Embracing Our Threefold Purpose in Christ
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound concept of our threefold purpose as believers, emphasizing our identity as sons and daughters of God, the bride of Christ, and the body of Christ. We began by acknowledging the joy and privilege of being part of the church community, a place where we are called out of darkness into light. This sense of belonging is not just a social construct but a divine calling that shapes our identity and purpose.
Our first purpose is rooted in our identity as sons and daughters of God. This is a personal and intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father, who created us in His image. We are not mere animals or products of chance; we are designed with a purpose, reflecting the love and image of our Creator. This identity calls us to live in a way that honors our Father, embracing the eternal purpose for which we were created.
The second aspect of our purpose is as the bride of Christ. This collective identity emphasizes our relationship with Jesus, who loves us deeply and has chosen us as His own. As His bride, we are called to be pure, devoted, and in love with Him, rejecting all other allegiances. This relationship is not just about individual salvation but about being part of a global, diverse, and beautiful body that represents Christ on earth.
Finally, we are the body of Christ, tasked with continuing His work in the world. This involves using the gifts and talents He has given us to serve others, spread the gospel, and bring healing and hope to a broken world. Our work is not just a job or a duty; it is a divine calling that reflects the heart of God and fulfills His purpose for our lives.
In embracing these threefold purposes, we find fulfillment and meaning, living not just for ourselves but for the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom.
Key Takeaways:
- Identity as Sons and Daughters: Our primary identity is as children of God, created in His image with a divine purpose. This relationship is personal and intimate, calling us to live in a way that reflects our Father's love and holiness. [51:25]
- The Bride of Christ: As the bride, we are called to a pure and devoted relationship with Jesus, rejecting all other allegiances. This collective identity emphasizes our role in a global, diverse body that represents Christ on earth. [01:25:32]
- The Body of Christ: We are tasked with continuing Jesus' work in the world, using our gifts to serve others and spread the gospel. This divine calling reflects God's heart and fulfills His purpose for our lives. [01:42:11]
- Eternal Purpose: Our purpose extends beyond this life, with eternal implications. While our physical actions are temporary, our spiritual accomplishments have eternal significance. [55:12]
- Servant Leadership: True leadership begins with service, as demonstrated by Jesus. We are called to serve others selflessly, reflecting the heart of God and fulfilling our divine purpose. [01:38:30]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[51:25] - Created with Purpose
[52:33] - Image of God
[53:57] - Threefold Purpose
[55:12] - Eternal Perspective
[56:22] - Time and Eternity
[57:16] - Overcoming Challenges
[58:20] - God's Sustaining Hand
[59:13] - Power of Prayer
[01:00:47] - Born Again
[01:08:01] - Family and Identity
[01:12:52] - Father Figures
[01:16:46] - God's Security
[01:20:16] - Power in the Name
[01:25:32] - The Bride of Christ
[01:36:12] - Work and Purpose
[01:42:11] - Structure in the Body
[01:50:01] - Vulnerability and Healing
[01:53:00] - Threefold Function
[02:00:43] - Call to Action
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 1:27 - "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."
