Running On Purpose | Andy Elmes | 20th February 2022
Following on from the previous messages about running our best lap ever, this week’s message from Pastor Andy is titled ‘Running On Purpose’. Some points from the key verse 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 are
- Be in it to win it – we need to take our call seriously
- Make sure we are in training and fit for our race
- Keep our eyes on the winner’s crown
- Don’t run aimlessly or without purpose
Scripture from the Living Bible (1 Corinthians 9:26) says “So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I fight to win. I’m not just shadow-boxing or playing around”. The key points here are
- This is an encouragement for us to have a purpose-driven run
- God has always had a purpose for our lives
- We are re-connected to His perfect purposes through ‘new birth’
- People are made for different purposes
Verses in 2 Timothy 2:20-21, Romans 9:17 and Jeremiah 29:11 remind us that God has a purpose for every life He breathes His breath into. Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV) states “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. Hence, God made us on purpose and for a purpose!
God has an individual plan for each of us to know and He also has other plans and purposes that include us all. We might call these ‘good works or purposes’. Scripture states we were created for good works. Ephesians 2:8-10 describes how we were created for good works and not by good works! Good works are not ‘dead works’. The Greek word for works is er’-gon meaning to do business, or be occupied with God’s business. The first man Adam and the original creation show us we were made for a purpose to take care of what belongs to God.
Key purposes are also revealed in the life and ministry of Jesus. His purpose was to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). This is equally our purpose as we are the body of Christ and His expression on earth. Our Common Purpose is the great commission – to reach out, disciple people and set them free. It is important that we stay in our lane and run according to the race (purpose) marked out for us. David is a great example of a man who ran the race God had specifically for him - Acts 13:36 (NIV) “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed”.
Salvation and our obedience to what God asks of us connect us back to His true purposes for us. We then run in accordance with these purposes. We must pray and ask the Lord about His true purpose for our lives.
