The Joy of Purpose
I. Introduction
A. Knowing Your Purpose
1. Hank Aaron and Yogi Berra
a) Berra, catcher for the Yankees, was playing against Aaron, Milwaukee Braves, in the World Series.
b) Berra was keeping up his ceaseless chatter, intended to pep up his teammates and distract the opposing hitters.
c) When Aaron came to plate, Berra engaged in a conversation with the Home Run King.
d) Berra, “Hank, you’re holding the bat wrong. You’re supposed to hold it so you can read the trademark.”
e) Aaron did not reply, but hit the next pitch into the left-field seats.
f) After rounding the bases and crossing home-plate, Aaron looked at Berra and said, “I didn’t come up here to read trademarks.”
2. Both Aaron and Berra knew their purpose.
a) Aaron’s was to hit home runs.
b) Berra, was to prevent him from doing so.
B. The Christian life is a purposeful life.
1. Our purpose is to glorify God by making disciples of all people and strengthen churches so that believers worship God, win unbelievers to Christ, and become more like Christ.
2. At times, we can loose focus on our purpose.
a) Distractions
b) Difficulties
c) Decisions
3. Paul had a handle of his purpose.
a) Philippians 1:21 – “For to me to live is Christ…”
b) He found great joy in his purpose – Philippians 4:4
c) In Philippians 1:19-30, three ways Paul found “Joy in Purpose.”
II. Finding Joy in Our Purpose
A. Magnifying Christ (19-21)
1. Power of Prayer (19-20a)
a) Paul expected deliverance because of the prayers of the saints.
b) Trusting in the promises, power and provision of God.
c) Therefore, he not without hope or positive expectation.
2. Proclaiming Christ (20b)
a) Unashamed and bold – Romans 1:14-17
b) With his life – Colossians 3:17, 24
c) Through his death – Acts 21:13
3. Passion for Christ (21)
a) His life was given entirely to the Lord.
b) He would be abundantly supplies in life – Ephesians 3:20
c) He would eternally rewarded in death – Revelation 14:13
B. Ministering to the Saints (22-26)
1. Determined Servant (22)
a) If Paul lived, his life would continue to be one of continual service to the Lord.
b) Romans 12:10-11 – “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another, not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.”
2. Difficult Decision (23-24)
a) Some are afraid of death, others are afraid of life, Paul was afraid of neither.
b) Paul understood the great joy that would follow his death.
c) He also understood the great needs that could be met with his life.
d) It was a win, win situation.
3. Denouncing Self (25-26)
a) Paul’s mind was made up – He was ready to serve the saints of Philippi.
b) He had the progress and the well-being of the Philippians in mind.
c) His selfishness would produce great joy in them but also within himself.
C. Mastering a Christian Lifestyle (27-30)
1. Consistency (27a)
a) “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ.”
b) Behave the way that Christ behaved.
c) Act like a citizen of heaven and not a citizen of the earth – Philippians 3:20-21
d) The Greek phrase that is translated, “let your conduct,” conveys the idea of fulfilling one’s duty as a citizen.
e) Always striving to please the Lord – 2 Corinthians 5:9
f) 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 – “You are our epistles written in our hearts, known and read by all men. Clearly you are an epistle of Christ…written on tablets of flesh, that is of the heart”
2. Cooperation (27b)
a) “…that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel.”
b) The Greek word that is translated, “striving together” gives our English word athletics.
c) We are not seek personal glory – 3 John 9
d) Each person has his job to do for the betterment of the kingdom – 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
3. Confidence (28)
a) Don’t let your behavior be determined by God’s enemies.
b) God’s perfect love casts out fear – 1 John 4:18
c) “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.”
d) Knowing that God deals with our enemies – Hebrews 2:2
e) God gives us victory through Christ – 1 Corinthians 15:54
f) Depend on Him
4. Courage (29-30)
a) Conflict (“agony”) for Christ is promised – 1 Peter 4:12-13
b) Conflict for Christ is a blessing – 1 Peter 4:14
c) Conflict for Christ is a privilege – 1 Peter 4:16
d) Conflict for Christ unites us to others
e) Conflict for Christ unites us with Christ.
III. Conclusion
A. Finding a Joyful Purpose
1. Using Paul’s encouragement we should live a…
a) Life of unity with a single purpose.
b) Life of courage in the face of opposition.
c) Life of suffering for the name of Jesus.
2. What is our purpose?
a) Fill in the blanks of the following sentence.
b) “For me to live is __________ and to die is _________.”
c) Some say money; to leave it all behind.
d) Some say fame; to be forgotten.
e) Some say power, lose it all.
B. Invitation
