Vital life focus question: What’s my ? 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT) So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Jesus’s purpose was to glorify His Father by saving & serving. John 4:34 (NLT) Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. Luke 19:10 (NLT) For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” God transforms our lives in order to refocus our hearts on being like Jesus. Ephesians 1:17–18 (MSG) I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do… How do I refocus my heart? 3 Questions For Living On Purpose Who’s am I following? Romans 8:28 (NLT) And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 2 Peter 3:9 (NLT) The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NLT) So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” Boredom & brokenness is a result of living my life according to my own plans instead of God's. You have a new God-given purpose: To be an ambassador through which God makes his appeal. What do I have? Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Let your motivation for glorifying God be driven by passion, not only by duty. What special has God given me? Romans 12:3 (NLT) ...Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves,… 1 Peter 4:10 (NLT) God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. God did the work of giving you a special gift, you have to do the work of discovering & using it. SPIRITUAL GIFTS QUIZ HELPFUL? www.northcentral.org/collections/discover-teams You can refresh your purpose at any point in life. 1 Peter 4:2 (NLT) 2 You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. Start by feeding Jesus’s sheep. Mark 1:16–18 (NLT) 16 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 17 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 18 And they left their nets at once and followed him. Matthew 16:18 (NLT) 18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. John 21:17 (NLT) 17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.” CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION 1. Can you describe a phase (or moment) of your life when you decided to pursue God’s plan for your life instead of your own? 2. What is one of your natural passions or most special abilities? 3. Jesus remained hyper-focused on seeking & saving the lost. Even though it nourished him, it cost him his life to glorify His Father. a. How has (or might) your life change if you lived with more focus on making disciples with this purpose : “…whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” ?