Because He Got Up: "I Have A Purpose"

Sermon Summary:

The message confronts us with a challenging question: are we truly living with purpose, or are we merely going through the motions of faith?

Drawing from Ephesians 2:10, we're reminded that we are created in Christ Jesus for good works, and we're called to walk in them. The sermon establishes a framework for evaluating our spiritual alignment through three critical areas: time, talent, and treasure. Beginning with the principle of first from Exodus 20, we see God establishing Himself as a jealous God who demands priority in our lives.

The message doesn't shy away from uncomfortable truths—when we know to do good and don't do it, James 4:17 tells us plainly that it is sin. We're challenged to examine whether God receives the first fruits of our day or merely the leftovers of our attention.

The story of Cain and Abel becomes particularly relevant here: both gave offerings, but only Abel gave the firstborn, the first and best. This principle extends beyond Sunday morning attendance to how we allocate every hour of our week.

Are we redeeming the time because the days are evil, as Ephesians 5:16 instructs? Or are we finding endless hours for entertainment while struggling to give God even a fraction of that devotion?

The message was designed to cut deep when it addresses our responsibility to visit the sick, referencing Matthew 25 where Jesus warns that failure to care for others in His name may result in hearing those terrifying words: 'Depart from me.' This isn't just a suggestion—it's a commandment that reveals where our hearts truly lie.

Chapters

Chapter 1: The Biblical Principle of First

We explore the foundational biblical principle that God desires to be first in everything, rooted in the commandments and the concept of seeking His kingdom first.

Chapter 2: Strike One: Your Time

We examine how we allocate our time and whether God receives the first and best portions of our day, including time for prayer, study, and serving others.

Chapter 3: Strike Two: Your Talent

We are challenged to use our God-given talents and abilities to serve His purpose rather than merely promoting ourselves or pursuing worldly success.

Chapter 4: Strike Three: Your Treasure

We face the uncomfortable truth about our financial giving, examining whether God receives the firstfruits of our income or merely our leftovers.

Chapter 5: Living with Purpose: The Call to Action

We are called to examine our lives and realign our priorities, recognizing that three strikes in time, talent, and treasure means being out not in a game, but in eternal life.

Key Points:

The biblical principle of "first" - God demands priority in our lives because of what He has done for us

Strike One: Time - If God doesn't get the first part of your day, you'll likely miss your purpose; knowing to do good and not doing it is sin

The importance of visiting the sick and serving others is a commandment, not a suggestion (Matthew 25:41-46)

Strike Two: Talent - Every person has received gifts that should be used to serve God and others; start where you are, don't wait for a bigger stage

Strike Three: Treasure - Where your treasure is, there your heart will be; giving should cost you something and be felt, not just leftovers

The difference between Cain and Abel's offerings illustrates giving "first" versus giving "an offering" of what's left

Living for comfort, consumption, and convenience over God's purpose indicates a misaligned life

Three strikes and you're out - not in a game, but in eternal life

Scripture Reference:

Ephesians 2:10 (main text): "We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them"

Exodus 20:2-3: The principle of God being first, "You shall have no other gods before me"

Matthew 6:33: "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you"

James 4:17: "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin"

Matthew 25:41-46: Judgment based on visiting the sick, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked

Hebrews 3:13: "Exhort one another daily, while it is called 'Today,' lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin"

1 Peter 4:10: Using gifts to minister to one another as good stewards

Matthew 25:15: Parable of the talents

Matthew 6:21: "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also"

2 Samuel 24:18-24: David refusing to offer burnt offerings that cost him nothing

Genesis 4: Cain and Abel's offerings

Stories:

A church member hospitalized for a week with zero visitors from the congregation, illustrating the failure to obey Matthew 25's command to visit the sick

The preacher's personal experience of counting offerings during COVID and confronting a sister who was giving sacrificially beyond what seemed reasonable, who responded "I'm a giver"

An elder confronting the preacher (Kelvin) early in his faith about his inadequate giving despite his household income, providing crucial leadership and accountability

The account of David and Araunah from 2 Samuel 24, where David insists on paying for the threshing floor rather than accepting it free, declaring he won't offer to God something that costs him nothing

The story of Cain and Abel from Genesis 4, contrasting giving "an offering" versus giving "the firstborn" - illustrating the principle of giving God first versus giving leftovers