Living a Life of Purpose and Impact

Devotional

Day 1: Aligning with Jesus' Mission

Understanding Jesus' purpose on earth is foundational to living a life that reflects His mission. Jesus stated His purpose clearly: to seek and save the lost and to offer a life of fullness. As believers, aligning our lives with this mission means more than just attending church; it involves actively participating in the redemptive work of Christ. This alignment brings personal fulfillment and positions us as beacons of hope and salvation, impacting those around us with the light of Christ. This is not just a passive existence but an active engagement with the world in the way Jesus modeled for us. [32:33]

Ephesians 5:8-10 (ESV): "For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord."

Reflection: How can you more actively participate in Jesus' mission to seek and save the lost in your daily interactions?

Day 2: Trusting in God's Perfect Timing

The story of Lazarus teaches us about the significance of divine timing. Jesus' intentional delay in visiting Lazarus was not out of neglect but to fulfill a greater purpose, showcasing His glory through Lazarus' resurrection. Similarly, in our lives, God's timing may not always align with our expectations, but it serves a higher purpose. Trusting in this timing can lead to profound spiritual growth and opportunities to witness God's power and glory in our lives. This trust is not passive but requires active faith and patience. [39:07]

Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV): "For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."

Reflection: Can you identify a situation in your life where you need to trust more in God’s timing? How can you cultivate patience in this season?

Day 3: Embracing Our Humanity with Jesus

Jesus weeping at the tomb of Lazarus is a powerful reminder of His humanity and His empathy towards our sufferings. Jesus fully embraced His human emotions, showing us that it is not a sign of weakness to express grief or sorrow. This emotional authenticity invites us to approach Him with our own pains and struggles, knowing He understands and empathizes with us. In our journey, embracing our emotions as Jesus did can lead to deeper spiritual healing and connection with others. [40:46]

John 11:33-35 (ESV): "When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, 'Where have you laid him?' They said to him, 'Lord, come and see.' Jesus wept."

Reflection: How can you follow Jesus’ example and show genuine emotional authenticity in your interactions today?

Day 4: Living as a Testimony

Lazarus' life after being raised from the dead transformed into a powerful testimony that led many to believe in Jesus. Our lives, like Lazarus', should be living testimonies of God's transformative power. Living authentically and purposefully, aligned with God's will, can have a profound impact on those around us. This calls for a life lived not for ourselves but as a reflection of Christ's love and power, influencing others towards faith in Him. [49:26]

1 Peter 2:12 (ESV): "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."

Reflection: What specific actions can you take this week to live out your faith more visibly as a testimony to those around you?

Day 5: Choosing to Live Fully

The call to live fully and not just exist is a reminder of the vibrant, active life Christ offers us. Each day is a gift from God, filled with opportunities to serve Him and fulfill our divine calling. Living fully involves rising above mediocrity, embracing each day with purpose, and using our gifts for His glory. This active approach to life ensures that our time on earth contributes to a legacy that transcends our earthly existence. [51:01]

Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel you are merely existing rather than living fully? How can you begin to change this starting today?

Sermon Summary

Today, I began our sermon by welcoming everyone to our worship service, setting the tone for a morning of reflection and spiritual engagement. As we delved into the heart of the sermon, I posed a critical question about the purpose of Jesus' coming to earth, referencing Luke 19 and John 10 to emphasize that Jesus came to seek and save the lost and to offer us a life lived to the fullest. This introduction set the stage for a deeper exploration of living a life of significance as opposed to merely enduring existence.

I shared personal anecdotes and biblical narratives to illustrate the transformative power of living in alignment with God's will. The story of Lazarus, a central figure in today's sermon, served as a poignant example. I recounted the biblical account of Lazarus' illness, death, and the subsequent reaction of his sisters, Mary and Martha, who both lamented that Jesus had not arrived sooner to save their brother. This narrative from John 11 not only highlights human grief and divine timing but also Jesus' profound emotional response—He wept, showcasing His humanity and empathy towards human suffering.

Further, I explored the theological implications of Jesus' delay in visiting Lazarus, suggesting that His timing was intentional to make a profound statement about life, death, and resurrection. This led to the miraculous moment where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, a pivotal event that not only reaffirmed Jesus' power over death but also symbolized the spiritual awakening He offers to each of us.

In discussing the aftermath of Lazarus' resurrection, I emphasized how his life became a testimony that led many to believe in Jesus. This part of Lazarus' story, often overshadowed, underscores the impact one's life can have when fully aligned with God's purposes. It was a call to our congregation to live lives that authentically reflect our faith, thereby influencing others towards faith in Christ.

