GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSE Lesson 5 PAGE 1

GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSE Lesson 5

BUILDING BLOCKS TO "FULL STATURE" IN CHRIST

III. PURPOSE-CALLING (The second building block in coming to full stature in Christ.)

When we live in God’s viewpoint we will understand His Eternal purpose and our positions as "the called" and "being called."

In this lesson we will deal with the importance of "purpose" and the three phases of our "calling."

A. PURPOSE

First, let us revisit the definition of Purpose: It is a deliberate intention; aim; determination, or resolution.

Secondly, understanding the purpose of something or somebody gives them meaning. In fact, one could say that the size, color, nature and quality of a thing or person is secondary to their primary purpose.

Thirdly, Achieving one’s purpose, includes goals and directions, which requires commitment, patience and dedication, without which we will never reach "the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSE Lesson 5

BUILDING BLOCKS TO "FULL STATURE" IN CHRIST

A. PURPOSE – cont’d

What happens when our life is magnetized by God’s ultimate desire and eternal purpose?

Distractions lose their power
The needle of our spiritual compass will always point to "true north," which is Jesus Christ.
We will remain focused on the plan and those that God has made our ensamples to follow:

Christ

The Apostles,

"And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: (Eph. 2:20,21)

The scriptures teaches us to be "like Him, (Christ)" and to have "His mind."
The apostle Paul tells us to follow him as he follows Christ:

"Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. For many walk…that are the enemies of the cross of Christ: …whose God is their belly, and…mind earthly things. (Phil.3:17,18)

GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSE Lesson 5

BUILDING BLOCKS TO "FULL STATURE" IN CHRIST

A. PURPOSE – cont’d

"Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting." (I Tim 1:16)

"Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God Of peace shall be with you.´ (Phil. 4:9)

"…Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee,…Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. (I Tim. 4:12-16)

"In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. (Titus 2:7,8)

GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSE Lesson 5

BUILDING BLOCKS TO "FULL STATURE" IN CHRIST

PURPOSE – cont’d

What happens when our life is not magnetized by God’s ultimate desire and eternal purpose?

When there is no goal or griping over-all purpose, people generally concentrate on motion,
Instead of working toward a goal we keep changing it and call it "progress."
If we were farmers with that kind of mind, we would probably plant wheat one week, root it up and plant barley the next; then dig up the barley and plant watermelons; then dig up the watermelons another week and plant oats. When Fall comes around we would have no harvest.
We can’t share God’s viewpoint without being born again so that we can receive His life through the Holy Spirit.
It is not new goals we need but a new nature., not new religious menus, but a new appetite.

GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSE Lesson 5

BUILDING BLOCKS TO "FULL STATURE" IN CHRIST

A. PURPOSE – cont’d

Our purpose should include:

Following people (patterns) Whom God has put in our lives to lead us.

To become patterns or examples for others to follow.

To stand worthy, and be obedient to our "call" and "calling."

To keep our purpose as a subset of His Eternal Purpose

Interesting observation.

Perhaps we can’t assimilate ourselves into God’s Eternal Purpose, because we desire ‘things.’ More than we desire God. God does not change goals to fit our appetites but works upon our inner being that we might truly come to have a hunger for God for Himself. Those who have no longing for God Himself, become preoccupied with things and events.

If we, like Solomon, pray for wisdom, to be a blessing rather than receive one, to seek those things above and not those things beneath, perhaps God will give us both. But, if not, one thing we can be sure of, God will supply all of our need according to His riches in glory.

GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSE Lesson 5

BUILDING BLOCKS TO "FULL STATURE" IN CHRIST

B. The Three Phases of our "Calling"

By definition, "calling" is used in connection with one’s vocation, occupation, profession, destination, invitation, or election:

Election can be defined as The act of choosing or the chosen ones. To be selected by the Grace of God and not by the will of man.

In Romans 1:1, we see in Paul’s divine calling the three main phases:

"Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, - called to be an apostle, - separated unto the gospel of God.

General Calling – "Paul, a servant (bondman) of Jesus Christ

Special Calling – "Called to be an apostle,

Specific Calling – "Separated unto the gospel of God

1. The General Calling comes to everyone – "Whosoever will let him come."

To be one of "the called" means we have been positionally taken out of the kingdom of darkness and have been planted into the body of Christ.

GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSE Lesson 5 PAGE 7

BUILDING BLOCKS TO "FULL STATURE" IN CHRIST

B. General "Calling"- cont’d

The day on the Damascus road, Paul, in his own time reckoning, he became one of " the called

Many glory that they are "the called" yet sense little of the present continuous "calling" which means having a living relationship.

Special Calling

To embark on one’s "special calling," one must be prepared to face the bitter reproach and affairs of the crown

GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSE Lesson 5

BUILDING BLOCKS TO "FULL STATURE" IN CHRIST

Three Phases of our Calling – cont’d

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