THE PURPOSE OF MY PURPOSE A study on

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THE PURPOSE OF MY PURPOSE A study on man’s desire to know why he

THE PURPOSE OF MY PURPOSE A study on man’s desire to know why he was born

 • To seek, find, and know of Godour intimately God’s Three-Fold Purpose Lives

• To seek, find, and know of Godour intimately God’s Three-Fold Purpose Lives Know is why your were placed on this planet. Acts 17: 25 b-27, I Chron. 28: 9, John 17: 1 -3 Grow • To grow into the image of Christ by becoming more like the Savior every day. Romans 8: 28 -29, Colossians 1: 28, James 1: -2 Sow • To sow a life of significant deeds, actions, and good works which ultimately brings glory to God. I Corinthians 10: 31; Isaiah 43: 7, Matthew 5: 16, Ephesians 2: 10

1. You were created to grow 28 And we know that God causes all

1. You were created to grow 28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; Romans 8: 28 -29 Seven key words: �Know �Causes �All �Work �Good �Love �Purpose

What is His purpose for you? Answer: For the believer to become conformed to

What is His purpose for you? Answer: For the believer to become conformed to the image of Christ What does that mean? It means to think the way Jesus thinks, to act the way Jesus would act, to feel the way Jesus would feel.

2. How do Christians “grow” into the image of Christ? �Through growing in the

2. How do Christians “grow” into the image of Christ? �Through growing in the word �Through pain and difficulties of life

Trials of Life We are experiencing temporary Technical difficulties

Trials of Life We are experiencing temporary Technical difficulties

What we know about life’s trials and difficulties… 1. They are a result of

What we know about life’s trials and difficulties… 1. They are a result of the fall. Genesis 3 2. Every human faces them whether he or she is a staunch atheist or a mature Christian. I Peter 4: 17 3. Life’s crisis generally do one thing or the other. Either we allow them to push us away from God or draw us to Him. 4. For the Christian who is in submission to God’s authority over his or her life, difficulties in the hands of the Master is His chisel as He conforms us to His own image. 5. The five most significant difficulties of the believer’s life are used in a special way to define you and shape you.

Some of the weirdest instructions in the Bible… �Joshua is told to march seven

Some of the weirdest instructions in the Bible… �Joshua is told to march seven days around Jericho and then blow his trumpets in order to defeat the city – Joshua 6 �Gideon is to fight the Midianites but is instructed to reduce his army from 32, 000 to 300 by letting those who wanted to leave, leave and then by choosing only those who drank by lapping water. Judges 7: 6 �Elisha tells Naaman to wash seven times in the dirty Jordan River to rid himself of leprosy – II Kings 5: 10 �Jesus’ formula if you want to be first is to make yourself last – Mark 9: 35 But how about our instruction in James 1: 2 when we encounter big problems and difficulties in life?

b. Growing in trials and tribulations 2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when

b. Growing in trials and tribulations 2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1: 2 -4

Question: Why does “consider it all joy” just sound bizarre when life hits you

Question: Why does “consider it all joy” just sound bizarre when life hits you right between the eyes? Answer: Because most Christians do not prize spiritual growth as their life purpose and they do not realize that the only way to get there is through pain, difficulties, and problems.

The Master’s smelter… 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a

The Master’s smelter… 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; I Peter 1: 6 -7

The beautiful word picture of Jesus as the silversmith… A silversmith will heat up

The beautiful word picture of Jesus as the silversmith… A silversmith will heat up the unrefined silver to the point of melting the silver. He continually removes the dross as it surfaces to the top. Do you know how the silversmith knows when the silver is ready? When he can see his perfect reflection in the silver. When will Jesus be done refining you? When He can see His reflection in your life after He removes all the dross.

Question… How Does God Prepare A Man Like David To Write The Book of

Question… How Does God Prepare A Man Like David To Write The Book of Psalms?

Personal Sin Broken Relationship Period of Solitude Great Challenge Suffering / Persecution

Personal Sin Broken Relationship Period of Solitude Great Challenge Suffering / Persecution

Being Shaped By The “Five Big Defining Moments” of Your Life FBDM

Being Shaped By The “Five Big Defining Moments” of Your Life FBDM

Definition of a FBDM: A major difficulty or challenge that has profound impact on

Definition of a FBDM: A major difficulty or challenge that has profound impact on our lives. They are forks in the road of life. Afterwards, nothing is really ever the same. The Lord uses these events in the believer’s life to increase His intimacy with His child, deepen our faith, change our character, and prepare us for the balance of our lives and eternity.

What FBDM accomplish in the believer’s life: � Enables you to see how God’s

What FBDM accomplish in the believer’s life: � Enables you to see how God’s hand weaves us through the FBDM into the man or woman you are today. It is a big part of your story. � We increase our focus on heaven rather earth. Colossians 3: 1 -2

� Part of the “approving” process – I Thessalonians 2: 4 � Moves us

� Part of the “approving” process – I Thessalonians 2: 4 � Moves us from selfcenteredness to being more concerned about others. Philippians 2: 3 -4 � It causes us to grow in wisdom and faith. � We grow in intimacy with the Lord.

