Planned for a Purpose, Made for More - Part 2
It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before
we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on
us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything
and everyone.
Ephesians 1:11-12 (MSG)
1. Know your maker.
And God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness;”
Genesis 1:26 (ASV)
“I will make _________________________________________. And I will make
him/her ________________________________ and _______________________________
and ________________________________________________.”
4. Forget your reputation.
Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving
you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of
food and fills your hearts with joy.”
Acts 14:17 (NIV)
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power
and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been
made, so that people are without excuse.
Romans 1:20 (NIV)
There are “friends” who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks
closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24 (LB)
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s
business. Instead, I have called you friends,
John 15:15a (NIV)
2. Discover His purpose & plan for your life.
“God is mighty, but despises no one; he is mighty, and firm in his purpose.
Job 36:5 (NIV)
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Philippians 2:5 (KJV)
But made himself of no reputation… he humbled himself, and became obedient
unto death, even the death of the cross.
Philippians 2:7a, 8b (KJV)
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public
example, was minded to put her away secretly.
Matthew 1:19 (NKJV)
When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he
took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his
name Jesus.
Matthew 1:24-25 (ESV)
5. Make a big deal out of God.
I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!
That’s how much you mean to me! That’s how much I love you! I’d sell off the
whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you. Isaiah 43:4 (MSG)
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will
stand.
Proverbs 19:21 (ESV)
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 (NIV)
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his
head and gave up his spirit.
John 19:30 (NIV)
He’ll get the credit as the One mighty in everything – encores to the end of time.
Oh yes!
1 Peter 4:11 (MSG)
3. Cultivate your gifting.
For everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by his power and is for his
glory. To him be glory evermore.
Romans 11:36 (LB)
If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all
things God may be glorified.
1 Peter 4:11b (NKJV)
The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others.
1 Corinthians 12:7 (CEV)
Each of us is an original.
Galatians 5:26b (MSG)
Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the master
wants.
Ephesians 5:17 (Msg)
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you
know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they
are slave or free.
Ephesians 6:7-8 (NIV)
Each person is given something to do that shows who God is:
1 Corinthians 12:7 (MSG)
His master commended him: ‘Good work! You did your job well. From now on be
my partner.’
Matthew 25:21 (MSG)