"THE DIVINE PURPOSES OF GOD" Four purposes of God, among the many in the Scriptures, stand out as especially noteworthy. The believer who steadfastly embraces these four divine purposes is virtually guaranteed a victorious and fruitful Christian life. 1 Peter 4:11, KJV If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. •• Psalm 57:5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. •• 1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1) Divine Purpose #1 is: that God be glorified. •• If you speak, speak as an oracle (a mouthpiece) of God, so that God, not you, will receive glory. • Speak the word of God ... testify about God and His Son Jesus ... let your conversation be heaven-focused. •• When you minister, do it with your God-given abilities, so that God will receive glory. • We don’t minister to build our ministries. • We don’t minister to prove a point. • We minister with the abilities God gives to glorify God. •• In your eating and drinking — that is, in the routine activities of everyday life — “do it all for the glory of God”. • That’s one of the strongest motivations for sobriety, that in your “eating and drinking” you always glorify God. •• “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” • That covers the whole spectrum of our personal conduct. • Always ask yourself: “Will this thought, word, or deed glorify God?” ------------------------------------------ Colossians 1:15-18 He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. [16] For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. [17] He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. [18] And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. KJV: “...that in all things he might have the preeminence” 2) Divine Purpose #2 is: that Jesus be preeminent in all things. •• This is Jesus’ creation — “By him all things were created.” •• Jesus is “before all things”. He is over all, above all. •• Jesus is absolutely “the head...of the church”. As your pastor, I am not "the head", Jesus is. I have a role, an assignment from Him, but He is the ultimate head. •• In John 5:23, Jesus exhorts us “...that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father”. Imagine! Jesus’ preeminence extends even to receiving equal honor with God the Father! •• The apostle Peter tells us (Acts 10:36), “Jesus Christ, he is Lord of all.” • “...of all...that in all things he [Jesus] might have the preeminence.” ------------------------------------------ Matthew 16:15-18 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” [16] Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” [17] Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. [18] And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 3) Divine Purpose #3 is: to build the Church of Jesus Christ •• Building the Church is not all that the Lord is doing. But it is central to all that He is doing. •• Love His Church ... esteem His Church ... give yourself for His Church, as He did — • Ephesians 5:25 “Christ...loved the Church and gave himself for it.” •• Speak well of the Lord’s Church. • When people at work and elsewhere mock “church,” remind them that Jesus died for it. • When people say, “Church people are hypocrites,” point out that Jesus knows the state of human souls and still invites us into His Church. He’s not ashamed of us. •• In this uncertain world of broken marriages, plummeting 401Ks, depressed real estate markets, etc., the church is a solid, stable rarity — something that even the gates of Hell cannot overcome. ------------------------------------------ Titus 2:11-15a For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. [12] It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, [13] while we wait for the blessed hope — the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, [14] who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. [15a] These, then, are the things you should teach. 4) Divine Purpose #4 is: to purify a godly people for Himself. •• Jesus longs for “a people...for Himself.” What an honor! •• But not just “any old” people. No, but rather... • a people “redeemed from all wickedness” • a people “liv[ing] self-controlled, upright and godly lives” • a people who understand grace — that it means “saying ‘no’ to ungodliness and worldly passions” • a people desiring the Lord to purify them and their lives • a people “eager to do what is good” •• This fourth divine purpose, then, is to build a people — a group of millions — who love God the Father, who love Jesus, and who are devoted to living a godly life before the Lord and for His honor and glory. ------------------------------------------ Four of God’s Grand Purposes, then, are: 1. That God in all things be glorified 2. That Jesus in all things be preeminent 3. That Christ’s Church be built and grow and prosper 4. That a holy people be prepared for the Lord’s glory •• Let these four purposes of God grip your heart. They will add vision, motivation, and fruitfulness to your Christian walk.
Posted on: Fri, 30 Aug 2013 12:24:42 +0000
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