THRIVE: Living On Purpose-Bible Study Series
THRIVE: Living On Purpose
Bible Study Series
LIVE UNASHAMED. Knowing the purpose God has given us helps us live with confidence. When we are living out God’s plan and desire for us, the reaction of the world around us is of little consequence.
Introduction
Antique stores. Not everyone is a fan, but my wife and I like to walk the aisles of an antique store. I may find something I can refurbish or repurpose into something else. I often get a harsh dose of reality when I see a toy I played with as a kid. My childhood toys are now antiques.
Occasionally, I’ll see something that’s new and unusual to me. “What is it?” I’m not interested in simply knowing its name; I want to know what it does. What’s its purpose? Knowing the purpose of some tool or instrument I pick up tells me so much. Knowing its purpose tells me why it was invented, who might use it, and how effective it was.
Too many of us go through life without purpose or ever realizing God created us with a purpose in mind. Life can be mundane and even carry a sense of hopelessness, but that was never God’s intent for us. God created us with purpose, and when we discover that purpose in Christ, life takes on a meaning and richness the world can’t offer.
Over these six Bible study sessions, we’re going to see the purpose for which God created us, how we can recapture that purpose, and what it practically looks like to live life with purpose.
Bible Study Lesson
Session 1
PURPOSE QUESTIONED
The Point
Apart from God, life is meaningless.
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
Life can often feel like a hamster wheel.
• The salesman clinches a deal, only to spin again on that wheel to find another customer.
• The fry cook sends out dish after dish, only to clean the grill and start all over again tomorrow.
• You mow the yard, only to have to do it all over again next week.
• You clean the house thoroughly, but before the cleaning supplies are put away, the dust has already started to return.
Do this long enough and you might gravitate to that one question that’s a perennial favorite among three-year-olds: “Why?” While the kid directs his question to everyone else, as adults, we often ask that question of ourselves. “Why am I doing this? What’s it all for?” You can come to the end of your life with that three-year-old’s “why” still reverberating in your head.
The whirl of the hamster wheel can blur your vision to the fact your life has purpose, but that purpose is only realized when you look to the One who gave you that purpose. As King Solomon found out, looking anywhere else for your purpose is meaningless.
Question 1: What’s something you get tired of doing over and over again?
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Ecclesiastes 1:1-7
1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. 3 What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? 4 One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. 5 The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. 6 The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. 7 All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.
“Vanity of vanities” (v. 1). Ever said that? Maybe you’ve said it when work feels like “two steps forward, three steps back.” Or when a relationship goes south, or plans go awry. When life is not going like we’d hope, we can cry out in frustration, “What’s the point?”
Question 2: Which of the images in these verses capture your attention?
I wouldn’t expect someone like King Solomon to feel like that. After all, Solomon was the wisest person in the world. God had given him “a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee” (1 Kings 3:12). Not only that, but God had also given him “both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto [him] all [his] days” (v. 13). Solomon wasn’t stingy with what he had; he was quite generous with his wisdom. Consider all the wisdom he shared in the book of Proverbs, truths that are so encouraging and insightful on how to get the most out of life. That’s why I was initially surprised to read Solomon’s cry of futility. If Solomon, with all his wisdom and wealth, had given up on finding any purpose or meaning in life, what hope is there for the rest of us?
Solomon began Ecclesiastes with an important question: “What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?” (1:3). The key to understanding where Solomon is taking us in this book is the phrase “under the sun.” Life lived “under the sun” (v. 3) is life lived apart from God. It’s a life viewed through the lens of someone who believes there is nothing above the sun, in the heavens. To live life only with a perspective of “under the sun” is to live life with no regard for God, the One who is above the sun. And with no regard for God, we will miss finding any purpose or meaning in life.
Our world continually promises happiness if we accept what it has to offer. Too many of us chase the things of this world. We fill our lives and our minds with the stuff that’s “under the sun,” hoping to push out the thoughts of futility. We can attempt to mask it, but underneath it all is still that thought: “Vanity of vanities” (v. 1).
God has ultimately revealed Himself in Jesus (Hebrews 1:1-4). From the perspective of the Christ-follower, the question changes to: “Apart from Christ, what do we actually gain from all we do in this life?” But even as Christians, we can still struggle with the seeming futility of our day-to-day lives. We live and we die, generations come and go, but the earth keeps going through its repetitive natural cycles. Solomon used three illustrations from nature:
• Life can seem like the repetitive cycles of the sun. “The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down” (Ecclesiastes 1:5). Up and down, and it always returns to its place in a hurry. Do you work hard all the time, but feel like you always end up back where you started?
• Life can seem like the directionless flow of the winds. The wind goes around and around without any apparent purpose or direction. Ever feel like, no matter how fast you go, you’re getting nowhere?
• Life can seem like the never-ending flow of the rivers into the oceans. Rivers and streams continue to flow into the ocean without ever filling it. Does it often feel like the harder you work at some tasks you never get finished?
If you’ve ever felt like your life was pointless, hang on. It’s about to get worse before it gets better.
Question 3: Why do so many people feel unsatisfied, no matter how much they accomplish?
Ecclesiastes 1:8-10
8 All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.
It’s bad enough that what we do in life feels pointless, but the very pursuit of things will wear us out. No matter what we try to experience or own, we come away weary and unsatisfied.
• No matter how much your eyes see, you won’t be satisfied. We’ve all seen things that took our breath away. I’ve had the opportunity to see some incredible sights, such as the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, and the Great Wall of China. Maybe you’ve seen the famous Monet paintings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the “Mona Lisa” at the Louvre. There’s beauty all around us, but all the magnificent paintings, buildings, gardens, and wonders of the world will still leave us unsatisfied.
• No matter what your ears hear, you won’t be satisfied. I don’t know what you would consider music to your ears. Maybe it’s the sounds of wildlife when you’re out in nature, the patter of rain on the roof, or the sound of children playing. Or maybe it’s actual music. I can be enraptured when I hear Gershwin, Mozart, or (to my wife’s annoyance) an opera aria. But when the sounds fade away, what are we left with? We’re left wanting more.
But maybe a new experience will be different. Nope. Being new and innovative doesn’t change things. As Solomon said, “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Let’s not write off Solomon as someone endorsing the Eastern worldview. Eastern religions view history as repetitive, an endless cycle through thousands of reincarnations. They sadly view our lives as reincarnating over and over and over, and some believe even the whole of history will happen again. That wasn’t Solomon’s view. No, Solomon was simply stating the obvious: “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”
Don’t let the advertisers fool you. Companies spend millions trying to convince us that their product is “new and improved,” but nothing is fundamentally new. Book publishers sometimes rerelease a book with a new cover, and sales go up. Even people who already own the book will purchase the book with a new cover. Newsflash: It’s the same book! We see this in other ways in culture. Many of our movies are simply a remaking of the old. Many of today’s fashion trends are recycled styles. Hold on to your old clothes; they’ll eventually come back in style again.
