WHAT ON EARTH AM I HERE FOR?
4-8-12
PASTOR LES SANDERS
MILFORD ASSEMBLY OF GOD
Proverbs 19:21(NIV) 21 Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’S purpose that prevails.
I.INTRODUCTION:
A.THE NERVE OF STICKING EASTER IN THE MIDDLE OF MY END TIME SERIES,
1.THEN I BEGAN TO THINK THAT IS RIGHT WHERE IT IS IN THE MIDDLE OF TIME,
B.THEN YOU BEGIN TO SEE GOD HAS ALL THINGS IN HIS CONTROL,
1.BEFORE THE CREATION OF MAN HE HAD IT ALL LAID OUT,
a)THE FALL OF MAN,
b)THE RISE OF ISRAEL,
c)THE FALL OF ISRAEL,
d) THE BIRTH OF CHRIST,
e)THE DEATH OF CHRIST,
f)THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST,
g)THE RISE OF THE CHURCH,
h)THE TAKING AWAY OF THE CHURCH,
i)THE TIME OF TRIBULATION,
j)THE RETURN OF CHRIST,
k)THE GREAT JUDGMENT OF THE DAMMED!
C.NO MYSTERIES OR ACCIDENTS WITH GOD!
1.ALL THE WAY DOWN TO YOU AND ME.
II.YOU WERE PLANNED FOR GOD’S PLEASURE.
Psalms 149:4(NIV) 4 For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.
A.JUST AS PARENTS ENJOY WATCHING THEIR CHILDREN, GOD GETS PLEASURE IN WATCHING YOU.
B.HE CREATED YOU AS AN OBJECT OF HIS LOVE.
1 John 4:8(NIV) 8…God is love.
1.GOD MADE YOU TO LOVE YOU.
2.HE DIDN’T NEED YOU;
3.HE WASN’T LONELY.
4.YOU EXIST BECAUSE GOD WANTED YOU ALIVE.
C.GOD MADE US “IN HIS IMAGE”
1.WE’RE UNIQUE FROM THE REST OF CREATION.
2.WE HAVE THE CAPACITY TO KNOW GOD AND TO LOVE HIM BACK.
D.ANY TIME YOU GIVE PLEASURE TO GOD YOU ARE WORSHIPPING HIM.
1.TODAY, THE WORD “WORSHIP” HAS BEEN REDUCED TO A SYNONYM FOR
a)MUSIC, RITUAL, CEREMONY, OR PRAYER,
2.WORSHIP IS FAR MORE THAN THAT.
a)WORSHIP IS A LIFESTYLE OF KNOWING, PLEASING, AND LOVING GOD.
III.YOU WERE FORMED FOR GOD’S FAMILY.
Ephesians 1:5(NIV) 5he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will
A.GOD CREATED THE WORLD TO INCLUDE US IN HIS FAMILY
1.HE WANTS YOU TO BE A PART OF IT,
2.FOR ETERNITY! FOREVER!
3.UNDERSTAND THIS AMAZING FACT,
a)YOU’LL NEVER AGAIN HAVE REASON TO FEEL INSIGNIFICANT.
4.YOU MATTER SO MUCH TO GOD THAT HE DESIGNED THIS UNIVERSE JUST SO HE COULD CREATE YOU TO BE A PART OF HIS FAMILY.
a)YOU WERE MADE TO LAST FOREVER.
B.THE WORD FOR LOVING OTHER BELIEVERS IS “FELLOWSHIP.”
1.UNFORTUNATELY, LIKE “WORSHIP,” THE WORD HAS BEEN MISUSED AND WATERED DOWN.
2.TODAY FELLOWSHIP IS REDUCED TO COFFEE AND COOKIES AND CASUAL CONVERSATION.
C.FELLOWSHIP IS COMMITTING TO EACH OTHER AS WE ARE TO JESUS CHRIST.
1.MOST CHRISTIANS KNOW JOHN 3:16,
2.BUT DON’T KNOW
1 John 3:16(NIV) 16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
3.THAT IS REAL FELLOWSHIP.
IV.YOU WERE CREATED TO BECOME LIKE CHRIST.
Romans 8:29(NIV) 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
A.IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN GOD’S PLAN AND PURPOSE,
Genesis 1:26(NIV) 26Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness,…”
1.NOT TO BE GODS, BUT TO BE GODLY.
2.GOD WANTS YOU TO DEVELOP HIS VALUES, ATTITUDES, MORALS, AND CHARACTER.
