Embracing God's Purpose Through Community and Transformation

Today’s gathering was a celebration of God’s faithfulness and a call to recognize the ways He is moving in our lives, both individually and as a community. We began by sharing testimonies, reminding ourselves that our stories of God’s goodness are not just for us—they are often the very thing that brings hope and deliverance to others. This spirit of gratitude set the tone for a morning focused on purpose, elevation, and the communal nature of God’s calling.

We reflected on the work God has allowed us to do in Kenya, supporting a school in one of the most challenging environments, and the importance of being intentional about our mission—whether it’s across the world or right here in our city. Our Kingdom Life Groups were highlighted as essential spaces for spiritual growth, accountability, and genuine community, reinforcing that faith is not meant to be lived in isolation.

A significant portion of our time was spent examining the life of Paul (formerly Saul), whose story is a masterclass in spiritual elevation. Paul’s transformation was not about adding credentials or achieving personal fulfillment; it was a radical reorientation of his entire life, values, and community. God’s call on Paul’s life—and on ours—is not about individualistic self-actualization, but about surrendering to a divine purpose that is communal, unshakable, and often disruptive to our preferences and plans.

We challenged the modern notion of purpose, which centers on personal passion and fulfillment, contrasting it with the biblical vision: God is the initiator, and we are called to steward our gifts for the sake of His people. God’s plans are permanent, not subject to our failures or shifting desires. Our role is to align ourselves with His unfolding story, pressing on with relentless pursuit, even when it means embracing people and places we once resisted.

Finally, we were invited to respond—to release old identities, step into God’s purpose, and participate in the life of the church. Whether through giving, serving, or simply saying yes to Jesus, the call is clear: God’s purpose is bigger than us, but it includes us. Our elevation comes not from climbing higher for ourselves, but from surrendering to God’s greater plan for His people.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Testimony as Deliverance: Sharing how God has blessed us is not just an act of gratitude; it is a spiritual weapon. Our testimonies can be the very thing that unlocks deliverance for someone else, reminding us that our stories are meant to be shared, not hoarded. When we declare God’s faithfulness, we participate in the ongoing work of redemption in our community. [01:39]
• 2. Purpose is Divine, Not Personal: God’s purpose for our lives originates in His sovereign will, not in our passions or preferences. Unlike the modern pursuit of self-fulfillment, biblical purpose is about aligning with God’s plan, which is communal and unshakable. Our calling is not something we invent, but something we discover as we surrender to God’s design. [63:17]
• 3. Transformation Over Credentials: Paul’s story teaches us that God is not interested in simply adding to our list of achievements. True elevation is a transformation of identity, values, and mission. Sometimes, God will call us to the very people or places we once despised, using our past experiences as preparation for a new, redemptive purpose. [53:08]
• 4. Relentless Pursuit of God’s Purpose: The call to “press on” is not a passive waiting but an active, dogged pursuit of God’s will. Like the African wild dog, we are to chase after God’s purpose with relentless energy, refusing to let setbacks or doubts deter us. Our elevation is found in the daily, sometimes mundane, acts of faithfulness that keep us moving toward God’s goal. [91:58]
• 5. Community is Essential, Not Optional: In God’s economy, purpose is always tied to community. We are saved into a people, not just as individuals. Our gifts, experiences, and even our frustrations are meant to be stewarded for the good of the body, and our growth is inseparable from our participation in the life of the church. [66:37]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:01] - Sharing Testimonies of God’s Faithfulness
• [03:44] - Kenya Mission Update and Invitation
• [06:51] - Mission Trip Logistics and Sponsorship
• [09:25] - The Power of Kingdom Life Groups
• [11:22] - Hallelujah Night: Community Outreach
• [13:53] - Giving for Community Impact
• [18:12] - City Partnership: Heat Emergency Simulation
• [21:59] - The Church as a Voice in Policy
• [24:31] - Series Introduction: Elevation
• [25:11] - A New Me and a New Purpose
• [27:01] - Reading Philippians 3:12-16
• [32:49] - Paul’s Transformation: From Saul to Apostle
• [41:51] - The Limits of Morality and Credentials
• [53:08] - Redefining Purpose: God’s Plan vs. Personal Passion
• [63:17] - Divine Origin and Communal Vocation
• [80:19] - God’s Unshakable Purpose
• [91:58] - Relentless Pursuit of God’s Calling
• [96:02] - Living Out Purpose in Community
• [104:53] - Invitation to Salvation and Church Membership
• [108:31] - Honoring God Through Generous Giving

Bible Reading

Philippians 3:12-16 (ESV) — 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.
16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Observation Questions

1. According to Philippians 3:12-16, what is Paul’s attitude toward his past and his future? What does he say he is “pressing on” toward?
2. In the sermon, what was the significance of sharing testimonies at the beginning of the service? ([01:39])
3. How did the pastor describe Paul’s transformation from Saul to Paul? What changed about his identity and mission? ([32:49])
4. What role do Kingdom Life Groups play in the life of the church, according to the sermon? ([09:25])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul emphasize “forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead”? How might this relate to releasing old identities, as discussed in the sermon? ([41:01])
2. The sermon contrasts “purpose as personal passion” with “purpose as God’s calling.” What are the dangers of defining purpose by our own preferences? ([01:13:00])
3. The pastor said, “God’s purpose is always tied to community.” Why is it important that our calling is not just individual, but communal? ([01:06:37])
4. Paul’s relentless pursuit is compared to an African wild dog that never gives up. What does this metaphor teach us about how we should pursue God’s purpose? ([01:31:58])

Application Questions

1. The sermon began with sharing testimonies as a way to bring hope and deliverance to others. When was the last time you shared a story of God’s faithfulness with someone? What happened, and how did it impact you or them? ([01:39])
2. The pastor challenged the idea that our purpose is about self-fulfillment. Are there areas in your life where you have been seeking your own passion or comfort over God’s calling? What would it look like to surrender those areas? ([01:13:00])
3. Paul was called to serve the very people he once despised. Is there a person or group you find difficult to love or serve? How might God be inviting you to step toward them in faith? ([52:28])
4. The sermon emphasized that God’s plans are permanent and not changed by our failures. Is there a past mistake or failure that you feel disqualifies you from being used by God? How does Psalm 33:11 (referenced in the sermon) speak to that? ([01:22:12])
5. The pastor described “pressing on” as a relentless, daily pursuit of God’s purpose, even in mundane acts of faithfulness. What is one small, consistent action you can take this week to move toward God’s calling in your life? ([01:31:58])
6. Community was described as “essential, not optional.” Are you currently connected to a group of believers where you can grow, be accountable, and serve? If not, what is one step you can take to get connected? ([09:25])
7. The invitation at the end of the sermon was to release old identities and step into God’s purpose. What is one “old identity” or label you need to let go of in order to fully embrace who God is calling you to be? ([41:01])