
You have been created for a purpose ON PURPOSE.
*Galatians 2:20 ESV
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. *
Galatians 2:20 MSG
What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn’t work. So I quit being a “law man” so that I could be God’s man. Christ’s life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that. Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God’s grace. If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily.
3 Exchanges
*1- Jesus gave Paul His life. *
Christ came to live in him. Paul’s life wasn’t his anymore. He simply managed the new life Jesus gave him.
Our encounters with Jesus are experienced by us, but they are not just for us, but meant to be lived in our world
*2- Paul Gave up His Life. *
Religion puts the basis of relationship on us and the things that we do for God, through thee cross, the new basis of living is not in ourselves, but solely on what Jesus has done for us.
*3- Christs Everlasting Love Becomes our new source for Purpose. *
Psalm 139:13-18ESV
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.[a] Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God. How vast is the sum of them! 18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.
The things that we do for God are meant to outlast us!
You will pass on a legacy, the question is, will it be a legacy of curses or blessing?
Living Beyond ourselves happens when our God Given Purpose fuels our direction, actions, and lifestyle.
As a Christ Follower, what is our highest aim?
Our culture has adopted the belief system, that our highest purpose is fulfilled as we experience the highest form of pleasure in our lives
Hedonism:
the pursuit of pleasure; sensual self-indulgence; pleasure is achieved by avoiding pain at all costs; that all of our desires are satisfied.
Matthew. 10:39 ESV
Those who try to keep the life they have will lose it. But those who give up their life for me will find true life.
God created us in His Image, and our Purpose is found as we Glorify Him and live enjoying this new life!
Gods Glory= His full weight, capacity, true self expressed in us and through us.
1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Peter 4:11 ESV
whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
How do we give God Glory?
*(1.) We aim at Gods Glory when we look for God to get the credit above our own recognition, material possessions, and relationships. *
1 Corinthians 1510 ESV
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
*(2.) We aim at God’s Glory, when we are set on God’s will, even though it may cross our will. *
*(3.) We aim at God’s Glory, when we are content to be outshined by others in gifts and anointing, so that his glory may be increased. *
*Acts 13:36
For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption.
*
Our fundamental purpose in life is not a profession, but to know God, love God, and serve God.
Discussion Questions:
1- Read Galatians 2:20. What does it mean that Jesus gave us His life? What does it mean for us to give up our life?
2- What do you think is our highest aim as Christ Followers? How do we achieve this?
3- Why is the pursuit of pleasure fleeting?
4- Read Matthew 10:39. How do we, in losing our life, find life? How has living this new life changed you?
5- What is one way this week, that you can give God Glory through your life?
6- How can you use your daily life(work, job, family) to see God receive His glory?