random. You see, the truth is that until I find my God-given purpose, my life tends to be driven by self-preservation and self-promotion. In other words, I become my agenda. But when I discover God’s purpose for my life I find something that is greater than I am, and for that I am willing to give, spend or live my life. Then, instead of living the frustration and futility of a driven life I am released into the fulfillment and rewards of a called life.

Thomas Carlyle wrote, "A man without a purpose is like a ship without a rudder - a waif, a nothing, a no man."

Ephesians 1:9-12 - Read - Pray

1. Everything Has Purpose

Everything God ever created He created on purpose, with purpose.

Purpose Precedes Creation. Everything in life begins and ends with purpose.

"Everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him." Colossians 1:16b (Msg)

So what is your purpose? You purpose, the reason you were created was for the pleasure of God - you were created to bring God happiness.

Let me tell you from the Word of God - and I love the way the Authorized version renders this - you can find it in Revelation 4:11 ". . . Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure, they are and were created."

God decided to create something that was fun, that would give Him pleasure, that would satisfy Him deep inside - and do you know what that was precious believer - that was you? Now somebody shout hallelujah.

Everything has purpose - and your primary purpose is the pleasure of God. You were made for God, not vice versa, and life is about letting God use you for His purposes.

God is not wowed by what you can do - He has done better than that.

God is not impressed with what you know or how well educated you are - He already knew that stuff.

God is not staggered by how fast you can run or how much money you can make - been there done that.

God is not taken with how often you can read your Bible or say your prayers - come on.

But if you want to grab God’s attention - if you want to bless His heart - if you want to really get it going - love Him with all you have got. That will do it because that is why you were created. If you want to get into it - recognize that in Him we live, and move, and have our being.

Now will you notice secondly with me this morning . . .

1. Everything Has Purpose

2. Your Purpose Makes You Unique

Your purpose is different to the purpose of anybody else in this room, anybody else on the face of this globe, anybody since the dawn of history.