Born for a Purpose!!!

Real Dudes,
I’ll start off by asking each of you this question…What is your purpose in life? Take a few minutes to think about what your initial response would be. What is your purpose in life?

I’ve titled this morning's challenge…Born for a Purpose!!!

Recently I did a word search in biblegateway.com for the word “born” in the Old Testament. I only searched in the CSB and in the NKJV. Below are some facts that I discovered during my study time. 

I’d like to share with each of us…3 Facts about being born. 

Fact Number 1 about being born…we have a Paternal side to us. 
The phrase “born to” is used around 40 times. It’s either used as Born to him or born to _________ (and then lists the father’s actual name, for example: Enoch, Seth, Abram, Abraham, Joseph, Jacob, Levi, Aaron, David, Absalom, Eber, Keturah, Judah, etc.).
What is “born to” in reference to? Born to is used in reference to – the child’s lineage.

• Next…

Fact Number 2 about being born…we also have a Maternal side to us.
The phrase “born of” is used nearly 20 times. It’s either used as Born of woman/women or born of _________ (and then lists the mother’s actual name). 
What is “born of” in reference to? Born of is used in reference to – the child’s humanity.

• And Lastly…

Fact Number 3 about being born…we have an Eternal side to us. 
The phrase “born for” is used less than a handful of times…one to three times total.
What is “born for” in reference to? Born for is used in reference to – the child’s purpose. 

• In Ecclesiastes 3:11 (CSB) we read that “He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts, but no one can discover the work God has done from beginning to end.”
• Because we have eternity put in our hearts by God…He had to send His Son for a purpose…
  • For US/YOU. 
    • Isaiah 9:6a (CSB). In this verse we read “For a child will be born for us…” 
    • In the New Testament we read in Luke 2:11 (CSB) that “Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”
  • To provide for US/YOU an ETERNAL LIFE. 
    • John 3:16 (CSB) For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that [here comes the purpose for sending His Son] so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
• You might be thinking to yourself, “Listen Nate, you have no idea what my life has been like or what circumstances I find myself in today. Right now I truly feel purposeless…like I have no purpose in life.” I urge you…please don’t lose hope. Why?
  • The Apostle Paul reminds us of our purpose in 1 Corinthians 10:31 (CSB) when he says, “ So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.” 
    • Our purpose through any point, circumstance, or situation in our lives is to bring God glory / make His Name famous in everything we do. 
    • This is His purpose for us while He still has us here on this earth, and this is also His purpose for us for all eternity. I hope these facts and reminders are helpful. 
  • My prayer is that after reading this you’ll be reminded of the fact that God has a purpose in everything He does, including in your life. He has a purpose…You have a purpose. You and I were born for a purpose. Let’s praise Him for it, and go live out that purpose. 

Practicing His Presence,
Nate

My wife often reminds me that I live under a rock…for instance, after presenting this message to our Senior Saints at church one of the gentlemen told me that this lesson sounds just like the message in the movie It's a Wonderful Life. I didn’t grow up watching movies, so I haven’t seen it, but I’ll take his word for it, and if you’ve seen it then maybe that movie illustrates this message perfectly for you as well. Enjoy!