Living with Purpose: Faith, Love, and Discipleship

 

Summary

In our time together, we focused on the profound reality of living a life that is deeply rooted in faith and love for God. We began by acknowledging the majesty of God and the privilege we have to come into His presence because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. This understanding should drive us to live with a sense of urgency and purpose, recognizing the fleeting nature of life and the eternal significance of our actions.

Reflecting on the countdown of our lives, we are reminded to live with intentionality, not swayed by the opinions of others but focused on what truly matters. This perspective challenges us to consider our legacy and the impact of our words and actions, knowing that we will give an account to God. We are called to live by faith, especially as we grow older, and to inspire the younger generation by our example of unwavering trust in God.

We also explored the dangers of self-centeredness and materialism that have crept into the church. The Apostle Paul warned Timothy about the perilous times in the last days, where people would be lovers of themselves and money, rather than lovers of God. This is a call to examine our hearts and ensure that our love for God surpasses all else, rejecting the cultural norms that prioritize self and possessions.

Discipleship emerged as a central theme, emphasizing the importance of investing deeply in others' lives. True discipleship goes beyond programs and events; it involves sharing life and being transparent about our weaknesses. We are challenged to be known as lovers of Jesus, not just for our ministry accomplishments or affiliations. Our love for God should be evident and contagious, inspiring others to seek a genuine relationship with Him.

Finally, we prayed for a deeper understanding of God's love, as described in Ephesians 3. This love surpasses knowledge and fills us with the fullness of God. It is a transformative experience that roots and grounds us in faith, enabling us to withstand life's challenges. As we pursue this love, we are reminded that ministry is not about external achievements but about the internal work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and the lives of those we disciple.

Key Takeaways:

- Living with Urgency and Purpose: Life is fleeting, and we must live with intentionality, focusing on what truly matters. Our actions and words have eternal significance, and we will give an account to God. This perspective challenges us to prioritize our relationship with God and inspire others by our example. [03:24]

- Rejecting Self-Centeredness and Materialism: In the last days, people will be lovers of themselves and money rather than lovers of God. We must examine our hearts and ensure that our love for God surpasses all else, rejecting cultural norms that prioritize self and possessions. [10:06]

- The Importance of Discipleship: True discipleship involves investing deeply in others' lives, sharing life, and being transparent about our weaknesses. We are called to be known as lovers of Jesus, inspiring others to seek a genuine relationship with Him. [20:19]

- Understanding God's Love: Ephesians 3 describes a love that surpasses knowledge and fills us with the fullness of God. This transformative experience roots and grounds us in faith, enabling us to withstand life's challenges. [31:29]

- The Spiritual Nature of Ministry: Ministry is not about external achievements but about the internal work of the Holy Spirit. We must pray for God to make an internal change in the people we disciple, recognizing that only He can transform lives. [41:53]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:50] - Opening Prayer
- [03:24] - Living with Urgency
- [05:47] - Accountability and Legacy
- [08:27] - The Reality of Faith
- [10:06] - Last Days Warnings
- [12:29] - Self-Love and Materialism
- [15:57] - True Christianity
- [19:18] - Commitment to Discipleship
- [22:53] - Transformative Discipleship
- [26:13] - Love for Jesus
- [31:29] - Praying for Understanding
- [35:37] - Rooted and Grounded in Love
- [39:06] - Filled with the Fullness of God
- [41:53] - The Spiritual Nature of Ministry
- [44:00] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 3:14-19
2. 2 Timothy 3:1-5

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Ephesians 3:14-19 say about the love of Christ and its impact on believers? How does this passage describe the transformative power of God's love?

2. According to 2 Timothy 3:1-5, what are some characteristics of people in the last days? How does this passage warn us about the behaviors that may infiltrate the church?

3. In the sermon, what examples were given to illustrate living with urgency and purpose? How does the speaker relate this to the fleeting nature of life? [03:24]

4. How does the sermon describe the dangers of self-centeredness and materialism within the church? What cultural norms are we encouraged to reject? [10:06]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the understanding of God's love in Ephesians 3:14-19 challenge believers to live differently? What does it mean to be "rooted and grounded in love"?

2. In what ways does 2 Timothy 3:1-5 reflect the current state of the church and society? How can believers guard against these negative influences?

