SALVATION AND FAITH SERMONS
God’s Purpose for You
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What is the meaning of your life? Is the purpose and meaning of your life to please yourself? Are you here on this planet spending each day searching for some new thing to buy that will entertain you? Perhaps you find happiness in watching films or funny or odd things on your cell phone. Is the purpose of your life to have fun? Are you wanting more money so you can buy a new pair of shoes or a new dress? Is the purpose of your life to please yourself in buying fashionable things?
What is God’s perspective on your life? What do you think He created you for? How does God want you to spend your time?
Imagine that you are a Jewish man or woman and a slave in Egypt 3500 years ago. What is the purpose of your life? Well, you don’t have much choice, you are a slave. You simply do what the masters in Egypt tell you to do.
But then God sends Moses and you are suddenly set free. You have basically only one Master now and that is God. What does He want you to do? How does He want you to live? What purpose has He given to your life? God answered these questions just before He gave the Ten Commandments to Israel. God said:
Exodus 19:5-6 5 'Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 'And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel."
Now you have been chosen by God to carry the knowledge of the true God to all the nations of the earth. In this way you and your fellow Israelites are to be a kingdom of priests. God is holy and you must be holy to represent Him.
God took you from slavery and gave you detailed instruction on how to live. He told you how to dress, how to eat, how to keep clean, and where to set up your tent. He gave you laws and told you how to judge. He set up all the forms of worship and showed you the exact configuration of the temple. By following God’s exact instructions, you would be guided in holiness. God promised to give you health, prosperity and wisdom. People from other nations would visit you and see the truth. Your purpose in life is to prepare the world for the first coming of Christ.
Your purpose in life is high and noble. Your purpose in life goes beyond yourself. It reaches out to others. The principle of self-sacrificing love is the principle of God’s kingdom. That is God’s character and it can be your character also. By giving you a purpose in life to be a blessing to others, you have an opportunity to develop a character that is like God’s character. That is the purpose of this life.
So God has given you some measure of prosperity. How are you going to use it? Is the prosperity God gave you to please yourself and have fun?
God’s desire for ancient Israel was partially fulfilled in the time of King Solomon.
1 Kings 10:1-13 Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions. 2 She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels that bore spices, very much gold, and precious stones; and when she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was in her heart. 3 So Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing so difficult for the king that he could not explain it to her. 4 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, 5 the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the service of his waiters and their apparel, his cupbearers, and his entryway by which he went up to the house of the LORD, there was no more spirit in her. 6 Then she said to the king: "It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. 7 "However I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard. 8 "Happy are your men and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom! 9 "Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you, setting you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD has loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness." 10 Then she gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great quantity, and precious stones. There never again came such abundance of spices as the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon. 11 Also, the ships of Hiram, which brought gold from Ophir, brought great quantities of almug wood and precious stones from Ophir. 12 And the king made steps of the almug wood for the house of the LORD and for the king's house, also harps and stringed instruments for singers. There never again came such almug wood, nor has the like been seen to this day. 13 Now King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired, whatever she asked, besides what Solomon had given her according to the royal generosity. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants.
Notice that the Queen of Sheba saw the money of King Solomon but that this was not so impressive to her. She also had money. She was a queen and she had gold. She was impressed with the wisdom and justice and righteousness of the kingdom of Solomon. She acknowledged the true God.
But imagine now that King Solomon decides to take many foreign wives. And little by little they convince him to lower his standard of righteousness a little. Imagine that these women convince him to compromise his faith, first only in little things but then more and more. Finally Solomon allows them to make idols for themselves and then temples to other gods. Then finally Solomon joins in with his wives and he is soon an idolater. What a change took place in Solomon! How did he go from being a good king praising and exalting the Lord to an idolater?
It didn’t happen in one day. Slowly, very slowly, Satan worked on Solomon. First there is compromise in the little things. Then one point of faith is compromised and then another bigger one. Eventually spiritual perceptions become dull and he as wandered from faith and he doesn’t even realize it.
