On Purpose

Purpose

By

Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr.

OPENING: - When we look at people the condition of the world the desires of society the aspirations and goals of our governing entities, we understand that everything is designed toward the dark side, self-existence, self-promotion, self-acclamation, and everything that God is not. Self-centeredness and greed is killing the growth of people in this country and world-wide. Our society and ones self-worth is based upon likes comments and shares because the social media platform calls this the norm and if you go contrary to this new so-called norm, you are cancelled disqualified outcasted and considered useless and without purpose because this is what is paramount and not purpose.

People’s lives are relegated by what is posted about them on the internet. We see and hear about it all the time how a person is bullied on the internet and either commits suicide or goes on a shooting rampage because of what is posted about them on the internet. Political decisions and outcomes are sadly made based upon what is on the internet. Ministries are destroyed or propelled because of what is posted on the internet. Because the internet now plays such an integral part in our lives people are focusing on trying to make sure they are not cancelled or disqualified on the internet that they fail to live and walk in their purpose. Too often people strive to be accepted popular, approved wondering did I get enough likes and shares, have I gone viral or have I been cancelled and neglect their true purpose.

Don’t get me wrong - Yes, the internet can offer the opportunity of many different resources and open a wealth of information, but we must be aware of our purpose and not let anything interfere with our purpose.

Understand that when you plant a vineyard the purpose is different than when you plant a flower bed. My wife plants flowers around the house and in the barrels, she has going down the driveway so that we can enjoy the beautiful flowers and all the beautiful colors, some attract butterflies, others humming birds, and others are a multitude of colors, they look good and make the house and yard look beautiful through the different season of the year. However, I plant a garden in the back yard for a totally different purpose and that is to harvest a crop in the fall. My goal and purpose for the garden is that our garden will bear a lot of vegetables of different types so we can enjoy them especially through the fall and winter. Now if all the garden produces are flowers and leaves, my efforts in planting it has failed because the purpose for which I planted the garden was not achieved. It may look pretty but it will not fulfill the purpose it was planted.

And such were some of you!

John 15 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible because of the progression of relationship that unfolds in this chapter especially versus 15-17. However, John 15 falls into three sections that teach our purpose as a church and as individual believers. Our first purpose is God-ward, and verses 1-11 focus on our relationship with Christ. Our second purpose is to love one another, which is the point of verses 12-17. Our third purpose is to proclaim the good news to the world, which is the focus of verses 18-27. But the point of the story of the vine and the branches is that we who follow Christ and would abide in Him and bear much fruit. That’s our purpose as redeemed people. Contrary to popular belief we are not redeemed just to go to Heaven. This is our God-given purpose.

PRAYER

SCRIPTURE: - John 15:1-7 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman (vinedresser). Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you”.

Definition: - Purpose = the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.