Here is my sermon outline I preached today at Phnom Penh Church. Feel free to use it.
4 STEPS IN FINDING YOUR PURPOSE
Greg
Fernandez Jr.
Phnom Penh Church (PPC)
May 4, 2014
Introduction
This morning, I want to talk to you about How to Find Your Purpose?
David said,“Lord, help me to realize how brief my time on earth will be. Help me to know that I am here for but a moment more. Psalms 39: 4 (TLB)
1. You Will Find Your Purpose by Encountering Christ.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3: 16
“You will find life’s ultimate purpose by experiencing God. Encountering Christ is the bedrock of life with a purpose!
2. You Will Find your Purpose by Knowing the Word of God.
“Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. (2 Tim 3: 16 MSG)
You will find life’s purpose by knowing the Creator’s manual-the Bible. You will never know the purpose of your life if you do not read, hear, study, and know the Word of God.
I recommend you to read or re-read The Purpose Driven Life (PDL) by Pastor Rick Warren. PDL summarized God’s purposes found in the Bible into five. It’s got 40 lessons to be read for 40 days; 1 lesson a day. The Five Purposes are as follows:
(1) You were Planned for God’s Pleasure.
(2) You were Formed for God’s Family.
(3) You were Created to Become Like Christ.
(4) You were Shaped for Serving God.
(5) You were Made for a Mission.
3. You Will Find Your Purpose by Ministering in the area of your Giftedness.
“Each of you has been blessed with one of God’s many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well.”
1 Peter 4: 10 (CEV)
List of Spiritual gift in the Bible: I cor. 12: 1-31; Roman 12: 6-8; Ephesians 4: 11-16
You are commanded to serve by using what you have. The second Great Commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. This describes ministry or service we do for others. is anything you do for others.
Read Day 30-32 in PDL to learn about your SHAPE.
S-spiritual Gifts
H-Heart (Passion)
A-Abilities
P-personality
E-experience
Sometimes, the best way to find your purpose and passion is to stop looking and start doing. Just do it. Start serving. Start doing what you love to do.
4. You Will Find Your Purpose by Joining Christ’s mission in the world.
God wants you to join Him in fulfilling His purpose for the others and He wants to use you!
In order to find God’s purpose you must have a purpose greater than yourself! Get God’s vision. Dream a dream greater than yours. If you don’t have one, partner with others who have greater dreams and help fulfill that dream for God’s glory.
All four is important but the rest is meaningless without the first. Encountering Christ is the greatest one of all. It’s possible to know the Bible and not be saved. You can use your all your gift, do humanitarian works and still not be saved. It’s also possible to be pastor and still not be saved.
Questions for Personal Reflection:
1. Have I encountered Christ and experienced His love and forgiveness?
2. Have I trusted Him alone for my salvation?
3. Have I found my purpose for living?
Next Week we will look at How to Live our Purpose. Here is the link to the outline on Living My Purpose
H-Heart (Passion)
A-Abilities
P-personality
E-experience
Sometimes, the best way to find your purpose and passion is to stop looking and start doing. Just do it. Start serving. Start doing what you love to do.
4. You Will Find Your Purpose by Joining Christ’s mission in the world.
“In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world.”
John 17: 18 (MSG)
“Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.” Matthew 28: 19-20 (CEV)
God wants you to join Him in fulfilling His purpose for the others and He wants to use you!
In order to find God’s purpose you must have a purpose greater than yourself! Get God’s vision. Dream a dream greater than yours. If you don’t have one, partner with others who have greater dreams and help fulfill that dream for God’s glory.
Conclusion
Jesus said, “If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me and for the good news, you will save it. What will you gain, if you own the whole world but destroy yourself? What could you give to get back your soul?.
Mark 8: 35-37 (CEV)
All four is important but the rest is meaningless without the first. Encountering Christ is the greatest one of all. It’s possible to know the Bible and not be saved. You can use your all your gift, do humanitarian works and still not be saved. It’s also possible to be pastor and still not be saved.
Questions for Personal Reflection:
1. Have I encountered Christ and experienced His love and forgiveness?
2. Have I trusted Him alone for my salvation?
3. Have I found my purpose for living?
Next Week we will look at How to Live our Purpose. Here is the link to the outline on Living My Purpose
