Discovering Purpose Through Relationship with God

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, we often grapple with the question of purpose. We know that Jesus is the answer, but what does that truly mean for us? It's not enough to simply say "Jesus" and leave it at that. We must delve deeper, showing our work, as a math teacher would, to understand the full equation of our purpose in Christ.

Jeremiah 29:11 is a verse that resonates deeply with many of us. It speaks of God's plans to prosper us, not to harm us, to give us hope and a future. This promise is not just words on a page; it is the very declaration of the Lord. No matter where we find ourselves in life, whether we feel we have nothing to offer or believe our time has passed, God affirms that He knows the plans He has for us.

Each of us is handcrafted by God with a purpose. As a pastor, my passion is to help you discover who you were created to be in God. This journey is not one you walk alone; it is a path we traverse together, pointing to Jesus and responding to His call.

In life, we encounter crossroads where we must choose between what is safe and what requires faith. Jeremiah 9:23-24 reminds us that our boasting should not be in wisdom, power, or riches, but in knowing God and understanding that He is the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and brings justice and righteousness to the earth.

The pursuit of money, power, or wisdom alone leads to emptiness and insecurity. Only in knowing God and placing Him as the Lord of our lives do we find true purpose and security. Our purpose is discovered in knowing Him, and this knowledge is not just intellectual; it is relational. It requires a personal relationship with God, where we call on Him, pray to Him, and He listens.

As we declare that He is the Lord of our lives, we must examine whether our lives truly reflect this in every aspect, both public and private. In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus warns that not everyone who calls Him 'Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of His Father. It is not about the works we do in His name, but about truly knowing Him and having a relationship with Him.

Our prayers should be bold, inviting God's will into every circumstance. Like Paul and Silas, who prayed and sang praises to God in prison, we too should pray with the expectation that God will move mightily, even in our darkest moments. Their faith led to the salvation of the jailer and his family, demonstrating the power of God's presence and the impact of living a life surrendered to His will.

Key Takeaways:

- Our true purpose is found in the knowledge that God is the Lord of our lives, and this understanding compels us to respond to His voice. It is not about the safety of our plans, but about the faith steps we take in obedience to His direction. [49:33]

- The pursuit of worldly wisdom, power, or riches pales in comparison to the joy of knowing God. Our lives should be marked by our relationship with Him, and this relationship should provoke action and transformation within us. [44:22]

- Prayer is a powerful tool that connects us to the heart of God. When we pray, we must do so with the expectation that God hears us and is capable of doing immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. [51:03]

- Knowing God goes beyond intellectual assent; it is about cultivating a personal, intimate relationship with Him that influences every aspect of our lives. This relationship is what sustains us and gives us purpose. [56:33]

- The story of Paul and Silas in prison challenges us to pray audacious prayers that align with God's will, even in the face of adversity. Our circumstances should not dictate our faith, but rather, our faith should transform our circumstances. [01:10:47]

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
1. Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
2. Jeremiah 9:23-24 - "This is what the Lord says: 'Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the Lord."
3. Matthew 7:21-23 - "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"

### Observation Questions
1. What does Jeremiah 29:11 say about God's plans for us? How does this verse provide hope? [31:27]
2. According to Jeremiah 9:23-24, what should we boast about, and why? [43:44]
3. In Matthew 7:21-23, what does Jesus say about those who call Him 'Lord' but do not do the will of His Father? [59:28]
4. How did Paul and Silas respond to their imprisonment, and what was the outcome of their actions? [03:03:37]

### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding that God has a plan for us (Jeremiah 29:11) change the way we view our current circumstances? [31:27]
2. Why does God emphasize knowing Him and understanding His character over wisdom, power, or riches in Jeremiah 9:23-24? [43:44]
3. What does Jesus mean when He says, "I never knew you" in Matthew 7:23? How does this relate to the importance of a personal relationship with Him? [59:28]
4. How does the story of Paul and Silas in prison illustrate the power of prayer and faith in difficult circumstances? [03:03:37]

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt uncertain about your purpose. How can Jeremiah 29:11 provide reassurance in those moments? [31:27]
2. In what ways can you shift your focus from seeking wisdom, power, or riches to deepening your relationship with God, as suggested in Jeremiah 9:23-24? [43:44]
3. Jesus warns that not everyone who calls Him 'Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven. How can you ensure that your relationship with Him is genuine and not just based on outward actions? [59:28]
4. Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises to God even in prison. How can you incorporate bold and faith-filled prayers into your daily life, especially during challenging times? [03:03:37]
5. Think about an area of your life where you have been playing it safe. What steps can you take to trust God more and take a faith step in that area? [36:37]
6. How can you make your prayers more focused on God's will rather than your own desires? What specific prayer can you start with this week? [01:10:09]
7. Identify a situation where you need to declare that Jesus is the Lord of your life. How can you practically show this declaration in both public and private aspects of your life? [58:49]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing God's Lordship in Life
God's lordship over our lives is the cornerstone of our purpose. When we acknowledge Him as Lord, we are not merely accepting a title, but we are also committing to a life that seeks to understand and fulfill His will. This means that our decisions, our paths, and our very existence are not based on our own understanding but are directed by His divine wisdom and guidance. It is a journey that requires us to take steps of faith, often beyond the comfort of our plans, trusting that His ways lead to prosperity and hope as promised in Jeremiah 29:11.

