Unstoppable Move Of God by Apostle Emmanuel Iren: MP3 Download & Sermon Notes

Purpose Is Not Just a Good Idea — It Is a Mandate

What is about to be shared is one of the most important things you may ever hear regarding purpose. Many times when we preach on purpose, we don't really understand how important it is. Purpose is not just an idea that makes your life more meaningful. Purpose is not just an idea that makes you better disposed for a life of success. Purpose is more than a good idea.

It is a sin to not live your life of purpose. This is not something invented — the Bible categorically says it. In Hebrews 12:1, the text reads: "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."

Many times this passage is taught with "the sin" referring to moral sins or unbelief — and that is not entirely wrong. But moral sins and unbelief are a symptom of the root issue being addressed here. There is something that disposes people to a life of unbelief or moral sin, and it is the life that lacks purpose. There is no single moral sin that almost unanimously ensnares everybody. Samson had a problem with women; Judas had a problem with money. But the sin Paul speaks of here ensnares everyone — the tendency for every one of us to come into the world and forget why we are here, or never realise it at all.

The sin is the one that makes people disposed to a life that is void of purpose. That is why the next verse says — looking unto Jesus. Jesus is our example. By the way He lived, by His priorities, we learn what this means. In Hebrews 12:2, Jesus endured the cross and despised the shame for the joy that was set before Him — meaning He was on the earth, but earth was not His final destination. His priorities were informed by the joy set before Him. He is now telling you: let His priorities become your priorities. Live a life of purpose. Do not stay preoccupied with distractions when you ought to be running.

The Thinking of the Patriarchs

To understand Hebrews 12, you must go back to Hebrews 11. In Hebrews 11:8, by faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go to the place he would receive as an inheritance, and he went, not knowing where he was going.

In Hebrews 11:9, he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country. Even the promised land — the land of Canaan — was not the final promise. Abraham dwelt there as a sojourner. Canaan was a type and shadow of a bigger promise. The reason he dwelt in tents with Isaac and Jacob was to reflect the fact that he did not believe that was his final destination. He was telling his children through his lifestyle: the world is not our home.

In Hebrews 11:13, these all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off they were assured of them, embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. This was their modus operandi. This was their priority. In verse 14, for those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.

In Genesis 47:9, Pharaoh asked Jacob how old he was. Jacob said, "The days of the years of my pilgrimage are 130 years — few and evil." What did he call his age? His years of pilgrimage. This is someone who was very wealthy — when he met Esau he offered about 500 cattle as a gift. Yet he still said his years were few and evil. Because he was measuring everything against eternity. 130 years is few when measured against eternity.

And he called them evil — not because he was doing poorly. His son was the prime minister. But he still said his years were evil. Because:

"I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that shall be revealed in us."

No matter how well you are doing, it pales in comparison to what is coming. There is a better inheritance. There is a better country.

Jacob's Conviction as a Pilgrim

To show how serious Jacob was, in Genesis 47:29-30, when the time drew near that he must die, he called Joseph and made him swear: "Please do not bury me in Egypt." This is the consciousness of a pilgrim. He was now in the world's superpower, his son was prime minister, there was bread in abundance — and yet he said: "This land is good, but it is not my land. Don't bury me here."

In Genesis 50:25, Joseph took an oath from the children of Israel: "God will surely visit you — and when He does, carry my bones from this place." This is the mentality of a pilgrim passed down through generations. Abraham believed it and taught Isaac. Isaac taught Jacob. Jacob taught his children. Purpose presupposes that somebody proposed. If I have a purpose, I am indicating there is a God who gave me that purpose.

The purpose of anything is older than that thing. To believe that man was created with a purpose is to believe that purpose is older than man — and also to believe there is a God who purposed. Purpose therefore commands from you a life of accountability. He is coming again. He will ask what you did with your life.

The Paradox of Purpose

The paradox of purpose is this: those who begin to walk with the ideology that their real inheritance is beyond this place, on the other side of eternity — they are the ones who enjoy the ease that grace offers here. It is the meek who will inherit the earth. Those who save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for His sake will find it.

There are some who gather and yet lack. There are some who scatter and yet increase. Those who make their life about His agenda, about His coming — their lives become more important in the scheme of things, and all the things others are struggling for come to them cheaply. If you seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, all these things shall be added unto you.

Think of it like joining a convoy. When you align yourself with someone of significance — a convoy with a siren — the road that seemed blocked opens up. Everything that answers to the person with the siren answers also to those in the convoy. All things work together for good to them that love God and are called according to His purpose. There are types of resources that heaven has put at the beck and call of men of purpose.

This was the wisdom David had. In 2 Samuel 7, David said: "I know you are blessing me for a reason. I know it is because you want to create a place for your people and establish them. I am just a vehicle for the establishment of what you want to do. Therefore, do as you have said." It was in the next chapter that the Bible tells us David never lost a battle.

Living as a Pilgrim Means Alignment

In Joshua 5, Joshua saw a man with his sword drawn and asked, "Are you for us or against us?" The captain of the Lord's host replied: "Neither. I am on my side." God is God-centred, committed to His own plan. You are the one to align. You are the one to get on God's side — not the other way around. Your goal is not to constantly pray for God to bless what you are doing. It is for you to do what God is blessing.

The genius of purpose is that many people who lived more faithful lives, more morally accurate lives, missed this one thing: finding a way to do what God was doing. Some did not even hear God directly — the moment they found people who had heard God, they followed. People like Lot. People like Rahab, who said to the spies: "I know God has given you this land. I am going to help you. Just remember me." She appears in Hebrews 11 as a hero of faith.

The moment you side with God in what God is doing, everything that answers to Him now answers to you.

The Final Word on Purpose

In Hebrews 11:32-38, the writer lists those who through faith subdued kingdoms, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword — and also those who were tortured, mocked, chained, imprisoned, stoned, sawn in two, wandering in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute and afflicted. Both groups were winners — because if the earth is not your final home, you still win. It does not matter how much suffering you experience here.

Paul said: "I have learned both to abound and to abase. Either way I win." If in this world alone we have anything to boast about, we are of all men most miserable. Purpose makes you audacious — when you know your final reward is not here, you have the freedom to obey God radically.

Everything you do on the earth, do with that side in view. That is how to live a life of purpose.

Heaven is waiting for you. The angels are waiting for you. Make the bold declaration: I am a pilgrim. I am a sojourner. This world is not my final destination. I will do everything on the earth in your honour, propagating your message. I will seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Amen.

Lord, in all our saving and in all our getting on the earth, let us not lay up treasure on the earth alone where moths can destroy and thieves steal. Let there be treasure waiting for us in heaven. You said where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. Let our heart be with you and in heaven. When you are looking on the earth for who to send, may you not have to look over us to find someone else. May we ever be active in your service — in love, in evangelism, in generosity. Let multitudes come to know you because of me. In Jesus mighty name. Amen.