Building Blocks - Purpose

We often talk about ‘building of faith’… but what does this look like?

Reflecting on my only life I discover the question really goes straight to the core… simply because it revolves around that which is at the core – my purpose.

Now if I was to ask who had a clearly defined purpose in life who could confidently put there hand up and say yes….

I suppose a more general question would be who thinks it is important?

Well hopefully in what I briefly share I am able to stir some thought and challenge you as God as been challenging me... Because our purpose (the why) transpires to vision (the where) shaping the mission (the how to) which ultimately determines values (how I live out everyday).

 

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In very simple terms - the purpose of our life gives birth to how we live… yet it is amazing how little consideration we give to that which is driving us. To be honest as Christians this is an area that must change. It is vital that we get a revelation of what this purpose is… for I believe that it is a purpose that we all share, and the one that the world longs to discover.

Mark 10:17 tells the story of a young bloke’s cry to Jesus. “I have lived the good Christian life, I have obeyed commandments, I know scripture, I serve in the community, I have worked hard, I have accumulated wealth”…

…“yet I am dissatisfied”…

Can you hear the cry resonating from his heart – Jesus did and His response was one of love… it is recorded there in v.21

You see the young guy cries out “WHAT IS MY PURPOSE!”

And how did Jesus reply?…

Matt 7:24 – it is on Christ, the solid rock I stand.

Gen 2 – God has just created the stars, too numerous to count, he created the giraffe, the hippo, the perfect wave to surf, sound, taste and colour… yet all of this was a prelude. Because as the pinnacle of creation he created us.

WHY?

I can’t think of a better answer then that illustrated by CS Lewis.

The Father Son and Holy Spirit locked together in an intimate dance. Fused together by love, a perfect love, a love from which man was made… For to join this dance is why we have been created. To share in the love that goes between the three for all eternity

By believing and trusting in Jesus, we enter the dynamic, pulsating relationship between the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.

THAT is the whole purpose of becoming a Christian, there is simply nothing else.

When Christ is our Purpose (the why)

• It gives context to passions

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   1. Eph 4: 11 – 16: that as we become like Christ, as we each do OUR OWN SPECIAL WORK, it helps other parts grow

• It helps us understand the goals and desires of heart

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   1. Ps 37:23 – The Lord directs the steps of the godly… He DELIGHTS in every detail of their life. God has put those desires there.
   2. Ps 32:8 – I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.
   3. Ps 25 – The Lord is good and does what is right. He shows the PROPER PATH to those ho go astray… He leads the humble in doing right… teaching them His ways.

• It challenges us in how we live out our everyday life

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   1. Eph 5: 15 – 17 – So be careful how you live… make the most of EVERY opportunity. Don’t act thoughtlessly but understand what the Lord wants to do.
   2. A life lived out deliberately... making astute observations about the implications of my daily decisions. A reckless faith not content with normality or compromise BUT to be intentional and disciplined in the small things. Not content with okay or lead by feeling BUT to be aware of how I can serve, living out faith such that it is a disciplined behaviour.

• It gives us faith to pursue a dream

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   1. Phil 1:6 – God, who began the good work within will continue His good work until it is finished
   2. Ps 37: 4 Take delight in the Lord and He WILL give you your hearts desires

Why can I guarantee this… because when we understand: our purpose, the passions, the desires, the hopes, the dreams, our values and how will live them out in everyday life… all these things ultimately build into and increase that which we are founded on. Intimacy with Christ.

So if there is one thing I want to encourage you in is this.

Christianity is not an aspect of our life. It isn’t a Sunday thing which we try to fit into our busy schedule. Instead it is our purpose. We live to know Christ. The passions and dreams placed in our heart are intended to be lived out, moment by moment for the intention of drawing every closer, ever deeper to the love Jesus has for us.

It really helps form a great vision of how the church should be. A group of people, bounded together by a common purpose – INTIMACY WITH CHRIST. A group infused in society, doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, wives, husbands, friends… each person a unique part, a privileged part, living full of love, pursuing this intimacy by simply being obedient to a calling – that which Jesus Christ has created us to do.