Throughout the sermon, I interwove personal reflections and broader scriptural themes to challenge the congregation to examine their own lives. Are we merely enduring day-to-day existence, or are we actively participating in the abundant life Jesus promised? This question aimed to provoke a personal and communal introspection about our priorities, commitments, and the transient nature of life, as echoed in Psalm 90, urging us to number our days wisely.

In conclusion, I invited the congregation to embrace a life of purpose and impact, modeled after the life Jesus has called us to live. By doing so, we not only fulfill our divine calling but also contribute to a legacy that transcends our earthly existence.

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Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Luke 19:10 reveal about Jesus' mission on earth?
In John 10:10, what does Jesus promise to those who follow Him?
How does John 11:35 demonstrate Jesus' humanity and empathy? [39:52]
What was the reaction of Mary and Martha to Jesus' arrival after Lazarus' death? [39:07]

Interpretation Questions

How does understanding Jesus' mission to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10) influence a believer's purpose in life?
What does it mean to live life "to the full" as mentioned in John 10:10, and how can this be practically applied in a believer's daily life?
Why is Jesus' emotional response at Lazarus' tomb significant for understanding His character and relationship with humanity? [40:46]
How does the story of Lazarus' resurrection illustrate the concept of divine timing and its impact on faith? [39:07]

Application Questions

Reflect on your daily actions. How can you align them more closely with Jesus' mission to seek and save the lost? [32:33]
Identify an area in your life where you feel you are merely enduring rather than living fully. What steps can you take to embrace the abundant life Jesus offers? [37:22]
Think of a recent situation where you experienced grief or sorrow. How can Jesus' empathy and humanity, as shown in John 11:35, provide comfort and strength in such times? [40:46]
Have you ever experienced a delay in God's response to your prayers? How can the story of Lazarus help you trust in God's timing and purpose? [39:07]
Lazarus' life became a testimony that led many to believe in Jesus. How can your life serve as a living testimony to those around you? [49:26]
Psalm 90 urges us to number our days wisely. What practical steps can you take to ensure you are living a life of purpose and impact? [51:49]
Consider the loudest voices in your life. How can you make God's voice the most prominent one, and what changes might you need to make to achieve this? [28:42]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Are you enduring your life, or are you living your life? Are you giving your life to a whole bunch of things that don't really matter? Is your attention going to playing games on your phone or watching dumb TV or scrolling through social media? Is your life going to things that really matter? If it's not, why not? It is the will and the purpose and the plan of God for your life that you live your life to the full. Jesus came so that you would have and live a full life." [37:22]( | | )

2. "What's the loudest voice in your life? We've all got loud voices in our life. We've all got voices that are screaming for our attention. How many voices do you have in your life that are just screaming for your attention? And what's the loudest voice in your life? Maybe it's money or the job or family, or Jamie mentioned retirement, any of a number of things, right? They're screaming for your attention." [28:42]( | | )

3. "The great news is that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone. A new life has begun. When we become followers of Christ and when we exchange that old life for the new life, we are empowered to shut out those old voices. We have become empowered through the spirit of God in our lives. To shut down all of those other voices, to say no to them and to say yes to God." [30:47]( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "Jesus came to seek and to save those who are lost. And he came so that we would have life and have it to the full. None of us are perfect. We're all on this journey together. I haven't arrived. None of you have arrived either. So I know we're in good company, right? With one another, but we have become new creatures and we do have the spirit of God living within us. And we are empowered to live the life that he wants us to live, to live the life to the full." [32:33]( | | )

2. "There's no greater display of Jesus' humanity than in this moment when he weeps over his friend who has died. But in the midst of that, there's also a depth to Jesus' knowledge here because Jesus knows that that death is a consequence of sin. And Jesus is weeping because of the power of sin and death that exists in this world. That sin has the power to take over a life and the consequence of that sin ends in death." [40:46]( | | )

3. "Because of him, many people believed in Jesus. What did Lazarus do? Well, here are three things that Lazarus did. Number one, he received the miracle of life from Jesus. Number two, he followed Jesus. And number three, he lived the life that Jesus saved him to live. Now, this may be a little simplistic. But I'm struck that Lazarus produced fruit in his life, fulfilled his purpose, and impacted a world around him. Why? Because he lived the life that Jesus saved him to live." [49:26]( | | )

4. "God did not, God does not have us alive today to endure life. He has us alive today to live life. And as I heard those words come out of my mouth, I had not premeditated them. I realized that those words were not so much for Joe as they were for me. And that was God speaking to me, saying, don't endure your life. Live your life." [36:19]( | | )

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