I was recently asked to speak at Vacation Bible School in St. Clairsville Ohio. The theme for the week was “Exploring the Wonders of the God Who Loves Us”. My assigned topic for that particular night was “Wonderful Purpose”. The assigned reading was the conversion of Saul in Acts 9 and Ephesians 2:1-10. It is a challenging thought to consider, “What is my purpose in life?” When I was younger, I had my purpose figured out or so I thought. I was going to take the field every Sunday in the Astrodome in Houston, as I suited up for the Oilers. I spent a lot of time and focus on that dream and for a while forgot the realities of what God’s purpose was for me. Chasing dreams is for every individual, but must be done with God’s commands in mind. Solomon summed up what man’s focus in life should be, “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgement, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 11:13-14). Let us consider the purpose God had for Saul as well as the direction the Apostle Paul gave to the Ephesians.
Saul was a man who had brought great persecution upon the church, thinking that this was the will of God. He was a Pharisee who had excelled in education and training in the traditions of his fathers (Galatians 1:14). Saul had the wrong understanding of God’s will, and before being confronted by Christ on the road to Damascus, had the wrong purpose. After this confrontation, Saul was directed to go on to Damascus where Ananias (who had a vision from God) was instructed to meet with Saul. Ananias, through great fear, questioned God about meeting with Saul because of Saul’s violent history against the Lord’s church. It was then that God spoke to Ananias about the great purpose that Saul would fulfill. But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, Kings and children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake” (Acts 9:15-16). Indeed Saul served a wonderful purpose in his life by spreading the gospel of Christ and he suffered physically, emotionally and mentally for doing so. The man who once brought Christian men and women into prison as well as consented to the death of other Christians (Acts 8:1) would become a great servant of purpose for the Lord.
As Saul had focus and purpose in his life following his conversion, it allowed him to teach others of the great love of God and the hope of eternal life that comes through Christ. The apostle Paul, as he would later become known, made many missionary trips to spread the good news of the Gospel. One trip included a stop in Ephesus. Finding disciples, he began teaching and many were converted to Christ (Acts 19). Sometime after leaving this city and traveling to other cities, he communicated through letter with these disciples at Ephesus. His goal was not only to help them understand their great riches but also to encourage them on their spiritual walk. They had been made alive through Christ (Ephesians 2:1). They were spiritually dead and without hope because of sin at one time, but God showed His great love and mercy so that through Christ they were made alive with Him (Ephesians 2:5). Because of this, they and subsequently, we, are His workmanship (Ephesians 2:10). We are created for good works so that we should walk in them. Our purpose then is not to live a life to fulfill the lusts of the flesh but rather one that is filled with Christ-like intentions. To do the will of the father who is in heaven. We should live by “GPS”, God’s Plan for the Sinner. This plan gives us the route that leads to heaven and directs us to walk humbly (Micah 6:8). It allows us to be fruitful (Colossians 1:10). Not only should we walk with Christ, but we should also be a witness of the greatness of Christ (1 Peter 2:9). Having a purpose for God will allow us to teach (Matthew 28:18-20) and be a light (Matthew 5:14-16). This life of purpose leads us to victory. Jesus overcame the world (John 16:33) and in Him we will also.
The apostle Paul is often looked at for his life of servitude and encouragement for others. Paul once lived a life with the wrong purpose but when directed by God, he became one of the greatest examples of purpose that we can study. Paul thought about his purpose often as he went about living a Christian life. He became a man of great love for the Lord’s church and suffered greatly because of it. The wonderful purpose for you and me is to live with the same mindset. I am a sinner and yet God loves me. I face a decision as to how to live my life and living for God will bring me His mercy. Living for God brings that mercy which gives me hope and God desires for me to have that hope of eternal life (2 Peter 3:9). I pray that God’s servants think often of what lies ahead of them and the purpose that they must fulfill.
Scott is the minister at the Elm Grove Church of Christ. Meeting times are Sunday at 9:30 am for bible class and 10:30 am and 6:30 pm for worship. Mid-week Bible study is on Wednesday at 6:30 pm. All are invited.
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