Purpose For Life

Many of you are familiar with Rick Warren's "Purpose Driven Life". The church I pastor has really enjoyed learning more about the 5 key purposes for every follower of Christ.

Worship
Rick Warren says, “Worship is far more than praising, singing, and praying to God. Worship is a lifestyle of enjoying God, loving him, and giving ourselves to be used for his purposes.”

The Bible says that we are to “Use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God.” Romans 6:13b NLT

Fellowship
Loving other believers
“Following Christ is not just a matter of believing, it also includes belonging and learning to love the family of God.” – Rick Warren

Although we will stand before God by ourselves, in the Christian life we are never meant to fly solo. We need one another.

John 13:34-35 (NIV) 34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Discipleship
Discipleship is simply defined as “becoming like Christ”.
Once we are born into the family, it’s time to grow, to mature.
How do we know what Christ is like?
1. Bible Study
2. Prayer
3. Attend a Bible preaching church
4. Mentor (coach).
Part of discipleship is having a mentor (coach).
Most great athletes have a successful coach.
Even Michael Jordan, at the pinnacle of his career, was not above the need for a coach.
I can’t think of any athlete who has been successful without a coach.
I love to sit behind the boys basketball team and listen to the coach as he gives them direction during the time outs. He is intense about getting his team on the same page, running the plays that he feels will work best for the team.

Find someone who loves the Lord, has great wisdom and would take the time to invest in your life.

Ministry
ACTIVE INVOLVMENT
Can you imagine somebody having a dream to win the gold medal in speed skating and yet never getting on the ice to skate, or skiing and never going down the hill? The life of an athlete is about active involvement. So is the life of a Christian.
Use your gift.

1 Corinthians 7:7 (NIV) 7 I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
1 Timothy 4:14 (NIV) 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
2 Timothy 1:6 (NIV) 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

Be faithful with the talents that God has given you.
Excel in your strength

Evangelism
God’s love for people is not to be a secret.
When I was a kid I would often be the one to organize the neighborhood games. I would go to one house and ask the kids if they wanted to play, then we would go to the next, and then all of us would move on to the next house. The more that joined us the better our games were.
Let's be excited about inviting others to give their life to Jesus. The more in heaven the better.