Purpose and Destiny

SERMON TOPIC: Purpose and Destiny

Speaker: Ken Paynter

Language: ENGLISH

Date: 6 February 2022

Topic Groups: DESTINY

Sermon synopsis: We have been given a commission by God Himself. We are not here on earth to mark time or follow selfish pursuits, God has a purpose for our lives and a destiny for us, but as freewill agents it is subject to our choices. Jesus was born as a man (God incarnate) with a purpose, and He fulfilled that purpose.

John 17:4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.

We in turn have also been sent out by Jesus to fulfill our purpose.

John 17:18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

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God’s Plans and our Destiny.

Paul’s vision did 5 things.

The Vision “Stopped him”.

The Vision “Sent him”.

The Vision “Strengthened him”.

The Vision “Stretched him”.

The Vision “Satisfied him”.

God’s Plans.

We have a been given a commission by God Himself.

We are not here on earth to mark time or follow selfish pursuits, God has a purpose for our lives and a destiny for us, but as freewill agents it is subject to our choices.

Jesus was born as a man (God incarnate) with a purpose, and He fulfilled that purpose.

John 17:4.

I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.

We in turn have also been sent out by Jesus to fulfill our purpose.

John 17:18.

As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

What is our Purpose.

2 Timothy 1:3-5.

Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 

Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.

2 Corinthians 5:9.

So, we make it our goal to please him.

I ministered on this subject recently “Pleasing The Lord”.

Is this your goal?

Our Goal.

We are in a Fight, We are in a War, We are in a Race.

What is your Goal?

Is it just to survive or to win?

Are you hiding in the trenches?

Running to win.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 

Therefore, I do not run like someone running aimlessly;  I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 

No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

This is not against others but ourselves, our own sinful nature.

Purpose and Destiny.

Purpose and Destiny.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

God’s purpose is clear in Scripture, but we have been given a free will, so our destiny is linked to our choices.

Running the Race.

1 Thessalonians 1:3.

We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Faith, Hope and Love: We have seen these three attributes before.

There is a sermon or three in just this one verse.

A few weeks ago, I ministered on “Active Faith” but all our work and labour profits us nothing if it is not motivated by Love.

Galatians 5:6-7.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?

Faith expressing itself through Love.

1 Corinthians 13:1-7.

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Hindrances to us running a good race.

Galatians 5:6-7.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?

Are you out of the race because of injury? Someone has hurt you or let you down, you’re discouraged weary?

Hindrances to us running a good race.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs….

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Why are you involved in service or ministry, is it to find your identity or is it to bring glory to God?

Hindrances to us running a good race.

Jesus finished His race.

Paul finished his race.

What has stopped you from running a good race?

John 17:4.

I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.

Paul’s final days

2 Timothy 4:6-8.

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

The Christian race is a marathon and not a sprint.

The last thing you want to do as a long distance runner, is to think how far away the finish line is. The Lord has told us to take one day at a time.

A faith that does nothing, costs nothing, gives nothing, suffers nothing, is worth nothing.

Throw off sins and Hinderances.

Hebrews 12:1-3.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hindrances to us running a good race.

God does the impossible if we do the possible.

Young converts are sometimes hindered in running a good race because they haven't got rid of their graveclothes.

They are still bound by legalism, bad habits, traditions, materialism.

All sorts of things that pertain to their old life before Christ.

Hindrances to us running a good race.

Galatians 5:7.

You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough. I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty.

Sometimes the biggest hindrances come from professing Christians who have some legalistic things that they want to force on others and rob them of their liberty in Christ.

This is what was happening in the Galatian church, but I fail to understand why it is still a problem 2000 years later and people allow themselves to be bound by Jewish law.

Hindrances to us running a good race.

In older Christians, the hindrance to running a good race can often be laziness, offence or discouragement.

Are you out of the race because of injury?

Someone has hurt you or let you down, you’re discouraged weary?

Galatians 6:9-10.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Criticism can stop people from fulfilling their ministry and calling.

The only criticism that is worthwhile paying close attention to, is from those who have a heart for God and a heart for you.

The grandstands on earth are all to often full of idle spectators, the players are on the field making mistakes. Making mistakes in your endeavour to sincerely serve the Lord is better than doing nothing.

God wants to get us in motion and then He can steer us, but you can’t steer a parked car.

Criticism.

We’ve heard the expression. “If something is worth doing, it’s worth doing well”

I believe that if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing badly.

Winston Churchill said “Success in life is sometimes nothing more than going from one failure to another with undiminished enthusiasm”.

A woman once told DL Moody the great evangelist from the nineteenth century, that she didn’t like the way he shared his faith. He then asked, “Tell me ma'am, how do you do evangelism”. “I don’t she said”. To which he replied. “Well I like my way of doing it more than you’re your way of not doing it”.

Learn to carry on when you are hurting.

When we look at Jesus, we can see that God’s purpose for our lives is not personal happiness.

We don’t throw in the towel when things get tough.

In fact, the deepest valleys and toughest times are all to often when God can accomplish the most through us if we submit.

Learn to carry on when you are hurting.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 

Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

This principle can be seen in Paul’s life.

Destiny.

God uses 3 things to establish His destiny for our lives.

His Church.

His Spirit.

His Word.

The Church of Christ.

God has placed gift ministries in the Church to prepare us to fulfil our calling.

Ephesians 4:11-12.

So, Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

The Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:1-8.

Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit….

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

The Word of God.

2 Timothy 2:15.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 

1 Peter 1:23.

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

There is nothing wrong with the seed of God’s Word the only thing that determines its fruitfulness in our lives is the condition of our hearts.

To fulfil our “Destiny” in God.

We must surrender our heart.