The pursuit of God's lordship is a transformative process that aligns our desires with His, shaping our character and actions. It is in this pursuit that we find the courage to face crossroads and make choices that reflect our trust in Him. As we grow in our relationship with God, we learn to discern His voice and respond with obedience, even when it means stepping out into the unknown. This is the essence of faith—choosing God's way over the safe way, and in doing so, finding our true purpose in Him. [49:33]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: What is one decision you are currently facing where you can choose to trust in God's lordship rather than your own understanding?

Day 2: The Futility of Worldly Pursuits
The world often measures success by the accumulation of wisdom, power, and riches. However, these pursuits, when sought as ends in themselves, lead to a life of emptiness and insecurity. True joy and fulfillment are found not in these temporal achievements but in the eternal relationship with God. Knowing God intimately transforms our values and priorities, leading us to seek His kingdom and righteousness above all else. This relationship with God is not just about acquiring knowledge but about allowing His love and truth to provoke action and change within us.

As we deepen our relationship with God, we begin to understand that our identity and purpose are rooted in Him. This understanding shifts our focus from chasing after worldly accolades to living out a life that reflects His love and justice. It is in this shift that we find true security and purpose, not as the world gives, but as it is found in the richness of knowing God and being known by Him. [44:22]

James 4:14 (ESV)
"Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."

Reflection: How can you shift your focus today from pursuing worldly success to deepening your relationship with God?

Day 3: The Power of Expectant Prayer
Prayer is our lifeline to God, a powerful tool that not only allows us to communicate with the Creator of the universe but also to align our hearts with His will. When we pray, we should do so with the expectation that God hears us and that He is capable of doing immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. This expectant prayer is not a passive act but an active engagement with God's power and presence in our lives. It is through prayer that we invite God's will into our circumstances, trusting that He can move mightily on our behalf.

The story of Paul and Silas, who prayed and sang praises to God in prison, exemplifies the impact of expectant prayer. Their faith did not waver in the face of adversity; instead, they prayed with the expectation that God would act—and He did, leading to miraculous outcomes. We are called to have the same boldness in prayer, believing that God is present and active in every situation we face. [51:03]

2 Chronicles 20:12 (ESV)
"O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you."

Reflection: What situation in your life needs the intervention of expectant prayer, and how can you invite God's will into it today?

Day 4: Cultivating a Personal Relationship with God
Knowing God is more than an intellectual exercise; it is about cultivating a personal, intimate relationship with Him that influences every aspect of our lives. This relationship is sustained through prayer, worship, and the study of His Word. It is a relationship that calls us to not only call on Him but to listen and respond to His guidance. As we grow in our knowledge of God, we discover that this relationship is the foundation of our purpose and the source of our strength.

This intimate relationship with God requires honesty, vulnerability, and a willingness to let Him transform us from the inside out. It is in the context of this relationship that we find the courage to examine our lives and align them with His will, both in public and in private. Our actions, words, and thoughts should reflect our commitment to Him, demonstrating that He is indeed the Lord of our lives. [56:33]

1 Chronicles 28:9 (ESV)
"And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever."

Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your personal relationship with God, and how can this relationship influence your daily actions?

Day 5: Faith Transforming Circumstances
The story of Paul and Silas in prison is a powerful reminder that our circumstances should not dictate our faith, but rather, our faith should have the power to transform our circumstances. When faced with adversity, we are called to pray audacious prayers that align with God's will, trusting that He can use even the most challenging situations for His glory. Our faith is not passive; it is active and expects God to work in ways that we cannot foresee.

Living a life of faith means that we do not allow our external conditions to shake our trust in God. Instead, we use our faith to change the atmosphere around us, bringing hope and light into the darkest places. As we live surrendered to God's will, we become conduits of His power, and our lives bear witness to the transformative impact of a faith that trusts in God's sovereignty and goodness. [01:10:47]

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV)
"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."

Reflection: Can you identify an area in your life where you need to exercise faith that transforms circumstances, and what step can you take today to demonstrate that faith?

Quotes

- "Knowing about someone is different than knowing them. We can know facts about people but that does not change the reality that a relationship is necessary in knowing God." [56:33] (Download | )

- "Our purpose is found in knowing God, and knowing God means I have a personal relationship with Him. It means I understand He is the Lord of my life and I respond to His voice." [57:09] (Download | Download cropped video)

- "The things we pursue in our decisions of convenience are not the things that God says are valuable. They're not the things to be proud of." [44:59] (Download | Download cropped video)

- "I've never met anyone who spent their life in pursuit of money who ever got enough. Those who spend their lives in pursuit of things outside of knowing God end up with empty hands." [46:42] (Download | Download cropped video)

- "There's something about knowing the Shepherd that provokes action in our life. Something about knowing God that provokes action from us." [53:39] (Download | Download cropped video)

- "When we pray, we must do so with the expectation that God hears us and is capable of doing immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine." [51:03] (Download | Download cropped video)

- "Our purpose is discovered in knowing Him, and this knowledge is not just intellectual; it is relational. It requires a personal relationship with God." [49:09] (Download | )

- "He is the Lord of my life. How much of your life is He the Lord of? Is it just the public parts, just the parts that everybody else sees, or not the private?" [59:28] (Download | )

- "When we know God and He is the Lord of our life, things begin to change not just in the public, in the private." [01:00:51] (Download | )

- "When the chains were off and the doors were open, Paul and Silas stayed in prison... What kind of unsafe prayers were they willing to pray?" [01:10:09] (Download | )

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Transcript
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