Living An Intentional Life
Introduction
This week we are starting a new series titled, “Living An Intentional Life”. During this series, it is my desire to focus on the priorities of life and what we can do to assure that they are accomplished.
To begin my study for this series, I went to the dictionary to find the technical definition of the word intent. This is what I found:
INTENT = a determination to act in a certain way; Resolve
RESOVLE = fixity of purpose; Resoluteness
RESOLUTENESS = firm determination marked by boldness and steadiness
With these definitions, I formed this statement about living an intentional life: An intentional life is one with purpose. The purpose is followed with a bold and steady determination until the desired outcome is realized. To make it easier to remember, I settled on this phrase: An intentional life has purpose, discipline and vision. With these words in mind let’s begin exploring what it means to live an intentional life.
Before we can jump into priorities, we must first ask why is this an important issue? The answer is simple: If we do not have an agenda for our lives, one will be provided for us—either by the events of life itself, or by other people. You see, to live intentionally means to live on purpose. It means that we are taking control and determining how we will live our lives and spend our time, energy and resources. Without such a plan, life can easily “get away from us” and seemingly have us at its mercy. I do not believe God wants us to live in such a manner.
This morning, I want a lay a foundation for intentional living by considering the fact that God has always operated in an intentional manner.
Let’s pray.
I. God has a plan
A. God’s plan was mapped out before the world began.
1. Psalm 139:16—All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
2. Isaiah 46:10—I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times what is still to come. I say: My purpose shall stand and I will do all that I please.
3. Ephesians 1:4—For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
4. God’s purpose was mapped out before the world began.
B. God’s plan includes all areas of life.
1. We live compartmentalized lives
We have our…
a. Home life
b. Spiritual life
c. Work life
d. Recreational life
e. School life
f. Etc.
2. But with God, there is no distinction between the differing areas of our lives. He’s concerned with all of it.
3. So we see that God’s purpose was mapped out before the world began and it involves all areas of life.
C. God’s plan is certain to be accomplished.
1. Isaiah 14:24 & 27—The Lord Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand….For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand has stretched out and who can turn it back?
2. Psalm 33:11—But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.
3. God’s purpose was mapped out before the world began, it involves all areas of life and it is certain to be accomplished.
D. God’s plan is unchangeable.
1. 1 Samuel 15:29—He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind.
2. Malachi 3:6—I the Lord do not change.
3. We must understand that God has a purpose. It was mapped out before the world began, it involves all areas of life, it is certain to be accomplished and it is unchangeable.
NOT ONLY DOES GOD HAVE A PLAN, BUT…
II. God has a will
A. Every life has a part in God’s will.
1. Generally—God’s will is that people have a relationship with him.
a. For those who are not Christians, he wants them to know him
b. For those who are Christians, he wants them to grow and mature in their spiritual lives.
2. Specifically—He was a will for each individual life.
a. This has a lot to do with what you do.
b. It’s important to note that God’s will does not contradict his word.
B. His will is not always accomplished in individual lives
1. 2 Peter 3:9—God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2. God has given us a free will
a. Joshua 24:15—But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
b. John 7:17—IF anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.
3. Our wills determine whether or not God’s purpose is accomplished in our individual lives.
a. There are people who never accept Jesus as their savior.
b. There are Christians who remain spiritually immature.
C. His plan will be accomplished in the general course of history. With certainty I can tell you three things about the future.
1. Every person’s life will end in one of two ways
a. We may die—Hebrews 9:27—man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.
b. We may go in the rapture—1 Thessalonians 4:16-17—For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
2. Every person will stand before God and explain how they lived their lives—Romans 14:10b-12—For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: “As surely as I live,” says the Lord, “every knee will bow down before me; every tongue will confess to God.” So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
3. The world, as we know it, will end—and I don’t mean Y2K!
a. The rapture will take place
b. The tribulation will take place
c. Jesus will return to earth to reign for 1,000 years
d. There will be a new heaven and a new earth
GOD NOT ONLY HAS A PLAN AND A WILL, BUT…
III. God has an intended outcome—that man would enter into a loving relationship with HIM.
A. This plan started in the Garden of Eden but was frustrated when Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command not to eat from one tree
JOKE: One day Adam and his boys were out for a walk and happened upon the Garden of Eden. One of the boys said, “Dad, what is that place?” Adam responded, “Guys, that’s where your mother ate us out of house and home.”
