You Were Born with a Destiny
Notes
Transcript
You Were Born with a Destiny
Text: Esther 4:14–17 (KJV 1900)
14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? 15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, 16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. 17 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.
Introduction:
We are born with a need for a purpose in life.
* I remember when as a 6 year old boy, I had the great question “What am I here for?”
* I believe this morning that everyone that was ever born was born with the need to answer the greatest question in life “What am I here for?”
* Even as a adult, I need a purpose for living. Life is simply not worth living if I have no purpose.
* The apostle Paul expressed this very thought in I Corinthinas 15:19 when he said:
1 Corinthians 15:19 (KJV 1900)
19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
* We as humans are bound up with the never ending business of trying to control our lives!
* We are continually vexed with the impossible job of controlling our destiny!
* Life without a purpose is nothing but misery!
* The preacher in the book of Eccleasiastes, calls this misery “vanity and vexation of spirit!”
Ecclesiastes 1:12–15 (KJV 1900)
12 I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. 15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
Ecclesiastes 2:11 (KJV 1900)
11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 2:17–19 (KJV 1900)
17 Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit. 18 Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. 19 And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.
Ecclesiastes 2:20 (KJV 1900)
20 Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 2:22–23 (KJV 1900)
22 For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun? 23 For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.
* If all there is to life is just wandering around with no purpose, then we are doomed to a miserable life!
* I have taken our text this morning from the book of Esther.
* In order to explain the background of our text, I will need to give you a summary of the book.
* Esther was a Jewish woman who was selected by the Persian King Ahasuerus to be his wife. He had banished his former wife and chose Esther through a contest. However, the king did not know she was a Jew. (Esther 1-2)
* Esther’s uncle was Mordecai. Mordecai learned of a plot to kill the king and made it known to Esther who passed the news to the king. The two men involved in the plot were hanged. In the book of Esther this information is casually presented as unimportant, but comes up later in the story. (Esther 2)
* One of the princes in the kingdom was Haman. Mordecai and Haman had a mutual disdain for one another. Haman devised a plan to eliminate Mordecai. He told the king that there was a people group in the kingdom that had their own laws and customs. If they were allowed to continue they might overthrow the power of the king. Therefore Haman convinced the king that this group should be killed. While Haman and the king did not know it at the time, he was asking the king for permission to kill the new Queen Esther. (Esther 3)
* The law was created that allowed the Jews to be murdered. When Mordecai learned of the new law he spoke with Esther about asking the king to reconsider. She was loved by the king, but she did not have the authority to enter into the king’s chambers and talk with him at any time she pleased. Mordecai told her that God had allowed her to become the queen to help protect her people. Though conflicted with the thought of perishing by the hand of the king or by the new law in place, she determined to let the king know she was a Jew and that his new law would require that she be killed. (Esther 4)
* Without an invitation into his presence Esther approached the king and invited him and Haman to a meal at her house. When asked what the occasion was, she said that she wanted to ask the king and Haman to return to her house the next day for another meal. The king agreed and Haman was pleased to be so favored by the king and his bride. (Esther 5)
* However, Haman saw Mordecai that day and was enraged. He determined that he would kill Mordecai the next day by hanging. He requested a gallows be made to hang Mordecai in the morning. (Esther 5)
* That night the king could not sleep. He asked that someone read to him about the recent events in the kingdom. He was reminded that Mordecai stopped a plot to kill the king. King Ahasuerus never publicly thanked Mordecai for his efforts, but determined to honor Mordecai the following morning. (Esther 6)
* About this time Haman came to the palace to talk to the king and tell him that he would like to hang Mordecai the next day. The king was glad to see Haman because he had a question for him. Before Haman could give his request the king asked, “What should be done to the man I wish to honor publicly?” Haman thought that the king must be wanting to honor Haman for being such a good servant so he came up with the most elaborate plan to be honored by the king. He said the man should be paraded through the streets wearing the king’s robe and crown while riding on the king’s horse. (Esther 6)
* Haman did not get a chance to tell the king that he wanted to kill Mordecai before the king told Haman, “You have come up with a great way to honor a man who saved my life. Gather everything you need and do just as you’ve said for Mordecai!” (Esther 6)
