True Purpose: Pursuing Christ Over Titles and Recognition

The pursuit of titles and positions in the church is a distraction from the true calling that God has for each of us. Only the Holy Spirit can give us a position of significance, and it is through pursuing Christ, not chasing after recognition, that we find our true purpose. The church often does more harm to itself by meddling in others’ affairs and neglecting the work God has given each of us. We are called to be vessels, filled with the Holy Spirit, pouring out what God has given us into a world desperate for truth. The power of the Holy Spirit is not about grand displays, but about the ability to overcome sin in our own lives and to be effective witnesses of Christ’s transforming work.

Spiritual growth is not automatic. It requires intentional, daily effort—incremental changes that, over time, lead to significant transformation. Just as a single drop of water seems insignificant, but many drops fill a bucket, so small acts of faithfulness accumulate into a life of spiritual maturity. God has given us everything we need for life and godliness, but we must “make every effort” to add to our faith virtues like goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. These qualities, when increasing in our lives, keep us from being ineffective and unproductive.

We are not called to live in the past or be defined by our failures. God’s grace is sufficient, but it is not an excuse to remain in sin. True repentance comes when we realize our sin breaks God’s heart, and we take responsibility for our spiritual lives. The Christian life is not about passivity or waiting for perfect conditions; it is about taking steps of faith, trusting that God will provide what we need as we move forward.

Discipleship is not a program or a certificate; it is a relational, one-on-one journey of walking with someone, learning from their example, and then pouring into others. This is how Jesus discipled, and it is how the church will be revived—through intentional, personal investment in others. Our mission is to see people come to faith in Christ and to disciple them into maturity, equipping them to do the same for others.

Ultimately, we are called to live lives of excellence, not mediocrity, to mind our own business, work diligently, and let our daily lives win the respect of outsiders. God has given us the Holy Spirit to empower us, correct us, and guide us. Our response is to repent, grow, and become fully functioning disciples who are unafraid, unwavering, and wholly devoted to Christ.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Pursue Christ, Not Position: Chasing after titles or recognition in the church leads to division and disappointment. Only the Holy Spirit can truly position and equip us for God’s purposes. When we focus on pursuing Christ, He gives us a calling and a place in His kingdom that no human authority can bestow. Our value and effectiveness come from what God does in us, not from what others say about us. [41:30]
• 2. Incremental Growth Leads to Transformation: Spiritual maturity is not achieved overnight but through consistent, small steps of obedience. Just as a persistent drip of water can fill a bucket, daily acts of faithfulness—prayer, study, service—accumulate into profound change. God honors our “little by little” efforts, multiplying them into a life that is fruitful and effective for His kingdom. [55:42]
• 3. Take Responsibility for Your Spiritual Life: No one else can do the work of spiritual growth for you. It is your responsibility to seek God, to pray, to serve, and to give. Excuses and blame only keep you stuck; transformation begins when you own your journey, repent of sin, and actively pursue God’s presence and purpose for your life. [45:43]
• 4. Discipleship Is Relational and Requires Investment: True discipleship happens in the context of relationship, not through programs or certificates. It involves walking with someone, sharing life, and learning through example and experience. This one-on-one investment is how Jesus discipled, and it is the only way to raise mature, resilient followers of Christ who can disciple others in turn. [92:15]
• 5. Live a Life of Excellence and Purpose: God calls us to live lives marked by excellence, diligence, and integrity—not mediocrity or dependency. Our daily conduct should win the respect of outsiders and reflect the character of Christ. When we embrace our God-given value and purpose, we become vessels through which the Holy Spirit can work powerfully, impacting our families, communities, and the world. [74:21]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [41:30] - Pursuing Christ Over Position
• [43:24] - The Power of the Holy Spirit in Daily Life
• [45:43] - Taking Responsibility for Spiritual Growth
• [47:01] - There’s Always More with God
• [48:07] - Coming to God with Expectation
• [49:17] - Extending Grace to the Broken
• [50:10] - Knowing Christ Intimately
• [51:42] - The Principle of “If You Will, I Will”
• [53:21] - When a Little Becomes a Lot
• [55:42] - The Power of Incremental Change
• [63:12] - Letting Go of the Past
• [65:23] - Spiritual Growth Is Not Automatic
• [74:21] - Living a Life of Excellence
• [92:15] - The Model of Relational Discipleship
• [94:55] - Learning Through Trials
• [99:05] - Praying for Wisdom and Knowledge
• [101:51] - Standing Firm and Praying for Others

Bible Reading

1. 2 Peter 1:3-9 (ESV) — > His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
> For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
> For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.

2. 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 (ESV) — > Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

3. Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV) — > Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Observation Questions

1. According to 2 Peter 1:5-7, what specific qualities are we told to add to our faith, and what is the result if these qualities are increasing in our lives?
2. In 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, what practical instructions does Paul give about how believers should live in relation to others and to outsiders?
3. The sermon says, “Only the Holy Spirit can give you a position. And there are people that think that they can get a title or this and it'll make them so. And it doesn't. The only thing that makes us so is what the Holy Spirit does in our life.” What is the difference between a job or title and a calling from God? [[41:30]]
4. What does Philippians 2:12-13 say about the relationship between our effort and God’s work in our spiritual growth?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Peter emphasize “make every effort” to add to your faith? What does this suggest about the nature of spiritual growth? [[55:42]]
2. The sermon says, “Spiritual growth is not automatic. It requires intentional, daily effort—incremental changes that, over time, lead to significant transformation.” How does this challenge the idea that spiritual maturity just happens over time without effort? [[01:05:23]]
3. In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul urges believers to “mind your own business, work with your hands…so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders.” How does this connect to the idea of living a life of excellence and purpose? [[01:23:59]]
4. The sermon describes discipleship as a “relational, one-on-one journey.” Why is this model of discipleship so important for spiritual maturity, compared to programs or certificates? [[01:32:15]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon warns against chasing after titles or recognition in the church. Are there ways you have been tempted to seek recognition or position, rather than simply serving where God has placed you? What would it look like to pursue Christ instead of position this week? [[41:30]]
2. Think about the “incremental growth” principle: What is one small, daily act of faithfulness (prayer, Bible reading, serving, etc.) you could commit to this week? How might this add up over time? [[55:42]]
3. The pastor said, “My spiritual life is my responsibility.” In what areas have you been making excuses or blaming others for your lack of spiritual growth? What is one step you can take to own your spiritual journey this week? [[45:43]]
4. The sermon calls us to “repent” and not use grace as an excuse to remain in sin. Is there a specific area of your life where you need to take responsibility and repent? What would repentance look like for you? [[01:20:47]]
5. Discipleship is described as “walking with someone, sharing life, and learning through example and experience.” Who is someone you could intentionally invest in, or who could invest in you, for spiritual growth? What is a practical next step you could take to start or deepen that relationship? [[01:32:15]]
6. The sermon says, “Our daily conduct should win the respect of outsiders and reflect the character of Christ.” Is there an area of your daily life (work, family, neighborhood) where you need to be more intentional about living with excellence and integrity? What is one change you could make this week? [[01:14:21]]
7. The pastor challenged the church to “mind your own business, work diligently, and let your daily lives win the respect of outsiders.” Are there ways you have been distracted by meddling in others’ affairs or neglecting your own calling? How can you refocus on what God has given you to do? [[01:23:59]]