As you watch Solomon becoming more and more worldly, you also begin to think that the instructions God gave to the nation are not so important after all. First you compromise on what you wear. Then you ignore God’s instructions on how to eat and drink. Then you spend the resources that God gave you on selfish pleasures. You soon forget God’s purpose for your life. You begin to neglect the study of God’s instructions and there is no time to pray.
Soon the worship service itself becomes of little importance and you don’t attend. Slowly, very slowly Satan has you in his trap and you do not know it. Your life has become a routine of entertaining yourself and making money for your own pleasure. The love of the things of this world supplanted your love for God. When Christ comes in person and talks about a life devoted to Him, you see no interest in it. It all seems so foolish. After all, you are having fun.
Then Jesus tells a parable to you to illustrate what would happen to you and your nation.
Matthew 21:33 33 " Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country.
You would have understood that the vineyard represented Israel because in the Old Testament book of Isaiah we read the following:
Isaiah 5:7 7 For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, And the men of Judah are His pleasant plant.
So you understand that Jesus is talking about Israel when he talks about a vineyard. The tower represents the temple that God had built in Israel.
Matthew 21:34-45 34 "Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. 35 "And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. 36 "Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them. 37 "Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' 38 "But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.' 39 "So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 "Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?" 41 They said to Him, "He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons." 42 Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD's doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes'? 43 "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. 44 "And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder." 45 Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them.
Jesus said the kingdom of God would be taken away from the Jewish people and given to someone else. Did that mean that no Jews could be saved? Of course not! Paul and the apostles were Jews. But it did mean that God gave the task and privilege of announcing Christ’s second coming to others. Who did He give this responsibility to? He gave it to those who believed in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
1 Peter 2:9-10 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Now, non-Jews could become the people of God. They would finish the work that the Jews could not do. This new group is composed of those who believe in Christ and are transformed by His power. They do not live for entertainment, for fashion, for pride and position in society. They live to share Christ with others.
The Bible tells us what to wear, how to eat, what laws to obey and instructions on true worship. We have a purpose in life to represent Jesus to the world and invite people to prepare for His second coming. This is a holy work. We are to be a holy nation. That is what the text says.
Hebrews 12:14 14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
You have a high calling and elevated purpose in life. God has called you to holiness. Do you want to be a part of God’s chosen people? Do you want to be part of a holy nation? Do you want to live for God during the crisis of the ages? Now is the time to make that decision.
What is God’s perspective on your life? What do you think He created you for? How does God want you to spend your time?
Imagine that you are a Jewish man or woman and a slave in Egypt 3500 years ago. What is the purpose of your life? Well, you don’t have much choice, you are a slave. You simply do what the masters in Egypt tell you to do.
But then God sends Moses and you are suddenly set free. You have basically only one Master now and that is God. What does He want you to do? How does He want you to live? What purpose has He given to your life? God answered these questions just before He gave the Ten Commandments to Israel. God said:
Exodus 19:5-6 5 'Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 'And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel."
Now you have been chosen by God to carry the knowledge of the true God to all the nations of the earth. In this way you and your fellow Israelites are to be a kingdom of priests. God is holy and you must be holy to represent Him.
God took you from slavery and gave you detailed instruction on how to live. He told you how to dress, how to eat, how to keep clean, and where to set up your tent. He gave you laws and told you how to judge. He set up all the forms of worship and showed you the exact configuration of the temple. By following God’s exact instructions, you would be guided in holiness. God promised to give you health, prosperity and wisdom. People from other nations would visit you and see the truth. Your purpose in life is to prepare the world for the first coming of Christ.
Your purpose in life is high and noble. Your purpose in life goes beyond yourself. It reaches out to others. The principle of self-sacrificing love is the principle of God’s kingdom. That is God’s character and it can be your character also. By giving you a purpose in life to be a blessing to others, you have an opportunity to develop a character that is like God’s character. That is the purpose of this life.
So God has given you some measure of prosperity. How are you going to use it? Is the prosperity God gave you to please yourself and have fun?
God’s desire for ancient Israel was partially fulfilled in the time of King Solomon.
