“You Have a Mission”
Introduction:
I want to introduce a new series to you today “Explosion & Multiplication”. As an introductory message for this series we will deal with the three greatest questions in life:
1) The question of existence – why am I alive?
2) The question of significance – does my life matter?
3) The question of intention – what is my mission or purpose?
If you asked some people what the purpose in life is,
(You would probably get this kind of responses…)
1) It’s all about the money. Get as many as you can; however you can.
2) it’s about finding a man of your own and having his baby.
3) it’s about getting as many women in bed as possible with no commitment attached,
4) it’s about getting a good education and getting a good job for security
5) it’s about having a good time before your die, and
6) it’s to discover who you are on the inside.
Life without purpose isn’t a life worth living.
Some people think, “The purpose of life is just to stay alive.” In other words, live as long as you can. The party person thinks the purpose of life is pleasure – have fun, party, celebration time come on.” They live for Friday or Saturday night when they plan to go out and have a good time.
Some other would say, “Life is all about the bling, bling, the designer clothes, and the fine cars.” They try to measure life by the things they owned.
Each type of these characters is really saying the same thing. They are saying; “You’ve got to invent your purpose.” You’ve got to create your own purpose in life.
This message aims guide you understand your purpose and missions in life.
Let’s start by observing what makes common people alive…
I. THE PSEUDO DRIVING FORCE OF LIFE
“I observed that the basic motive for success is the driving force of envy and jealousy!” (Ecc. 4:4 LB)
A. Many people are driven by guilt.
“What relief for those who have confessed their sins and God cleaned their record” (Psa. 32:1, LB).
B. Many people are driven by resentment and anger.
“To worry yourself to death with resentment would be a foolish, senseless thing to do” (Job 5:2, TEV).
C. Many people are driven by fear.
“Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life – fear of death, fear of judgment – is one not yet fully formed in love” (I John 4:18, Msg).
D. Many people are driven by materialism.
“Your value is not determined by your valuables.”
E. Many people are driven by their need for approval.
• “Those who follow the crowd usually get lost in it”
• No one can serve two masters” (Matt. 6:24).
Unfortunately, many people do not realize the fact that we suffer…
II. THE PENALTY OF NOT KNOWING OUR PURPOSE
What will happen if we don’t know the purpose of our existence?
A. Life will seem tiresome.
“The sun still rises and it still goes down... the wind blows... round and round and back again. Every river flows into the sea... [then] the water returns to where the rivers began, and starts all over again. Everything leads to weariness...” (Ecc. 1:5-8, TEV).
B. Life will seem unfulfilling.
“No matter how much we see, we’re never satisfied; no matter how much we hear, we are not content. History merely repeats itself. Nothing is truly new...” (Ecc. 1:8b-9a, LB).
C. Life will seem uncontrollable.
“You can’t straighten out what is crooked; you can’t count things that aren’t there” (Ecc. 1:15, TEV)
We will enjoy…
III. THE PRODUCT OF KNOWING OUR PURPOSE
“…I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be. No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven” (Phil. 3:12b – 14, NLT).
What are the advantages when you have a clear purpose in life?
A. It gives your life focus.
“…I am focusing all my energies on this one thing…” (v.13).
B. It will simplify your life.
“…forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead” (v. 13).
“You Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm” (Isa. 26:3, TEV).
C. It will increase motivation in your life.
“…I strain to reach the end of the race…” (v.14).
“For I know the plans I have for you’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope’ (Jer. 29:11, LB).
D. It will prepare you for eternity.
“…and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven” (v. 14).
“He has . . . set eternity in the hearts of men…” (Ecc. 3:11a, NIV).
Finally, God expect us search and accomplish…
IV. THE PRIMARY MISSIONS OF LIFE
A. I must give my heart to Christ.
“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment” (Matt. 22:37-38, NKJV).
B. I must live for Christ.
“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21, NKJV).
C. I must share Christ.
“But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere--in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8, NLT).
CONCLUSION:
Knowing the purpose of your existence will lead you to knowing your mission.
Knowing your mission will lead to a more fulfilling life in Christ.
