Living Purposefully: Embracing Kingdom-Oriented Christianity
Summary
I discussed the importance of understanding our purpose in life as Christians. I emphasized that God is always on the move, and to be close to Him, we must also be on the move. This is why the word 'go' is enshrined in our church's mission statement. I also highlighted that God made us on purpose, and we should live our lives on purpose. I warned against the dangers of 'family-oriented Christianity', which focuses on living a safe, comfortable life, and instead encouraged 'Kingdom-oriented Christianity', which is about expanding God's kingdom on earth. I also stressed that God created each of us uniquely, with specific gifts and purposes, and we should strive to discover and fulfill these.
Key takeaways:
- God is always on the move, and to be close to Him, we must also be on the move [ 33:08]
- God made us on purpose, and we should live our lives on purpose [ 36:00]
- We should strive for 'Kingdom-oriented Christianity', which is about expanding God's kingdom on earth, rather than 'family-oriented Christianity' [ 47:56]
- God created each of us uniquely, with specific gifts and purposes, and we should strive to discover and fulfill these [ 56:09]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Acts 13:36 #!!55:25!!#
2. Romans 12:4-6 #!!56:09!!#
3. Ephesians 2:10 #!!56:43!!#
Observation Questions:
1. What does Acts 13:36 tell us about the purpose of David's life?
2. How does Romans 12:4-6 describe the diversity of gifts within the body of Christ?
3. What does Ephesians 2:10 reveal about God's craftsmanship in creating us?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the purpose of David's life as described in Acts 13:36 apply to our lives today?
2. What implications does the diversity of gifts mentioned in Romans 12:4-6 have for our understanding of our unique roles within the church?
3. How does Ephesians 2:10 challenge our understanding of our identity and purpose in Christ?
Application Questions:
1. How can you discover and embrace the unique purpose God has for your life, as suggested by Acts 13:36?
2. In what ways can you use your unique gifts to serve the body of Christ this week, as encouraged by Romans 12:4-6?
3. How can you live out the truth of Ephesians 2:10 this week, knowing that you are God's workmanship, created for a purpose?
4. Can you think of a specific area in your life where you have been "drifting" rather than living intentionally for God's purpose?
5. What is one step you can take this week to live your life more "on purpose" for God?
Devotional
Day 1: Living Life on Purpose
God created you with a specific purpose in mind, and it is your responsibility to discover and live out that purpose. This is not a passive process, but an active pursuit of understanding God's unique design for your life. It is not enough to simply exist; God calls us to live intentionally and purposefully. [01:03:29]
Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."
Reflection: What steps can you take this week to better understand and live out God's unique purpose for your life?
Day 2: Kingdom-Oriented Christianity
Christianity is not meant to be a passive faith, but a kingdom-oriented one. God is on a mission, and He invites us to join Him in this mission. This requires us to step out of our comfort zones and engage in the world around us, actively participating in God's kingdom work. [49:20]
Matthew 28:19 - "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
Reflection: How can you actively participate in God's kingdom work in your community this week?
Day 3: God is on the Move
God is not a static being, but a dynamic one who is constantly on the move. He is always at work in the world around us, and He invites us to join Him in this work. This requires us to be attentive to God's movement and ready to follow where He leads. [29:04]
Exodus 13:21 - "By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night."
Reflection: Where do you see God at work in your life and how can you join Him in that work?
Day 4: The Commandment to Go
God's commandment to "go" is not a punishment, but an invitation to join Him in His work. When we say "yes" to God's call to go, we are saying "yes" to being close to Him. This requires us to step out in faith and follow where God leads, even when it is outside of our comfort zones. [33:55]
Isaiah 6:8 - "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'"
Reflection: What is one way you can step out in faith and say "yes" to God's call to go this week?
Day 5: Discovering Your Purpose
God created you with a specific purpose in mind, and it is your responsibility to discover and live out that purpose. This requires time, reflection, and prayer. It is not a one-time event, but a lifelong journey of discovery and growth. [36:00]
Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Reflection: What is one step you can take this week to better understand God's purpose for your life?
Quotes
1. "God didn't create you, die for you, rise for you, call you, adopt you so that you could just drift. You are his masterpiece, his art, created with unique and amazing design. Figure that out, live that out." - 01:03:29
2. "God made you on purpose so live your life on purpose. God is a god of purpose so he made you on purpose and one of the secrets is to figure out that purpose in order to live your life on purpose." - 36:00
3. "If you want to know your purpose, you have to ask your creator why he made you. To know that, you got to know what he is all about and therefore why he created you and why he called you his own." - 49:20
4. "If you say no to the go, you say no to being close to God because God's on the go. If you want to be with God, you have to go." - 33:55
5. "Your God is on the move, your God is on the go. Go is just what God does. When you look at the Bible, it starts out Genesis chapter 1 verse 1 says in the beginning God created like he just starts speaking and things are flying out like God is on the go." - 29:44
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