Instilling Purpose

Text: Matthew 25:14–30, Acts 20:24, John 5:30

Introduction

Every ministry in the church must have a purpose so also is every individual. This is a channel of living a meaningful life; exactly what God had ordained you to be. While such statement sounds simple, how many church members or leaders can specifically delineate God-ordained purpose behind each ministry in the church?

What is purpose?

The meaning and purpose of life isn’t all that easy to figure out. To answer the question involves answering other questions: What does it mean to have meaning and purpose? How do you determine what that is? Do you determine your own meaning? Can you combine what you think is your own purpose with the purpose that someone else might have for you? There are lots of questions and no easy answers. Well, let me correct myself. There is an easy answer.

Simple Definition of purpose

· : the reason why something is done or used : the aim or intention of something

· : the feeling of being determined to do or achieve something,

· : the aim or goal of a person : what a person is trying to do, become, etc.

What Does the Bible say is the purpose of our lives?

“Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made,” (Isaiah 43:7).

According to the Bible, our purpose, the reason we are here, is for God’s glory. In other words, our purpose is to praise God, worship Him, to proclaim His greatness, and to accomplish His will. This is what glorifies Him. Therefore, in this we find that God has given us a reason for our existence — a meaning for our existence. We were created by Him, according to His desire, and our lives are to be lived for Him so that we might accomplish what He has for us to do. When we trust the one who has made us, who works all things after the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11), then we are able to live a life of purpose. How the particulars of that purpose are expressed is up to the individual.

Within this attempt to glorify God — in all things — we can then determine the particular meaning of our life that God has for us specifically. In Christianity, we are free to pursue God in all areas of our lives. For example, we are free to glorify God by being a doctor, a lawyer, a mechanic, a housewife, a father, a mother, a minister, an accountant, etc. If the ultimate goal in life is to bring glory to God, then we can do that by being the best at what we do in the various callings of life. So, as the Bible says, “ . . . whatever you do, do all to the glory of God,” (1 Cor. 10:31).

Keys to a definite purpose

· Interpersonal relationship with God

· Self-discovery

· Faithfulness: Faithfulness is an important part of our ministry.

· Be a man of vision (Joel 2:28)

· Personal development

· Active on the prayer alter

· Watch out for Elijah company

· Self-discipline

· Be teachable

· Consecration

Admonition

1. Consider what Christ has done for us. He has

a. Saved us from a world of sin.

b. Filled us with the Holy Spirit.

c. Given us the knowledge of His Word.

d. Given us a desire and an opportunity to be a blessing to others.

2. Consider what Christ expects of us:

a. That we be good stewards of what He’s given us.

b. That we use our talents for one purpose: to glorify and worship God. As we do this, He will guide us into the ministry He has for each one of us.

3. Will you be willing to bear the responsibility the Lord is placing on you? If so, please answer, “I will.” Anointing and Laying on of Hands Senior pastor, music pastor, and choir members around the altar. (Songs about the Cross and Communion are played during this time- “It pays to serve Jesus I speak from my heart”)

Working Scriptures

1. Jeremiah 1:5 -“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

2. Matthew 28:19–20 — Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

3. Romans 12:1–5 — I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

4. Psalm 57:2 — I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.

5. Ephesians 1:11 — In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

6. Revelation 4:11 — “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

7. 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 — Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

8. John 5:30 — “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.

9. Colossians 3:23 — Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.

10. Micah 6:8 — He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Conclusion

Matthew 28:18–20. Jesus chose and commissioned others to continue the work He left unfinished. In the same manner, He is choosing you to act in the ministry of music here at (name of your church). He has commissioned men and women, not angels. What a privilege He has granted us.

Teaching by Pst. Oladipupo Babatunde

MFM Zion: Place of Covenant Assembly.