Colossians 3:1. Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 

To fulfil our “Destiny” in God.

We must surrender our Body.

Romans 12:1. Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, this is your true and proper worship.  

We must surrender our Body.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20.

Flee from sexual immorality.  All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honour God with your bodies.

We must surrender our Body.

Now surrendering our body to God and presenting it to Him as a living sacrifice is no small thing. We love our bodies, and we pamper them.

2 Corinthians 11:23-27.

I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 

Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea.

We must surrender our Body.

2 Corinthians 11:23-27.

I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 

I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.

1 Corinthians 9:27.

I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

We must surrender our Body.

John 21:18-19.

Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go. 

Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, Follow me!

Will you follow Jesus anywhere?

We must surrender our Body.

Do you realize that a sick body can bring glory to God, a crippled, handicapped, blind body can bring Him glory.

Fanny Crosby: Although blind, she was a prolific hymnist, writing more than 8,000 hymns and gospel songs, with more than 100 million copies printed.

She is also known for her teaching and her rescue mission work.

"Oh, what a happy soul I am, / although I cannot see! / I am resolved that in this world / Contented I will be."

One way of surrendering our bodies to the Lord is through fasting, placing prayer and seeking God’s face over and above the appetites of the body.

One way of surrendering our bodies to the Lord is through fasting, placing prayer and seeking God’s face over and above the appetites of the body.

Francis Ashbury who was a circuit preacher in America in the early days of the Methodist church in the USA would be so tired sometimes that he would get someone to tie him into the saddle of his horse so that he wouldn’t fall of his horse as he went off to his next appointment.

Can God use the body of a man who has lost everything including all his children and is covered in boils from the top of his head to the soles of his feet to bring Glory to Himself ?

We must surrender our Body.

Can God use the body of a man who has lost everything including all his children and is covered in boils from the top of his head to the soles of his feet to bring Glory to Himself ?

We must surrender our Body.

Can God use the body of a man who has no arms and legs to bring Gory to Himself ?

Nick Vujicic

To fulfil our “Destiny” in God.

We must surrender our Mind.

Colossians 3:2-3.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 

Romans 12:2.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 

Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Surrendering our Mind.

Surrendering our mind to the Lord means giving up our dreams and selfish ambitions and making it our goal to please the Lord. Paul said that all that was gain to him, his Jewish pedigree etc, he counted as rubbish, dung, that he may be able to enjoy the fellowship of sharing in the sufferings of Christ.

What is your dream, your goal?

Is it in any way like Paul’s or is it self fulfilment and pleasure?

To fulfil our “Destiny” in God.

We must surrender our will.

Once our minds have been surrendered and we know God’s will for our lives, then we have to surrender our will just as Jesus did.

“Not my will but thine”.

God’s will.

2 Peter 3:9.

God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Jesus involvement in seeing this implemented, culminated in His going to the cross and suffering at the hands of those He was desiring to save.

What are we doing to see God’s will fulfilled? This applies in our lives as well as the lives of others.

God’s will and man’s free will.

Choices have consequences.

The consequences God faced by choosing to give man a free will was the cross. There are consequences to face for the choices we make. You are free to choose what you want, but the consequences that result from that choice have to then be faced and endured.

What will you do with Jesus?

What will you do with God’s will, His plan for you?

Man’s free will.

Virtues are based in the will and not the emotions.

Point your will in the direction that God wants you to go and your mind and emotions will follow.

We choose our destiny.

Deuteronomy 30:19.

This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.

Our Free Will and our Destiny.

Jeremiah 42:10-17.

If you stay in this land, I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not uproot you, for I have relented concerning the disaster I have inflicted on you. Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, whom you now fear. Do not be afraid of him, declares the Lord, for I am with you and will save you and deliver you from his hands. I will show you compassion so that he will have compassion on you and restore you to your land.

However, if you say, We will not stay in this land, and so disobey the Lord your God, and if you say, No, we will go and live in Egypt, where we will not see war or hear the trumpet or be hungry for bread, then hear the word of the Lord, you remnant of Judah.

Our Free Will and our Destiny.

Jeremiah 42:10-17.

This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says:

If you are determined to go to Egypt and you do go to settle there, then the sword you fear will overtake you there, and the famine you dread will follow you into Egypt, and there you will die. 

Indeed, all who are determined to go to Egypt to settle there will die by the sword, famine and plague; not one of them will survive or escape the disaster I will bring on them.

Our Free Will and our Destiny.

Jeremiah 43:10-11.

Then say to them, This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I will send for my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and I will set his throne over these stones I have buried here; he will spread his royal canopy above them. He will come and attack Egypt, bringing death to those destined for death, captivity to those destined for captivity, and the sword to those destined for the sword.

But this is not what God’s plans were for Israel, this was the result and the consequences of their own choices.

Jeremiah29:10-13.

Jeremiah29:10-13.

This is what the Lord says: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jesus wept over Jerusalem because the Jews had missed their destiny.

Matthew 23:37-39.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!

How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 

See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Our choices and our Destiny.

What is your response to God’s plan for your life?

God’s plan for my life.

When I stand at the judgment seat of Christ And He shows me His plan for me; The plan of my life as it might have been Had He had His way, and I see

How I blocked Him here and I checked Him there And I would not yield my will, Shall I see grief in my Savior’s eyes; Grief though He loves me still

Oh, He’d have me rich, and I stand there poor, Stripped of all but His grace, While my memory runs like a hunted thing Down the paths I can’t retrace.

God’s plan for my life.

Then my desolate heart will well-nigh break With tears that I cannot shed. I’ll cover my face with my empty hands And bow my uncrowned head.

No. Lord of the years that are left to me I yield them to Thy hand. Take me, make me, mold me To the pattern Thou hast planned.




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