A Life with Purpose
Romans 15:20-33
* When I was a kid, watching WW2 movies and TV shows was a big thing. One of the things I remember is hearing a guard raise his gun and say, “State your purpose.” Whether someone gained entry or not, depending on them having a stated purpose which was consistent with admission to the building, camp, or headquarters.
* In this same way, Paul wrote to the church at Corinth and clearly stated His purpose. In 1 Corinthians 9 he writes, “I have become all things to all people that I by all means might save some.” I mention this statement because the ink was not dry on the parchment for the letter to Corinthians (to whom he wrote those word) when he continued that thought to the Romans here.
* What kept Paul passionate about the work of the gospel was a singular focus about his life. Did you realize that the reason we can become listless and apathetic about the things of God is that we have too many focuses of our life? Jesus says, “No one can serve two Masters.” James says, “A double minded person is unstable in all his ways.” God says, “You are to have no other gods but me.” Why is this? Because a divided mind, heart, and soul, is like a divided army; which can easily be distracted and defeated.
* Paul lived a life of purpose and through his writings he is encouraging US to do the same. So how do we do this? How do we live a life with purpose? I’ll suggest Paul modeled this life by doing 2 things which we must do;
1. Understanding the Priority – Paul understood his purpose, passion, and priority and NOTHING got in the way. He knew his purpose, understood his purpose, and he lived out his purpose. He did this while the personal side of his life took the back seat. When choices came his way, he sifted his choices through the filter of what mattered most in his life. Four issues which concerned him and controlled his life;
a. The Commitment to Ministry – Paul writes that “my aim is to evangelize where Christ has not been named” and goes on to say “that is why I have been prevented from coming to you.” His commitment to God’s and the work of the Kingdom had total control of his life. When I think of Paul’s life I am reminded of Charlotte Digges Moon, we all know her as “Lottie.” For 43 years she was so committed to China, God’s purpose for her life, that she ignored her own needs, family, and health. Quite likely, she wanted to take care of herself, but felt that God’s call was more important than life itself. Or how about Annie Armstrong. Although people said Annie loved God with all her heart, they would be quick to assert that it was her hands which made such a difference for her. She was busy about God’s work.
* Think about God’s call on your life, that is, your purpose and make a personal determination before God as to where it is on the priority list of your life. A life with purpose is a life committed to God’s call & ministry.
b. The Completion of Ministry - A real commitment to anything is a conscious decision to see it through to completion. Paul says in verse 23, “I no longer have any work to do in this region, area, or provinces.” Did that mean that everyone was saved or that everyone had been presented the gospel? No, what it meant was Paul had completed the ministry that God had appointed him to do in those areas. Honestly, the seed of the gospel had been planted, the work of the Kingdom was healthy, and the believers had been discipled and were assuming the responsibility for Paul so that his ministry could be continued. Did you realize that the call of God to every believer is to “duplicate yourself”. The work of the church and Kingdom is to bring people into the Kingdom through salvation in Christ, train them up in their faith (this is discipleship), and then turn them loose to do ministry. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples” and with these words, the purpose, goal, and aim, for the church, the believer, and the Kingdom was set in stone. Candidly, all ministries (both church and individual) are judged based on these words, “Make Disciples!”
* When two people marry, the words they repeat are what “until someone better comes along”, “until the feeling is gone”, or “until I’m tired of you”? Actually, we say “until death” meaning we are committing to stick it out until the end. This is exactly what Paul is teaching us, that we complete the ministry God has given us. Remembering His purpose for our lives gives us passion and even the motivation to persevere when the going gets tuff. There is an old gospel song which says, “Keep on the firing line.” That’s what we are called to do, complete our ministry.
c. The Connections from Ministry – We have all heard it said and know that ministry is all about relationships. As I prepared this message I was in the home of a 35 year friend who became a friend as a result of ministry. When authentic ministry is performed and completed, relationships are formed which last for eternity. These relationships become so strong because the foundation reaches beyond this world. Over the past 30+ years are men with whom I’ve shared ministry and even today, not having seen each other in years, we have the bond of a strong relationship because of the work we did together. It is this type of relationship which allows you and me to visit a church on the other side of the continent or the world and find a common bond. This is exactly the type of relationship Paul is referring to when he says, “I have longed to see you for years and I hope to see you shortly.” Paul knew that he and his Romans brother would have an eternal connection which could lead to great ministry together. The reason he wanted to spend some time with them was that they may lead some people to Christ. If you want a solid connection or long term friendship in your life, find someone & do some eternal work together.
d. The Consummation of Ministry – Some might argue that the completion and consummation of ministry is the same thing, but I will argue that completing ministry only means that you have nothing left to do. However, when your ministry is consummated, it means you have reached the highest possible mark with it. It’s like the end of a great show which is called the climax, the pinnacle, or even the culmination. Paul had finished his assignment in this region but had one final thing to complete. He had received a love offering for the Jews in Jerusalem. Two Gentile churches had raised sent money to help a Jewish church. They had entrusted the money to Paul because they knew that he had a heart for getting the Jews and the Gentiles together under the cross. For Paul, this could have been what he saw as the crowning achievement of his ministry. Why? Because he saw the bigger picture.