David’s FBDM 1. Goliath Encounter 2. Saul’s Persecution 3. Bathsheba Affair 4. Absalom’s Rebellion

David’s FBDM 1. Goliath Encounter 2. Saul’s Persecution 3. Bathsheba Affair 4. Absalom’s Rebellion 5. Counting of Troops

Moses’ FBDM 1. Murdered Egyptian and Fled 2. Burning Bush 3. Confronting Pharaoh 4.

Moses’ FBDM 1. Murdered Egyptian and Fled 2. Burning Bush 3. Confronting Pharaoh 4. Leading Unruly Israel 5. Hitting the Rock

Paul’s FBDM 1. Three Years in Arabia 2. Barnabas Conflict 3. Thorn in the

Paul’s FBDM 1. Three Years in Arabia 2. Barnabas Conflict 3. Thorn in the Flesh 4. Asia Affliction 5. Jerusalem Visit

My FBDM 1. Childhood wounds 2. Father’s unexpected death 3. Business failure 4. Church

My FBDM 1. Childhood wounds 2. Father’s unexpected death 3. Business failure 4. Church leadership sin 5. Difficult marriage / divorce

What are common FBDM in believer’s lives?

What are common FBDM in believer’s lives?

Examples of FBDM: 1. Death of loved one 2. Parents divorce 3. Broken relationship

Examples of FBDM: 1. Death of loved one 2. Parents divorce 3. Broken relationship 4. Significant move or relocation 5. Great disappointment

6. Financial difficulties / bankruptcy 7. In battle during war 8. Personal divorce 9.

6. Financial difficulties / bankruptcy 7. In battle during war 8. Personal divorce 9. Prolonged illness 10. Betrayal

11. A church spilt 12. Horrible accident 13. The fall of a Christian leader

11. A church spilt 12. Horrible accident 13. The fall of a Christian leader or mentor 14. Mental and emotional problems or depression 15. Addiction problem

16. Suicide of a loved one 17. Personal sin failure 18. Victim of a

16. Suicide of a loved one 17. Personal sin failure 18. Victim of a sexual sin 19. Near death experience 20. Imprisonment

Facts about FBDM: 1. Most people attempt to live life free of difficulties, the

Facts about FBDM: 1. Most people attempt to live life free of difficulties, the very raw material that God uses to build a mature believer. 2. The way one handles the last FBDM prepares him or her for the next FBDM.

3. Your top five can change in time. 4. At every point of a

3. Your top five can change in time. 4. At every point of a FBDM, one has the pivotal choice of rejecting God or embracing the Lord and His loving concern. The way we handle these difficulties, especially these five, determines who we are especially in our relationship to Christ.

The FBDM’s are forks in the middle of the road of life

The FBDM’s are forks in the middle of the road of life

These did well: 1. Job never cursed God during his afflictions. Book of Job

These did well: 1. Job never cursed God during his afflictions. Book of Job 2. Joseph remained faithful though almost murdered, sold into slavery, losing his family, false accusation of rape and imprisonment. Genesis 37 -50

3. Apostle Peter is restored after his denial. John 21: 15 -17 4. Corry

3. Apostle Peter is restored after his denial. John 21: 15 -17 4. Corry ten Boom in a Nazi concentration camp 5. Michael Regan was molested by a scout leader but later gave the pain to the Lord

These did poorly: 1. Cain killed Abel after the Lord rejected his sacrifice. Genesis

These did poorly: 1. Cain killed Abel after the Lord rejected his sacrifice. Genesis 4: 1 -15 2. Ahithophel committed suicide when Hushai’s counsel was taken over his. II Samuel 17: 23

3. Judas committed suicide. Matthew 27: 5 4. Many serial killers were sexually abused.

3. Judas committed suicide. Matthew 27: 5 4. Many serial killers were sexually abused. Hurt people hurt people if the hurt is never given to the Lord. 5. Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin and Mao Zedong all had experienced childhood trauma by fathers who beat them and or were tyrants.

When a FBDM hits, you believe that something strange is happening, something out of

When a FBDM hits, you believe that something strange is happening, something out of the ordinary. But Peter says: Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; I Peter 4: 12

It’s not the great victories of life that shape and define us, but rather

It’s not the great victories of life that shape and define us, but rather the difficult experiences.