To be clear: All these things we’ve been referring to are not necessarily bad. We can appreciate the security and freedom a good job provides. Parenting children through school, activities, and sports can be rewarding. Working on home improvement projects can provide a level of satisfaction in working with your hands to make differences you can see. Active involvement in church life or volunteering in the community can offer a tangible benefit. Yet, there remains a common cry as we pursue all these things: We’re exhausted. I used to love cycling. Where I lived meant riding up some serious hills. I endured the hard push to get up the hill because of the rush of going down the other side. For too many of us, life feels like we’re constantly going uphill, and we never come to the crest. This takes us right back to where I started this study: the seemingly endless turning of the hamster wheel. We continue to ask the same questions of life that generations before us have. What is life about? How does what I do matter? Though the specifics of culture may change, generation after generation keep asking the same questions. And if we keep viewing life “under the sun,” we’ll keep coming to the same faulty conclusion: It’s all futile!
Question 4: Where do you see evidence that people are experiencing weariness in our culture?
Ecclesiastes 1:11-14
11 There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after. 12 I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
One way many people try to bring meaning into their lives is by building a strong reputation and leaving a legacy. We want to be remembered! I was always proud of my father. As a mechanical engineer, he had multiple patents in his name that were used in the oil field. However, my father has been gone for over twenty-five years, and while his contributions are still used, I daresay no one in his field likely remembers his name. Thankfully, my father didn’t look to these outward contributions for the source of his purpose or significance.
That was Solomon’s sad point in verse 11: “There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.” Apart from Christ, all the work we do in this life adds nothing new and is quickly forgotten.
I think all along Solomon knew his purpose wasn’t ultimately found in these things. From his vast wisdom, knowledge, wealth, and experience, Solomon set out to expose the emptiness of a secular worldview by trying to find meaning to “all things that are done under heaven” (v. 13)—that is, apart from God. His conclusion? It’s all meaningless, “vexation of spirit” (v. 14).
Let me say again that these different areas—pleasure, work, wisdom, possessions—are not necessarily bad. God is a good God, and He allows these things into our lives out of His goodness. God is not an advocate of a joyless existence. But if we look to those things for our purpose, we ultimately lose our main purpose. Some of you might be feeling a little down with all this talk about futility and meaninglessness. Why are we focusing on such a negative topic? The good news is that our bad news helps point us to our ultimate hope. We might question our purpose, but we can find our purpose! That’s the whole point of this study.
The good news is that our perspective is not limited to what is “under the sun.” Our heavenly Father, who is above the sun, created this world through Christ and for Christ (Colossians 1:15-17). All God created is good! Therefore, we can enjoy this world, and we can have confidence that history is moving toward God’s appointed end. As we will see in the sessions that follow, as we seek Christ, all we need will fall into place.
Question 5: In your experience, what are some key ingredients of a meaningful life?
LIVE IT OUT
What will you do this week to view life from a Christian worldview, a view from above the sun, where our Creator God dwells? Choose one of the following applications:
• Read further. Block out some time to carefully read the rest of Ecclesiastes. As you meditate on Solomon’s words, consider what the Lord is teaching you.
• Search your heart. Take some quiet time away from the rush of life and ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart with the question: What am I looking to apart from God for meaning in my life?
• Share the gospel. We are surrounded by people with no purpose. Point them to Christ, the One who gives purpose to our lives.
Bible Study Lesson
Session 2
PURPOSE ABANDONED
The Point
God created us with purpose, but our sin keeps us from living out that purpose.
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
A few years ago, I was given a grand piano. It didn’t cost me anything except the lunch I bought for the men who helped me get it home. While I love to play, I had no intention of playing this piano. A local church wanted it gone because its soundboard was cracked and would no longer stay in tune.
Over the next several months, this grand piano resided in my garage as I slowly worked on it and gave it new life—as a bookcase. With nothing more than another free meal, more men helped me haul this piano bookcase to my office, where it resides next to my lamp—that was once a clarinet.
I love my piano bookcase, but there is something far greater I’d rather have done with it. I wish I could’ve played it. That’s the purpose for which it was built. It’s the same with us. We’ve lost the purpose for which God created us, but instead of returning to Him to regain that purpose, we settle for something less in our lives. Something far less.
Question 1: What’s the most interesting repurpose project you’ve seen?
Psalm 8:1-6
1 O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. 2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. 3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. 6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
Do you remember the first time you saw a mountain rising from the horizon? Or do you recall the first time you stood on the beach and saw nothing but an expansive ocean before you? I don’t know about you, but experiences like that capture my attention. That’s because the greatness of creation reflects the greatness of the Creator. It makes me want to shout with David, “O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!” (v. 1).
His magnificence is not hidden. The planet we live on shouts this in a million wondrous ways. When we look beyond the science that makes this world go around and take in the wonder of it all, we see the majestic God who is behind the laws of science. But God’s creation and His greatness aren’t limited to just our planet: “Who hast set thy glory above the heavens” (v. 1). Consider the moon. Scientists have learned that if the moon were any larger, it would cause all sorts of problems. The earth tilts at a perfect 23.4 degrees, for example, but a larger moon and its resulting stronger gravitational pull would cause the earth to tilt so far in one direction that one side of the planet would experience unbearable heat and the other side would only know a subzero climate. A larger moon also would slow the earth’s rotation, making each day last much longer than 24 hours and creating a harsh climate for life.
When we ponder the greatness and glory of God, we might naturally be drawn to things that are majestic in size, but the miniscule things in His universe also point to Him. Just look at your hand and consider its complexity; how its parts are joined and function together.
In his psalm, David mentioned “babes and sucklings” (v. 2). Though small and often dismissed by others as being of little value, they point to God’s glory. We might think of them as the weakest in all humanity, but weakness in human eyes diminishes neither their strength nor their great worth in God’s view. Even the tiniest infant, who is incapable of coherent speech at this stage of life, is a stronghold that speaks mightily of God to “still the enemy and the avenger” (v. 2).
After establishing the magnificence of God’s glory, David contrasted that to the relative insignificance of humanity: “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (v. 4). David may have felt small and insignificant as he observed the universe, but he knew he wasn’t insignificant in God’s eyes. “For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour” (v. 5). David wasn’t declaring the greatness of humanity, but he was pointing again to the greatness of God.
How astonishing, then, to see how our mighty creator God views humanity out of all His creation. Out of all the wonderful things God has made, it’s humanity alone who have been granted a place a little less than the Lord. We are granted special status to rule over the rest of creation as part of our praise to God.
We were created with a purpose. Humanity was created to take care of God’s creation, to bear His image, and in so doing, bring Him glory (Genesis 1–2). Our first parents, Adam and Eve, were given this specially ordained status as God’s image bearers to rule over creation. We were created to give God praise as we exercise our privilege to rule creation on God’s behalf.
Question 2: How does God’s creation inspire you to worship Him?
Psalm 14:1-3
1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. 2 The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. 3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord.
