"Hezekiah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years . . . He did what was pleasingin the Lord's sight . . . Hezekiah trusted in the Lord . . . There was never another king like him in the land of Judah, either before or after his time. He remained faithful to the Lord in everything, and he carefully obeyed all the commands the Lord had given Moses. So, the Lord was with him, and Hezekiah was successful in everything he did." 2 Kings 18:2-7 (NLT)
"(Later) Hezekiah got sick. He was about to die. The prophet Isaiah said 'Prepare your affairs and your family. This is it: You're going to die. You're not going to get well.' Hezekiah turned away from Isaiah and, facing the wall, prayed to God: 'God, please, I beg you: Remember how I've lived my life. I've lived faithfully in your presence, lived out of a heart that was totally yours. You've seen how I've lived, the good that I have done.' . . . Then God said, 'I've heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Here's what I'll do: I'll add fifteen years to your life." Isaiah 38:1-5 (Mes)
"Be careful how you live. Live wisely, not foolishly. Make the most of your time and take every opportunity to do good because evil is everywhere. Don't live carelessly without thinking. Instead, make sure you understand what the Lord wants you to do with your life." Eph. 5:15-17
"If you keep your life clean from sin, you will be an instrument that God can use for his highest purposes." 2 Tim. 2:21
WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO WITH THE REST OF MY LIFE?
1. GOD WANTS ME TO CENTER MY LIFE AROUND HIM!
"LOVE The Lord your God with all your heart . . . and soul and mind and strength. This is the first and greatest commandment." Mt. 22:37-38
THIS FIRST PURPOSE IS CALLED WORSHIP
"A sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christdisplaces worry at the center of your life." Phil. 4:7 (Mes)
2. GOD WANTS ME TO TO LEARN TO LOVE HIS FAMILY
"Let us not give up the HABIT OF MEETING TOGETHER . . . instead let us encourage one another." Heb. 10:25 (TEV)
THIS SECOND PURPOSE IS CALLED FELLOWSHIP
"Those who believed . . . were baptized and added to the church . . .They joined with the other believers and committedthemselves to the Apostles' teaching and fellowship . . . They worshiped together regularlyat the Temple . . . and met in small groups in homes . . ." Acts 2:41-42, 46
NOTE THE ORDER:
1. God wants me to BELIEVE in Jesus
2. Next, he wants me to be BAPTIZED
3. JOIN a church family
4. Commit to regular WORSHIP
5. Connect to a small group FELLOWSHIP
3. GOD WANTS ME TO CULTIVATE SPIRITUAL MATURITY!
"Let us go on . . . and become mature in our understanding, as strong Christians ought to be." Heb. 6:1 (LB)
THIS THIRD PURPOSE IS CALLED DISCIPLESHIP
"By now you should be teachers. Instead, you still need someone to teach you . . . !" Heb. 5:12 (GW)
Action Plan: The Spiritual Maturity team has three great opportunities for growth starting soon. Click here for information Foundations, The Bible Experience, and Financial Peace University.
4. GOD WANTS ME TO CONTRIBUTE SOMETHING BACK
"God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other." 1 Peter 4:10 (LB)
THIS FOURTH PURPOSE IS CALLED MINISTRY
"What can I GIVE BACK to God for the blessings he's poured out on me?" Ps. 116:12 (Mes)
5. GOD WANTS ME TO TELL OTHERS ABOUT HIS LOVE
"Through Christ, God has made peace between us and himself, and He gave us the work of telling everyone about the peace we can have with Him . . . So, we have been sent to speak for Christ!" 2 Cor. 5:18,20 (NCV)
THIS FIFTH PURPOSE IS CALLED WITNESSING
"In our work together with God, we beg those of you who have received God's grace TO NOT LET IT BE WASTED!" 2 Cor 6:1 (TEV)
Action Plan: Read or reread Purpose Driven Life. Consider reading it with your family or with your small group. Click here to purchase a copy of the book.
Action Plan: Sign up now to take your next CLASS (101, 201, 301 or 401). Click here for more information.
Doable Discipleship: This week's episode of Doable Discipleship continues a series on the parables of Jesus. This week dives deep into the parable of the two sons. New episodes release every Tuesday. To watch or listen, click here
Talk It Over: Have you ever discussed the weekend message in your small group? Talk It Over provides weekly small group discussion questions as a way to bring the weekend message into your small group. To view this week's Talk It Over, click here.