Here are some great sayings pertaining to FBDM’s…

Here are some great sayings pertaining to FBDM’s…

“You will never know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all

“You will never know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have. ” Mother Teresa

“Never trust a man who doesn't walk with a limp. ”

“Never trust a man who doesn't walk with a limp. ”

“We find God in the dark places”

“We find God in the dark places”

“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in

“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone (pain) to rouse a deaf world. ” C. S. Lewis

“When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die. ” Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die. ” Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making

“God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy. We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ-likeness. ” Rick Warren

The Bible on FBFM…

The Bible on FBFM…

Romans 5: 3 -4 Tribulations begin a change reaction for Christians starting with perseverance

Romans 5: 3 -4 Tribulations begin a change reaction for Christians starting with perseverance and producing proven character and hope.

The Chain Reaction of Romans 5: 3 -4 �Tribulations �Perseverance �Proven character �Hope

The Chain Reaction of Romans 5: 3 -4 �Tribulations �Perseverance �Proven character �Hope

Tribulations (θλῖψις ) �Literally means, “A pressing, or pressing together, pressure. ” �The word

Tribulations (θλῖψις ) �Literally means, “A pressing, or pressing together, pressure. ” �The word was used for a press when extracting olive oil or squeezing the grapes to make wine. �Other terms: Sufferings, oppression, affliction and distress. �The Message uses, “hemmed in with troubles. ”

Perseverance (ὑπομονή) �Literally means, “Steadfastness, constancy, and endurance. ” �The ability to keep on

Perseverance (ὑπομονή) �Literally means, “Steadfastness, constancy, and endurance. ” �The ability to keep on keeping on… �Thayer says, “The characteristic of a man who is unswerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings. ”

Proven Character (δοκιμή ) �Means “Tried Character. ” It also means “A proof, a

Proven Character (δοκιμή ) �Means “Tried Character. ” It also means “A proof, a specimen of tried worth. ” �It was used for testing the quality of precious metals to insure their purity. �The verb form means, “to put to the test for the purpose of approving, and finding that the person tested meets the specifications, to put one’s approval upon him. ”

Hope (ἐλπίς) �Literally means, “To anticipate” �It is not like our English word hope

Hope (ἐλπίς) �Literally means, “To anticipate” �It is not like our English word hope which carries the idea of “maybe. ” �The confident anticipation and expectation that God will do everything He said He would.

II Corinthians 4: 17 A FBDM from affliction produces an eternal weight of glory

II Corinthians 4: 17 A FBDM from affliction produces an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.

Paul’s three-fold comparisons: �Affliction vs. glory �Light weight vs: eternal weight �Momentary vs: eternal

Paul’s three-fold comparisons: �Affliction vs. glory �Light weight vs: eternal weight �Momentary vs: eternal

James 1: 2 -4 Trials mature us making us perfect, complete and lacking in

James 1: 2 -4 Trials mature us making us perfect, complete and lacking in nothing.

James formula for handling the FBDM (and all other trials) 1. Face the trial

James formula for handling the FBDM (and all other trials) 1. Face the trial with pure joy – vs: 2 2. Realize pain has a purpose, that is, spiritual strengthening – vs: 3 3. Endurance makes me more Christ-like – vs: 4

I Peter 1: 6 -7 Trials are like the fire silversmith use when removing

I Peter 1: 6 -7 Trials are like the fire silversmith use when removing the dross. When the silversmith (Jesus) can see his face in the molten silver (our lives), the job is complete.

The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord

The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests hearts. Proverbs 17: 3

The unbeliever and the FBFM…

The unbeliever and the FBFM…

1. For the believer, life is boot camp and R & R is heaven.

1. For the believer, life is boot camp and R & R is heaven. For the unbeliever, earth is all he has. A FBDM is an obstruction to happiness which is his ultimate prime directive. 2. Without the Lord, the FBDM have no context. There is no good reason or benefit for the pain. For us, the context is eternity.

3. Unbelievers tend to blame the God that they don’t believe in and reject

3. Unbelievers tend to blame the God that they don’t believe in and reject Him for not preventing the FBDM. Yes, it doesn’t make sense.

The believer and the FBFM…

The believer and the FBFM…

1. Imagine how shallow a person you would be today without FBDM. 2. The

1. Imagine how shallow a person you would be today without FBDM. 2. The FBDM play a huge part in the story of your life. When we get to heaven and meet other believers who have lived at different times throughout history, we will tell them our story and they us and the FBDM of our lives.

3. Understanding your FBDM prevents victimization. � According to James 1: 5, if you

3. Understanding your FBDM prevents victimization. � According to James 1: 5, if you ask for wisdom or understanding in faith regarding a FBDM, the Lord promises to give it to you. However, no time line is given, it may take years.

5. David’s five big defining moments is what fueled his writing of the Psalms.

5. David’s five big defining moments is what fueled his writing of the Psalms. How has your FBDM profited your life and ministry? 6. I or you could have been in the Bible instead of David. Our story is just as important to the Lord. It is just that David’s had more purpose in God’s plan. Based on your FBDM, what would Psalms have looked like if you wrote them?