In the last installment of Pastor Bill’s Down Time message series, we were challenged to settle down in order to better recognize the direction God wants us to take in our lives.
DOWN TIME
Message by Bill Johnston – January 7, 2018
SETTLE DOWN
Two Opposing Concepts: Susceptibility vs Sustainability
Settling down is about the direction of life
The direction of our lives impacts both our fulfillment and effectiveness
The main indicator that we need to settle down is the absence of an ultimate purpose
Definition of purpose in life: Purpose means your reason for being. Something that you seek to fulfill as you move through life. A purpose is different from a goal in that it does not have a beginning or an end. It’s the meaning of the journey, not the destination. The purpose is bigger than any achievement. Your personal purpose is your calling – the reason you were created.
Galatians 1:13-14 You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it. I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors.
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT SETTLING DOWN
1. AMBIVALENCE
1 Kings 18:21 Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent.
2. INCOMPLETENESS
3. DISAPPOINTMENT
Acts 9:3-5 As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!”
WORDS OF WISDOM
1. SETTLE DOWN BEFORE YOU AIM DOWN
Acts 9:6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
Ecclesiastes 2:11 But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.
2. WHAT IS NECESSARY IS RE-CALIBRATION
Re-calibrate is about four things:
a) Finding and retaining clarity of purpose
b) Aligning goals and priorities with the big picture purpose of God in your life
c) Bringing things back into line/focus so you can concentrate on one thing
d) Live a disciplined life in relation to God’s purpose for you
Acts 9:15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.”
1 Corinthians 2:2 For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified.
Acts 13:36 (NIV) …David had served God’s purpose in his own generation…
WHEN YOU SETTLE DOWN, YOU DISCOVER A LIFE THAT IS …
1. HIGHLY MOTIVATING – a life of meaning
2. DEEPLY FULFILLING – a life of significance
3. OBSERVABLY FRUITFUL – a life of productivity
4. INCREDIBLY REWARDING – a life of blessing
TAKE AWAY: DIRECTION OF LIFE ASSESSMENT
Determine whether the direction of your life is sustainable for you
Determine the impact of the current direction of your life
Decide the first thing you need to do to settle down, to discover God’s ultimate purpose and direction for your life
Begin to apply your decision today!
Book Recommendation: Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. You can find this in our Church Resource Centre, or purchase one at Amazon.
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