HOW TO DISCOVER MY PURPOSE: PART 1

God has a purpose for everyone! His purpose is bigger than you could ever imagine.

I believe that this week's and next week's blog could have a radical impact on your life.

Mark 8:34-38, “Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”(NIV)

A disciple is a learner and a follower.

• Deny Yourself

• Take Up Your Cross
• Follow Jesus

The disciples were ordinary people.

• None of them were highly educated.  
• They had no experience as a theologian or speaker.  
• They were “outsiders” from the religious establishment.  
• None of them were a rabbi, a scribe, a Pharisee or a Sadducee, or a Priest.  
• They often made mistakes, put their foot in their mouth, had bad attitudes, demonstrated a lack of faith, and even failed at times.  
• One was a former Zealot (a radical determined to overthrow Roman rule. Tax collector.  At least 4 were fishermen.

Yet they turned the world upside down!  They were real people like you and me and they lived out their purpose!

YOU FIND YOURSELF WHEN YOU LOSE YOURSELF!

35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 

If we try to save our lives,

If we are selfish,

If we live for our own benefit,

If we focus only on our own needs,

We ultimately will lose what we are trying to find. The things of this world will ultimately leave us feeling empty!

If we are willing to lose our lives and live for God,

If we are willing to live out God’s purpose for our life,

If we are living a life of good news and to share the gospel, that’s when we FIND it!

The 12 Disciples – Judas betrayed, the other 11 lived out God’s purpose for their life.

Theologians say that 10 of them were martyred for their faith.

Peter was crucified upside down. Because he said he wasn’t worthy to be crucified as Jesus was.

Thomas took the gospel to India. When I was in India they took me to the exact location they believe that Thomas was killed. St. Thomas Mount.

John is the only one that is believed to have lived a long life. He took care of Mary the mother of Jesus.

Next week, we'll look at what it means to lose ourselves and our calling, and then what it means to find ourselves and our purpose.