Discovering Purpose Through Service and Discipleship
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church. Today, I want to share a personal journey and a message about purpose and discipleship. About six and a half years ago, I entered Change Lives Ministries as a resident, struggling with various addictions and destructive behaviors. My life was aimless, much like a blunt-tipped arrow without direction. However, a pastor named Danny Metz invested time in me, showing me the importance of having a purpose and direction in life. This brings us to the core of today's message: discovering our God-given purpose through service to Christ.
In Matthew 16:24-28, Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. This means real commitment and understanding that our lives are not our own but are meant to glorify God. Just as an archer needs discipline and consistency to hit the target, we need spiritual discipline to live a life that glorifies God. This involves having the right stance, balance, and focus in our Christian walk.
We must also have a right "knock," which is a call to prayer, aligning our hearts with God's will. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us to guard our hearts diligently, as it determines the course of our lives. Fellowship with other believers is crucial, as iron sharpens iron, helping us stay centered and focused on our mission.
Finally, we must understand that the results of our efforts are in God's hands. 1 Corinthians 3:6 teaches us that while we plant and water, it is God who causes the growth. Our responsibility is to be faithful in our service, trusting God with the outcome.
In conclusion, our purpose is to glorify God in all that we do. As we live in service to Christ, we discover the true meaning of life. Every action we take has a ripple effect, much like the butterfly effect, impacting lives in ways we may never fully understand. So, who is your arrow? Who are you called to disciple and guide towards a life of purpose in Christ?
### Key Takeaways
1. Purpose Through Service: Our true purpose in life is discovered through service to Christ. When we give our lives to Him, we find meaning and direction, much like an arrow that finally finds its target. This involves a commitment to deny ourselves and follow Jesus, understanding that our lives are meant to glorify God. [31:02]
2. Spiritual Discipline: Just as an archer needs discipline to hit the target, we need spiritual discipline to live a life that glorifies God. This includes having the right stance, balance, and focus in our Christian walk. Consistent obedience and repetitive practice in our spiritual disciplines are essential. [32:47]
3. The Power of Prayer: Prayer is our connection to God, aligning our hearts with His will. Jesus taught us to pray in a way that acknowledges God's holiness, seeks His kingdom, and depends on Him for our daily needs. Prayer is a vital part of our spiritual life, much like the "knock" in archery. [40:20]
4. Fellowship and Accountability: Fellowship with other believers is crucial for spiritual growth. Proverbs 27:17 says, "Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Surrounding ourselves with fellow Christians helps us stay centered and focused on our mission, providing the support and accountability we need. [42:51]
5. Trusting God with the Outcome: While we are responsible for planting and watering seeds of faith, it is God who causes the growth. 1 Corinthians 3:6 reminds us that the results are in God's hands. Our role is to be faithful in our service, trusting that God will bring about the harvest in His perfect timing. [47:13]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[27:02] - Personal Testimony and Struggles
[29:10] - The Aimless Arrow
[31:02] - The Call to Discipleship
[32:47] - Spiritual Discipline and Balance
[34:15] - Commitment and Sacrifice
[35:47] - The Rich Young Ruler vs. The Woman at the Well
[37:26] - Making the Most of Our Time
[39:05] - Evaluating Our Use of Time
[40:20] - The Power of Prayer
[42:51] - Fellowship and Accountability
[44:18] - Anchoring in Christ
[45:33] - Practicing Spiritual Disciplines
[47:13] - Trusting God with the Outcome
[48:21] - The Butterfly Effect and Our Impact
[51:07] - Living a Life of Purpose
[52:59] - The Law of Sensitive Dependence
[54:35] - The Importance of Our Actions
[55:47] - The Impact of Discipleship
[57:46] - Eternal Perspective
[58:48] - Invitation to Salvation
[59:46] - Time of Invitation
[01:01:06] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 16:24-28: "Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.'"
2. Proverbs 4:23: "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."
3. 1 Corinthians 3:6: "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus mean when he says, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me"? ([31:02])
2. According to Proverbs 4:23, why is it important to guard our hearts?
3. In 1 Corinthians 3:6, what roles do Paul and Apollos play, and who is responsible for the growth?
4. How does the speaker describe his life before finding purpose in Christ? ([27:02])
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it look like in practical terms to "deny oneself" and "take up one's cross" in today's world? ([31:02])
2. How can guarding our hearts, as mentioned in Proverbs 4:23, influence our daily decisions and actions?
3. Why is it important to recognize that while we can plant and water seeds of faith, it is God who causes the growth? How does this perspective affect our approach to ministry and discipleship? ([47:13])
4. Reflecting on the speaker's testimony, how can personal struggles and past experiences shape one's purpose and service to Christ? ([27:02])
### Application Questions
1. Jesus calls us to deny ourselves and take up our cross. What specific areas of your life require self-denial and commitment to follow Jesus more closely? ([31:02])
2. Proverbs 4:23 emphasizes guarding our hearts. What practical steps can you take this week to protect your heart from negative influences and align it with God's will?