No one likes to be considered foolish. It spans across cultures, but so much of our humor involves someone doing something silly and foolish. We laugh at jokes where someone is acting dim-witted and foolish. Many of us have said something wrong or planned to embark on some adventure or task only to have someone tell us, “Don’t be foolish.”
“The fool” (v. 1) mentioned by David is not merely someone acting like a buffoon. The Jewish people would have understood a fool to be someone acting senseless in an ethical or moral sense. This isn’t a person who’s acting like a clown; he is draped in immorality. We see this in a man David encountered named Nabal—whose name is the Hebrew word for fool! Nabal knew who David was and what he had done for him, yet he refused to return the favor and be kind and generous to David and his men; instead, it was all about him (1 Samuel 25:3-11).
This type of fool is also godless. As we saw earlier in Psalm 8, the magnificence of God is clearly seen in the whole of creation around us, but the fool is a person who refuses to see it. That truly is senseless! Without a belief in God or fear of Him, the fool becomes his own god, and what such a person does can only be described as corrupt as he worships himself.
I don’t like to think of myself as such a fool, but the sad reality is that I am also corrupt—and so are you. “All together become filthy” (Psalms 14:3). That truth offends people. Certainly, those apart from God don’t like to be labeled as sinners. Without God, they have no standard for right behavior. They are those “that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20). Every day our news includes stories of people doing this very thing.
This passage isn’t just about the really bad people. Culture is full of religious people who wave at their neighbors, take in stray cats, and are nice people who go to church. But they, too, are vile and corrupt. “Don’t say that! I’m a good person. I’m not like them!” Yes, you are.
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags” (64:6; emphasis added). We can put on a good front and look respectable, but sin is more than just an outward expression. The fool’s behavior reflects what he has said “in his heart” (Psalms 14:1). The heart is a reference to our mind, our will, and our emotions, and inside each of us is a push to want things our own way.
This doesn’t mean we can’t be kind or do nice things. But whatever good we do can’t cover over the fact that we are sinners bent on doing things our way. We may not be acting as depraved as we could, but we’re still corrupted by sin. And no good on our part can erase that stain.
Because of sin, we’ve lost our way and we’ve lost our purpose. All of us. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
Question 3: What are some ways people avoid seeking God?
Psalm 14:4-7
4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord. 5 There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous. 6 Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the Lord is his refuge. 7 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the Lord bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
We can point our fingers in disgust at all those fools and evildoers, but I feel sadness for them. We’ve already seen that, as fools, they are senseless. Choosing to be their own gods, they’ve lost all sense, and they are unable to see or understand just how sinful they are. “Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge?” (v. 4). As long as they choose to “call not upon the Lord” (v. 4), they will act selfishly. That can be true of all of us. We all worship something, and if we don’t call on God as God, we’ll call on ourselves. In our self-centeredness, we make ourselves god.
An arrogant heart of sin consumes other people, committing these acts in harm against others as if God doesn’t see or care. Their sin is both the selfish injustice committed against others and their flagrant disregard of God. Up to this point, Psalm 14 can feel disheartening, but there is hope!
• God sees. God is not oblivious to sin, nor is He oblivious to our pain and oppression. David told us earlier that “the Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men” (v. 2). He sees the wickedness, but that also means He sees what is happening to those who call on Him.
• God judges. God takes sin seriously. Sometimes it seems like people can sin without any consequences. We’ve all witnessed this where it seems like people can get away with anything if they know the right people. While we may want them to be held accountable for their actions now, a day is coming when justice will come swift and sure. And when God’s judgment comes, it will be far more thorough and punitive than anything our own justice system can hand out.
• God delivers. God’s judgment should cause dread in all of us! After all, this psalm has made quite plain that all of us are sinners. “There is none that doeth good, no, not one” (v. 3). Thankfully, God has offered a way out. Christ took our sin upon Himself, removing the guilt, penalty, and consequence of our sin. When we come to Him in repentance and faith, looking to Him as our refuge, He sets us free. He delivers.
I hope you see the hope in this. God sees sin—including our own sin. While judgment is coming against sin, Christ took that judgment upon Himself. He loves us that much! With sin removed through His death on the cross, Christ then delivers us into a new life full of hope, righteousness, and purpose. Even if we still encounter sin and oppression in this current world, we have a sure hope that such unrighteousness will not prevail or continue. We can rejoice in the sure hope and promise that “the Lord bringeth back the captivity of his people” (v. 7).
Question 4: How has God restored you since turning to Christ?
Question 5: When has the Lord been a refuge for you during a difficult time?
LIVE IT OUT
God created us with purpose, but our sin keeps us from living out that purpose. How will you respond to the truth learned in this study? Choose one of the following applications:
• Reflect. Take time to reflect on the fact that God has created you for His glory. Are you living your life for His glory or your own? Make any changes necessary to give Him all the praise.
• Confess. What’s a part of your life God is revealing to you that you may be living apart from His purposes for you? Confess that to Him, repent, and thank Him for His forgiveness.
• Forgive. A sign of maturity is sharing God’s forgiveness with others. Is there someone who has hurt you? Ask God for the grace to forgive, even as He has forgiven you.
Bible Study Lesson
Session 3
PURPOSE RESTORED
The Point
Through Jesus, we can be forgiven and restored to the purpose for which He created us.
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
Paint doesn’t last. It fades. It cracks. It peels. Live in a house long enough, and you will find yourself needing to repaint any exterior wood. I’ve had to do that twice over the years.
When I paint, though, I’m only dealing with one color. Wash the wall, scrape away anything that’s peeling, and slap on a new coat. Manageable. But dealing with hundreds of colors that have faded and been covered with years of grime is something altogether different. Art restoration is a monumental task best not left to people like me. Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper,” the fresco painted on a wall at the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie, began to deteriorate shortly after da Vinci put his brushes away. Since its completion in 1498, the painting has undergone seven attempts at restoration, and the last one took twenty years.
We need restoration too. We’ve lost our way, wandered from God, and painted over the abundant life and purpose God created us for with the dull color of self and the grime of sin. No DIY effort will do. We need the Master Restorer.
Question 1: What are some of your favorite pieces of art or music?
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Acts 3:14-18
14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; 15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. 16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. 17 And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. 18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
Few people like interruptions. I don’t, but I’m trying more and more to see interruptions as opportunities. That’s what the apostles Peter and John did. In Acts 3, these two followers of Jesus were headed to the temple to pray. Prayer is certainly an important and needed practice for all of us, but Peter and John were interrupted. They encountered a lame beggar, but instead of giving him a few coins, they gave him something better. Peter said, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (v. 6).
The man was immediately healed, and he was able to do something he had never done before: “he … walked, and entered with them” (v. 8). His lameness had barred him from coming in. But the man didn’t just enter; he was “walking, and leaping, and praising God” (v. 8). I think even today someone leaping around would draw a crowd, and a crowd was definitely what formed in the temple that day. Peter seized this interruption and turned it into an opportunity to talk about Jesus.
