Called According to His Purpose #2: Church, Service, Life
Lance discusses the profound purpose of God as revealed in Scripture, emphasizing that believers are called according to His purpose. He highlights that salvation is not merely an end but an introduction to God's eternal purpose, centered in Christ. Lance stresses that understanding this purpose is crucial for Christians, as many only grasp it intellectually without heart transformation. He outlines three key elements for fulfilling God's purpose: giving Jesus His rightful place, recognizing the Holy Spirit's sovereignty, and upholding the authority of God's Word. He warns against the dangers of neglecting these aspects, which can lead to a lifeless, routine faith. Lance also emphasizes the church's role as the body of Christ, designed for spiritual sacrifice, unity, and witness. He encourages believers to grow in maturity, as spiritual immaturity hinders the church's effectiveness. Ultimately, he calls for a commitment to God's purpose, assuring that it will not be thwarted, and urges believers to align their lives with this divine plan, fostering a vibrant, purposeful church life.
Outline of Main Points
- Introduction to God's Purpose
- Salvation as an Introduction to Purpose
- Three Key Elements for Fulfilling Purpose
- Giving Jesus His Rightful Place
- Recognizing the Holy Spirit's Sovereignty
- Upholding the Authority of God's Word
- The Church's Role
- Spiritual Sacrifice
- Unity in the Body of Christ
- Witness and Testimony
- Call for Maturity in Believers
- Commitment to God's Purpose
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
1 Then Job answered the LORD, and said, 2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.