1 Kings 10:1-13 Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions. 2 She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels that bore spices, very much gold, and precious stones; and when she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was in her heart. 3 So Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing so difficult for the king that he could not explain it to her. 4 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, 5 the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the service of his waiters and their apparel, his cupbearers, and his entryway by which he went up to the house of the LORD, there was no more spirit in her. 6 Then she said to the king: "It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. 7 "However I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard. 8 "Happy are your men and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom! 9 "Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you, setting you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD has loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness." 10 Then she gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great quantity, and precious stones. There never again came such abundance of spices as the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon. 11 Also, the ships of Hiram, which brought gold from Ophir, brought great quantities of almug wood and precious stones from Ophir. 12 And the king made steps of the almug wood for the house of the LORD and for the king's house, also harps and stringed instruments for singers. There never again came such almug wood, nor has the like been seen to this day. 13 Now King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired, whatever she asked, besides what Solomon had given her according to the royal generosity. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants.
Notice that the Queen of Sheba saw the money of King Solomon but that this was not so impressive to her. She also had money. She was a queen and she had gold. She was impressed with the wisdom and justice and righteousness of the kingdom of Solomon. She acknowledged the true God.
But imagine now that King Solomon decides to take many foreign wives. And little by little they convince him to lower his standard of righteousness a little. Imagine that these women convince him to compromise his faith, first only in little things but then more and more. Finally Solomon allows them to make idols for themselves and then temples to other gods. Then finally Solomon joins in with his wives and he is soon an idolater. What a change took place in Solomon! How did he go from being a good king praising and exalting the Lord to an idolater?
It didn’t happen in one day. Slowly, very slowly, Satan worked on Solomon. First there is compromise in the little things. Then one point of faith is compromised and then another bigger one. Eventually spiritual perceptions become dull and he as wandered from faith and he doesn’t even realize it.
As you watch Solomon becoming more and more worldly, you also begin to think that the instructions God gave to the nation are not so important after all. First you compromise on what you wear. Then you ignore God’s instructions on how to eat and drink. Then you spend the resources that God gave you on selfish pleasures. You soon forget God’s purpose for your life. You begin to neglect the study of God’s instructions and there is no time to pray.
Soon the worship service itself becomes of little importance and you don’t attend. Slowly, very slowly Satan has you in his trap and you do not know it. Your life has become a routine of entertaining yourself and making money for your own pleasure. The love of the things of this world supplanted your love for God. When Christ comes in person and talks about a life devoted to Him, you see no interest in it. It all seems so foolish. After all, you are having fun.
Then Jesus tells a parable to you to illustrate what would happen to you and your nation.
Matthew 21:33 33 " Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country.
You would have understood that the vineyard represented Israel because in the Old Testament book of Isaiah we read the following:
Isaiah 5:7 7 For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, And the men of Judah are His pleasant plant.
So you understand that Jesus is talking about Israel when he talks about a vineyard. The tower represents the temple that God had built in Israel.
Matthew 21:34-45 34 "Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. 35 "And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. 36 "Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them. 37 "Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' 38 "But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.' 39 "So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 "Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?" 41 They said to Him, "He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons." 42 Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD's doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes'? 43 "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. 44 "And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder." 45 Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them.
Jesus said the kingdom of God would be taken away from the Jewish people and given to someone else. Did that mean that no Jews could be saved? Of course not! Paul and the apostles were Jews. But it did mean that God gave the task and privilege of announcing Christ’s second coming to others. Who did He give this responsibility to? He gave it to those who believed in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
1 Peter 2:9-10 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Now, non-Jews could become the people of God. They would finish the work that the Jews could not do. This new group is composed of those who believe in Christ and are transformed by His power. They do not live for entertainment, for fashion, for pride and position in society. They live to share Christ with others.
The Bible tells us what to wear, how to eat, what laws to obey and instructions on true worship. We have a purpose in life to represent Jesus to the world and invite people to prepare for His second coming. This is a holy work. We are to be a holy nation. That is what the text says.
Hebrews 12:14 14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
You have a high calling and elevated purpose in life. God has called you to holiness. Do you want to be a part of God’s chosen people? Do you want to be part of a holy nation? Do you want to live for God during the crisis of the ages? Now is the time to make that decision.