Peter began with a question that had an obvious answer: “Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this?” (v. 12). Why? A disabled man who has never walked is leaping around! Yet to Peter’s point, this man was healed, not by the two apostles, but by Jesus. Giving health and healing to people was routine work for Jesus, all in a day’s work. Peter was clear in giving the honor and glory to Jesus.
Peter then turned the attention away from the healed man and on to the crowd themselves. He had brought Jesus into the conversation, but then said, “But ye denied the Holy One and the Just …. And killed the Prince of life” (vv. 14-15). That was a serious and sobering accusation; the Greek meaning behind “denied” doesn’t necessarily mean they didn’t believe, but that they refused to accept. Even though the people were aware of Jesus’s teaching and incredible miracles, they didn’t want Him. In addition, Peter wanted them to understand that they didn’t just reject some itinerant rabbi; Jesus is “the Holy One and the Just” (v. 14). This wasn’t lost on the Jewish crowd. Peter was referring to Jesus as God’s Messiah. Here was God’s Messiah—the very source of life—in their midst, but they rejected Him and killed Him.
Thankfully, that wasn’t the end of the story. God raised Jesus from the dead. This wasn’t hearsay or wishful thinking. Peter and John stood there as witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus.
Because Jesus is alive, He is still at work. He works on our behalf as we place our “faith in his name” (v. 16). The name of Jesus isn’t some magical word; even for us, our names represent the whole of who we are. So to put faith in the name of Jesus is to believe in and trust in Jesus’s authority. Because Jesus is alive, putting our faith in Him is still as life transforming as it was for this once crippled man.
But how much faith does it take? We don’t know how much faith or understanding this crippled man had, but when Peter said, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (v. 6), it was enough for the man to take hold of Peter’s hand. Mustard seeds are incredibly small—1/8th of an inch in diameter—but Jesus said, “For verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Matthew 17:20). And nothing is impossible! A man stood with Peter and John who could attest to that. Beyond the physical healing, Jesus healed him spiritually. And He can do the same for you.
Question 2: Where do you see evidence in our culture that people need restoration?
Acts 3:19-21
19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
“I’ve got good news and bad news. What do you want to hear first?” One study found that those delivering the news prefer to give the good news first. They see it as a way to ease into the bad news. But the same study found that those hearing the news prefer to hear the bad news first. We like ending on a positive note.
Peter had led with the bad news first. The bad news was wrapped up in the healing of the crippled man, but there it was: You killed the One who is the source of life! You may have acted in ignorance (v. 17), not fully realizing the implications of denying and rejecting Jesus (vv. 13-14), but it’s still bad news. You had a hand in crucifying the Son of God.
Peter now followed with good news. Their past actions weren’t the end of the story if they acted upon the next words Peter spoke: “Repent ye therefore, and be converted” (v. 19). Change your mind about Jesus and the life you have been living apart from Him. This is more than altering and tweaking your opinion of Jesus; it’s a complete change in direction. Picture the soldiers on parade who are given the command, “About face.” They turn around in the opposite direction. That was the call issued to the crowd that day, and it’s the invitation we’re given.
Peter points to three things God does when we repent and turn back.
1. Your sins are blotted out. “Blotted out” (v. 19) carries the meaning of “erased.” Ink didn’t soak into first-century parchments as ink does on our modern-day paper. A wet sponge could erase whatever was on a parchment in the same way we might erase a whiteboard today. It doesn’t matter how stained we are from our past failures, rebellion, and sin; Christ’s death on the cross fully erases and makes us clean.
2. Seasons of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord. Jesus doesn’t just remove the bad; He replaces it with something good! For most of us, Fall is quickly approaching. Depending on where you are, you may have already begun experiencing the hints of Fall. After the sweltering days of August, that first day you step outside and feel a significant change in the temperature is so refreshing. After a life of sweltering sin, the cool breeze of forgiveness is so refreshing.
3. He will send Jesus, who has been appointed for you as the Messiah. We can experience the forgiveness and refreshment of His presence in our lives, but that is only an inkling of what’s to come when Jesus returns to set up His eternal kingdom.
Question 3: When have you seen repentance lead to restoration?
Acts 3:22-26
22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. 23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. 24 Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. 25 Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. 26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.
One of the most offensive statements a Christian can make is that Jesus is the only way to God. We are viewed as arrogant and narrow-minded because we take Jesus at His word when He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). But that isn’t just the sentiment of people on the outside looking at the church; up to 70 percent of people who claim to be Christians say there are more ways to God.
Peter would certainly disagree with that erroneous viewpoint. He heard Jesus speak that claim of exclusivity with his own ears. If there’s more than one way to God, why did Jesus have to die on the cross? Even Jesus Himself prayed, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me” (Matthew 26:39). There was no other way, and Jesus went to the cross.
Question 4: What other paths do people attempt apart from Christ to find salvation?
If anyone thought they had an inside track into coming to God, it would be the Jews. They were descendants of Abraham. God Himself gave the Law to Moses. They had God’s spokespersons, the prophets. They had the covenants, the special relationships God established with His people. But that wasn’t enough. Even Moses, the highly esteemed leader of the Jewish people, spoke of Another. “A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you” (Acts 3:22). The prophets also pointed to Him.
I love reading the Old Testament. On average, I read through the Bible three-to-four times every year, and I do it because I love reading God’s Word. And every time I go through the Old Testament—every time—I see Jesus the Messiah. After His resurrection, Jesus taught two confused disciples on the road to Emmaus: “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27).
The Hebrew Scriptures—the Old Testament—make a big deal about the Messiah. As Moses said, “Him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you” (Acts 3:22). When Moses said to listen, he used the Hebrew word shama, which means more than hearing the words. It includes action. We hear something, and we act upon what we hear. Parents understand this. If you’ve ever had to say firmly to a child (or a thirty-year-old living in the basement), “This room needs to be clean”—and then added with a dramatic pause—“Do you hear what I’m saying?” you understand the Hebrew! You’re not just passing on information; you expect something to be done with that information.
Listen to the Messiah and do what He says. Repent and turn to God. He’s the only one worth listening to. There’s great news because He wants us to come to Him. He wants to save us. He wants to bless us. But it’s through Him—and only through Him.
Question 5: How has your life been blessed because of Jesus?
LIVE IT OUT
Jesus wants to restore you to the purpose for which you were created. What will you do with that truth? Choose one of the following applications:
• Repent. Restoration begins by coming to Christ in repentance and faith. If you’ve never made a commitment of your life to Christ, you can do so now. Talk to someone in your Bible study group about your desire to follow Christ.
• Refresh. Even as a Christian, life can be challenging. Thankfully, you’re not alone. Spend some focused and unhurried time with Jesus by praying and reading His Word. Let His Spirit wash over you to keep you strong.
• Restore. Let others see Jesus in you as you live out a renewed and restored purpose. You can’t restore others to their purpose in Christ, but you can be a testimony to them of how Christ restores. Be ready to tell your story to all who are willing to hear.
