Pursuing Purpose

February 2005

Dakota Community Church

Pursuing Purpose

Introduction:

I hope you will take notes or at least fill in the blanks and save the bulletins for future use. I have several former congregation members who have told me they still read over notes from sermons from years ago and are blessed.

As we grow older most of us are guilty of over estimating the amount of time we have to accomplish things.

An even worse mistake is that we also tend to underestimate the importance of our daily decisions and the accumulative effect that they have on our purpose in life.

Life can sometimes feel very long but look at what the scripture says on the topic.

James 4: 13-14

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

Romans 14: 10-12

You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? 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 before me; every tongue will confess to God.’ ” So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die,

There is a time for every purpose!

God has created each of us with a purpose and he has gifted us with the time we need to fulfill it.

Psalm 90: 12

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

The question we need to be asking ourselves is how much of my time have I foolishly wasted?

What have you done today that moved you along in the accomplishing of your purpose?

- This week?

- This month?

- Since 2000?

Having you been killing time? Killing time is not murder, it is suicide.

About purpose:

- You like doing it.

- You are good at it, you possess gifts that help you with it.

- It may or may not be you job.

Remember:

The fact that you have a dream, destiny or purpose does not guarantee that it will come to pass.

Many, many people die without ever reaching the full their full potential.

Ephesians 5: 15-18

Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

Three absolute must haves before you will come close to achieving your purpose:

1. Spiritual consistency.

Spiritual consistency is absolutely foundational to anything we do of significance.

Eternal things require eternal involvement.

- You cannot build your third floor corner office first.

- That comes only after the foundation, and the ground and second floors.

Consistency is the key word!

- Toilet seat Christians rarely accomplish much for God. (Up and down)

James 1: 6-8

But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double minded man, unstable in all he does.

You will not do anything if your life is up and down between camp meetings.

Three areas where consistency must be developed:

a.) Reading the Word.

Why do you think it is hard to read the Bible for most people?

The same people who can read Grisham from cover to cover in two days cannot read a chapter a day consistently.

Obviously there is opposition to your Bible reading.

Proverbs 4: 20-22

My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body.

b.) Communion with God.

I am talking about honest prayer here. I’m talking about a set time and place for quiet reflection. I’m talking about uninterrupted time with two way conversation, at least attempted listening.

Psalm 5: 3

In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

c.) Mentoring fellowship.

We all need friendship to enjoy life and often our friends will be people who primarily receive ministry from us through that friendship. That is a great thing but we all need to have building friendships as well.