Posted by: GPoseyPs34 <GPoseyPs34@...>
First Things First
Becoming Purpose Driven
Teacher: Minister V. Posey
January 7, 2003
So it's the first of the year. We've completed the first week in the first month of a new year. Often at the beginning of a new year, we make new commitments. Instead of new commitments, we should take inventory and ask what is my purpose? Why did God put me on this earth in the first place? Or another question might be…What is my primary purpose of existence on earth?
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man Ecclesiastes 12:13
Purpose a result which with a desire to obtain; which is kept in mind in performance of an action, willpower, intentionally, with a specific intention to an end. In other words; to be driven by a desire with intentional performance to accomplish a specific end result.
Our primary reason on this earth, first and foremost, is to know God, to have a relationship with God, and to come into fellowship with God. Second, and as the outgrowth of the first, we are here to glorify God. But how, specifically, do we do that?
So then the reason God created man in the very beginning was to fellowship with Him, that man would glorify Him.
Genesis 2:19 And God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them; and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
God and Adam had a working relationship and Adam spoke the name and so it was as Adam spoke.
Gen 3:8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day;…
They walked and talked with God until they sinned, but yet God still sought them out
v. 9 And the Lord God called unto Adam and said unto him, Where art thou?
Often times when asked what our purpose of existence is, the traditional reply is to win lost souls. That's the ministry we have a born again believers true. But that cannot be man's purpose of existence. Adam had no souls to win! Yet, God still created him and formed Eve. When we glorify the Father souls will automatically be won. Jesus said If I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me St. John 12:32
Ultimately, when we view our purpose as work driven, we can miss the glory of God. We will never be able to do enough work, and the busyness of work can take away from our fellowship with God. Perfect example was Mary and Martha. Mary stayed in fellowship, but Martha thought it more important to tend to business and Jesus pointed that error out.
Luke 10:40-42 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things; But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
How can we fear God and keep His commandments?
We in our human nature cannot do either. It is not about the things we deem to be religious duty that pleases God if the end result is bringing attention to us or keeping us from communion with Him.
Ephesians 2:9,10 Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Here again we see that it is not us, but God himself. He will get the glory
Hebrews12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;…
That which He started in us, He will finish. It has nothing to do with us! We are His workmanship - He wants the Glory!
When we are purpose driven that and understand that all God wants from us is to glorify Him, the living holy according to His word is automatic. We have an end goal. We walk in constant fellowship with Him because we love Him and want to glorify Him. We can get caught up in the chore of righteous living and not even understand the purpose. All of our doing cannot make a way except that we understand it is His grace that sustains us in our purpose. It is His Spirit that guides us and causes us to live a life that glorifies the Father.
Ezekiel 36:22-28
Thus saith the Lord God; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.
It isn't even for my benefit, but for His name to be glorified!
And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
He'll set us aside (sanctify) right in the midst of heathen as they watch the change made from the inside. To the amazement of their eyes, knowing the life lived previous; God can't help but be glorified, even if it isn't acknowledged by the heathen at the time.
Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean; from your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
We can't even clean ourselves up! If we could, how would He be glorified?
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
He repeatedly says I will, I will. I will. It has nothing to do with me but everything to do with Him. He alone is the author and the finisher. We are only His workmanship. Your whole purpose is to glorify Him and when we stop beating ourselves up because of human weakness and trust in Him, then He will get the glory He desires from our lives. We alone cannot even keep His statues of ourselves except that He makes us to walk in them by His spirit from within us.
And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
We need only to understand that our purpose is to glorify the Father, just as was Jesus' purpose. The land of our fathers is full of riches and He shall give it to us if we remain purpose driven with our priorities in Divine order. Placing the Father first
FIRST THINGS FIRST
How Do we know that the life we live glorifies the Father?
John 15:8: "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit. . .?"
We are created to love God, to know God, and to glorify God through the bearing of fruit. Everything else in life is secondary, including careers, success, and even ministry. Failing to realize this is to fall short of the primary reason that God created us in the first place. We find that it is easy to get side tracked with looking at the gifts, thinking that they are what glorifies the Father. But we must remember that gifts come without repentance. And there will be some standing at the gate saying Lord, Lord, did we not heal the sick in your name?....His response will be depart from me, for I knew you not. When we bear the fruit then the gifts will automatically glorify the Father. Concept of bearing fruit is used often in scripture. It speaks of the results of a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Matthew 7:15-20 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit; neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Colossians 1:10 instructs us to "walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."