Bible Study Lesson
Session 4
PURPOSE LIVED
The Point
We live out our purpose as we are led and filled with the Spirit.
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
In 1901, oil was discovered in Texas, right at the time America would begin craving oil. Prior to this, oil was used chiefly for kerosene lamps. But the dawn of the 20th century brought with it the invention of the internal combustion engine. Cars, airplanes, and the neighbor kid’s noisy little motorbike soon followed. Suddenly, we had a great need for oil—and lots of it.
A lot of Texans were just eking out an existence until oil was discovered. Great wealth lay under people’s land in Beaumont, but it wasn’t doing them any good. It wasn’t until a mining engineer named Anthony Lucas drilled a well that sent oil gushing up 1,000 feet in the air. With the oil came prosperity for so many.
Most of us live our lives like it’s 1900 in Beaumont, Texas. We’re getting by without ever realizing the great potential that resides within us. If you are a follower of Christ, He has placed His Holy Spirit in you. The same God who brought this universe into existence and raised Jesus from the dead is living in you!
Question 1: What’s something people in your hometown love to brag about?
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Galatians 5:16-18
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Once we come to Christ and we have a newfound purpose in Him, one might think all our problems disappear. Nope. We’ve been freed from the penalty and power of sin, but sin doesn’t want to roll over and play dead. Sin is a habit too many of us are used to, and we easily give in to the pull of the old sin nature. Paul referred to this as “the flesh” (v. 16), that nature we’re all born with that once enslaved us to sin.
The antidote to the old sin nature doesn’t reside in our ability. We don’t simply try harder not to sin. We’ve been given the Holy Spirit. The moment you trust Christ for salvation, He comes to live in you through the presence of His Holy Spirit. God Himself comes to indwell you and empower you to holy living.
Many terms could be used to describe what it means to be a Christian, but my favorite is the one Paul used: a walk. The Christian life is a journey. As we walk through life, Christ walks with us. As we encounter challenges along the way, His Holy Spirit strengthens us to stand. It’s a journey toward Christlikeness that will end only when we stand face-to-face before God.
Paul emphasized this walk to the Christians in Galatia because others were telling them to follow the Jewish practices outlined in the Old Testament law. But Christ set them free from rule-following. Instead of walking in accordance with a bunch of dos and don’ts, we’re to “walk in the Spirit” (v. 16). The Spirit equips us and empowers us to live in full obedience to God.
Let me state this plainly and bluntly: The only way any of us can do what is right is when we walk by the Spirit. Relying on any aspect of ourselves—the flesh—won’t cut it. In fact, the flesh will always pull us in the opposite direction. The “flesh … and the Spirit” (v. 17) are at war within the believer. The desires of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit are not merely different, they “are contrary the one to the other” (v. 17). They are incompatible. The flesh will always lead us to sin, but the Spirit leads us to forsake sin and pursue the purity to which God has called us.
We see this in the phrase, “Ye cannot do the things that ye would” (v. 17). You may want to do what God desires, but your flesh entices you to fail, resulting in sin. This was clearly Paul’s view in Romans 7:14-25, where he said his flesh caused him to fail at doing what he really wanted to do.
The solution to the problem is simple: walk by the Spirit. But how do we do that? When Paul wrote to the Colossians, he instructed them to “set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). When our minds are occupied with the things of this world, we have difficulty keeping in step with the Spirit. On the other hand, when we dwell on the things of God’s kingdom, we find the Spirit leading our lives more easily. Saturating our minds with Scripture has a way of pushing out the ways of this world!
Question 2: What does walking by the Spirit look like?
Galatians 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Paul illustrated the difference between walking by the flesh and walking by the Spirit by offering lists of those actions and attitudes that characterize each. He began with “the works of the flesh” and noted that these works “are manifest” (v. 19). Unfortunately, the obvious nature of sin isn’t always recognized in our society. Our culture is seeking to normalize what the Bible identifies as sin, but for the Christ-follower, the one who has been indwelt by the Spirit and given a new purpose, these flesh-based characteristics should be obvious.
We can divide these characteristics and works of the flesh into four groups.
1. Sexual sins. These include “adultery, fornication, uncleanness, [and] lasciviousness” (v. 19). Adultery is a general term referring to any illicit sexual activity. The word translated fornication means “unclean” or “dirty.” Paul used it to refer to moral filth. The word translated lasciviousness can also be translated as “sensuality” or “lewdness.” Paul used the three terms together to sum up the whole realm of sexual sins.
2. Spiritual infidelity. When people commit “idolatry” and “witchcraft” (v. 20), they’re looking to other things as their gods. Idolatry involved the worship of “gods” made by human hands. That’s still a temptation in many places in the world today, but Paul also identified greed as idolatry (Colossians 3:5). Idolatry occurs when we place anything before the lordship of Christ. The word translated witchcraft is pharmakia from which we get the word pharmacy. In witchcraft, the use of drugs was often accompanied by incantations and appeals to occultic forces.
3. Relational sins. These are sins seen in our relationships: “hatred, variance, emulations, wrath” (Galatians 5:20). Each of these sins creates tension with others, erects barriers between people, and destroys relationships. Whether it’s the cold stare of hatred or the hot outburst of angry words, these actions embody the flesh. Relational sins include improper leadership and divisions between people. Paul added “strife” (v. 20). Ambition (strife) isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it becomes so when personal desires are placed before others.
“Seditions” and “heresies” (v. 20) are two ways of dividing people. Paul addressed such ruptures in the fellowship of the Corinthian church. “Envyings” (v. 21) is also disruptive to relationships. One scholar described envy well: “Envy is the desire, born of bitterness, to see a person deprived of the rewards his or her virtues and efforts have justly won, whether one wants such for oneself … or simply wishes the other to be stripped of them.”
4. Sins of decadence. Paul warned against “drunkenness” and “revellings” (v. 21). Revellings is mentioned three times in the New Testament. Each time it’s linked to drunkenness and could be identified with wild parties. A lifestyle of indulgence, including drinking and boisterous behavior, is inconsistent with the life of a Christian.
This list of sinful actions isn’t exhaustive. Paul concluded with “and such like” (v. 21). His conclusion is sobering: “They which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (v. 21). Any Christian can look at that list and see something they’ve done wrong, even as a follower of Christ. Christians can still struggle with anger. Lust enters the mind. Unfortunately, a Christian who hasn’t drunk alcohol in years can give into that temptation. We can even engage in envy over the way God has blessed someone else!
Yes, we still sin, but Paul’s warning about those who won’t inherit the kingdom of God is about “they which do such things” (v. 21). These people have a regular practice of sinning. This is continuous behavior for them. Living in the flesh is a lifestyle. Anyone who calls himself a Christian but lives a blatant, ongoing life of sin is someone showing no evidence of salvation. “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:20).
Question 3: What are the consequences of tolerating works of the flesh in our lives?
Galatians 5:22-26
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Question 4: What are some habits that help you crucify the flesh?
