Last week we talked about core values. Today we’ll talk about purpose. In the next few weeks we will look at vision, strategy and mission. These make up the personal philosophies that direct your life. It goes like this…
Your VALUES describe WHO you are
Your PURPOSE describes WHAT you do
Your VISION describes WHERE you are going
Your STRATEGY describes HOW you will get there
Your MISSION describes WHY you exist
It is important for us to know who we are and why we exist. Mark Twain said: "The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why."
When we grow up as little children hearing that everything came as a result from a big bang and all life started from a single celled “amoeba” which eventually evolved through hundreds of millions of years to have what we have today, then everything has no real meaning or purpose. That opens the door to any teaching, thought or belief. This is why in God’s sovereign plan He sent Jesus to redeem a blinded humanity and to dwell in every believer by grace through faith in Jesus. The Holy Spirit then reveals truth to the believer, and everything begins to make sense. Life takes on a whole new meaning and purpose. We begin to see how God created each of us out of love and for a purpose. Read Psalms 139 if you ever have doubts about life, who you are and why you’re here.
God’s word specifically gives us direction on how to live according to His plan and purpose. There are many verses that can help you build your personal purpose statement. One statement summarizes our purpose… “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1Co 10:31). Whose glory am I living for? My own or God? Another verse might be Matthew 22:37-40 where we find the great commandment to love God and love others. If all the law and prophets hang on these two verses, this must be very important. If so, then it would do us well to make loving God and loving others our purpose in life. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus gave His disciples a commission before He left, saying, go make disciples of all nations, baptize them and teach them. In these verses we see three things: Go, Baptize, Teach.
Making disciples of Jesus from every nation of people is a mandate to all of us. The first disciples went out baptizing and making disciples of Jesus. Their disciples did the same thing. The baton was passed from generation to generation. Now it’s in my hand. What will I do with it? What will our generation do with it? Well… what’s our purpose in life? If it’s just to eat, drink and be happy then we will probably never make the sacrifices to carry the baton and pass it on. Paul referred to life as running a race to win a crown at the end (1Co 9:24-27; 2Tim 2:5). Think of the Olympics. It takes focus, perseverance and purpose. This is what they do to win an earthly prize. What will we do to win the crown of glory for God?
Now take some time to write out your personal purpose statement.
Here's mine:
“My purpose is to love God and glorify Him with my whole being. As I go, I will love people and watch for opportunities to share Jesus with them so I can baptize and teach them everything Jesus commanded.”
Your VALUES describe WHO you are
Your PURPOSE describes WHAT you do
Your VISION describes WHERE you are going
Your STRATEGY describes HOW you will get there
Your MISSION describes WHY you exist
It is important for us to know who we are and why we exist. Mark Twain said: "The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why."
When we grow up as little children hearing that everything came as a result from a big bang and all life started from a single celled “amoeba” which eventually evolved through hundreds of millions of years to have what we have today, then everything has no real meaning or purpose. That opens the door to any teaching, thought or belief. This is why in God’s sovereign plan He sent Jesus to redeem a blinded humanity and to dwell in every believer by grace through faith in Jesus. The Holy Spirit then reveals truth to the believer, and everything begins to make sense. Life takes on a whole new meaning and purpose. We begin to see how God created each of us out of love and for a purpose. Read Psalms 139 if you ever have doubts about life, who you are and why you’re here.
God’s word specifically gives us direction on how to live according to His plan and purpose. There are many verses that can help you build your personal purpose statement. One statement summarizes our purpose… “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1Co 10:31). Whose glory am I living for? My own or God? Another verse might be Matthew 22:37-40 where we find the great commandment to love God and love others. If all the law and prophets hang on these two verses, this must be very important. If so, then it would do us well to make loving God and loving others our purpose in life. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus gave His disciples a commission before He left, saying, go make disciples of all nations, baptize them and teach them. In these verses we see three things: Go, Baptize, Teach.
Making disciples of Jesus from every nation of people is a mandate to all of us. The first disciples went out baptizing and making disciples of Jesus. Their disciples did the same thing. The baton was passed from generation to generation. Now it’s in my hand. What will I do with it? What will our generation do with it? Well… what’s our purpose in life? If it’s just to eat, drink and be happy then we will probably never make the sacrifices to carry the baton and pass it on. Paul referred to life as running a race to win a crown at the end (1Co 9:24-27; 2Tim 2:5). Think of the Olympics. It takes focus, perseverance and purpose. This is what they do to win an earthly prize. What will we do to win the crown of glory for God?
Now take some time to write out your personal purpose statement.
Here's mine:
“My purpose is to love God and glorify Him with my whole being. As I go, I will love people and watch for opportunities to share Jesus with them so I can baptize and teach them everything Jesus commanded.”
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