Sunday's Message, December 27, 2020 - Purpose

 Greetings People of Purpose,

Sunday's message refocused our attention to what true life and pupose looks like in the life of believers.  After being called to love God with everything we have, we are lead others into this same experience.

  

God Bless!

Scripture References & Highlights

 

Movie clip on Disney+'s Soul.  Scene outtake 1:10:00 - 1:30:00

Message Scriptures:

• John 14:6-11
• Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life
• John 15:4-8
• Jesus is the vine we are branches, apart from Him we can do nothing
• Luke 8:1-10, 16-18
• we have been given a teachable heart to know the hidden mysteries of God
• pay careful attention to our hearts, if it remains open more revelation will be given until it overflows
• to a closed heart the little light we have will be taken away
• Isaiah 6:1-13
• sanctification is important before being sent to represent Jesus to others
• Jesus is our sanctification
• God's mercy will preserve a remnant in the midst of judgment
• Luke 9:1-6
• vs. 3, the disciples went out empty-handed because they had all they needed in Jesus (i.e. he is our treasure, our strength, our living bread, our provider, and our righteousness)  TPT footnote
• vs. 5, we are to remain unoffended when others do not accept the teachings of Jesus, not walking in unforgiveness for fear of taking that offense to the next individual we attempt to witness to
• 
  

 Nuggets for the Week

• 2020 has afforded us the opportunity to reevaluate or discover some things that we held dear and to rediscover or realign our purpose.
• Joe thought his sole purpose in life was to be a jazz player.  He thought his purpose was to teach others to love jazz.  He had the opportunity to realign and discover his true calling.  That is to live life and teach others to do the same.
• God has for many, if not, all of us stepped into our Egypt (year 2020), took us by the hand (realigned out hearts), marched us out in freedom into the promised land (so that we can fulfill His purpose for creating us)

Reflections

• If God is doing something new, then it is needful for us to have teachable hearts going into 2021.
• No longer being caught up with the cares of this life (I didn't say be unaware but not be consumed with the cares of this life) but focused on or having a single eye for the Lord.
• Again, this could look vastly different depending on God's purpose/plan for our life (Jeremiah 29:11)
• The plans may look different but there should be a familiarity to it because it is flowing from the same Spirit (1 Cor. 12:5-11)

 Key Takeaway for the Body

• Scripture tells us that our purpose is to...

1. Love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, and body.  Mark 12:30, 
1. It is love that causes us to walk in obedience to God. John 14:15, 21, 23
2. Love others well.  John 15:12
3. Compel/teach others about the kingdom.  John 15:16-17

• Tuesday's bible study asked what will it take to follow jesus again? Whole-hearted obedience
• Heading into 2021, what are we going to do with it (purpose)?
• "A vibrant walk with the Spirit is essential in our quest to experience more of God."  "Prayer is first and foremost a call to communion with God by the indwellng Spirit."  Growing in Prayer Devotional, pg. 160

Prayer Time

In your times of prayer this week (9am,12noon, and 6pm) we encourage you to include the following scriptures located below and in the article 7 Verses and 7 Prayers for your Pastor/

Ephesians 1:17-19, 3:16-17

Philippians 1:9-11

Colossians 1:10-12

Worship Highlight