Bearing Fruit
John 15:1-16
Introduction: Read John 15:1-16
v. 1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
V2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away; and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
If you bear fruit, you will be pruned. it's a promise. it has a purpose If you are already bearing fruit, He yet wants more fruit. He will allow us to be tested that by our faith in Him He is glorified. All he wants is the glory. If God has found favor in you, it is because He knows through you He will be glorified. Favor means that He trusts you to stand in the midst of trials that on the other side you will be blessed and he will get more glory. Out of the test of faith comes more fruit!
v. 3 Now Ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
Once again we see that we are made clean because of what He has spoken to us by His Word, not by our own doing.
v. 4 Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
v.5 I am the vine, ye are the branches; he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing.
abide means -- to dwell within the boundaries of "...apart from Me, you can do nothing." You only bear fruit by abiding in Jesus
v. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
v. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
This is what was going on with God and Adam in the beginning. They had that kind of working relationship. Adam spoke and God honored it.
v. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
v. 9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you; continue ye in my love.
v. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
When we understand our purpose is to glorify Him as was Jesus' purpose, we will allow Him to have His way in our lives causing us to bear fruit and to love Him all the more in return. If we are driven to glorify Him, it is so easy to share His love.
v. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
Because of favor, He trusts us enough to allow our faith to be tested that He is glorified in the midst. Because we understand that it is for His glory we can rejoice in the midst of the test. Knowing that the joy of the Lord is our strength, we can rejoice in all things, because we are pleasing the Father. Favor does not merely mean we are to be blessed without a test. Throughout the bible there are many who were said to have found favor with God and everyone of them were put to the test. Examples: Abraham, Job, Daniel, Mary among a few.
v.12 This is my commandment. That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
v. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
v. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
v. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth, but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made know unto you.
v. 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and baring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
It has nothing to do with us!
He chose us & He equipped us!
That our fruit will remain constant to Glorify the Father!
So because of Favor our faith is going to be tested.
It's important that we be able to discern where it's coming from because that determines our response.
If it's the devil then resist, stand firm
If it's self then confess and repent
If it's the Father then trust and hold on
Conclusion:
God wants us to bear fruit.
You can't bear fruit unless you abide in Christ.
If you bear fruit, He'll prune you. It can hurt, but God is good and He loves you. He's more interested in your character than your comfort. As He's being about making you like Jesus, you'll experience "growing pains." He can seem distant, cruel, unfair...but He's working in you just the same...out of love, for your ultimate best interest. For his Glory!
PRAYER: Father, I am chosen by you alone. You have chosen me that you should be glorified in my living. I am your workmanship and rejoice that you trust me to know that I shall not be moved, but shall be steadfast, unmovable in my faith. Because of the work you are completing within me, you shall be glorified, even among those who do not know you. I know my purpose and I yield all that I am to you that you may show yourself strong on my behalf. I am ever so grateful that you chose to call me out of darkness into your glorious light; that you have destined me to be among those that are sanctified for your names sake. I will rejoice always, in all things because I know my purpose, and that is to Glorify You Father! Because of who you are in our lives, we give you the glory, all the praise and all the thanks, in Jesus name. Amen & Amen.
Posted by: GPoseyPs34 <GPoseyPs34@...>
First Things First
Becoming Purpose Driven
Teacher: Minister V. Posey
January 7, 2003
So it's the first of the year. We've completed the first week in the first month of a new year. Often at the beginning of a new year, we make new commitments. Instead of new commitments, we should take inventory and ask what is my purpose? Why did God put me on this earth in the first place? Or another question might be…What is my primary purpose of existence on earth?
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man Ecclesiastes 12:13
Purpose a result which with a desire to obtain; which is kept in mind in performance of an action, willpower, intentionally, with a specific intention to an end. In other words; to be driven by a desire with intentional performance to accomplish a specific end result.
Our primary reason on this earth, first and foremost, is to know God, to have a relationship with God, and to come into fellowship with God. Second, and as the outgrowth of the first, we are here to glorify God. But how, specifically, do we do that?
So then the reason God created man in the very beginning was to fellowship with Him, that man would glorify Him.
Genesis 2:19 And God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them; and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
God and Adam had a working relationship and Adam spoke the name and so it was as Adam spoke.
Gen 3:8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day;…
They walked and talked with God until they sinned, but yet God still sought them out
v. 9 And the Lord God called unto Adam and said unto him, Where art thou?
Often times when asked what our purpose of existence is, the traditional reply is to win lost souls. That's the ministry we have a born again believers true. But that cannot be man's purpose of existence. Adam had no souls to win! Yet, God still created him and formed Eve. When we glorify the Father souls will automatically be won. Jesus said If I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me St. John 12:32
Ultimately, when we view our purpose as work driven, we can miss the glory of God. We will never be able to do enough work, and the busyness of work can take away from our fellowship with God. Perfect example was Mary and Martha. Mary stayed in fellowship, but Martha thought it more important to tend to business and Jesus pointed that error out.
Luke 10:40-42 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things; But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
How can we fear God and keep His commandments?
We in our human nature cannot do either. It is not about the things we deem to be religious duty that pleases God if the end result is bringing attention to us or keeping us from communion with Him.
Ephesians 2:9,10 Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Here again we see that it is not us, but God himself. He will get the glory
Hebrews12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;…
That which He started in us, He will finish. It has nothing to do with us! We are His workmanship - He wants the Glory!
When we are purpose driven that and understand that all God wants from us is to glorify Him, the living holy according to His word is automatic. We have an end goal. We walk in constant fellowship with Him because we love Him and want to glorify Him. We can get caught up in the chore of righteous living and not even understand the purpose. All of our doing cannot make a way except that we understand it is His grace that sustains us in our purpose. It is His Spirit that guides us and causes us to live a life that glorifies the Father.