2. 1 John 3:1 - "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"
3. 1 Corinthians 12:27 - "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Genesis 1:27, in whose image were humans created, and what does this imply about our identity? [52:33]
2. In 1 John 3:1, what does the passage say about our relationship with God, and how does it describe the love He has for us? [53:57]
3. How does 1 Corinthians 12:27 describe the role of believers in the body of Christ, and what does it mean to be a part of this body? [53:57]
4. What are the threefold purposes of believers as discussed in the sermon, and how do they relate to our identity in Christ? [53:57]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding that we are created in God's image (Genesis 1:27) influence the way we view ourselves and others? [52:33]
2. What does it mean to be called a child of God according to 1 John 3:1, and how should this identity affect our daily lives? [53:57]
3. In what ways can being part of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27) shape our interactions and responsibilities within the church community? [53:57]
4. How does the concept of being the bride of Christ challenge us to live in purity and devotion, as mentioned in the sermon? [01:25:32]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your identity as a child of God. How does this understanding impact your self-worth and the way you treat others? [53:57]
2. In what ways can you cultivate a deeper, more intimate relationship with Jesus, as the sermon suggests we should as the bride of Christ? [01:25:32]
3. Consider your role in the body of Christ. What specific gifts or talents do you have that can be used to serve others and advance God's kingdom? [01:42:11]
4. How can you actively participate in the church community to reflect the love and image of God, as discussed in the sermon? [53:57]
5. The sermon emphasizes servant leadership. What are some practical ways you can demonstrate servant leadership in your family, workplace, or church? [01:38:30]
6. How can you maintain an eternal perspective in your daily life, ensuring that your actions have lasting spiritual significance? [55:12]
7. Identify one area in your life where you can reject worldly allegiances and focus more on your relationship with Christ. What steps will you take to make this change? [01:25:32]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Our Divine Identity
Our identity as sons and daughters of God is foundational to our faith. This identity is not just a label but a profound truth that shapes how we live and interact with the world. As children of God, we are created in His image, which means we carry His attributes and are called to reflect His love and holiness in our daily lives. This relationship with our Heavenly Father is personal and intimate, inviting us to live in a way that honors Him and fulfills the purpose for which we were created. Recognizing this identity helps us understand that we are not products of chance but are designed with a divine purpose that transcends our earthly existence. [51:25]
"But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand." (Isaiah 64:8, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally reflect God's love and holiness in your interactions with others today?
Day 2: Devotion as the Bride of Christ
As the bride of Christ, we are called into a deep and devoted relationship with Jesus. This identity emphasizes our collective role as part of a global and diverse body that represents Christ on earth. Being the bride means we are chosen and loved by Jesus, and in response, we are called to be pure and devoted, rejecting all other allegiances. This relationship is not just about individual salvation but about being part of a community that embodies the love and grace of Christ to the world. Our devotion to Jesus should be evident in our actions, priorities, and the way we engage with others. [01:25:32]
"For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ." (2 Corinthians 11:2, ESV)
Reflection: What are some allegiances or distractions in your life that may be hindering your devotion to Jesus? How can you begin to address them today?
Day 3: Serving as the Body of Christ
As members of the body of Christ, we are tasked with continuing His work in the world. This involves using the gifts and talents He has given us to serve others, spread the gospel, and bring healing and hope to a broken world. Our work is not just a job or a duty; it is a divine calling that reflects the heart of God and fulfills His purpose for our lives. Being part of the body means we are interconnected and interdependent, each playing a unique role in the mission of the church. Embracing this calling allows us to find fulfillment and meaning beyond our personal ambitions. [01:42:11]
"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone." (1 Corinthians 12:4-6, ESV)
Reflection: What specific gifts or talents do you have that can be used to serve others and advance God's kingdom? How can you start using them more effectively today?
Day 4: Living with an Eternal Perspective
Our purpose as believers extends beyond this life, with eternal implications. While our physical actions are temporary, our spiritual accomplishments have eternal significance. This eternal perspective helps us prioritize what truly matters and align our lives with God's kingdom purposes. It reminds us that our time on earth is limited, and we are called to invest in things that have lasting value. By focusing on the eternal, we can navigate life's challenges with hope and purpose, knowing that our efforts contribute to a greater story that God is writing. [55:12]
"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." (2 Corinthians 4:16-17, ESV)
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from temporary concerns to eternal values in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to invest in things that have lasting significance?
Day 5: Leading Through Service
True leadership in the kingdom of God begins with service, as demonstrated by Jesus. We are called to serve others selflessly, reflecting the heart of God and fulfilling our divine purpose. This servant leadership is not about seeking power or recognition but about humbly putting others' needs before our own. By serving others, we embody the love and grace of Christ, creating a ripple effect that can transform lives and communities. Embracing this calling challenges us to rethink our approach to leadership and influence, prioritizing service over self-interest. [01:38:30]
"But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:26-28, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life can you serve today in a way that reflects the servant leadership of Jesus? What specific actions can you take to prioritize their needs over your own?
