The Way of Purpose
“In the absence of purpose, time has no meaning, energy has no reason, and life has no precision.” — Myles Munroe
“Everybody ends up somewhere in life. A few people end up somewhere on PURPOSE.” — Andy Stanley
Luke 5:1-11 NIV One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into DEEP WATER, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-20 NKJV And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
The Way of Purpose:
- He calls us.
Matthew 4:19 NKJV Then He said to them, “Follow Me …”
Luke 5:27-29 TPT Afterward, Jesus went out and looked for a man named Matthew. He found him sitting at his tax booth, for he was a tax collector. Jesus said to him, “Be my disciple and follow me.” That very moment, Matthew got up, left everything behind, and followed him. Matthew wanted to throw a banquet to honor Jesus. So he invited Jesus to his home for dinner, along with many tax collectors and other notable sinners.
It’s not the accomplishments, training, or current state of a person that matters to Jesus; what matters is our YES.
The Way of Purpose: - He empowers us.
Matthew 4:19 NKJV Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you …”
Acts 20:32 MSG “Now I’m turning you over to God, our marvelous God whose gracious Word can make you into what he wants you to be and give you everything you could possibly need in this community of holy friends.”
Mark 3:14-15 NIV He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.
Acts 4:13 NIV
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
“Calling is not only a matter of being and doing what we are but also of becoming what we are not yet but are called by God to be.” — Os Guinness
The Way of Purpose: - He sends us.
Matthew 4:19 NKJV Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
What did Jesus come to do?
1 John 3:8 AMP … The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.
Luke 19:10 NLT “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
“Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter.” — Charles H. Spurgeon
“If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.” — Charles H. Spurgeon
Your purpose in life is to take your God-given talents, passions, and resources and, wherever God has placed you, use them to fish for people.
