Embracing Purpose: Overcoming Doubt and Investing in Faith
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor emphasizing the inherent value and purpose of every individual in the congregation. He encourages them to pursue their God-given purpose with determination, despite the discouragement from the enemy. The pastor shares a personal testimony of a prophecy that was fulfilled 29 years later, demonstrating the importance of holding onto God's promises even in times of darkness. He also highlights the role of the church and its members in the community, sharing his experience of merging his church with another to better serve the local community in Cedar Park, Texas.
The pastor then delves into the importance of recognizing and embracing one's purpose in life. He challenges the congregation to not simply complain about the state of the world or eagerly await their own entrance into heaven, but to understand that they still have a purpose as long as they are alive. He shares personal experiences of trying to fit in during high school, but ultimately realizing the value of embracing one's individuality. The pastor also emphasizes the importance of not limiting God in our lives by failing to operate in forgiveness, using the pandemic as an example of how one person's decision can affect the entire world.
The pastor continues by emphasizing the importance of remembering that God is on our side and has a plan for each of us. He encourages the congregation not to be discouraged by the enemy's attempts to make them feel like losers or incapable of accomplishing anything. Instead, they should hold on to the promises that God has given them, whether through a prophet, scripture, or personal revelation. The pastor reminds the listeners that God knew them even before they were born and placed a purpose inside of them.
The pastor then transitions to the topic of giving, expressing concern for new Christians who are living below their potential in this area. He challenges the congregation to shift their perspective from the law of subtraction to the law of multiplication, explaining that giving, whether it be money or time, is an investment in the kingdom of God. He concludes by emphasizing the idea that we can limit God's work in our lives through our unbelief and forgetfulness, challenging the congregation to reflect on whether they are limiting God in their own lives through unbelief and forgetfulness.
Key Takeaways:
- Every individual has a God-given purpose and is a glorious manifestation of God's beauty. The enemy may try to discourage us, but we must hold onto God's promises and pursue our purpose with determination. ([12:45])
- We should not limit God in our lives by failing to operate in forgiveness. Trouble is inevitable in this fallen world, but Jesus offers hope and encouragement by saying, "be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world." ([24:30])
- God is on our side and has a plan for each of us. Despite the enemy's attempts to make us feel like losers, we should hold on to the promises that God has given us and remember that He has equipped us to overcome and fulfill our purpose. ([36:15])
- Giving, whether it be money or time, is an investment in the kingdom of God. We should shift our perspective from the law of subtraction to the law of multiplication, trusting in God's promise to provide for our needs. ([48:50])
- We can limit God's work in our lives through our unbelief and forgetfulness. It is important to remember what God has done for us and how He has guided and protected us, even in the midst of tough situations. ([59:20])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 78:40-41: "How often they provoked Him in the wilderness, And grieved Him in the desert! Yes, again and again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel."
2. Mark 6:5-6: "Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief."
3. Galatians 3:8: "And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, 'In you all the nations shall be blessed.'"
Observation Questions:
1. In Psalm 78:40-41, what actions of the Israelites are described as limiting God?
2. What is the significance of Jesus' inability to perform mighty works in Mark 6:5-6 due to the people's unbelief?
3. How does Galatians 3:8 connect the blessing of all nations to Abraham's faith?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of limiting God, as seen in Psalm 78:40-41, relate to our own actions and attitudes today?
2. In Mark 6:5-6, how does the unbelief of the people affect the manifestation of God's power? What does this imply about the role of faith in our lives?
3. How does the promise to Abraham in Galatians 3:8 apply to us as Gentiles? What does this say about God's plan for all nations?
Application Questions:
1. Can you identify a recent situation where your unbelief or lack of faith may have limited God's work in your life?
2. What is one specific way you can demonstrate your faith in God's promises this week, even in the face of discouragement or opposition?
3. Can you think of a person you have not forgiven? How can you take a step towards forgiveness this week?
4. What is one specific way you can invest in the kingdom of God this week, whether through giving of your time or resources?
