Living with Purpose: Embracing Our One Life

 

Summary

In reflecting on the journey of life, I am reminded of a pivotal moment at the age of 17 when the weight and wonder of having just one life to live became profoundly real to me. This realization was not about faith coming alive, as I was already walking with Jesus, but rather an awakening to the eternal significance of our earthly existence. We have one life, and its outcome is eternal, with no second chances. This understanding instilled in me a deep sense of purpose and urgency to live a life that truly matters.

The question of purpose has always been central to my journey. I am driven by the desire to understand not just where we come from, but more importantly, where we are going. This quest for purpose is not just about the big questions of the universe but also about the everyday moments and decisions that define our lives. It is about understanding why we exist and what we are meant to accomplish with the time we have.

God, in His kindness, revealed to me the foundational truths that have shaped my life and ministry. The first discovery is the existence of an all-satisfying, sovereign God whose purpose is to display His glory for the everlasting enjoyment of His people. This understanding of God’s purpose has been life-defining, as it calls us to live in a way that reflects His glory.

The second discovery is the centrality of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection overcome the obstacles of our sin and enable us to see and savor God’s glory. Jesus is the apex of God’s glory, and His sacrifice is the ultimate display of God’s grace. This revelation calls us to live lives that demonstrate the infinite value of Christ.

The third discovery is that a life that most clearly displays God’s glory is one of joyful suffering in the service of love. This is the essence of an unwasted life—a life lived to show that Jesus is more precious than life itself. It is a life marked by a deep satisfaction in God that enables us to endure suffering with joy, knowing that our ultimate reward is in Him.

Key Takeaways:

- The realization of having one life to live with eternal consequences instills a profound sense of purpose and urgency. This understanding calls us to live intentionally, making choices that reflect the eternal significance of our earthly existence. [02:27]

- The quest for purpose is not just about understanding our origins but about discerning our ultimate destination. It is about seeking to know why we exist and what we are meant to accomplish with the time we have. [04:36]

- The existence of an all-satisfying, sovereign God whose purpose is to display His glory for the everlasting enjoyment of His people is foundational. This understanding calls us to live in a way that reflects His glory and purpose. [12:09]

- Jesus Christ is the apex of God’s glory, and His sacrifice is the ultimate display of God’s grace. This revelation calls us to live lives that demonstrate the infinite value of Christ, showing that He is more precious than life itself. [45:25]

- A life that most clearly displays God’s glory is one of joyful suffering in the service of love. This is the essence of an unwasted life—a life lived to show that Jesus is more precious than life itself, marked by a deep satisfaction in God. [52:14]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:21] - Awakening to Purpose
- [01:17] - The Burden of One Life
- [02:27] - Avoiding a Wasted Life
- [03:46] - The Importance of Purpose
- [04:36] - Seeking the "Why"
- [05:19] - The Big Questions
- [06:35] - God's Kindness in Revelation
- [07:32] - Knowing a Few Great Things
- [09:50] - The Essence of a Meaningful Life
- [12:09] - Discovery of God's Glory
- [15:20] - God's Purpose and Our Purpose
- [18:03] - The Fault Line of God's Glory
- [21:16] - The Centrality of God's Glory
- [25:47] - Treasuring God's Glory
- [32:22] - Joining God's Purpose
- [37:27] - The Obstacle of Sin
- [45:25] - The Apex of God's Glory
- [52:14] - Joyful Suffering in Love
- [56:27] - The Ultimate Reward