Quotes
"Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God. Everybody say, sons of God. Amen. In Revelations 21 and 9, there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vows full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. Everybody say, the bride of the Lamb." [00:53:25] (32 seconds)
"We were created with eternal purpose. Anything we do in the body is temporary, but anything we accomplish in the spirit is eternal. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Don't get too confused. Don't get too comfortable in your own skin because one of these days it's going to change. Hallelujah. Don't get too comfortable living the way you're living right now because this is not the future. The future is with God." [00:55:18] (33 seconds)
"There's two futures, with God or without God. That's the only two outcomes, with God or without God. You get a choice today. With God, everything is going to be all right. Hallelujah. Let's love him and thank him for our purpose. Thank him for every blessing, every good thing. Hallelujah. Jesus, we want to glorify, exalt, and praise your holy name. Hallelujah." [00:55:22] (27 seconds)
"God doesn't make mistakes. God is perfect. There is none like him. He has all wisdom. He knows the end from the beginning. He's not bound by time. He knows the end from the beginning. Time is something that God, God created for man. Time did not create God. And when the end comes, the angel will declare, time shall be no more." [00:56:00] (37 seconds)
"The time and space that we live is but a blip on time's radar when it compares to eternity. We are eternal beings. Created eternal with a soul that will never die. That soul dwells in a body that is nothing but, but a mechanical machine that functions and moves through each day, eating and feeding itself. Or starving itself in a fast." [00:56:53] (43 seconds)
"That learns to pray, to seek after something greater than itself. That goes through sickness, weakness, challenges, faces hardship, and yet overcomes. We learn at a young age, you fall, you scrape your knee, you get back up, and the next day you're not there. next thing you know, the body heals itself." [00:57:36] (22 seconds)
"You're alive because God sustains your life. Hello. Come on. Heart attacks are happening all over this world. There's parts failing people for fear. Problems are happening. Things are happening. Situations. But that car accident didn't happen because God had his hand on your life. And if that car accident did happen, God still had his hand on your life and his purpose is going to be revealed through it." [00:58:20] (33 seconds)
"Because God is all in all. And we are just simply locked into this thing called time. And we're moving. And it creates a sense in us that things are linear. But with God, things are no longer linear. Because God knows the future. And he said, pray. Pray. And through our prayer, through this mystery of a God that can do anything, we impact our future." [00:58:53] (37 seconds)
"History is rewritten through prayer. What a God. Hallelujah. There's another great mystery. And it's in Ephesians. chapter 5, Paul is speaking of the love that a husband should have for his wife, and it compares it to the love that Christ had for the church, in that he gave himself for it. He died for his church, and he loved her, but he said in verse 32, this is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church, when he was speaking of the husband and the wife's relationship." [00:59:13] (53 seconds)
"fold prophetic meaning physically it was the mountain range surrounding Jerusalem and it was the physical mountains of Zion the place where David cried out to it was also the city of God and his holy temple it's the place that represents God's city where his name was and where his glory was and where his people gathered it's also a type here of the church it's the new Jerusalem it's a new city a new place where God's presence and his people congregate you've come unto Mount Zion the city of the living God they went to a mountain and got written tables of stone but we come to the house of God and God writes his word on our heart to the general assembly the church of the first born the church is where you get born again everyone in the church the only city that has firstborn is the church because there are no grandchildren in the kingdom of God there's only sons and daughters there's only first generation relationships because when we come to the kingdom in John 1 it says we're not born of flesh we're not born of blood and we're not born by the will of man it's not a physical birth you don't come into the kingdom because your daddy was in the kingdom you don't come into the kingdom because somebody wants you in the kingdom you don't come into the kingdom because somebody says raise your hand and accept Jesus as your personal savior because that's the will of man that's the will of the flesh the spirit says you can only enter the kingdom by the will of God and kingdom entry is barred to anyone that is not a son or a daughter but they're born of God who believe on his name who receive him hallelujah Jesus said in John chapter 3 and verse 3 speaking to Nicodemus verily verily I say unto thee accept a man be born again he cannot" [01:01:25] (139 seconds)
"he cannot see the kingdom of God now how are you going to see the kingdom of God you're going to have to be born again now would you agree that to be in the kingdom you would have to see the kingdom that makes sense right I mean you can't be a part of something that you don't see and so he says you've got to be what born again Nicodemus is a pretty smart guy and he's like Jesus how do you get born when you're born again you've got to be born again you've got to be old he's probably an elderly man got gray hair his mother's probably dead and he poses this question can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born" [01:03:00] (54 seconds)
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