INTRO: Romans 8:28
Purpose in the greek. Prothesis: From pro, "before," and thesis, "a place." thus "a setting forth." The word here suggests a deliberate plan, a proposition, and advance plan, an intention, a design.
I. WHAT ARE THE PURPOSES OF GOD?
a. Ephesians 1:5,9,11
v.5 -An assurance of an appointed plan for all the redeemed.
v.9 -The mystery of His will was formerly a divine secret yet now it is a fully disclosed truth for understanding and proof producing.
v.11 -God's purpose is an eternal and unchanging plan.
This establishes the confidence of a strong purpose and a solid ground for living according to the purposes of God.
b. Romans 9:17
c. Acts 11:21-24
d. Acts 26:16-18
II. HOW ARE THE PURPOSES OF GOD REVEALED?
a. 1 Corinthians 2:6-16
b. Through God's Holy Spirit the hidden purpose of God is made manifest and known to us as we pray.
c. The hidden purpose of God was before time began destined for our glory...To His glory!
d. Philippians 3:7,8 -Paul's determined purpose here is to know Christ. He had not yet attained his purpose but he is pressing on, so that he might.
III. PERSERVERING IN PURITY PURSUES YOUR PURPOSE.
a. Don't get bogged down with some temporary goal and forget the larger purpose.
b. In the heart is where cause comes into being, where causes are created. A great cause gives birth to great dreams, great activities, great fulfillment and great blessings. It begins with a cause down on the "inside" of a person.(Martin Luther King is a good example of this.)
c. The word "cause" comes from the Latin word 'causa', which means an occasion which creates a result. There must be an occasion and then a result of that occasion. First a cause then an effect. Thus affecting all those around.
Habbakuk 2:2,3
d. The cause is a necessary standard for any effect.
Proverbs 29:18 -Without a cause there is no effect.
e. Behind every thing good or bad taking place around us there is a reason, a purpose, and a cause which creates an effect.
f. Cause determines change in things. From one cause you can have many effects.
EXAMPLES:
Daniel 1:8 -Daniel had a purpose in his heart.
Daniel 3:17,18 -A commitment to purpose.
Hebrews 11:23-27 -Moses
Philippians 3:10 [Read this from the Amplified Version]
g. Learn to focus your thoughts to the Word of God.
h. Have purpose, walk in purity, and persevere.
i. Your calling gives you purpose. This purpose is to be the driving cause in your life.
j. Your God-given purpose and the hope of its fulfillment will cause you to walk in purity affecting those around you with the anointing of God.
k. When you focus upon what God is making out of your life, you are filled with hope.
1 John 3:3
Revelations 2:10 -The crown here will be given to those who persevere. The faithful.
CLOSING: Persevere in purity as you pursue your purpose.
†Rev. Brian Chavarria†