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Exodus 3:14 - "God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM.' And he said, 'Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.'"
2. 2 Corinthians 4:4 - "In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."
3. Matthew 5:11-16 - "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Observation Questions:
1. What was the pivotal moment in the pastor's life that led to an awakening of purpose? How did this realization impact his view on life? [00:21]
2. According to the sermon, what are the three discoveries that define an unwasted life? [11:19]
3. How does the pastor describe the relationship between God's glory and our enjoyment of it? [12:09]
4. What does the pastor identify as the ultimate display of God's grace? [45:25]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of God as "I AM" in Exodus 3:14 influence the pastor's understanding of God's sovereignty and purpose? [13:29]
2. In what ways does 2 Corinthians 4:4 illustrate the obstacles that prevent people from seeing the glory of Christ? How does this relate to the pastor's second discovery? [49:20]
3. How does the passage from Matthew 5:11-16 connect to the idea of joyful suffering in the service of love as described in the sermon? [52:14]
4. What does the pastor mean when he says that a life lived to show that Jesus is more precious than life itself is the essence of an unwasted life? [50:48]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt a deep sense of purpose. How did that experience shape your actions and decisions? How can you cultivate a similar sense of purpose in your daily life? [03:46]
2. The pastor emphasizes the importance of knowing a few great things that matter. What are the core truths or beliefs that guide your life? How can you focus more on these truths? [09:50]
3. Consider the obstacles that might be preventing you from fully seeing and savoring God's glory. What steps can you take to overcome these obstacles? [37:27]
4. How can you demonstrate the infinite value of Christ in your life, especially in moments of suffering or challenge? [52:14]
5. The pastor speaks about living intentionally to reflect the eternal significance of our earthly existence. What specific changes can you make in your life to live more intentionally? [02:27]
6. In what ways can you be a light to others, as described in Matthew 5:11-16? Identify one practical way you can let your light shine this week. [53:38]
7. How can you find joy in the face of persecution or hardship, knowing that your reward is great in heaven? What can you do to remind yourself of this truth daily? [55:09]

Devotional

Day 1: Living with Eternal Purpose
The realization of having one life to live with eternal consequences instills a profound sense of purpose and urgency. This understanding calls us to live intentionally, making choices that reflect the eternal significance of our earthly existence. The awareness that our actions and decisions have eternal implications should drive us to live with a sense of urgency and purpose. It is not merely about avoiding a wasted life but about embracing a life that is meaningful and impactful. This perspective encourages us to evaluate our daily choices and align them with a higher purpose, ensuring that our lives reflect the eternal significance of our existence. [02:27]

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." (2 Corinthians 5:10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one decision you can make today that reflects the eternal significance of your life?


Day 2: The Quest for Purpose
The quest for purpose is not just about understanding our origins but about discerning our ultimate destination. It is about seeking to know why we exist and what we are meant to accomplish with the time we have. This journey involves asking deep questions about our existence and the direction of our lives. It is not enough to know where we come from; we must also understand where we are going. This pursuit of purpose is a lifelong journey that requires introspection and a willingness to seek God's guidance in understanding our role in His grand design. [04:36]

"Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take today to seek God's guidance in understanding your life's purpose?


Day 3: Reflecting God's Glory
The existence of an all-satisfying, sovereign God whose purpose is to display His glory for the everlasting enjoyment of His people is foundational. This understanding calls us to live in a way that reflects His glory and purpose. Recognizing God's sovereignty and His desire for His glory to be displayed through us should shape our actions and attitudes. Our lives are meant to be a reflection of His glory, and this requires us to live in a way that honors Him and points others to His greatness. By aligning our lives with His purpose, we become vessels through which His glory is revealed to the world. [12:09]

"Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!" (1 Chronicles 16:24, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally reflect God's glory in your interactions with others today?


Day 4: The Infinite Value of Christ
Jesus Christ is the apex of God’s glory, and His sacrifice is the ultimate display of God’s grace. This revelation calls us to live lives that demonstrate the infinite value of Christ, showing that He is more precious than life itself. Understanding the centrality of Christ in God's plan for redemption should transform the way we live. His life, death, and resurrection are the ultimate expressions of God's love and grace, and our response should be one of devotion and gratitude. By valuing Christ above all else, we testify to His worth and the transformative power of His sacrifice. [45:25]

"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." (Philippians 3:7-8, ESV)

Reflection: What is one way you can demonstrate the infinite value of Christ in your life today?


