Unmerited: Purpose “Where’s my seat?” Matthew 20:20-28 Sometimes we can focus more on our at the table rather than our . How to miss out on my purpose: Proverbs 16:18, Isaiah 66:2, 2 Timothy 1:7 “I want an .” - The seat of “I took the seat.” - The seat of “I can’t a seat.” - The seat of Three solutions to fulfilling my purpose: Acts 3:19, 2 Corinthians 4:18, 1 Samuel 15:22 How do we define our purpose? 2 Peter 3, Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:1-11 God wants to reach everyone, and He wants to use to do it. The best way to connect with us is the Connection Card in the bulletin. For the Digital Bulletin, visit myncc.info. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Support Our Ministry If you found this message beneficial and you would like to help continue our ministries, we would be grateful for your support. Go to northcoastchurch.com/give ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Food for Thought for the week of January 1, 2023 With this weekend’s message in mind, a famous quote summarizes our life purpose this way: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” If you sought to fulfill this purpose in 2023, what instruction from 1 Peter 4:7-11 would you want to hold onto or focus on this year? 1 Peter 4:7-11 New International Version (NIV) 7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. As you look back on 2022, did anyone in your life live out these verses toward you? How did they do this? In the weekend message, we were reminded that pride and fear can prevent us from fulfilling our purpose. To counter this, one of the solutions Trent presented is the importance of maintaining a proper perspective for our lives. Look at 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 and notice Paul’s example for us. What are some personal benefits of adopting Paul’s perspective for your own life? 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 New International Version (NIV) 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Another person in Scripture who gives us insight into purpose is Solomon. In Ecclesiastes 12:13, he ended his book with what he concluded is the purpose of life. Read his take on what that purpose is, and then write out what you think your own life purpose might be in one sentence. Ecclesiastes 12:13 New International Version (NIV) 13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. How might fulfilling this purpose honor God and make 2023 one of the best years of your life?