What’s My Purpose Pastor Nathan Weller May 5, 2019 Series: Living By Design

God provides for us so that we can serve him

11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia… (cont’d) --Acts 16.11-15 ESV

…from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us. --Acts 16.11-15 ESV

--Acts 16.14a ESV One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods… --Acts 16.14a ESV

Your job may not be your purpose

10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” 11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. --2 Thessalonians 3.10-12 ESV

Your purpose is to worship God

--Acts 16.14b One who heard us was a woman named Lydia... who was a worshiper of God. --Acts 16.14b

--Acts 16.14 ESV One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. --Acts 16.14 ESV

My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. --Psalm 82.2 ESV

My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. --Psalm 82.2 ESV --Psalm 42.1-2 ESV

We remained in this city some days. And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. --Acts 16.12-13 ESV

“What then does Christian faith say to this? It opens its eyes, looks upon all these insignificant, distasteful, and despised duties in the Spirit, and is aware that they are all adorned with divine approval as with the costliest gold and jewels. It says, O God, because I am certain that thou hast created me as a man and hast from my body begotten this child, I also know for a certainty that it meets with thy perfect pleasure. I confess to thee that I am not worthy to rock the little babe or wash its diapers, or to be entrusted with the care of the child and its mother. (cont’d)

How is it that I, without any merit, have come to this distinction of being certain that I am serving thy creature and thy most precious will? O how gladly will I do so, though the duties should be even more insignificant and despised...I am certain that it is thus pleasing in thy sight. . . . God, with all his angels and creatures is smiling—not because the father is washing diapers, but because he is doing so in Christian faith.” --Martin Luther--

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. --1 Corinthians 10.31 ESV

Your life should serve your purpose

And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us. --Acts 16.15 ESV

A blessing to say when you wake up: “I thank you, living and eternal King, for returning my soul within me in compassion, great is your faithfulness.”

A blessing to say when you wake up: “I thank you, living and eternal King, for returning my soul within me in compassion, great is your faithfulness.” During your shower: “Blessed art thou Lord our God, Master of the universe, who has sanctified us with thy commandments and commanded us about washing the hands.”

A blessing to say when you wake up: “I thank you, living and eternal King, for returning my soul within me in compassion, great is your faithfulness.” During your shower: “Blessed art thou Lord our God, Master of the universe, who has sanctified us with thy commandments and commanded us about washing the hands.” During a thunderstorm: “Blessed are you Lord our God, King of the Universe whose strength and power fill the world.”

Going to the bathroom: “Blessed are you Lord our God, King of the universe, who formed mankind in wisdom, and created in him all manner of openings and cavities. It is manifest and known before the throne of your glory that if any one of them ruptured or were blocked it would be impossible to survive and stand before you. Blessed are you, Lord, who heals all flesh and is wonderful in his acts.”

Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created. --Revelation 4.11 ESV

What’s My Purpose Pastor Nathan Weller May 5, 2019 Series: Living By Design