Day 5: Joyful Suffering in Love
A life that most clearly displays God’s glory is one of joyful suffering in the service of love. This is the essence of an unwasted life—a life lived to show that Jesus is more precious than life itself, marked by a deep satisfaction in God. Embracing suffering with joy, for the sake of love, is a powerful testimony to the world of the sufficiency of Christ. It is through trials and challenges that our faith is tested and refined, and our willingness to endure for the sake of love reveals the depth of our commitment to God. This perspective encourages us to view suffering not as a burden but as an opportunity to glorify God and serve others. [52:14]

"More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope." (Romans 5:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: How can you embrace a current challenge in your life as an opportunity to serve others with love and joy?

Quotes


I was already walking with Jesus, and so it wasn’t faith that came alive. It was an awakening of the wonder and the weight of having one life to live, and then its outcome for eternity, no second chances, no retakes like when you do a video, no do-overs in a test – one life and then eternity. [00:00:34]

So there arose in me this tremendous sense about purposefulness. A lot of people get worked up with the “where did we come from” question, and that’s important. But to me it’s only important for the “where am I going” question. I want to know purpose. I want to know design. I want to know what am I trying to do. [00:04:04]

You don’t have to know a lot of things for your life to make a huge difference. And I’m talking to the older folks, retired, and 20 somethings. You don’t have to know a lot of things. I don’t know a lot of things. The older I get the less I know, and that’s not just because I’m forgetting. [00:08:01]

But you do need to know a few great things that really matter and be willing to live for them with all your might and die for them. The people who make a durable difference, and I choose the word durable significantly, intentionally. I’m thinking of just your average grandmama, say, or mom or dad or just your average person in this room. [00:08:42]

There is a God like that – He exists – whose purpose in all creation, in all redemption, in all history, in all culture is to display His glory for the everlasting, ever increasing enjoyment of His redeemed people. That’s discovery number one, a long sentence. Shorten it down. There is a great holy God, who means to be known and treasured as God. [00:11:48]

God designed the universe and created it and controls it, governs it, runs it, will bring it to consummation in order – and I’ll just repeat what I said – so that in all of creation, all redemption, all history, all culture, He might display His glory for the everlasting and ever increasing enjoyment of His people. [00:16:34]

Jesus Christ, the Son of God incarnate, not only becomes the means of my seeing and savoring the glory of God, but in the very act of overcoming these obstacles, becomes Himself the apex of the glory I couldn’t see. Does that make sense? Jesus Christ enters the world as the God-Man, and He does something that covers and conquers my depravity. [00:37:13]

The unwasted life is a life lived to show that Jesus is more precious than life. You know how Paul said it, “For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as refuse in order that I might gain Christ.” That’s the longing of my life – to get there, live there, stay there, everything like rubbish compared to knowing Jesus. [00:50:33]

Discovery number three, the life that most clearly displays the all-satisfying worth and glory of God in Christ is a life of joyful suffering in the service of love. The life that displays the infinite value of the glory of God manifest supremely in Christ crucified for sinners, the life that displays that most clearly is a life of happy suffering in the service of love. [00:51:41]

“Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely. Rejoice.” That’s crazy, right? “Rejoice in that day, be glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth. If the salt has lost its flavor, how shall its saltiness be restored?” [00:52:44]

If you are so satisfied in your reward that you really can keep doing good for people who hate you, happily, you’re off the charts salty. The people will taste you, “Hey, that should be on everything I eat. That’s incredible. That’s awesome. That just can’t be done unless there’s a great glorious God who satisfies the broken soul of man. [00:55:20]

So I plead with you, don’t waste your life. Look to Jesus. Find in Him and in His suffering for you the apex of the glory of God’s grace. Find that in Him. Find it in Him. Then embrace Him and be so satisfied in Him that you live and die proving that He is your supreme treasure. [00:56:57]

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Transcript
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