For this purpose was I born
First Sunday of this month; I highlighted certain purposes for which God created Man; with the view of challenging every one of us to identify our purpose within those and fulfil them. Some of which are:
For His glory and power.
To have dominion over all other creations of His.
For His pleasure
To demonstrate His wisdom to the rulers of the darkness
To reveal His image through Man.
To do good works
To declare His praise.
To have His will done on earth as it is in heaven.
To extend His fellowship beyond heaven.
Today I want to narrow down to each individual, thereby necessitating the topic of the message “For this reason was I born”. I want us to ponder on this message now and after now, again with the hope that we will consider it deeply. Have a deep reflection on the theme of the message and make sure we act on it.
I have come to understand that every one of us has a specific purpose for which we were born. Even though there will be general things we will achieve and accomplish in life; there is however a particular purpose each destiny is made for by God.
Achieving many things without that specific purpose is like a university student that chose to study all elective subjects without choosing the core ones; such a student will either suffer a carry-over; probation or will be asked to withdraw from school.
Moses was born to be a deliverer of the Israelites from the bondage in Egypt into the Promised Land. He committed an error at 40years by killing an Egyptian that set him back from his Divine purpose for about 30 years.
The mercy of God brought him back to that purpose at 80 years. Despite all Moses excuses, God made him commence his purpose.
Exodus 3:10 – Therefore, come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, and then bring My people the children of Israel, out of Egypt.
He was able to lead the children of Israel out of bondage quite alright, he, however, made another error along the way by striking the rock for water instead of speaking to it; such that this purpose was not fully accomplished, as he died at the border of Canaan.
Whatever may symbolise your Canaan, you will get there in Jesus name. Your destiny will not terminate at the verge of your Canaan.
Say: By the mercies of God, I will enter my promised land.
Joshua was raised to finish off where Moses stopped: His purpose was to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land from the verge of River Jordan; to share the land of Canaan into portions for the tribes of Israel as their inheritance, and to chase out the original inhabitants of the land.
It appeared that Joshua tried to fulfil his purpose. He successfully led the Israelites into the Promised Land; he shared the land into portions for them and drove out some of the original inhabitants, but he failed to get rid of some other ones, and these later became thorns in their flesh.
Joshua 13:1- Now Joshua was old and advanced in years, and the Lord said to him, “You have grown old and advanced in years, and very substantial portions of the land remain to be possessed.
When a man forgets his purpose, he is likely going to fall into errors and blunders. Samson was raised by God to deliver the children of Israel from the hands of the Philistines. He was so powerful that no physical power could match his own.
For about 20 years, he dealt ruthlessly with the Philistines; only for him to make blunders that cut his life short end his purpose prematurely.
Errors and blunders that terminate purpose and destiny will not happen to you in Jesus name.
David was supernaturally endowed as a warrior, which has nothing to do with his physical built, his weapons of war or the size of his army. His purpose was to extend the boundary of the nation of Israel.
David never lost any battle. Whenever he fought, he won. He only needed to make himself available to fight.
However, at a point in his life, when he was supposed to focus on his purpose as a man of war, he was enjoying pleasure. Something that later brought him pain and hardship.
You will not lose focus on your purpose. You will not abandon your purpose for another thing in life.
Long before Jesus was born, the purpose of His life was already set by God. Jesus fulfils all to the letter.
Gen. 3:15 – Bruise the head of Satan
Isaiah 9:6-7 – His name. government shall rest on His shoulder.
Isaiah 53:1-12 – Lamb led to the slaughter.
Isaiah 61:1-3 – Spirit of God rested upon Him to preach good tidings; bind; proclaim liberty; the opening of prison; proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord; the day of vengeance of God;
Mt. 1:18-21 – bring salvation to His people
Luke1:30-33 – Sit on the throne of David forever.
Luke 4:16-21 – Attested to Isaiah 61;1-4
Jesus did not make any error of purpose. He lived out His life according to the will of God and was glorified in the end.
As Jesus was been dragged up and down to be tried; he was accused of treason for been called the King of the Jews, which comes from one of His purpose to reign on earth. Pilate first asked Him if he was the king of Jews, and later asked Him if He was a king then.
The answer that Jesus gave to Pilate’s second question is interesting “For this reason I came, for this purpose was I born”. He could not but testify to the truth. He didn’t lie nor hide it from Pilate.
