HINDERANCES TO PURPOSE

PURPOSE: THE REASON FOR WHICH SOMETHING IS DONE OR CREATED OR FOR WHICH SOMETHING EXISTS.

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Ephesians 1:15-23 NIV

I. GOD WANTS TO GIVE US WISDOM AND REVELATION SO THAT WE CAN KNOW HIM BETTER.

• FINDING OUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST REQUIRES FULL SURRENDER.

II. GOD WANTS THE EYES OF OUR HEART TO BE OPENED SO WE CAN KNOW TRUE HOPE.

• THE HINDERANCE TO FINDING OUR PURPOSE IN CHRIST CAN BE CONFUSING ABUNDANCE AND ABUNDANT LIFE.
• WE CAN BECOME BLINDED TO OUR IDENTITY AND PURPOSE IN CHRIST IF WE FOCUS ON ABUNDANCE.

III. THERE NEEDS TO BE A WHOLEHEARTED ABANDONMENT OF ALL THINGS TO KNOW JESUS. THEN, WE WILL FIND OUR IDENTITY AND PURPOSE.