Bad Days Can’t Derail Your Purpose

Message Notes: “Bad Days Can’t Derail Your Purpose”
Message by Ray Hudson | 5/3/2020 

Message Notes: 

(Hebrews 12:1-3 MSG) Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

Study How He Did It:

(Luke 23:39-43 NLT) “One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

How – To Not Let Bad Days Derail Your Purpose  

Know Your .

“Ephesians 2:10 NLT “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Daily

(John 5:19-20 NLT) So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing. In fact, the Father will show him how to do even greater works than healing this man. Then you will truly be astonished.

Build God’s

(Mark 2:15-17 NLT) Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus’ followers.) 16 But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees[a] saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with such scum?”

17 When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

Big Idea:

Today Pastor Raymond talks to us about how our bad days can’t derail our purpose. Jesus was always focused on helping people find and follow God! In Luke 5:32, Jesus stated His purpose when He said, “I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” Even on His worst day, Jesus was laser focused on His purpose. The second statement Jesus made from the cross was to a “sinner” being executed next to him. Even on His worst day, Jesus offered hope and a promise when He stated, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

Talk about it:

• Think of a time when you were struggling, and someone was there for you. How did this person help you get through your difficult situation? Discuss why it is important to have close friends who support you when you struggle and why being involved in a Small Group is essential.
• Why do you think it is difficult for people to admit they are hurting or struggling? How can you make sure youdon’t disqualify yourself from helping others when you face your own struggles? Discuss the ways God can teach you as you help someone else through a difficult situation.
• We are called to serve others by using our gifts, passions, and our difficult experiences. Discuss how serving others can change your perspective. Share what you have learned from helping others through difficult situations.
• Raymond said, “Our bad days can derail our purpose… but our preferences can derail our purpose too!”How do your preferences get in the way of your purpose from time to time? (i.e. We know we should she the hope we have in Jesus but… Or, we know we’re called to use our time, talents & treasure to serve others but…)

Pray about it:

• God, I thank you that bad days and challenging seasons don’t change the purpose you created me for. Help me to live every day on purpose and with the purpose to help people I interact with today to find you and follow you! Jesus, thank you for the example you set for us. Even on your worst day, in the worst possible situation, you were still focused on your purpose of rescuing people. Help me to see people the way you see them and always point them to you! In Jesus Name.   

Act on it:

• Memorize and mediate on Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

• Reading Plan: Join us this week in our church-wide reading plan “20/20: Seen. Chosen. Sent.” by clicking here.
• Invite someone to join you for church online next week. Here are some tools to help.

Sermon available online at centralsj.org