Living Fully in God's Holiness and Purpose

The holiness of God stands at the center of all things. Only a holy God could rescue us from our failings, offer his Son, and invite us to call him Father. This is the God we are called to behold and worship—not just with our songs, but with our whole lives. God’s revelation in Scripture is not simply information to be learned, but an invitation to respond. Every area of life—our work, family, health, finances, and relationships—finds its true meaning only when connected to God’s purposes. We are not called to segment our lives, giving God a portion and keeping the rest for ourselves. Instead, all of life is to be built on the foundation of God’s kingdom.

Paul’s words in Ephesians 2 remind us that we were once dead in our sins, living for ourselves and under the power of brokenness. But God, rich in mercy, has made us alive in Christ—not because of anything we have done, but by his grace alone. We are his masterpiece, created anew in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared in advance for us to do. Our salvation is not a reward for our efforts, but a gift that calls forth a response: to join God in his work of restoration.

Ministry, then, is not reserved for a select few. Every follower of Jesus is called to serve, to invest their time, abilities, and resources in things that have eternal significance. The value of our careers, families, health, and finances is found only as they are connected to God’s kingdom. When we try to find meaning in these things apart from God, we end up empty and restless. But when we surrender every part of our lives to God’s purposes, we discover true contentment and purpose.

Jesus’ call is clear: deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow him. This is not a call to self-improvement or religious performance, but to surrender—trusting that in losing our lives for his sake, we will find them. The invitation is to enter his kingdom, to let him rule and reign in every area, and to participate in the good works he has prepared for us. Each of us is uniquely gifted and needed in the body of Christ. The question is not whether we are called, but how we will respond. What is your next move?

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s revelation is an invitation, not just information. The Bible reveals who God is and how he desires to relate to us, but it always calls for a response. We are invited to order our lives in harmony with God’s intentions, moving from knowledge to love, and from love to action. [30:01]
• 2. Our identity and purpose are rooted in God’s grace, not our achievements. We were dead in our sins, but God made us alive in Christ by grace alone. Our good works are not a means to earn God’s favor, but the natural outflow of his transforming work in us. [35:00]
• 3. Every area of life finds meaning only when connected to God’s kingdom. Family, career, health, and finances are not ends in themselves; they are gifts to be stewarded for God’s purposes. When we segment our lives, we lose the sense of eternal significance that comes from living for something greater than ourselves. [41:31]
• 4. Ministry is the calling of every believer, not just a select few. Each person is uniquely gifted and needed in the body of Christ. Whether our role seems large or small, nothing done for the Lord is ever useless—our value comes from God working through us, not from our own abilities. [54:24]
• 5. True life is found in surrender, not self-fulfillment. Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow him. In trying to save our lives on our own terms, we lose them; but in surrendering to Christ, we find the life that is truly life—rooted in his kingdom and purposes. [57:36]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [23:36] - Worship: Beholding the Holy God
• [27:16] - Introduction and Series Recap
• [28:40] - Living Proactively: Asking God for Our Next Move
• [29:22] - God’s Revelation and Our Response
• [31:45] - Building Life on God’s Foundation
• [32:24] - Ephesians 2: Our Condition and God’s Mercy
• [35:41] - Restoration: God’s Masterpiece
• [38:56] - Theology of Good Works
• [40:53] - Finding Meaning in God’s Purposes
• [43:23] - What is Ministry?
• [46:01] - Investing in Eternity
• [49:46] - Every Believer’s Call to Ministry
• [51:08] - The Body of Christ: Participation, Not Spectating
• [56:18] - Jesus’ Warning: Deny Yourself, Take Up Your Cross
• [63:19] - The Invitation: Surrender and Next Steps
• [70:48] - Closing Prayer and Reflection

Bible Reading

Ephesians 2:1–10 (ESV) — 1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—
3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Matthew 16:24–26 (ESV) — 24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”

Observation Questions

1. According to Ephesians 2:1–3, what was our spiritual condition before God intervened?
2. What does Paul say is the reason for our salvation in Ephesians 2:4–9?
3. In Ephesians 2:10, what does Paul say we are created for?
4. In Matthew 16:24–26, what does Jesus say is required of anyone who wants to follow him? What does he say about trying to save your own life? [57:36]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says, “God’s revelation is an invitation, not just information.” What does it mean to respond to God’s revelation, rather than just learn about it? [30:01]
2. Paul describes us as “God’s masterpiece, created anew in Christ Jesus for good works.” How does this change the way we see our purpose in everyday life? [35:41]
3. The sermon warns against segmenting our lives—giving God a portion and keeping the rest for ourselves. Why is it so tempting to separate our faith from areas like work, family, or finances? [42:07]
4. Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow him. What does “taking up your cross” look like in practical, daily life? [56:18]

Application Questions

1. The sermon says, “Every area of life—our work, family, health, finances, and relationships—finds its true meaning only when connected to God’s purposes.” Which area of your life feels most disconnected from God’s purposes right now? What would it look like to surrender that area to him? [40:53]
2. Paul says we are “created in Christ Jesus for good works.” What is one good work you sense God might be inviting you into in this season? Is there something you’ve been hesitant to step into? [38:21]
3. The message challenges us not to segment our lives. Are there specific ways you tend to keep your faith separate from your daily routines or decisions? What is one small step you could take this week to integrate your faith more fully? [42:07]
4. The sermon says, “Ministry is the calling of every believer, not just a select few.” What gifts, abilities, or resources do you have that could be used for God’s kingdom? How might you use them in the church or community? [49:46]
5. Jesus says, “Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” Is there something you are holding onto tightly—an ambition, comfort, or plan—that you sense God is asking you to surrender? What would it look like to trust him with it? [57:36]
6. The sermon encourages us to ask, “What is your next move?” After hearing this message, what do you sense God is inviting you to do next? Is there a specific action, conversation, or commitment you need to make? [01:09:01]
7. The pastor mentioned the importance of seeking godly counsel and confirmation from others. Who in your life can help you discern your next step? How can you invite them into that process this week? [01:08:23]