here for a purpose by rev. dr. samuel ling. 1 corinthians 9:26 26 therefore i do not run like...

Here for a Here for a PurposePurposeBy Rev. Dr. Samuel Ling

1 Corinthians 9:261 Corinthians 9:26

26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.

1. CHOSEN TO BE 1. CHOSEN TO BE GOD’S CHILDRENGOD’S CHILDREN

Here for a Purpose

Ephesians 1:4-5Ephesians 1:4-5

4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—

Adoption to SonshipAdoption to Sonship

Ephesians 1:5 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a legal term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture.

2. CHOSEN TO BE 2. CHOSEN TO BE GOD’S FAMILY—GOD’S FAMILY—BODY OF CHRISTBODY OF CHRIST

Here for a Purpose

Ephesians 2:19Ephesians 2:19

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,

1 Corinthians 12:12-131 Corinthians 12:12-1312 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

1 Corinthians 12:141 Corinthians 12:14

14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

1 Corinthians 12:181 Corinthians 12:18

18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.

1 Corinthians 12:221 Corinthians 12:22

22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,

1 Corinthians 12:241 Corinthians 12:24

24 … But God has put the body together,

1 Corinthians 12:251 Corinthians 12:25

25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.

ConcernConcern

Merimna’oTake thought ofCare forBe anxious aboutFrom “solicitude,” anxiety

Romans 12:15Romans 12:15

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

1 Corinthians 12:271 Corinthians 12:27

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

3. CHOSEN TO BE 3. CHOSEN TO BE READYREADY

Here for a Purpose

Ephesians 4:11-12Ephesians 4:11-12

11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.

Equip his peopleEquip his people

Kat-artismos’ used 1 time in NTPerfectingComplete furnishingFrom thoroughly + complete

His people = the saints in His people = the saints in KJVKJVHag’iosUsed 222 times in NT

Holy: 161 times Saints: 61 times

Pure, blameless, filled with awe (fear of God)

For works of serviceFor works of service

Diakoni’aMinistry, ministrationAttendance as a servantFrom “through the dust” = ready and willing service

Dr. W. A. CriswellDr. W. A. CriswellWitnessed Pastor Whaley’s older brother, a hard dirt farmer, responded to God at 70 years old, “All my life I have run from God’s call, but today I’m going to quit running. Pray for me.”

W. A. Criswell decided to respond to God at 12 years old.

Dr. W. A. CriswellDr. W. A. Criswell“It was a lesson that I will never forget. If you are going to serve the Lord, you sure better do it now. Don’t wait another day, or you’ll end up like that poor old farmer looking back at what might have been but now can never be.”