Paul followed his list of fleshly traits with a list of characteristics of the one who walks by the Spirit. Paul identified these traits as “fruit” (v. 22), which is such an apt description in light of Jesus’s description of our relationship with Him as the vine and the branches. The fruit Paul described in these verses is fruit the Spirit produces as we cling to Him. Greg Pouncey helps us understand the fruit listed in three groups.
Fruit tied to our hearts and minds.
• Love is key in the life of the Christian. Love permeates all of God’s work from creation to His interactions with humanity, including the biggest display of His love through the death of Christ. The love God pours into our hearts enables us to love Him and others.
• Joy means more than just happiness. It’s the inward experience produced by the grace of God that enables us to enjoy and celebrate life in Christ regardless of circumstances.
• Peace is also not dependent upon outside events. It’s related to the Hebrew term shalom, which is more than the absence of conflict; it carries the idea of wholeness.
Fruit tied to our relationships.
• Longsuffering means that the believer has a long temper (as opposed to a short fuse). Unrestrained anger is the work of the flesh, but those who walk by the Spirit are slow to anger. When the Holy Spirit takes control, we take on the traits of God.
• Gentleness means being helpful and honest with others and treating them well. It overlaps in meaning with goodness.
• Goodness refers to the generous attitude believers are to have toward others. It involves acting in good ways toward others, even when they don’t deserve it.
Fruit tied to our conduct.
• Faithful means to be trustworthy and reliable.
• Meekness describes a person who has a teachable spirit in relation to God, A submissive, humble attitude before God is seen in the consideration we show toward others.
• Temperance involves mastery over our emotions, impulses, desires, and passions. Living by the Spirit means bringing our conduct under His control.
It’s only when we walk by the Spirit that we are able to live out our purpose and display these godly character traits. When we walk in the Spirit, we naturally live as God desires. The law can’t make us good, but the Spirit dwelling in us has the power to change us.
Question 5: Which aspects of the fruit of the Spirit do you need Him to grow in you?
LIVE IT OUT
Living out God’s purpose depends on your walking by the Spirit. What will you do with that truth this week? Choose one of the following applications:
• Assess your walk. Examine your life for areas where you follow the flesh. Confess those sins, turn from them, and ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit.
• Invest time. Walking by the Spirit requires setting aside time for Him. Determine when and where you can meet God each day. Make it an unwavering habit to spend time with God every day.
• Redirect your thoughts. Walking in the Spirit means we “[bring] into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). Begin the habit of relying on the Spirit, so that your thoughts are honoring to Christ. Memorize a helpful verse like Philippians 4:8.
Bible Study Lesson
Session 5
PURPOSE EXPRESSED
The Point
We fulfill our purpose as we serve others in love.
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
If you’re a Baby Boomer, you’re a part of what was called the “Me generation.” Boomers were considered narcissistic and self-focused. However, a while back, Time magazine labeled Millennials as the ME ME ME generation.
This self-centered focus Millennials inherited from the earlier generations is prevalent throughout our society. It’s not limited to one generation. We’re seeing this all around us, and what we’re losing in this shift is a focus on the community. We don’t think about others.
In the past twenty-five years:
• Patriotism has dropped from 70 to 38 percent. A connection to other citizens has become unimportant.
• Interest in having children has dropped from 59 to 30 percent. A connection to family has become unimportant.
• Involvement in the community has dropped from 62 to 27 percent. A connection to our neighbors has become unimportant.
There’s a greater way to live. When we stop looking to ourselves to make us happy and look to Jesus, life becomes more than about self. It leads us to see others, to love others, and to be involved in their lives.
Question 1: What do you appreciate about the different generations?
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Galatians 6:1-5
1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. 4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
You’ve been given a purpose in Christ. That’s the beauty of the gospel: Christ restores you to be the person He created you to be. Living out that purpose can be hard, yet here’s where the beauty of the gospel shines again: You’re not left alone to live out that purpose in your own power. In our previous Bible study, we saw that God has placed His Holy Spirit in every believer, and as you walk in His Spirit, letting Him fill you and empower you, you live out that purpose. You may be wondering, though, “What exactly is my purpose?” I like the short and succinct way our purpose is stated in the Westminster Shorter Catechism: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.” We bring glory to God as we serve those around us, those He has brought into our lives.
The Christian life isn’t meant to be lived alone. When you come to Christ, you come to the body of Christ—the church. We’re in this together. We have a responsibility to help each other grow in Christ, and that includes dealing with sin and error. We’re called to serve by helping to restore the other person. The word “restore” would’ve been used in the first century to set a dislocated or broken bone. When we restore a person, we’re seeking to bring healing to their walk with Christ. Paul gave us four ways to step in to help a person.
1. Step in with grace. I’m thankful for those who, in times past, stepped into my life to help me see “the error of my ways.” This was never done with an attitude of self-righteousness or spiritual arrogance, but it was done to help me walk with Christ as I should. Paul called us to this with a gentle spirit. A gentle spirit doesn’t dismiss sin or downplay its consequences, but it approaches the individual with sensitivity and understanding.
2. Step in with caution. Paul also stressed watching ourselves so we “also [not] be tempted” (v. 1). As we grow in Christ, we hopefully sin less and less. I’ve discovered that as God convicts and gives me victory over some sin or sinful habit, He also begins to show me other areas where I’m prone to sin. None of us will reach perfection until we’re face-to-face with Christ in His kingdom. And while we’re on this earth, the old, defeated sin nature will still try to rise up and lead us into sin. We should never let our guard down.
3. Step in with humility. Stepping in to help someone else while being fully aware of our ability to fall into sin calls for humility. We never help anyone when we’re harboring arrogance or spiritual pride. We know we’re sinners under the grace of God. We don’t help anyone if humility is absent. As Paul said, “For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself” (v. 3).
4. Step in with love. When we carry each other’s burdens, we fulfill the law of Christ. That’s love. The burdens Paul was referring to in verse 2 can be more than the burden of sin, but that’s certainly a good place to start. We’re called to love and support one other with whatever burdens and challenges they’re facing.
At first glance, verse 5 seems contradictory to this: “For every man shall bear his own burden.” If each of us is responsible for carrying our own load, then why are we also told to help someone else with theirs? Isn’t that person supposed to follow verse 5 and carry his or her own load?
There’s a difference in the wording here. “Burdens” in verse 2 is a heavy weight, and “burden” is something lighter that we can carry as we walk with Christ. I view my burden as those things that are my responsibility. Of course, those responsibilities can at times overwhelm us and feel like a burden. Take, for example, a father with a special needs child. He has the load, the responsibility of being a parent to his special needs child, but he carries the burden of meeting all the challenges that accompany those special needs. A single mother may have the responsibility of providing for her kids, but she carries the burden of being there to help her kids with homework or getting them to school because she is working two jobs. It’s her responsibility, but out of love, we can step in to help ease her burden. That is fulfilling the law of Christ.
Question 2: When have you needed someone to help you carry a burden?