5. Reflect on your life. Are there areas where you may be forgetting God's past faithfulness? How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness this week?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Your God-Given Purpose
Every individual is a unique manifestation of God's beauty, each with a purpose that is divinely ordained. The enemy may attempt to discourage you, but it is crucial to hold onto God's promises and pursue your purpose with unwavering determination. ([12:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y6w4C8cttc&t=750s))
Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Reflection: What is one step you can take today to pursue your God-given purpose despite any discouragement you may be facing?
Day 2: Operating in Forgiveness
In a world filled with trouble, it is essential not to limit God's work in our lives by failing to operate in forgiveness. Jesus offers hope and encouragement, reminding us to "be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world." ([24:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y6w4C8cttc&t=1455s))
Colossians 3:13 - "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
Reflection: Is there someone you need to forgive today to allow God's work to fully manifest in your life?
Day 3: Holding onto God's Promises
God is on our side and has a unique plan for each of us. Despite the enemy's attempts to discourage us, we must hold onto the promises that God has given us and remember that He has equipped us to overcome and fulfill our purpose. ([36:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y6w4C8cttc&t=2160s))
2 Peter 1:4 - "Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."
Reflection: What is one promise from God that you need to hold onto today to overcome discouragement?
Day 4: Investing in the Kingdom of God
Giving, whether it be money or time, is an investment in the kingdom of God. We should shift our perspective from the law of subtraction to the law of multiplication, trusting in God's promise to provide for our needs. ([48:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y6w4C8cttc&t=2915s))
Luke 6:38 - "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Reflection: What is one way you can invest in the kingdom of God today, trusting in His promise to provide for your needs?
Day 5: Remembering God's Faithfulness
We can limit God's work in our lives through our unbelief and forgetfulness. It is important to remember what God has done for us and how He has guided and protected us, even in the midst of tough situations. ([59:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y6w4C8cttc&t=3545s))
Psalm 77:11 - "I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago."
Reflection: What is one specific instance of God's faithfulness in your life that you need to remember today to combat unbelief and forgetfulness?
Quotes
"You still have purpose as long as there's blood flowing through your veins." [21:15]
"Before you were born, he placed inside of you a purpose...whatever the circumstances of your birth were, God put you there because he knew you were going to come out ahead, that you were going to be. He put inside of you what it takes to overcome that because he had a purpose for you." [20:01]
"Listen, you were born for the right time, for this time. So many times, we look back at things and say, 'Oh, things were so much better, oh, the good old days.' But if you're here and you're sucking air, then God has a purpose and God has a strategy, and you are it, you're God's plan for this Earth." [20:36]
"When you invest your time into people, God will make you more productive in the time that you have left than if you kept all of your time to yourself. That is the law of multiplication." [35:58]
"Whenever the enemy lies to you and you have a dream or you have a promise and you have a purpose and you try to pursue something and the enemy lies to you and tells you you can never accomplish that because you're not good enough, I say, 'Yes, sir, I am not good enough. However, the greater one lives inside of me. I have a calling.'" [16:49]
"When we give, it's not taking money away from us, it's actually investing it in the kingdom of God and God will make sure you're taken care of." [34:13]
"When we practice forgiveness, when we give forgiveness, forgiveness is one of the hardest things you'll ever do because your natural person, your natural mind, your emotions, every fiber of your being will say, 'But they did this to me.' But think about this, Jesus was on the cross, bleeding, saying, 'Father, forgive them.' God wants to take those things when you operate in forgiveness, when you give forgiveness." [39:03]
"God has a bigger vision than you do. When he does something for you, it's never just for you. We want to be selfish and think, 'Well, God's just doing this for me.' It'll be for you, and he loves you, and you're the apple of his eye, and you're in the palm of his hand, and you're the greatest thing since sliced bread with God. But God will still use what's happened to you, and he will change someone else's life because of what happened to you, if you will let God do it, if you walk in forgiveness. This is one of the greatest things I've seen in people's lives." [40:54]
"Your church is here for a purpose, for a reason. You are part of this body to affect this community for the kingdom of God." [59:03]
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