Sermon Central
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Fulfilling The The Purpose Of God For Our Lives
Contributed by Dr. Stanley Vasu on Jun 11, 2008 (message contributor)
Summary: THIS SERMON IS ABOUT FULFILLING THE THE PURPOSE OF GOD FOR OUR LIVES AND DRAWS LESSONS FROM THE LIVES OF 1. JOSEPH 2. NAOMI 3. JOB 4. ELIJAH 5. PETER 6. PAUL 7. JESUS.
FULFILLING THE THE PURPOSE OF GOD FOR OUR LIVES
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OUTLINE
1. JOSEPH
2. NAOMI
3. JOB
4. ELIJAH
5. PETER
6. PAUL
7. JESUS.
THE MESSAGE
FULFILLING THE THE PURPOSE OF GOD FOR OUR LIVES
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1. JOSEPH
The Lord is working in our lives and He makes everything work for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. The Lord even turns the evil intended to harm us into good. Sometimes we may not understand or enjoy the process He takes us through to fulfill his work in our lives. But later we will look back with gratitude and amazement at the process which God took us through to fulfill His plan for our lives. Joseph in the Old Testament went through a very difficult and painful process in his life. His brothers hated him and sold him as a slave to Egypt. He was greatly distressed at that moment and pleaded with his brothers to spare his life. But later in his life after the Lord had established him as a ruler over Egypt , Joseph realised the hand of God in his journey of life. He comforted his brothers and told them not to be distressed over selling him as a slave because it was the plan of God for his life. Joseph realised this important truth in his life and he comforted his brothers by telling them that God had made everything work for good.God wanted to preserve the descendants of Abraham through Joseph in order to fulfill His covenant with Abraham. And through the descendants of Abraham the Messiah the Lord Jesus was born. The experience of Joseph has continued to bless the people of God throughout the centuries . Thus God had a great purpose for the life of Joseph to make him a blessing not only during his lifetime but also throughout human history to inspire His people. The Lord is working in our lives all the time. Sometimes we may not understand what the Lord is doing in our lives. At such times we must simply trust the Lord and believe that He has a purpose in what He is doing . The Lord Jesus told Peter, while washing his feet ,that although Peter did not realise the significance of what Jesus was doing at that time, he would be able to understand it later. Sometimes we may also go through such experiences. Sometimes it may appear as though the Lord is not doing anything in our lives. At such times we must realise that God is always working in our lives , even though sometimes we may not be able to see it . Sometimes God works secretly and behind the scenes and He will reveal His work to us when the time is right.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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" And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
" You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. "
" They said to one another, "Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come upon us."
" Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!
And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.
For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping.
But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
"So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. "
" Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
" Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working."
2. NAOMI
Naomi had a bitter experience in life. She went to Moab with her husband and two sons in search of a better life. Sadly she lost her husband and two sons during her stay in Moab. She decided to return to her hometown Bethlehem. One of her daughters in law Ruth decided to accompany her back. When they came back everyone was excited at the return of Naomi. But Naomi told them not to call her Naomi which means ’pleasant’ but instead to call her Mara which means ’bitter’ . Naomi was very discouraged . She thought that there was no future for her. But the Lord had a great plan for her. Her daughter in law Ruth married a wealthy man named Boaz and had a son named Obed. And Naomi had the responsibility of bringing up the child and the child was called the son of Naomi. In her old age the Lord had a great purpose for her life . The Child whom she brought up was the grandfather of David in whose lineage the Lord Jesus Christ was born. We must not get discouraged by our present circumstances. Through the eyes of faith we must see the blessings that are waiting for us .
