Purpose and Practices
Pastor Robert Herber
September 1, 2024
Powered by Ministry-notes.com
Main Topics Discussed
Introduction
Excitement around the new fall semester with students returning and back-to-school season.
Major church transition: moving to a new building in the next 6-8 weeks.
Connection to the Netflix show Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones.
Focus on regions where people live over 100 years and the key factors to their longevity.
Central discovery: having a life purpose contributes to long, fruitful living.
Purpose of the Church
Discussion on the longevity of churches: only half of church plants succeed, and the average church lasts about 30 years.
Desire for the church to thrive and last for generations—longer than the typical lifespan.
Church purpose statement: Transforming lives to bless San Diego and beyond through church planting and discipleship.
Connection to Jesus' purpose statement in Isaiah 61 and Luke 4:16-19:
Jesus was anointed to proclaim good news, bind the brokenhearted, and set captives free.
Living a Transformed Life
Jesus' transformation promises a life of joy, freedom, and restoration (Isaiah 61).
Contrasts with many Christians not living a transformed life.
Characteristics of a transformed life:
Spiritual transformation: Feeling close to God, loving His Word.
Emotional transformation: Stability and peace, even during challenges.
Relational transformation: Agape love in friendships, marriages, and family.
Financial transformation: Generosity, simplicity, and tithing.
Vocational transformation: Finding purpose in work and seeing it as ministry.
Sexual transformation: Purity and honoring God in relationships.
Creating an Environment for Transformation
Church’s role is not like a sports event with spectators, but active participation where everyone plays a part.
Leadership structure: Jesus at the center, leading through pastoral teams and small group leaders.
Importance of small groups for deeper connection, discipleship, and transformation.
Five Practices for Transformation: The 5 D’s
These practices, based on Acts 9, illustrate how Saul transformed into Paul, the Apostle of Love:
Decision: Making a conscious choice to follow Christ.
Dunked: Being baptized in water and the Holy Spirit.
Delivered: Freedom from past traumas, addictions, and bondages.
Discipled: Involvement in small groups, learning, and growing.
Deployed: Serving in the church and understanding your calling.
Adding a 6th D: Deeper
Deeper means transforming union with Christ, where Jesus becomes your greatest love, and you are constantly growing.
Indicators of going deeper:
Extended time with God is a delight, not a chore.
Jesus is your closest friend, and you experience constant, unexpected journeys in faith.
Application Questions
Where are you in your journey of transformation?
Which of the 5 D’s is your next step?
How can you take your relationship with Christ deeper?
Closing
Encouragement to embrace the journey of transformation by saying "yes" to God repeatedly.
Stand and reflect on what the next step is in each person’s faith journey.
Biblical References
Isaiah 61:1-2 – "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me…to proclaim good news to the poor…to proclaim freedom for the captives…and the year of the Lord’s favor."
Luke 4:18-19 – Jesus' purpose statement, quoting Isaiah 61.
Colossians 1:18 – "He is the head of the body, the church…so that in everything he might have supremacy."
Ephesians 4:11-16 – Christ gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip his people for service and build up the body of Christ.
John 10:11 – "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
Hebrews 3:1 – "Fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest."
John 4:19 – The woman at the well: “Sir, I can see that you are a prophet.”
Acts 1:4 – Jesus instructs to wait for the gift the Father promised (the Holy Spirit).
Romans 10:9 – "If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
These verses supported the sermon's themes of transformation, spiritual gifts, and living a purpose-driven life.
Reflection Questions
Purpose and Longevity: How does understanding your life purpose impact the way you live each day? How can this sense of purpose contribute to a long, fruitful spiritual life like those in the "blue zones"?
Transforming Lives: Jesus’ mission was to proclaim good news and set people free (Isaiah 61). In what areas of your life do you need to experience deeper transformation—spiritually, emotionally, relationally, or financially?
Active Participation: The sermon emphasized the importance of being an active participant in the church. How are you currently contributing to the life of the church, and how might you take a more active role in your community?
The 5 D’s of Transformation: Which of the 5 D’s (Decision, Dunked, Delivered, Discipled, Deployed) resonates most with where you are in your spiritual journey? What is your next step in this process?
Going Deeper: How can you grow deeper in your union with Christ this week? What steps can you take to cultivate a relationship with Jesus that brings you joy and leads to transformation?
Daily Activities
Monday: Define Your Purpose
Activity: Spend 30 minutes in reflection and prayer, asking God to reveal or reaffirm your life purpose. Write down the specific areas where you feel called to serve, bless others, or grow.
Application: Reflect on the "blue zones" concept from the sermon and consider how having a clear purpose can lead to a more fruitful, spiritually rich life. Ask God to give you clarity on how you can live a purpose-driven life each day.
Tuesday: Commit to Transformation in One Area
Activity: Identify one area in your life that needs transformation (spiritual, emotional, relational, financial, or vocational). Set a practical goal for growth in that area.
Application: Using the sermon’s message of transformation, take a tangible step toward improvement in that area. For example, if it's emotional stability, practice gratitude and focus on trusting God in challenging situations.
Wednesday: Serve or Bless Someone
Activity: Find a way to bless someone in your community—whether through an act of kindness, helping a neighbor, or offering words of encouragement.
Application: Reflect on the church’s purpose to bless San Diego and beyond. By intentionally blessing someone, you are living out the church's mission of transforming lives and showing God’s love in practical ways.
Thursday: Engage in Small Group or Personal Study
Activity: Either attend a small group or dedicate time to studying a passage from the Bible. If possible, study Isaiah 61 or Ephesians 4:11-16 to reinforce the message of living a transformed life and serving others.
Application: Apply the sermon’s emphasis on the importance of community and discipleship. Use this time to reflect on your spiritual growth and how you can continue to grow deeper in your walk with Christ.
Friday: Deepen Your Relationship with Christ
Activity: Spend extra time in prayer and worship, focusing on going deeper in your relationship with Jesus. Aim to listen for His voice and direction for your life.
Application: As highlighted in the sermon’s addition of the 6th "D" (Deeper), seek to grow in union with Christ. Let this be a time where you delight in His presence and ask for guidance on how to keep Him as your greatest love.
Each day’s activity focuses on a practical step to align with the sermon’s key themes of purpose, transformation, and active participation in God’s mission.