Galatians 6:6-8
6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Another way we can fulfill our purpose through serving others is by being an encouragement to them. As a pastor, I hear a lot of “good sermon” comments at the end of a worship service. I know most of the people are sincere, but it can feel like that thing you’re supposed to say to the pastor. However, when someone comes to me later and gives me a specific example or reason why a sermon helped him, that carries a lot of weight for me. What a gift of encouragement!
Paul’s words imply more than a nice pat on the back. Paul was encouraging his readers to help support those who teach God’s Word. Let’s serve those who serve us. Those who step into ministry don’t do it for the money; it’s a call from God. The percentage varies from state to state, but over half of pastors have to supplement their income with another job. These bi-vocational pastors do incredible work on little pay, and as we have the opportunity, let’s do all we can to support them.
We will reap benefits as we step in to serve others, whether it’s financial support or a word of encouragement. “For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (v. 7). Paul isn’t advocating the erroneous belief in karma here. God doesn’t work under some impersonal manner of cause-and-effect: do good and good things happen to you; do bad and bad things happen to you. To believe that is to fall right in line with Job’s three friends who were convinced Job was suffering because he had sinned.
Nevertheless, there is a biblical principle at play here, and agriculture helps us to understand it and differentiate it from the belief in karma. When a farmer sows a particular seed, he expects to reap a particular harvest. Karma is random. Speak angry words to your spouse and later that day your car gets a flat tire. There’s no true cause and effect there; that’s just two unconnected events. Plant tomato seeds in your backyard and you can expect tomatoes. Agriculture isn’t random, and neither are the spiritual principles that govern our lives.
The spiritual principle Paul was stressing here takes us back to Galatians 5:16-26, and the contrast between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. Carrying out the desires of the sin nature reaps nothing positive or beneficial, but walking by the Spirit and letting Him produce His fruit in us reaps all the benefits tied to eternal life!
We don’t serve because it means some kind of reward for us; we serve because we love Christ, and we love those He has placed before us. We don’t give in order to get! To act out of selfish motives is wrong, and God is not fooled by our outward behavior. We’re only deceiving ourselves because “God is not mocked” (v. 7). Doing good to others may look good to yourself and those around you, but God sees the heart. Ambition is good; selfish ambition isn’t—and selfish ambition is listed among the works of the flesh (5:20). There’s no inheritance tied to such behavior (v. 21), only destruction. As God said through the prophet Hosea, “They have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind” (Hosea 8:7a).
Question 3: When has sharing with others been a blessing to you?
Galatians 6:9-10
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Question 4: Why might we get tired of doing good?
Because “he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (v. 8), “let us not be weary in well doing” (v. 9). At the moment we are serving, we may be tired. We may wonder if we’re really making a difference. Farmers may have moments like that too. The field is planted, and nothing seems to be happening. A lack of rain can make a farmer think all has been in vain. But as the farmer continues to work the field—and as we continue to work the field God has given us—a harvest will occur.
We may not always see the benefits of working “good unto all men” (v. 10), but let’s trust God for the opportunity He has given us. The Greeks used two words for time. Chronos had to do with chronological time, and it’s the more common way we use the word. We check our watches to know the time, the chronos. The other word for time was kairos, referring to a special or appointed time. That is the word Paul used for opportunity (v. 10). As we’ve been given this moment in time, let’s seize it for the opportunity it is to honor God and serve others.
We’re to do this for anyone with whom we come in contact but “especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (v. 10). We don’t ignore others, but when the family of God supports one another, we put the gospel on full display. This takes us right back to verse 2: “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” We’re there for each other. That’s the idea behind the word koinonia. If you’ve been a believer for a while, you are likely familiar with this Greek word that we use for “fellowship.” Fellowship is a part of koinonia, but the idea goes much deeper. Koinonia means to share in common. As followers of Christ, we have koinonia because we share in common a relationship with Christ. We are made one in Him.
Koinonia means that we’re in this Christian life together. Since we’re one in Christ, your burdens affect me. In one sense, they become my burden. Your burden is still your burden, but the law of Christ—love—compels me to share it in countless ways. Words are helpful. Handshakes are nice. But when you walk alongside me and do something practical to help me, that’s a tangible expression of love beyond words.
Question 5: What are some ways we can work for the good of all, especially in the church?
LIVE IT OUT
We fulfill our purpose as we serve others in love. How will you live out that truth this week? Choose one of the following applications:
• Encourage. Think of those who played a key role in teaching, discipling, or mentoring you. Find a tangible way to express thanks and “communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things” (Galatians 6:6) with one or more of them.
• Seize. Ask God to make you aware of any opportunity during the day to serve someone else. Seize that opportunity and serve as a way to honor God.
• Restore. If you’re aware of another follower of Christ who is struggling with sin, come alongside that person. Without arrogance or condemnation, offer a gentle reminder of God’s call to repent and to live an obedient life for Him.
Bible Study Lesson
Session 6
PURPOSE EXEMPLIFIED
The Point
God is glorified when we live with Christ-centered purpose.
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
There are two types of artists:
Those who paint and hope someone buys it.
Those who are asked to paint.
No one would pay for a painting from me, not even at a garage sale. But there are others who have a reputation for their art. People seek them out and pay them to paint something very specific.
Michelangelo was one such artist. He was commissioned in 1508 to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. He saw himself as a sculptor, not a painter. But Michelangelo’s reputation was such that, even though he had never painted a single fresco, others were confident he could do it. Five hundred years later, we are still in awe of what he painted.
We have a commission too, and it’s related to a work of art: We are to put on display the beautiful work of Christ in our lives. God took our sin-filled lives and made us His masterpiece. The commission we’ve received is to tell others what God has done in our lives and invite them to experience the same transformation. We bring glory to Him when we live out this purpose.
Question 1: What’s the closest you’ve come to creating a masterpiece?
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Philippians 1:1-5
1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, 5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
Paul began his letter to the Philippian Christians with expressions of thanksgiving, joy, and affection. Joy runs throughout the book of Philippians, and it’s a trait that goes deeper than happiness. Our happiness is typically based on our circumstances. Joy remains with us regardless of what we have or are experiencing. We can be having a bad day, but still have joy.
Paul exemplified a life of joy. He rejoiced in Christ despite hardship; and he lived to serve others before thinking about himself. Paul was all about Jesus, and his mind was filled with concern for others. At the core of Paul’s joy was a deep love for the Savior that spilled out into love for people. Christian joy is Christ-centered and others-oriented.
Joy also infused Paul’s prayers. He openly confessed that he gave thanks to “my God upon every remembrance of you” (1:3). Even though the church wasn’t perfect, Paul was still grateful for all the believers in Philippi. Paul wasn’t giving thanks to God for things; he was thanking God for people. Paul could see evidence of God’s grace in others and praised God for His work in them.