3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of discipleship. How does the speaker suggest we should invest in others' lives, and what does true discipleship look like? [20:19]

4. How does the sermon define the spiritual nature of ministry, and why is it important to focus on the internal work of the Holy Spirit rather than external achievements? [41:53]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you are living without urgency or purpose? What steps can you take to align your actions with eternal significance? [03:24]

2. Consider the cultural norms of self-centeredness and materialism. How can you ensure that your love for God surpasses all else in your daily life? [10:06]

3. Think about your approach to discipleship. How can you invest more deeply in the lives of others, sharing your life and being transparent about your weaknesses? [20:19]

4. In what ways can you cultivate a deeper understanding of God's love as described in Ephesians 3? How can this understanding help you withstand life's challenges? [31:29]

5. Evaluate your current ministry or service. Are you focused more on external achievements or the internal work of the Holy Spirit? How can you shift your focus to prioritize spiritual transformation? [41:53]

6. Identify one specific way you can inspire the younger generation by your example of unwavering trust in God. How can you demonstrate living by faith in your daily interactions? [07:21]

7. Reflect on your personal relationship with Jesus. Are you known as a lover of Jesus, or are you more focused on ministry accomplishments? How can you deepen your love for Him and make it evident to others? [28:08]

Devotional

Day 1: Living with Eternal Intentionality
Living with urgency and purpose means recognizing the fleeting nature of life and the eternal significance of our actions. We are called to live intentionally, focusing on what truly matters, which is our relationship with God and the legacy we leave behind. This perspective challenges us to prioritize our spiritual growth and inspire others by our example. As we reflect on the countdown of our lives, we should not be swayed by the opinions of others but remain steadfast in our commitment to God. Our actions and words have eternal significance, and we will give an account to God for how we lived our lives. [03:24]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can be more intentional in living out your faith today? How can you take a step towards that intentionality?


Day 2: Heart Check Against Self-Centeredness
In the last days, people will be lovers of themselves and money rather than lovers of God. This warning calls us to examine our hearts and ensure that our love for God surpasses all else. We must reject cultural norms that prioritize self and possessions, recognizing the dangers of self-centeredness and materialism that have crept into the church. By focusing on God and His kingdom, we can avoid the pitfalls of a self-centered life and instead cultivate a heart that is fully devoted to Him. [10:06]

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 John 2:15, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you been influenced by cultural norms that prioritize self and possessions? How can you realign your heart to prioritize your love for God above all else?


Day 3: Deep Investment in Discipleship
True discipleship involves investing deeply in others' lives, sharing life, and being transparent about our weaknesses. We are called to be known as lovers of Jesus, inspiring others to seek a genuine relationship with Him. Discipleship is not just about programs and events; it is about building authentic relationships and walking alongside others in their spiritual journey. By being open and vulnerable, we can create a community where people feel safe to grow and explore their faith. [20:19]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can invest in more deeply through discipleship? What is one practical step you can take to begin that investment?


Day 4: Experiencing the Fullness of God's Love
Ephesians 3 describes a love that surpasses knowledge and fills us with the fullness of God. This transformative experience roots and grounds us in faith, enabling us to withstand life's challenges. As we pursue this love, we are reminded that ministry is not about external achievements but about the internal work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and the lives of those we disciple. Understanding God's love is a lifelong journey that requires us to continually seek Him and allow His love to transform us from the inside out. [31:29]

"That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:17-19, ESV)

Reflection: How have you experienced the transformative love of God in your life? What is one way you can seek to understand and experience His love more deeply today?


Day 5: Embracing the Spiritual Nature of Ministry
Ministry is not about external achievements but about the internal work of the Holy Spirit. We must pray for God to make an internal change in the people we disciple, recognizing that only He can transform lives. Our role is to be faithful in planting seeds and trusting God to bring the growth. By focusing on the spiritual nature of ministry, we can avoid the temptation to measure success by worldly standards and instead find fulfillment in being obedient to God's call. [41:53]

"So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth." (1 Corinthians 3:7, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you been tempted to measure success in ministry by external achievements? How can you shift your focus to the internal work of the Holy Spirit in your life and the lives of others?

Quotes


You know these last couple years I've been looking at these countdown clocks that I get everywhere and and and I I just sometimes I get my mind right by watching the countdown clock and asking myself okay what would I say if that was a countdown of my life and I knew I was going to stand before God in 36 minutes and 24 seconds like what would I say like like would I care about what you thought about me or or would I just just just say it just to throw it out there and and then to think about life that way and to go okay if this is it if this is it for me what am I going to say. [00:03:24]

I just want to say man I'm trying to live my life with more faith every year and I would think that as you're getting older and you're getting so close to seeking God and coming into his presence is Now's the Time to just I mean I just meet older people where I go man what are you doing you're still buying stuff you know like I serious you know it's it's like don't you understand now is the time to start letting it go and get rid of it you don't want to end with this stuff you know you want to come in the presence of God living by faith you're getting closer and closer to seeing him and what an amazing moment that is. [00:07:17]

