Continue In Purpose
II Timothy 3:10-17
JOKE: Father: “Son, you were adopted.”
Son: “What?! I knew it! I want to meet my biological parents!”
Father: “We are your biological parents. Now pack up, the people that just adopted you will be here in 20 minutes.”
Intro: Paul is giving a list of “things” that he wants Timothy to continue in. In this list is the word “purpose”. Paul is encouraging Timothy to observe and to follow his example of continuing in the purpose.
One expert said there are 151,928 books on Amazon on how to learn your life purpose.
Many people spend their whole life trying to learn their life purpose, rather than living it.
People spend all day getting tired doing something they hate doing.
I. The Discovery of that Purpose
It is essential for every believer to discover the purpose that God has for them.
Paul’s purpose was made clear to him within days of his conversion.
SEE ACTS 9:10-15
God told Ananias that Saul as a “chosen vessel unto me”.
God revealed His purpose for Saul immediately after his conversion.
NOTE: We may be bad about buying stuff without ever having any use for it. God doesn’t do that!
When He purchased you and me, He had a sovereign plan.
- I Cor. 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
We buy things and then go stuff them in the attic, or garage, or barn, or shed, or closet.
God doesn’t do that!!
I’m afraid that most people spend all their life trying to discover everything else but what matters.
II. The Distinction of that Purpose
In studying out this usage of the word “purpose”, I was amazed at the Greek meaning of this word.
PURPOSE: a setting forth of a thing, placing of it in view, the shewbread
1a) twelve loaves of wheaten bread, corresponding to the number of the tribes of Israel, which loaves were offered to God every Sabbath, and separated into two rows, lay for seven days upon a table placed in the sanctuary or front portion of the tabernacle, and afterwards of the temple
- The shewbread was made out of special ingredients.
- The shewbread was made for a special place.
- The shewbread was made for a special purpose.
- The shewbread was used by special people.
- The shewbread was always in its proper place.
Lev. 24:8 Every Sabbath he shall set it in order before the Lord continually…
Ex. 25:30 And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.
Just as the bread made for the Tabernacle had a very specific purpose, every Christian has a purpose.
It is not just an amazing opportunity – it is our obligation to live up to the purpose that God has.
III. The Declaration of the Purpose
A. Paul Proclaimed it
- 2 Timothy 1:8, 9 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
Paul discovered his purpose in life, and he did everything he could to help others discover that purpose.
- Ephesians 3:8 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:
B. Paul Proved it
- Acts 9:20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
Paul spent every day of the rest of his life fulfilling the purpose for which he was created.