3. The speaker mentioned the importance of spiritual discipline, much like an archer's practice. What spiritual disciplines (e.g., prayer, Bible study, fellowship) do you need to focus on to improve your "stance" and "balance" in your Christian walk? ([32:47])
4. Fellowship and accountability are crucial for spiritual growth. Who in your life can you rely on for spiritual support and accountability, and how can you strengthen these relationships? ([42:51])
5. Trusting God with the outcome is a key takeaway from the sermon. Is there a situation in your life where you need to let go and trust God more fully? How can you practice this trust in a tangible way this week? ([47:13])
6. The speaker asked, "Who is your arrow?" Identify one person in your life who you feel called to disciple or guide towards a life of purpose in Christ. What steps can you take to invest in this person's spiritual growth? ([29:10])
7. Reflect on the concept of the "butterfly effect" mentioned in the sermon. How can small, consistent acts of faith and obedience in your daily life create a significant impact on others around you? ([52:59])
Devotional
Day 1: Discovering Purpose Through Service
Our true purpose in life is discovered through service to Christ. When we give our lives to Him, we find meaning and direction, much like an arrow that finally finds its target. This involves a commitment to deny ourselves and follow Jesus, understanding that our lives are meant to glorify God. Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him (Matthew 16:24-28). This means real commitment and understanding that our lives are not our own but are meant to glorify God. Just as an archer needs discipline and consistency to hit the target, we need spiritual discipline to live a life that glorifies God. This involves having the right stance, balance, and focus in our Christian walk. [31:02]
Matthew 16:24-25 (ESV): "Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.'"
Reflection: What is one specific way you can deny yourself today to serve Christ and others more fully?
Day 2: Embracing Spiritual Discipline
Just as an archer needs discipline to hit the target, we need spiritual discipline to live a life that glorifies God. This includes having the right stance, balance, and focus in our Christian walk. Consistent obedience and repetitive practice in our spiritual disciplines are essential. Spiritual discipline involves daily habits such as prayer, reading Scripture, and fellowship with other believers. These practices help us stay aligned with God's will and grow in our faith. [32:47]
1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV): "Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."
Reflection: What spiritual discipline can you commit to practicing more consistently this week, and how will you incorporate it into your daily routine?
Day 3: The Power of Prayer
Prayer is our connection to God, aligning our hearts with His will. Jesus taught us to pray in a way that acknowledges God's holiness, seeks His kingdom, and depends on Him for our daily needs. Prayer is a vital part of our spiritual life, much like the "knock" in archery. It helps us stay focused and centered on our mission, providing the strength and guidance we need to navigate life's challenges. [40:20]
Colossians 4:2 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."
Reflection: How can you deepen your prayer life today? Consider setting aside a specific time and place for uninterrupted prayer.
Day 4: The Importance of Fellowship and Accountability
Fellowship with other believers is crucial for spiritual growth. Proverbs 27:17 says, "Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Surrounding ourselves with fellow Christians helps us stay centered and focused on our mission, providing the support and accountability we need. Engaging in regular fellowship and accountability relationships encourages us to grow in our faith and stay committed to our spiritual disciplines. [42:51]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Who in your life can you reach out to for spiritual accountability and encouragement this week?
Day 5: Trusting God with the Outcome
While we are responsible for planting and watering seeds of faith, it is God who causes the growth. 1 Corinthians 3:6 reminds us that the results are in God's hands. Our role is to be faithful in our service, trusting that God will bring about the harvest in His perfect timing. This understanding frees us from the pressure of trying to control outcomes and allows us to focus on being obedient and faithful in our daily walk with Christ. [47:13]
1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (ESV): "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust God more with the outcome? How can you practice surrendering this area to Him today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "So the idea of the message today is that we have a God given goal, we have a purpose in life and that purpose, that goal is to glorify God in all that we do. Says in first Corinthians 10 31 whether we eat, whether we drink or whatever we do, we do it all for the glory of God. See when we give our lives in service to Christ, we discover the real purpose for living." (30 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You see, real discipleship implies real commitment. If we try to save our physical life from pain, death, or discomfort, we may risk losing our eternal life. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (-262 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Remember, we have a God-given goal to glorify God, and all that we do, we have a purpose in life, that when we live our life in service to Christ, we understand what the true purpose of life is." (12 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Everything that we do in life matters. As a Christian, our purpose is to glorify God. And everything that we do each and every day matters. It has an effect on what we do. Some of those effects may far outpass us." (24 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You see, everything that we do is not without purpose. Our first and foremost purpose should be to glorify God. In service, we really discover why we're here. What we're actually living for." (23 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "You see, in archery it starts with a right stance, a right knock, set. That's putting the arrow on the string, setting it in motion. But in our Christian life, we are to pray as a follower to the Lord. In our Christian life, these same principles apply with a right stance, a right knock, I have to have prayer, a right set, the word. In Proverbs 4.23 it says, To guard our hearts above all else, or to watch over our hearts with all diligence, for from it flows the wellsprings of life. What is the ruling affections of my heart?" (41 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When I have a right stance, when I have a right knock, when I have a right set, when I have right fellowship. My brothers and sisters in Christ and those that are around me are keeping me centered, sharpening as iron sharpens iron, that we are moving in the right direction. That I'm not over here on left or right feet. And my ideas are what I think is best. But they help me, draw me back to the center, keep me focused on the center of the mission, the purpose." (43 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You see, anchor is getting in the zone. After I've done everything consistently and obediently, now I'm getting in the zone. I'm focused on the fundamental thing and that anchor is Jesus. And does my life show Jesus? See, as a believer worships God, we will focus. On Jesus and John 14, six, it says, Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life, and no one comes through the father, except through me. He is the cornerstone. He is the anchor and archery." (48 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We as Christians in Christ Jesus need to be honest with ourselves at where our life is. If you profess to be a Christian, then Jesus is Lord of your life and you don't see those arrows around you. Pray. Ask God, what part of this am I missing? And lastly, we come to. Release in 1st Corinthians 3, 6. When we have done everything, we can consistently and obediently. When we have done everything, we can consistently and obediently. The results are in God's hands." (53 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You see, it takes a right stance, a right knock, a right set, a right pre-draw, a right anchor in aim, and a right release in my life in order to fulfill the command of Christ to go make disciples. Has anyone ever heard Andy Andrews' The Butterfly Effect? Got a couple? I really encourage you to go check it out. It's an interesting thought." (39 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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