WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF YOUR LIFE?
A REVIEW OF THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE
WRITTEN BY RICK WARREN CHAPTER 1
IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT YOU
What is your purpose? Why are you here? Why were you born into the family you
were born into? Why did God choose you to be part of the body of Christ? There are many
questions about life, but few places to get truthful answers. I believe that the Word of
God is the only place to get the truth.
In this series of lessons, I will use the book The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
as our outline to discuss the Word of God. From time to time I will quote Rick Warren,
but my primary focus will be the Word of God.
As Rick stated the only way to find your purpose is to start with God. Your purpose
will not be found in you, your family, your friends, your job, or your aspirations.
Your purpose is in the one who created you.
Ask yourself, why is my purpose important?
GOD CREATED EVERYTHING FOR HIMSELF
Let’s start from the beginning;
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:26
26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
God created everything. He created us to rule over every living creature. Part of your purpose
is to be a good steward of everything God has put into your hands starting with your own
body. The mind you were created with must be fertilized with the word of God.
MADE IN GOD’S IMAGE AND LIKENESS
You were made in the image and likeness of God.
What is the difference between image and likeness?
The word image is the Hebrew word tselm which means shade or resemblance.
It means the very same person. A precise reproduction
The moral disposition of the soul, his righteousness
A picture of God is His love, His tolerance, His forgiveness, His compassion and
His righteousness.
The word likeness is the Hebrew word demuwth which means shape, fashion, or
similitude. It can also mean resemblance.
Since no man has seen God at any time, image and likeness refer to the soul.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary describes image and likeness in this manner;
Being in God's image means that humans share, though imperfectly and finitely, in God's nature, that is, in His communicable attributes (life, personality, truth, wisdom, love, holiness, justice), and so have the capacity for spiritual fellowship with Him.
Animals were created with flesh but not spirit. Man is created in flesh and spirit and is allied with
heaven and earth.
According to Matthew Henry, “ God’s image upon man consists of three things,
1. In his nature and constitution, 2 In his place and authority, and 3 his purity and rectitude.
It consists of knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness."
The Man was predestined in Jesus before the foundation of the earth. Therefore our purpose is found
in the creator. The "us" in Genesis 1:26 is the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. We have a
higher purpose than just existing on Earth.
PURPOSE IS NOT FOUND IN YOU
We cannot find our purpose in ourselves. In us is sin. Sinful thinking leads to a sinful
purpose. A sinful purpose leads to death.
Romans 8:6
The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;
Ask yourself, Am I controlled by the spirit of God?
Our purpose is spiritual and found in Jesus because He set us free from sin
Romans 8:1-3
Because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
We were not set free to do our thing, We were set free to do the will of God.
Ask yourself, do you feel free, or do feel bound by all the stuff I have to do?
This does not mean, that we should not pursue our goals and aspirations. What it does mean is
to pursue them under the guidance and direction of the Lord. The purpose of our lives is in
partnership with the Lord.
Discovering your purpose will not be found in self-help books or seminars.
According to Rick Warren, self-help books give self-driven steps to find your purpose
1. Consider your dreams
2. Clarify your values
3. Set goals
4. What are you good at
5. Aim high
6. Believe in yourself
7. Self-discipline
8. Never give up
These are good steps toward being successful in life. If God is not in this process
your purpose will not be found.
PURPOSE DISCOVERED IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH
JESUS
Matthew 16:25
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.
Your purpose can only be found when God is the primary focus of your life.
1 Corinthians 2:6-8
We speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.
Your purpose is a secret that world can’t know because it is not revealed to them. Your purpose
will be revealed to you through your relationship with God and Jesus Christ.
You will never be fulfilled in the world's pursuits. Your fulfillment is in Jesus Christ.
We were created not for ourselves but for the Father
Colossians 1:16-18
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.
God created you for His purpose. He determined your purpose before heaven and earth
was created.
God has never left you in control of your life. You may think you make decisions independent
of Him. But you can’t make any decisions without Him.
Job 12:10
In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.
You can't breathe without God's assistance. You can’t think without God’s help.
You can do nothing without God.
CONCLUSION OF CHAPTER 1
Chapter 1 of Purpose-driven Life concludes with
YOUR PURPOSE IS NOT ALL ABOUT YOU
SO WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT OUR PURPOSE?
1. Purpose in found in G_______________________
2. You were made in His I____________and L__________
3. You were created to R___________________
4. You are different from animals. You have F___________ and S__________
5. You are part of both H____________and E__________________
6. You consist of God’s K_____________ R______________ H_____________
7. You have the capacity for spiritual F______________ with G___________
8. All things were created by G_____________ for G_______________
CLASS QUESTIONS
HOW CAN I REMIND MYSELF THAT LIFE IS ALL
ABOUT GOD AND NOT ME?
WHAT EFFECT IN KNOWING YOUR PURPOSE
HAVE ON YOU?
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