Ezekiel 36:22-28
Thus saith the Lord God; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.
It isn't even for my benefit, but for His name to be glorified!
And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
He'll set us aside (sanctify) right in the midst of heathen as they watch the change made from the inside. To the amazement of their eyes, knowing the life lived previous; God can't help but be glorified, even if it isn't acknowledged by the heathen at the time.
Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean; from your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
We can't even clean ourselves up! If we could, how would He be glorified?
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
He repeatedly says I will, I will. I will. It has nothing to do with me but everything to do with Him. He alone is the author and the finisher. We are only His workmanship. Your whole purpose is to glorify Him and when we stop beating ourselves up because of human weakness and trust in Him, then He will get the glory He desires from our lives. We alone cannot even keep His statues of ourselves except that He makes us to walk in them by His spirit from within us.
And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
We need only to understand that our purpose is to glorify the Father, just as was Jesus' purpose. The land of our fathers is full of riches and He shall give it to us if we remain purpose driven with our priorities in Divine order. Placing the Father first
FIRST THINGS FIRST
How Do we know that the life we live glorifies the Father?
John 15:8: "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit. . .?"
We are created to love God, to know God, and to glorify God through the bearing of fruit. Everything else in life is secondary, including careers, success, and even ministry. Failing to realize this is to fall short of the primary reason that God created us in the first place. We find that it is easy to get side tracked with looking at the gifts, thinking that they are what glorifies the Father. But we must remember that gifts come without repentance. And there will be some standing at the gate saying Lord, Lord, did we not heal the sick in your name?....His response will be depart from me, for I knew you not. When we bear the fruit then the gifts will automatically glorify the Father. Concept of bearing fruit is used often in scripture. It speaks of the results of a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Matthew 7:15-20 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit; neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Colossians 1:10 instructs us to "walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."
Bearing Fruit
John 15:1-16
Introduction: Read John 15:1-16
v. 1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
V2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away; and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
If you bear fruit, you will be pruned. it's a promise. it has a purpose If you are already bearing fruit, He yet wants more fruit. He will allow us to be tested that by our faith in Him He is glorified. All he wants is the glory. If God has found favor in you, it is because He knows through you He will be glorified. Favor means that He trusts you to stand in the midst of trials that on the other side you will be blessed and he will get more glory. Out of the test of faith comes more fruit!
v. 3 Now Ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
Once again we see that we are made clean because of what He has spoken to us by His Word, not by our own doing.
v. 4 Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
v.5 I am the vine, ye are the branches; he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing.
abide means -- to dwell within the boundaries of "...apart from Me, you can do nothing." You only bear fruit by abiding in Jesus
v. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
v. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
This is what was going on with God and Adam in the beginning. They had that kind of working relationship. Adam spoke and God honored it.
v. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
v. 9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you; continue ye in my love.
v. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
When we understand our purpose is to glorify Him as was Jesus' purpose, we will allow Him to have His way in our lives causing us to bear fruit and to love Him all the more in return. If we are driven to glorify Him, it is so easy to share His love.
v. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
Because of favor, He trusts us enough to allow our faith to be tested that He is glorified in the midst. Because we understand that it is for His glory we can rejoice in the midst of the test. Knowing that the joy of the Lord is our strength, we can rejoice in all things, because we are pleasing the Father. Favor does not merely mean we are to be blessed without a test. Throughout the bible there are many who were said to have found favor with God and everyone of them were put to the test. Examples: Abraham, Job, Daniel, Mary among a few.
v.12 This is my commandment. That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
v. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
v. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
v. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth, but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made know unto you.
v. 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and baring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
It has nothing to do with us!
He chose us & He equipped us!
That our fruit will remain constant to Glorify the Father!
So because of Favor our faith is going to be tested.
It's important that we be able to discern where it's coming from because that determines our response.
If it's the devil then resist, stand firm
If it's self then confess and repent
If it's the Father then trust and hold on
Conclusion:
God wants us to bear fruit.
You can't bear fruit unless you abide in Christ.
If you bear fruit, He'll prune you. It can hurt, but God is good and He loves you. He's more interested in your character than your comfort. As He's being about making you like Jesus, you'll experience "growing pains." He can seem distant, cruel, unfair...but He's working in you just the same...out of love, for your ultimate best interest. For his Glory!
PRAYER: Father, I am chosen by you alone. You have chosen me that you should be glorified in my living. I am your workmanship and rejoice that you trust me to know that I shall not be moved, but shall be steadfast, unmovable in my faith. Because of the work you are completing within me, you shall be glorified, even among those who do not know you. I know my purpose and I yield all that I am to you that you may show yourself strong on my behalf. I am ever so grateful that you chose to call me out of darkness into your glorious light; that you have destined me to be among those that are sanctified for your names sake. I will rejoice always, in all things because I know my purpose, and that is to Glorify You Father! Because of who you are in our lives, we give you the glory, all the praise and all the thanks, in Jesus name. Amen & Amen.
