LAUNCH OUT INTO THE DEEP

In the world today, there is great confusion, instability, fear, and uncertainty in people’s hearts. There is an epidemic of immorality, social injustices, and an economic crisis’ worldwide—not regulated to the US alone—seen at levels of catastrophic proportion. Bankruptcy and unemployment—uncommon words now made common—are inevitable based on current circumstances. Companies that were deemed bedrocks—foundational to our countries survival—are now crumbling under tremendous pressure causing a gripping reality of the year to come.

In addition, there has been an all-out attack on our generations at the core of who they are—function and purpose—a shaking at the generational foundations with the results being what they are today made evident with the current conditions of our nation with the hope of tomorrow in the hands of what circumstance would bring. Amidst all of the despair and discouragement, where is the Church?

This is not the will of God. God has called us to live a life of purpose that is beyond circumstance. No matter what the media would portray, no matter what the world’s economy looks like, no matter the circumstances, It is a life that is contrary to what popular culture and present circumstance would tell you. God has called you to live a life of purpose!

Values

What role do values play and what do values have to do with the current state of affairs in our nation. I say that it has everything to do with it. Every institution, movement, society, and culture has been built upon a value system—a set of values, standards, and convictions—whether good or bad. Values, standards, and convictions shape and mold character, action and thought. The life and effect of an institution, movement, society, and culture are in direct relation to its values, standards, and convictions.

We are living within a culture that the very nature is due to the fallen state of man. It is a culture, no matter the society, that demands conformance unto itself.

Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

This conformance is dictated by the members of the culture through external forces or influences within the culture that attempt to produce a shift in your value system—making your values, standards and convictions relative, or changeable. These forces or influences include music, media, the internet, TV, video games, movies, radio, fads, and fashions.

It is critical to understand that culture through its demand to conform is defining rather than being defined. Through this process has become a living, moving, always changing organism operating separately and independently with an agenda that is in direct confrontation—though subtle at times—with the purposes of God for His Church and for His people.

If successful, this shift in values will create a shift in purpose. Purpose is defined as:

1. 1. The object toward which one strives or for which something exists;
   2. A result or effect that is intended or desired; an intention.

Satan knows that: intended, created purpose=power. Use some examples like a guitar, piano or car. At the core of who we are is purpose. This is the one question that everyone asks at some point in their life and for some, this is a lifelong quest ending up no further than where they started. Searching for the answer to why am I here? But purpose is the key. Not only purpose, but we must know the source of our purpose. Purpose governs values, standards, and convictions. Everyone was created with a purpose! Rick Warren writes in “The Purpose Driven Life”:

Knowing your purpose gives meaning to your life.

We were made to have our lives mean something. This is why people try dubious methods, like astrology or psychics, to discover it. When life means something, you can bear almost anything; without meaning, nothing is bearable. Without God, life has no purpose, and without purpose, life has no meaning. Without meaning, life has no significance or hope. In the Bible, many different people expressed this hopelessness.

Isaiah complained, “I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing.” Job said, “My life drags by—day after hopeless day” and “I give up; I am tired of living. Leave me alone. My life makes no sense.” The greatest tragedy is not death, but life without purpose.”

The scriptures tell us,

“Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,” 2 Timothy 1:9

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

“God made everything with a place and purpose” Proverbs 16:4a

Jesus was a man of purpose.

Jesus was a man of purpose. Everything He did was to achieve that purpose. He was driven, focused, and did not allow anything to deter Him from accomplishing that which He was purposed to do. He was all about purpose.

At the age of 12, Jesus responds to a distraught mother after He had been missing from His parents for about 3+ days in Luke 2:49 “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”  As Jesus began His ministry, He was tempted by Satan. He would not allow Satan to stop him from achieving His purpose. Luke 4:1-13

As his popularity went out and the crowds came, He would not allow the crowds to stop him from achieving His purpose. Luke 4:43 “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.”

So if Jesus was all about accomplishing His purpose, what was His purpose? We find His purpose in Luke 4:18-19.

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”

Launch out into the deep.

Read Luke 5:1-11. God is saying Launch out into the Deep.  Growth happens when you are out of your comfort zone.  The following seven points are taken from this passage.

1. 1. Jesus used a natural act to demonstrate a spiritual concept.
   2. When Jesus calls the disciples, he identifies their purpose with His purpose.
   3. The Word went forth and demanded a response.
   4. Obedience was the premise to the promise of a catch.
   5. It was against logic, contrary to conditions and circumstances.
   6. Jesus called them where they were.
   7. To fulfill your purpose, it will require teamwork.

Get out of your comfort zone. Move away from the shore. Launch out into the Deep with Faith and Purpose!

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