Every person on this earth was created with a purpose. Deep within us, there is a desire to know why we are here, what we are meant to do, and how our lives fit into the greater picture. This search for purpose is not just a natural human longing—it is a spiritual pursuit. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 2:10 that we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared in advance for us to do. But in order to walk in that divine purpose, we must be able to hear God’s voice and follow His leading.
God’s purpose for our lives is not something we invent; it is something He reveals to us. It is not a mystery hidden from us but a path that God illuminates as we walk in relationship with Him. Too often, we get caught up in trying to figure out our purpose by our own efforts. We strive, plan, and sometimes even compare ourselves to others, thinking that our purpose is something we must discover on our own. But the truth is that divine purpose is discovered in the presence of God. It is revealed as we hear His voice and respond in obedience.
In this sermon, we will explore what it means to walk in divine purpose. We will examine how hearing and obeying God’s voice is the key to living out the purpose He has set for us. Whether you are just beginning your walk with God or have been following Him for many years, this message will encourage you to trust that God has a plan for your life and that He is faithful to guide you every step of the way. Walking in divine purpose is not about having all the answers—it is about walking in step with the One who does.
1. Created for Purpose
The first thing we must understand about divine purpose is that we were created for it. God didn’t just create us and leave us to figure things out on our own. He designed each of us with a specific purpose in mind, and that purpose is tied to His greater plan for the world. Ephesians 2:10 makes this clear: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." This verse reminds us that we are God’s workmanship—His masterpiece. We were intentionally created for the good works that God has prepared for us.
Before we were even born, God had a plan for our lives. He knew the gifts and talents He would give us, the people we would influence, and the impact we would have in the world. Psalm 139:13-16 speaks of this intimate knowledge that God has of us: "For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made... Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them." God’s purpose for us was written before we ever took our first breath.
Understanding that we were created for a divine purpose gives our lives meaning and direction. It means that we are not here by accident, and our lives are not random. Each of us has a specific role to play in God’s kingdom, and our purpose is tied to His plan for redeeming and restoring the world. But discovering and walking in that purpose requires us to listen to God’s voice and follow where He leads.
Too often, we look for purpose in the wrong places. We try to find it in our careers, our relationships, or our achievements. While these things are important, they are not the source of our purpose. Our purpose comes from God, and only He can reveal it to us. When we try to create our own purpose apart from God, we end up feeling unfulfilled and frustrated. But when we seek God’s purpose for our lives, we find peace, direction, and fulfillment.
Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us of God’s heart for us: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." God’s plans for us are good, and His purpose for our lives is filled with peace and hope. But we must trust Him to reveal that purpose to us, and we must be willing to follow His leading, even when we don’t understand the full picture.
2. Hearing God's Voice is the Key to Walking in Purpose
If we are going to walk in divine purpose, we must be able to hear God’s voice. Divine purpose is not something we figure out on our own—it is revealed by God. Throughout Scripture, we see examples of how God called people into their purpose by speaking directly to them. Whether it was Moses at the burning bush, Samuel hearing God’s voice in the night, or Paul being called on the road to Damascus, each of these individuals stepped into their purpose because they heard God’s voice and responded in obedience.
In John 10:27, Jesus says, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." This verse reminds us that hearing God’s voice is central to following Him. We cannot walk in divine purpose without first hearing the voice of the One who created us. God’s voice leads us, guides us, and reveals the path we are to take.
But hearing God’s voice requires us to be in relationship with Him. Just as sheep recognize the voice of their shepherd because they spend time with him, we must spend time with God in order to recognize His voice. This means cultivating a life of prayer, reading the Word, and spending time in God’s presence. As we do, we become more attuned to His voice, and we begin to hear His direction more clearly.
One of the challenges we face in hearing God’s voice is the noise of the world around us. There are so many competing voices—voices from our culture, our own desires, and even the enemy—that try to drown out the voice of God. But we must learn to tune out the noise and focus on what God is saying. This takes intentionality. It means making time to be still, to listen, and to wait on the Lord.
Psalm 46:10 gives us a simple yet profound command: "Be still, and know that I am God." In the stillness, we hear God’s voice. In the quiet moments of prayer and reflection, God speaks to our hearts, revealing His plans for us. But we must be willing to slow down and make space for Him to speak. If we are constantly busy, distracted, or focused on our own plans, we will miss the voice of God calling us into our divine purpose.
Hearing God’s voice also requires faith. There are times when God will call us to step into something that doesn’t make sense from a human perspective. Just like Abraham, who was called to leave his homeland without knowing where he was going, we may not have all the details of God’s plan. But when we hear His voice, we must trust that He knows the way and that He is leading us according to His perfect purpose.
3. Obedience Unlocks Purpose
Hearing God’s voice is the first step to walking in divine purpose, but obedience is what unlocks that purpose. It is not enough to hear God’s call—we must respond in obedience. James 1:22 reminds us, "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." When we hear God’s voice and fail to act, we deceive ourselves into thinking that we are walking in His will when, in reality, we are missing out on the fullness of His purpose.