B. Since that time, God has worked to bring man back to himself
1. First with the Jewish people
2. Then with the Gentiles—those of us who are not Jewish.
C. Jesus came to bring us back to God once and for all.
GOD HAS A PLAN, AWILL AND AN INTENDED OUTCOME. NOW THE QUESTION IS…
IV. What does all of this mean to me?
A. Why should I care that God’s plan was mapped out before the world began?
1. Psalm 139:16—All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
2. Knowing this, helps me trust God because I know that nothing in my life will ever catch him by surprise.
3. Since God is not surprised by the circumstances in my life, HE is uniquely capable to help me face and overcome anything that comes my way.
ILLUSTRATION: We sing the song, He Is Able
He is able ,more than able to accomplish what concerns me today
He is able, more than able to handle any thing that comes my way
He is able, more than able to do much more than I could ever dream
He is able, more than able to make me what he wants me to be
B. Why should I care that HIS plan includes every area of my life?
1. It helps me understand that God loves me for who I am and not for what I can do for him.
2. It helps me know that he is willing and able to help me in every area of my life.
C. Why should I care that his plan is certain to be done?
1. Paul wrote in Philippians 1:6—being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.
2. Knowing this helps me trust God because I know that he will never give up on me!
Hebrews 13:5—God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
D. Why should I care that his plan is unchangeable?
1. Knowing this allows me to always know exactly where I stand with God.
2. I don’t have to guess what kind of a mood HE is in today, I know that I will be accepted!
E. Why should I care that HE wants to have a relationship with me?
1. Because God loves and accepts me like no one else ever can or will
ILLUSTRATION: Read words to I’m Accepted by DeGarmo and Key
2. Because God has a plan to make my life the very best it can be
a. Jeremiah 29:11—I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.
b. John 10:10—A thief only comes to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life in its fullest form.
3. Do I REALLY NEED a relationship with God?
ROMANS ROAD
a. Romans 3:10 (CEV)—The Scripture tells us, “No one is acceptable to God!”
b. Romans 3:21-24 (CEV)—The Law and the Prophets tell how we become acceptable, and it isn’t by obeying the Law of Moses. God treats everyone alike. He accepts people only because they have faith in Jesus Christ. All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins.
c. Romans 6:23(CEV)—Sin pays off with death. But God’s gift is eternal life given by Jesus Christ our Lord.
d. Romans 10:9-10 (CEV)—So you will be saved, if you honestly say, “Jesus is Lord,” and if you believe with all your heart that God raised him from death. God will accept you and save you, if you truly believe this….
V. What should I do now?
A. If you have not started a relationship with God, you should do that now.
1. We do not know when our lives will end.
2. We should get ready now, before it’s too late.
B. If you have been unfaithful in your relationship to God, you should ask him to forgive you and get back to where you should be.
1. Being away from God is more dangerous for someone who has already been close to him.
2. The Bible says that if you’ve had a relationship with God and turned your back on him that it would have been better had you never even had that relationship in the first place.
3. Now is the time for you to make things right.
C. If you are facing a situation that has caught you completely off guard, you should ask the Lord to help you through it.
1. Remember, he has known all the details of your life before they ever happened and he wants to help.
2. Turning to God will help you refocus and see the issues that are really important and how to go about navigating through this situation.
D. If you are acting one way at church and another everywhere else, you should ask God to forgive you and help you to be the same everywhere.
1. Remember, God does not divide our lives into different areas, he wants all of it.
a. It doesn’t matter how spiritual you act here.
b. It doesn’t matter how much money you give here.
c. It doesn’t matter how often you come here.
d. It doesn’t matter who your friends and family are.
e. It doesn’t matter if you’re a member of the church.
2. God word has harsh words for hypocritical people.
E. If you are struggling with thoughts like, “when will I ever get this right?” or “What’s the use?” you should ask God to help you and renew your commitment to him.
1. Remember what Paul wrote in Philippians 1:6—being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.
2. God will not give up on you, don’t you give up on God.
Conclusion
God operates in an intentional manner and I believe our lives will be better lived if we do the same. Why not start today? If any of the things I have just addressed seem to touch you heart, why not respond now and get on the proper path in life.
Do you need to start a relationship with God?
Do you need to renew a relationship with God?
Are you facing a difficult situation? Did it catch you off guard?
Are you living a hypocritical life?
Are you wondering, “when will ever get this Christian life right?”
If you can answer yes to any of those questions, please come down here and make a commitment to God. Ask him to help you live an intentional life.