It's like Paul told Timothy goes in the last days it's it's going to get tough but but what he says to him is he says there'll be terrible times in the last days terrible times in the last days he says because people will be lovers of self lovers of of money proud arrogant abusive disobedient to their parents ungrateful Unholy heartless unappeasable slanderous without self-control brutal not loving good treacherous Reckless swollen with conceit lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God having the appearance of godliness but denying its power avoid such people avoid such people. [00:10:06]

The thing is is Paul says it's terrible in the end because these types of people are going to be there but he's not talking about the world he says it's scary because all this stuff is going to creep into the church that's why he says avoid those kinds of people it's just like when he in in in 1 Corinthians 5 when he talks about avoiding the the immoral one who calls himself a brother he's saying I'm not talking about the people in the world who are immoral he says in that case you'd have to leave the world he says I'm talking about those who are in the church those who call thems a brother or sister let yet live this immoral lifestyle he goes I don't even want you to eat with those people. [00:11:01]

I think if I did it before it wasn't real memorable um but I but here's what I I know of Navigators that you know just all my life I've heard The Navigators and I've been so grateful because you've taken a stand on the word of God and you go no this is what the word says and so it doesn't matter if it's not popular in the world anymore we teach the word of God and we lay it out and and if our numbers shrink one day because in the last days they don't put up with it then so be it we're not going to change the message to get more people that's not what we're about we're about the word of God and I'm so grateful for that. [00:19:18]

I got away from that a little bit I mean that's what got me to fall in love with Jesus was that time with my youth pastor and him pouring into me and yet there were a few years where I just maybe a lot of years where I just got into being a speaker a writer a mega church pastor and I didn't spend the time making disciples and so I praise God for the commitment of The Navigators which has been consistent of no we dig deep in these people's lives um in fact when I moved to San Francisco I had that mindset it's like you know what I want to do it like Jesus did you know I want to start all over and just go okay Jesus what did you do you just went out there you know and started finding disciples. [00:21:19]

I just got to ask you like are you still like deeply in love with Jesus where where it's not oh I love Navigators or I love Ministry or I love my small group or I I I love you know John Piper or Tim Keller or or whatever else it may be but but you just go man I love Jesus like this morning it was just me and Jesus and I just didn't want to leave him it's just me and him oh my time with God is incredible I love him like yeah I like my wife I like my kids but it's like my love for him is so far beyond that and it's about me and him. [00:26:13]

What I prayed for you was Ephesians 3 and I hope you pray pray this for others I hope you pray this you know in your Ministries Ephesians 3:14 he says for this reason I bow my knees before the father from whom every family and heaven and on Earth is named that according to the riches of his glory he may Grant you to be strengthened with power through his spirit in your inner being so that Christ May dwell in your hearts through faith that you being rooted and grounded in love may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what's the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. [00:31:29]

When's the last time you got on your knees for the people you deciple when's the last time you just came before God and go God you made that guy you made her you know everything and you're all powerful The Riches of your glory are you kidding me you made everything you own it all and so with one word you could Grant it to this person to be strengthened with power in their inner being by your Holy Spirit see this these are not the when I look at so much Ministry nowadays it just seems so external maybe if we do this and then this and then this and then this then they'll get closer to becoming a Christian and then if we do this this this oh this is when they'll get sa it's like really is that how it works no it's a miracle we're trying trying to we're trying to raise the dead someone who's dead in their trespasses and sins. [00:34:00]

I love that phrase rooted grounded I hear of so many people walking away from the church I'm like how can you walk away how can you walk away from God I don't know about you but I cannot walk away from Jesus I can't I'm I'm I'm like rooted it's like that tree that's rooted that just grounded it's like I can't go anywhere I mean isn't that what the Holy Spirit does he makes you a slave to righteous and and when this internal thing happens it's like I've tried to walk away or even dab a little bit here and I'm a slave to it I'm like forced back to what's right why because something internal happened. [00:35:37]

I love that phrase filled with the fullness of God what are you known for when people say your name do they go oh she is not like a normal person I I mean they might say that but in the sense of like there's something Supernatural about that girl like there's a a piece that I don't get there's a power when she talks the way she cares the way she's self it's it's like she's Jesus filled with the fullness of God man I've been stuck on that phrase going God I want to be known for filled with the fullness of God I think when I was younger I wanted to be a great speaker or a great Pastor or maybe have a big youth group or a big but you you know you just go I don't care like I want to be known I don't want to be known as a great speaker I don't want to be known as someone who can talk want be known as someone who can write I want people when they're around me just go man he's filled with the fullness of God. [00:39:06]

Don't lose sight of the miracle and don't lose sight of the spiritual nature of ministry because we have so many howto books on Ministry that we can get caught up on those and think there's a system to it and it's not it's about you getting on your face and begging God to make that internal change in the people that you love sadly we I mean maybe not sadly but we we just don't have control over that that's something God and only God can do. [00:41:53]

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Transcript
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