Philippians 2:5(NIV) 5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
B.UNDERSTAND THIS AND LOT OF WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU WILL BEGIN TO MAKE MORE SENSE.
1.“WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME?”
2.THE ANSWER IS -- TO MAKE YOU MORE LIKE JESUS!
Philippians 2:14-15(NIV) 14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe
3.THAT INCLUDES TIMES OF LONELINESS, FATIGUE, MISUNDERSTANDING, CRITICISM, AND MANY OTHER PROBLEMS THAT BUILD OUR CHARACTER.
C.FOR GOD TO TEACH YOU REAL LOVE, HE MUST PUT YOU AROUND SOME UNLOVELY PEOPLE.
1.FOR GOD TO TEACH YOU REAL JOY,
a)HE WILL ALLOW YOU TO GO THROUGH TIMES OF GRIEF.
2.TO LEARN INNER PEACE AND PATIENCE,
a)GOD ALLOWS STORMS OF CHAOS AND STRESSFUL SITUATIONS THAT TEST OUR PATIENCE AND TEACH US TO TRUST HIM.
D.THE BIBLE PROMISES,
Philippians 1:6(NIV) 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
V.THIS BRINGS US BACK TO THE EASTER SEASON
A.HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION
B.GOD PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE HAS BEEN MESSED UP BY SIN!
Rom. 3:23 (KJV) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
C.BUT GOD STEPPED IN AND OFFERED TO RECUEYOU!
John 3:16(NIV) 16“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
VI.WE MUST CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS.
(Rom 10:13 KJV) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lordshall be saved.
AWE ALL MUST CONFESS
- OUR SINS.
(1 John 1:8 KJV) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 Ifwe confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
- THAT JESUS IS OUR LORD!
RM. 10: 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 for the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
- BE THE LORD OF MY LIFE
- I SURRENDER TO YOU AS MY LORD AND SAVIOUR!
YOU WERE SHAPED FOR SERVING GOD. THIS IS THE FOURTH PURPOSE OF YOUR LIFE. THE BIBLE SAYS, “GOD HAS MADE US WHAT WE ARE. IN CHRIST JESUS, GOD HAS MADE US TO DO GOOD WORKS WHICH HE PLANNED IN ADVANCE FOR US TO LIVE OUR LIVES DOING” (EPHESIANS 2:10, NCV).
YOU WERE PUT ON THIS EARTH TO MAKE A UNIQUE CONTRIBUTION, TO GIVE SOMETHING BACK. THAT CONTRIBUTION IS CALLED YOUR “MINISTRY,” OR SERVICE. WE SERVE GOD BY SERVING OTHERS.
THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT YOU ARE CREATED, SAVED, SHAPED, CALLED, AND COMMISSIONED FOR SERVICE. MINISTRY IS NOT JUST FOR CLERGY; EVERY BELIEVER IS A MINISTER. ANYTIME YOU USE THE TALENTS GOD HAS GIVEN YOU TO HELP OTHERS, YOU ARE MINISTERING.
TO PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR SPECIFIC ROLE, GOD HAS UNIQUELY FORMED AND SHAPED YOU. THE BIBLE SAYS, "YOU SHAPED ME FIRST INSIDE AND THEN OUT. YOU FORMED ME IN MY MOTHER’S WOMB” (PSALM 139:13, MSG).
I’VE PUT THE FIVE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS THAT GOD USES TO SHAPE US INTO A LITTLE ACROSTIC, SHAPE: SPIRITUAL GIFTS (WHAT AM I GIFTED TO DO?), HEART (WHAT DO I LOVE TO DO?), ABILITIES, PERSONALITY, AND EXPERIENCES. WHEN IT COMES TO EXPERIENCES THAT SHAPE US FOR SERVICE, GOD USES FAMILY EXPERIENCES, VOCATIONAL EXPERIENCES, EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES, AND SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES. BUT MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, HE USES PAINFUL EXPERIENCES TO SHAPE YOU FOR HIS SERVICE.
