My Purpose Must Fulfill God's Purpose
Pastor Erickson teaches from Romans 8:28 and the Great Commission that a believer's personal purpose must line up with God's purpose for His church, which is to make disciples of all people. He calls people to discover their own purpose through a daily place of prayer, their gifts and what fulfills their soul, and not to mistake a position for their purpose.
The message in 6 points
Lacking vision, not purpose
Many people say they cannot figure out their purpose. Pastor Erickson says frustration and distraction are symptoms of a life lacking vision, and that Proverbs 29:18 is not written only to pastors, because every believer must see what God is doing.
40:35Dreamers and visionaries
Peter quotes Joel with the young men seeing visions before the old men dream dreams. He says the elders keep the message strong while the younger generation understands the methods to preach it, and the church needs both: methods change, but the message must stay the same.
43:43God's purpose for His church
The Great Commission tells the church to go, teach and baptize, and the power of the Holy Ghost is given to be witnesses to all people. Jesus chose and ordained believers to go and bring forth fruit that remains, which means spending real time with people, not just sitting in a pew.
48:08Every part making disciples
Ephesians 4:16 shows every part of the body adding to the church. He says the old idea of one minister and a room of listeners keeps churches small, and that Jesus told His servants to occupy till He comes, so each believer must ask whether they are making disciples who make disciples.
59:53Narrowing your personal purpose
At a leadership workshop he learned that people paint their purpose with too broad a brush. Jesus had a short mission statement, David served his own generation until he died, and a position such as pastor is only a vehicle for purpose, so losing a position should not mean losing purpose.
1:09:29Five questions and the leaves of the tree
He gives five questions: where is my prayer chair, what is my natural gifting, what is my life verse, what brings my soul fulfillment, and what do I hope will outlive me. Positions and titles are like leaves that fall in their season, but if the tree stays healthy God will bring new growth and fruit.
1:18:08
In his words
“Whatever we do, methods are going to change, but the message has got to remain the same.”
“My purpose, listen, my purpose is not to be a pastor. Pastor is just a vehicle to fulfill God's purpose in my life.”
“Positions, all leadership titles are just leaves on the tree. They're all going to fall. They're beautiful in the season, they're beautiful in their time.”
Taken word for word from the video, with punctuation added.
Scripture
He reads
Matthew 28:18-20
18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
King James Version.
Romans 8:28
28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
King James Version.
Proverbs 29:18
18Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
King James Version.
Joel 2:28
28And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
King James Version.
Acts 2:16-17
16But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
King James Version.
Mark 16:15
15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
King James Version.
Acts 1:8
8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
King James Version.
Ephesians 4:16
16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
King James Version.
Luke 19:13
13And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
King James Version.
Acts 13:36
36For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
King James Version.
He also points to
Related messages
Also about purpose, identity
Also about purpose, prayer, leadership
March Madness: A Cinderella Story
Also about purpose, leadership