Obedience requires faith and trust. There will be times when God calls us to step out of our comfort zones, to take risks, or to do things that don’t make sense to us. But when we obey, we position ourselves to experience the fullness of God’s purpose in our lives. Just as Peter had to step out of the boat to walk on water, we must be willing to take steps of faith if we are going to walk in divine purpose.
Consider the story of Jonah. God called Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach repentance to the people there. But Jonah didn’t want to go. He ran in the opposite direction, thinking he could escape God’s purpose for his life. But God pursued Jonah, and after a series of events, Jonah finally obeyed. When he did, he witnessed the miraculous repentance of an entire city.
Jonah’s story reminds us that obedience is not just about us—it’s about God’s greater plan. When we walk in obedience, we become part of what God is doing in the world. Our purpose is tied to His kingdom work, and when we say "yes" to God, we step into the role He has prepared for us. Obedience is the key that unlocks the door to our divine purpose.
But obedience is not always easy. There will be challenges, obstacles, and moments of doubt. Yet, it is in those moments that we must choose to trust God’s voice above our own fears. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." When we trust God and obey His voice, He directs our paths and leads us into the purpose He has for us.
4. Purpose Requires Perseverance
Walking in divine purpose is not a one-time event—it is a journey that requires perseverance. There will be seasons of waiting, times of testing, and moments when we question whether we are really walking in God’s purpose. But we must remember that God’s timing is perfect, and His plans for us often unfold gradually.
One of the greatest examples of perseverance in purpose is the story of Joseph. Joseph had a clear sense of purpose from a young age. God gave him dreams that revealed his future role in leadership. But before Joseph could step into that purpose, he went through years of hardship. He was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and thrown into prison. From a human perspective, it seemed like Joseph’s life was far from the purpose God had for him.
But Joseph never gave up on the purpose God had shown him. He remained faithful, trusting that God was with him even in the darkest of times. Genesis 39:21 tells us, "But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison." Even in prison, Joseph continued to walk in integrity, and eventually, God elevated him to a position of authority in Egypt, fulfilling the purpose He had for him.
Joseph’s story reminds us that walking in divine purpose requires perseverance. There will be times when the path is difficult, when the obstacles seem insurmountable, and when we feel like giving up. But in those moments, we must hold on to the promise that God is with us, and He is faithful to bring His plans to pass. Galatians 6:9 encourages us, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." If we persevere, we will see the fulfillment of God’s purpose in our lives.
Purpose also requires patience. God’s timing is not always our timing, and there will be seasons of waiting. But waiting is not wasted time. During the waiting, God is preparing us for what He has in store. Isaiah 40:31 reminds us, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." As we wait on God, He strengthens us and prepares us to walk in His purpose with renewed strength.
5. Purpose Brings Fulfillment and Glorifies God
When we walk in divine purpose, we experience the fulfillment that comes from living the life God created us to live. There is a deep sense of joy, peace, and contentment that comes from knowing we are walking in God’s will. But more importantly, walking in purpose brings glory to God.
Our lives are meant to be a reflection of God’s glory. When we walk in the purpose He has for us, we are fulfilling the role He designed us to play in His kingdom. Jesus said in John 15:8, "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." When we bear fruit by walking in our purpose, we bring glory to the Father. Our lives become a testimony of His goodness, His faithfulness, and His power.
Walking in purpose also allows us to impact the lives of others. God’s purpose for us is not just about our own fulfillment—it is about advancing His kingdom and bringing others to know Him. When we walk in purpose, we become vessels of God’s love, grace, and truth to the world around us. Our purpose is tied to His greater plan of redemption, and as we walk in that purpose, we become part of what God is doing to transform the world.
Ephesians 3:20 reminds us that God "is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." When we walk in purpose, we experience the power of God at work in us, enabling us to do things that we never thought possible. This is the fulfillment that comes from walking in divine purpose—not only are our lives changed, but we become agents of change in the lives of others.
Close:
Walking in divine purpose is not about having all the answers—it is about hearing God’s voice and following where He leads. Today, God is calling each of us to walk in the purpose He has prepared for us. He is inviting us to trust Him, to listen to His voice, and to obey His leading, knowing that His plans for us are good.
If you’ve never accepted Jesus as your Savior, this is your moment to step into the greatest purpose of all—walking in relationship with Him. Jesus is calling you to follow Him, to receive His gift of salvation, and to walk in the purpose He created you for.
Or maybe you’ve been walking with Jesus for some time, but you’re struggling to understand your purpose. You’ve been searching for direction, wondering what God has for your life. Today, God is inviting you to come closer, to spend time in His presence, and to listen for His voice. He has a purpose for you, and He is ready to reveal it as you seek Him.
If you’re searching for a church home, a place where you can grow in faith and walk in your God-given purpose alongside others, the doors of this church are open wide. We are ready to walk with you and encourage you as you discover and fulfill your divine purpose.
And if you need prayer today—if you’re facing challenges, if you’re in a season of waiting, or if you need strength to persevere—come forward and let us pray with you. God is ready to meet you, to guide you, and to empower you to walk in the fullness of His purpose for your life.
Will you respond to His call? Will you walk in the purpose He has prepared for you? The Good Shepherd is calling. Will you come?