WHO COULD BETTER HELP THE PARENTS OF A DOWN SYNDROME CHILD THAN OTHER PARENTS WITH A DOWN SYNDROME CHILD? WHO COULD BETTER HELP SOMEBODY RECOVER FROM THE PAIN OF A DIVORCE, AN ADDICTION, A BUSINESS FAILURE, OR A RAPE THAN SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN THROUGH IT? THE VERY EXPERIENCE YOU REGRET OR RESENT MOST IN YOUR LIFE -- THAT WHICH YOU’VE WANTED TO HIDE AND COVER UP AND FORGET -- IS THE VERY THING THAT GOD WANTS TO USE AS YOUR MINISTRY TO HELP AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS. GOD DOESN’T JUST USE OUR STRENGTHS; HE USES OUR WEAKNESSES, AND EVEN FAILURES, TOO.
YOU WERE MADE FOR A MISSION. THIS IS THE FIFTH PURPOSE OF YOUR LIFE. JESUS SAID, “IN THE SAME WAY THAT YOU GAVE ME A MISSION IN THE WORLD I GIVE THEM A MISSION IN THE WORLD” (JOHN 17:18, MSG).
NOTICE THE PHRASE “IN THE WORLD.” TO BE BALANCED, GOD WANTS YOU TO HAVE A “MINISTRY” IN YOUR CHURCH AND A “MISSION” IN THE WORLD. YOU NEED BOTH, NOT ONE OR THE OTHER. YOUR MINISTRY IS TO BELIEVERS AND YOUR MISSION IS TO NON-BELIEVERS.
ONCE YOU’VE DISCOVERED GOD’S FIRST FOUR PURPOSES OF YOUR LIFE, YOUR FIFTH PURPOSE IS TO PASS ON THE GOOD NEWS TO OTHERS. THIS IS YOUR MISSION: “THROUGH CHRIST, GOD MADE PEACE BETWEEN US AND HIMSELF, AND GOD GAVE US THE WORK OF TELLING EVERYONE ABOUT THE PEACE WE CAN HAVE WITH HIM" (2 CORINTHIANS 5:18, NCV).
IF YOU WANT GOD’S BLESSINGON YOUR LIFE YOU MUST CARE ABOUT WHAT GOD CARES ABOUT MOST. WHAT IS THAT? HE WANTS HIS LOST CHILDREN FOUND! HE WANTS EVERYONE TO KNOW HIM, AND HIS PURPOSES FOR THEIR LIVES.
PAUL WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS PURPOSE. HE STATED, “THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT I COMPLETE MY MISSION, THE WORK THAT THE LORD JESUS GAVE ME, TO TELL PEOPLE THE GOOD NEWS ABOUTGOD'S GRACE” (ACTS 20:24, NCV). FULFILLING YOUR MISSION IN THE WORLD IS CALLED “EVANGELISM.”
BECAUSE OF MISUSE AND MISUNDERSTANDING, BOTH BELIEVERS AND NON-BELIEVERS ARE SCARED OF THIS WORD, BUT IT JUST MEANS “SHARING GOOD NEWS” IN GREEK. ONCE YOU BECOME A PART OF GOD’S FAMILY IT’S YOUR PURPOSE TO TELL OTHERS HOW TO BECOME A PART, TOO.
WHY DOES GOD LEAVE US HERE ON EARTH ONCE OUR ETERNAL DESTINY IS SETTLED THROUGH SALVATION? WELL, THERE ARE ONLY TWO THINGS YOU CAN’T DO IN HEAVEN: YOU CAN’T SIN THERE, AND YOU CAN’T SHARE THE GOOD NEWS WITH UNBELIEVERS THERE (BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL BELIEVERS!). WHICH OF THESE TWO DO YOU THINK GOD LEAVES YOU ON EARTH TO DO? SOMEONE CARED ENOUGH TO TELL YOU; GOD WANTS YOU TO TELL OTHERS. IS ANYBODY GOING TO BE IN HEAVEN BECAUSE OF YOU?
MY LIFE VERSE IS ACTS 13:36 (TEV)WHICH SAYS, “DAVID SERVED GOD’S PURPOSE IN HIS GENERATION, ... THEN HE DIED.” THIS PHRASE IS THE ULTIMATE DEFINITION OF A LIFE WELL LIVED. YOU DO THE ETERNAL AND TIMELESS (GOD’S PURPOSE) IN A CONTEMPORARY AND TIMELY WAY (IN YOUR GENERATION). THAT IS WHAT THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE IS ALL ABOUT. I CAN’T THINK OF A GREATER EPITAPH. IMAGINE THAT PHRASE ON YOUR TOMBSTONE. I PRAY THAT PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO SAY THAT ABOUT YOU WHEN YOU DIE, THAT YOU SERVED GOD’S PURPOSE IN YOUR GENERATION.