Learning to Love on Purpose | Jan. 10
1 Peter 4:7-10
So, what now?
- Matt. 4:18-19; Luke 5:1-11 NIV
Peter left it all, why? Purpose. Jesus had a purpose for Peter.
Having a godly purpose will completely change your perspective on life.
When people lose their purpose for living, all can be lost.
- What is your purpose in life? Why do you exist?
“I exist to empower people to passionately live out their love for Jesus.”
There is a reason why you exist.
FIRST PURPOSE: Be sober
- Be of sound mind
- To have common sense
In order to have purpose, one has to be able to think straight.
SECOND PURPOSE: Watch unto prayer (original)
- Be sober, calm and collected
- unto
- Prayer (addressed to God)
- Offering prayers
Why this purpose?
- To whom do you look for direction in your life?
- To whom do you seek common sense?
- To whom do you look for purpose?
The answer…God.
In prayer, we get in touch with the heart and mind of God who directs our life purposes.
THIRD PURPOSE: Love each other deeply.
Love deeply
- Fervently
- Earnestly
- Intensely
A deep love does so on purpose.
- It is more than words
- It is actions directed toward the one we love
The original wording meant: strained or stretched.
- This love goes to the point of breaking
- It doesn’t care what the cost is, it loves anyway
- It can’t be stopped
Love (agape)
- Brotherly love
- Benevolence
We are to love each other beyond our abilities.
- We can only do this if we purpose to allow God to love in and through us
FOURTH PURPOSE: Allow love to cover sins.
- Sins should not stop us from loving people
- He purposed to love us in spite of our sins
When we realize our purpose in life…
- Know why we exist
- Pray with purpose
- Love each other deeply
- Allow God’s love to cover our sins
Then, and only then, can we know our true purpose in life.
- It is exhibiting God’s grace
Note: vss. 9-10
Be hospitable
- Generous
- Don’t do it out of obligation
- Secret debate with your heart
- God has given us his grace
- Give it back to others
Our purpose in life is to manifest the grace of God to everyone we can.
You and I exist to only do this.
And we can do it out of love.
Questions for the week.
- Do you know why you exist?
- Are you doing all you can to love people?
- What will you do this week to show forth God’s grace to others?