* I submit that for the person who lives a life of purpose under the banner of God’s leadership is always thinking outside of himself. His or her priorities are determined by their love for and commitment to the Father and His call on their life. It’s all about God’s crown creation, people. And in the end, bringing God’s people together from all walks of life, races, creeds, and colors, to a place where they love one another and overlook the worldly differences which exist. What a culmination of ministry. But this is only the first part of a “Life with purpose.” This shows you and me what to do, but Paul always gives us the how.
2. Undergirding with Prayer – In verse 30 Paul writes, “I implore (I.E. urge, appeal to you, beg, beseech, etc) you to agonize (I.E. join me in my struggle, strive with me, working together, etc) with me in prayer.” Here is my personal testimony for the week. When we were in Pensacola struggling with not much success, Deb sent work to and through the ladies on Thursday for a couple of specific requests. On Friday, those requests (one by one) began to be answered in positive ways. Some may say, “it’s a coincidence” but I say, “yes, it is a coincidence – which is what God is in the busy of performing.” Every time I have a need and someone prays—God is “coincidentally” there! (You call it a coincidence and I call it providence). However, it all centers on asking God. Paul gives us 4 ways to ask God;
a. Powerfully – How do we pray powerfully? You might even say to pray powerfully is to pray properly. The secret is found in the 2nd and 3rd person of the trinity, that is God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Our text instructs us to pray through them while other translation says pray “by” them. When we involve, include, and/or engage the Holy Spirit and the Lord Jesus in our prayer, supernatural things begin to happen. Acts 1 tells us that when the Holy Spirit comes upon us we’ll receive power, 1 Corinthians tells us that the Holy Spirit is interceding in our behalf.
* In Acts 8, when Stephen is being stoned we see Jesus (where we are told He is) at the right hand of the Father. When we engaged the name of Jesus we are walking on powerful ground. We have access to the same power that healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, made the lame to walk, and even raise the dead! To sense God’s power and blessing will turn a life from “no purpose” to “with purpose” and from “with purpose” to “on purpose”. This is our Lord’s plan for you and me.
b. Persistently – This call to agonize or strive makes it clear that this needs to be a “ongoing” action. I suggest that too often we pray once and let it go. Paul writes to the Thessalonians, “Pray without ceasing”. This is one of the reasons why we have a 24 hour prayer chain every week. We need to “in the name of Jesus” call people’s names that need to be saved or healed or touched. This need never ends. Know what I wonder? Why is it that a prayer meeting is so low on people’s priority list? Why would a believer actually be heard saying, “If all you are going to do is pray, then I’m not coming.” Fortunately, the first century disciples didn’t feel that way. In Acts 4, when they needed divine help, it was not their action to run away from each other but rather, to get together and call on the Lord for help, leadership, and even strength.
c. Pointedly – The Bible tells us that “you have not because you ask not.” I’ve told you the story of the pastor-friend who ordained me coming to speak at our youth camp. On Thursday of camp, the counselor plays the campers in softball (a grudge match). As was the custom, we bowed our head to pray and ask Bro. Gibbie to voice the prayer. He prayed for all the things which he should (I.E. thanking God for the week, asking for protection from injury, and even asking God to work in our hearts during the camp) and then he prayed, “God, please help the COUNSELORS win this ballgame, AMEN!” My Pastor, Bro Tim, opened his eyes and simply stared in unbelief. With a mischievous grin, Bro. Gibbie defended his prayer by saying, “Preacher, you have not because you ask not.” While this may have been more than a little humorous, the truth is that God expects us to make our requests known to Him. Perhaps He wants us to do this so we can hear ourselves expressing our wants. Paul gives 3 specific requests; safety, service, and for him to be spirit-led.
d. Personally – Reading verse 30-32 we hear Paul use pronouns repeatedly to encourage the Romans to pray for HIM, specifically. Possibly, we need to re-learn the skill of calling people’s name in prayer. Lee Thomas has been here 2 times teaching us the power which is found in specific prayer. You have a problem? Pray. Your friend has a problem? Pray. Someone needs to be saved? Pray. You desire to live a life filled with God’s purpose for you? PRAY.