John 18:33-37 3Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” 35“Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?” 36Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” 37“You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
To everyone that cares to listen and know, Jesus did not hide His purpose on earth.
Luke 2:48-49 – His parents
John 4:34 – His disciples
At the end of His ministry, Jesus could authoritatively say that “It is finished”. That which He came for was completed and accomplished.
How many of us can authoritatively say that our purpose is being fulfilled? Are you fighting a good fight? Are you keeping the faith? Are you on course with your destiny?
Fulfilling one’s destiny does not mean you have to become a monk, a priest or even a full-time missionary; except that is what God wants you to do. However, whatever your life is now and whatever it will be in the future, your purpose must be at the centre of that.
Jesus was a teacher, master (Rabbi). But His teaching was different from other Rabbis. It was focused on His purpose. Apart from being a carpenter, Rabbi and prophet, the main priority of Jesus was the Kingdom of God.
How to explain the kingdom for people to understand; how people will be able to qualify to enter that kingdom; what can make one to be disqualified from entering that kingdom; what are obtainable in the kingdom; etc are things that were of paramount to Him.
What effort are you making to enter that kingdom of God?
What effort are you making to take others with you?
The church of Christ is the main vehicle to make people aware of God’s kingdom. What is your involvement with the church of Christ? What part are you playing?
I Cor. 12:27- 30 (Amplified). – Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body, and individually [you are] members of it [each with his own special purpose and function]. 28 So God has appointed and placed in the church [for His own use]: first apostles [chosen by Christ], second prophets [those who foretell the future, those who speak a new message from God to the people], third teachers, then those who work miracles, then those with the gifts of healings, the helpers, the administrators, and speakers in various kinds of [unknown] tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire and strive for the greater gifts [if acquiring them is going to be your goal]
What are you appointed for?
Of what use to God are you?
Are you an apostle? Prophet? Teacher? Miracle worker? Do you have a gift of healing? Are you a helper? Are you an administrator? Are you been used to speak in tongues? Do you interpret tongues? What is your purpose for God’s kingdom?
Every one of us cannot be all these. Every one of us has been endowed however to become one of these. Which one is yours?
In Exodus 17:8-13, the bible tells us how the children of Israel had to fight against the Amalekites. Moses went to pray with the rod of God in his hands. Joshua was at the valley to engage the enemy physically. Aaron and Hur were with Moses to be of assistance to him.
Then Amalek [and his people] came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. 9 So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek [and his people]. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” 10 So Joshua did as Moses said, and fought with Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and [e]Hur went up to the hilltop. 11 Now when Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and when he lowered his hand [due to fatigue], Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands were heavy, and he grew tired. So, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side and one on the other side; so, it was that his hands were steady until the sun set. 13 So Joshua overwhelmed and defeated [f]Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
As anointed as Moses hands were, the battle could have been lost, if not for all those that assisted him.
God is calling on the Joshua generation in this house.
He is calling on the Aaron generation.
He is calling on the Hur generation. Where are they?
Who are the Joshua generation? The young, energetic, zealous, fearless soldiers of Christ. Are you here? God needs you.
Who are the Aaron generation? The elders, the wise, supportive, non-selfish, the patient, those that can persevere, hand steadiers. Are you here? God needs you.
Who are the Hur generation? The loyals. The committed. The dependable. The sacrificial. The reliable and talented ones. Are you here? God needs you.
For this purpose was I born. What is the purpose of your birth? Why have you come to this world? Of what importance are you to God and His purpose on Earth?
What reason can you give God for still been on earth? Is your life and living serving any purpose for God? You can do something about it today.
Prayers
Jeremiah 29:11
Romans 8:28
Father, by your power and mercy, help me to fulfil my purpose in life.
Father, you are a God of purpose, help me to be a man/woman of purpose.
Father, let Your purpose for my life be clear to me.
Father, help me to focus on my purpose in life.
Father, deliver me from all distractions from my purpose.
Father let Your voice and light guide me through my destiny.
Father bless me with all the connections I need to fulfil my purpose.
Father make me strong and grant me victory over all the battles I face in the pursuit of my purpose.
Father, by your power and mercy, help me to fulfil my purpose in life.
Father, you are a God of purpose, help me to be a man/woman of purpose.
The sermon was delivered on 22 September 2019.