Paul surely had many reasons to be thankful and to pray with joy. After all, toward the end of this letter, he said, “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice” (4:4). Paul wouldn’t call them to do something he himself wasn’t doing (1 Corinthians 11:1). In Philippians 1:5, though, Paul gave a specific reason for his joy-filled prayer: “For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.” Paul expressed gratitude for the believers in Philippi, whom he considered his partners in the gospel. This church had supported Paul and served as his co-workers in the mission from the beginning of his time in Philippi.
God’s purpose for these Philippians believers was on display. They had come to faith in Christ, and they had been serving Christ by living out the purpose to which He called them: serving others and partnering with Paul in seeing that others knew of Christ and the good news—the gospel—found in Christ.
There are a lot of purposes we could assign to ourselves, and many of them can be good and noble. Even secular philosophers and writers tie one’s purpose in life to making others happy or making the world a better place. Do you want to make someone happy, I mean, really happy? Eternally happy and joyous? Bring them to Jesus. Do you want to make this world a better place? Work for eternity. Be a partner in sharing and living out the gospel of Christ. This is the investment God calls us to, and it’s one we will never regret.
Let’s join Paul in praying with joy over what God has done. Be thankful for how Christ has saved you, redeemed you, and given you purpose. Live out that purpose so that others can be saved, redeemed, and given a new purpose in Christ.
Question 2: How does remembering God’s past action make a difference in our lives today?
Philippians 1:6-8
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. 8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
In verse 6, Paul gave another reason for his gratitude to God: confidence in God’s nature and purposes. He was sure that God would continue—and complete—the work He had started in the Philippian believers. He based this upon his knowledge of God and his awareness of the Philippians’ faith. God always will finish what He starts in the lives of His people. What a promise for us to hold onto!
We may leave tasks unfinished, but God finishes what He starts. God started this work in us. God then continues this work in us. And God will complete this work in us “until the day of Jesus Christ” (v. 6).
In verses 7-8, we see the great emotion and warmth Paul had for the church. Paul was neither an isolated saint, nor an ivory tower intellectual. Paul loved people deeply. Some “mature” Christians may think they’ve grown beyond such displays of emotion, but not Paul. His ever-deepening love for Christ spilled over in an ever-deepening love for the people God had brought into his life. In fact, Paul exclaimed, “God is my record” (v. 8), because he truly felt deep emotion and affection for the saints in Philippi. That’s not a claim one makes lightly!
It’s important that we learn the theology and disciplines God revealed through his servant Paul, but it’s equally important that we see how the great truths he taught were evident in his life. Paul had deep affection for God and others. His faith didn’t have the appearance of a stuffy classroom or an empty ritual; he obviously felt and demonstrated passion in what he believed and taught. That’s why Paul said in verse 7 that he held the Philippians in his heart. A heart relationship existed between Paul and these believers. In Philippians 2:17, Paul said he had poured out his life for the Philippians. Paul and the Philippians modeled for us what it means to have Christian friendships centered on Jesus.
Paul said, “It is [right] for me to think this of you all” (1:7). It was right because the Philippian believers were “inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace” (v. 7). Being a partner in grace meant more than just receiving saving grace; they were also partners in the grace extended to them as they served and suffered for Christ. Later in the chapter, Paul pointed to the extent of their partnership in the grace of God and in sharing in the struggle for making the gospel known. “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me” (1:29-30).
Paul rejoiced because the Philippians displayed their partnership in loyalty to Paul and the mission. They not only supported Paul as he shared the gospel, but they also supported him in prayer and with financial support during his imprisonment. They weren’t ashamed of Paul, even though imprisonment brought great shame at that time. The Philippians’ loyalty to Paul—even while he was in prison—made this relationship especially sweet.
As Paul pondered his relationship with the Philippians, he made a remarkable statement: “I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ” (1:8). He reminded them of Christ’s affection for them and how God was at work in him to love them in that same way. Paul was united to Christ, and because of this unity, he shared Christ’s love for the church. It’s a deep love that goes far beyond sentiment.
Just as God was working in the Philippian church, He’s at work right now in His people where you are. Rejoice and give thanks to God for what He is doing; revel in Christ’s affection for you and ask God to give you a fresh affection for His people. As you see God working in the lives of others, and as you consider how He’s at work in you, you can experience joy and respond to Him with praise.
Question 3: How have you seen God carrying His good work toward completion in your life?
Philippians 1:9-11
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Earlier, Paul expressed confidence that God would carry on His work in their lives. Now Paul pondered what God would do as He carried on that work. Paul continued to intercede for the believers, asking God to continue growing them in Christ-centered love.
A Christ-centered love grows in “knowledge and in all judgment” (v. 9). We need to live wisely, being informed by the Word, and we need to live with deep love for God and others. Knowledge asks the question, “What is right?” Discernment asks the question, “What is best?” Love leads us to live out both.
It’s important that love and knowledge go together. Without being grounded in love, knowledge can be cold. Dry. Boring. A lot of us can talk a good talk and have the right theology, but no one wants to listen if love for those listening is absent. How sad it is to affirm sound doctrine but have no genuine affection for Christ and others.
At the same time, love needs to be grounded in knowledge—the right knowledge. Without being grounded in the truth, our love can flit from this to that, looking for whatever loves us back or makes us feel good in the moment. Many Christians never pursue wisdom and knowledge. Consequently, they make terrible choices and even follow false teachers, who prey on gullible, emotion-driven people.
Question 4: What are some obstacles to growing in Christ?
This passage underscores the need for both affection and discernment. Love is neither cold nor blind. Love is both deeply affectionate and biblically informed. We need love, knowledge, and discernment so that we can speak the truth in love to others. Why did Paul desire for them to grow in this kind of love?
1. He desired for them to “approve things that are excellent” (v. 10). The word for approve means “to put to the test, examine.” Based on a growing, knowledgeable, and discerning love, Paul prayed for the Philippians to choose the things that are best in this life and in their relationships.
2. He desired for them to be “sincere and without offence till the day of Christ” (v. 10). Jesus is coming and we should live in light of this fact. Paul expressed this life of purity in another way: “Filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ” (v. 11). This prayer for godly character parallels “sincere and without offence” (v. 10).
Paul desired these things for the Philippian believers for God’s renown. He ended with his ultimate goal: “the glory and praise of God” (1:11). We have no higher purpose in life than to glorify God. Pray for God to be glorified in you, in His people, and for God to make His glory known through us to the nations.
Question 5: How has our group helped you clarify God’s purpose for your life?
LIVE IT OUT
God is glorified when we live with Christ-centered purpose. How will you live with purpose and glorify God? Choose one of the following applications:
• Cultivate a grateful life. If you’re a Christian, realize you’re more blessed than you deserve. Regardless of your circumstances, remind yourself daily of all that’s yours in Christ Jesus. As you pray and thank God for all He’s done for you, let His joy fill your heart and be seen as you serve others.
• Memorize Philippians 1:6. Memorize this passage as a reminder that God is at work, even when we don’t yet see the result: “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
• Partner with others in the gospel. Invest your life in supporting others with their particular ministry. Such a partnership should include prayer, and it might even include financial support, or helping them in person.