* Haman was disgusted to have to honor Mordecai this way. After the parade he went home in a rage. But he was not able to vent very long because it was time to go to Queen Esther’s house for her banquet. When Haman and the king arrived at Esther’s house the king wanted to know what her request was. He was willing to give her up to 1/2 the kingdom. (Esther 6-7)
* She told the king that there was a plot to destroy her and her people. The king was angry and asked who was behind the wickedness. When she pointed to Haman the king was furious. He went outside to think. Haman was arguing with Esther, supposedly not knowing she was a Jew. He was begging for his life because the king had already said the person behind the plot would be hanged. Haman got animated and excited. He fell onto Esther’s bed. When King Ahasuerus came back from the garden he saw Haman on his wife’s bed and grew even more angered at the thought that Haman was trying now to persuade his wife sexually. (Esther 7)
* Haman was hanged that day on the gallows he intended for Mordacai. (Esther 7)
* Esther made one more request to the king. That was that the law be reversed which would have destroyed the Jews. The law was rewritten to save the Jews and destroy the family of Haman. He was an Agagite, or an Amalekite. (Esther 8)
* The celebration of the Jews that ensued after the new law was carried out was the beginning of the celebration called Purim. Today, Purim is celebrated by a public reading of the book of Esther. Each time wicked Haman’s name is mentioned the crowd will stomp their feet, hiss and yell to show their disdain for the villain of the story. (Esther 8-10)
* We are born with a need for a purpose in life.
I. You were chosen by God before the foundations of the Earth.
We are born with a need for a purpose in life.
I. You were chosen by God before the foundations of the Earth.
II. Some Examples of those who’s destiny was told before they were born:
III. God fulfills our destiny even without our cooperation.
IV. Because we know that we have a destiny assigned by God, it inspires us to live confidently and victoriously.
* Your Destiny in this life was determined before you were ever born.
Ephesians 1:3–14 (KJV 1900)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
* Note that your “destiny” is referred to as the “will of God” in the Bible. The goal of your life is not to fulfill your own will, but the will of your creator:
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
* God has determined that everyone who puts his trust in Jesus for salvation, has been sealed, or in other words, marked for salvation. – God only uses permanent markers!
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
* Notice with me that all those who are destined to be saved, had their names written in the book of life, before they were ever born:
Revelation 17:8 (KJV 1900)
8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
* God had already determined your salvation, and you purpose in life, before you were ever born- Your place in heaven has been reserved:
1 Peter 1 (KJV 1900)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
* Notice with me that there is no need to worry about losing your salvation, because it is not up to you to keep it- that’s God’s job!
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
* Because of the foreknowledge of God, he has chosen us to be saved before we were ever born.
John 15:14–16 (KJV 1900)
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
* I want you to understand that, even though God knew the names of everyone that would be saved before the foundations of the world, salvation is always of free will and God’s grace.
* It is the will of God that every person would be saved. The only thing that will keep a person from being saved is rejecting Jesus.
1 Timothy 2:1–4 (KJV 1900)
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
* Your salvation is not determined by your works, but by the decision of God to extend mercy to you in his Son Jesus, who died on the cross to purchase your forgiveness.
* Your salvation does not stand because of you , but because God elected to choose you to be saved:
Romans 9:10–18 (KJV 1900)
10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; 11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
* You were chosen by God before the foundations of the Earth.
II. Some Examples of those who’s destiny was told before they were born:
We are born with a need for a purpose in life.
I. You were chosen by God before the foundations of the Earth.
II. Some Examples of those who’s destiny was told before they were born:
III. God fulfills our destiny even without our cooperation.
IV. Because we know that we have a destiny assigned by God, it inspires us to live confidently and victoriously.
Methuselah
* The Flood of Noah did not come as a surprise. It had been preached on for four generations. But something strange happened when Enoch was 65, from which time "he walked with God." Enoch was given a prophecy that as long as his son was alive, the judgment of the flood would be withheld; but as soon as he died, the flood would be sent forth.
* Enoch named his son to reflect this prophecy. The name Methuselah comes from two roots: muth, a root that means "death"5 ; and from shalach, which means "to bring," or "to send forth." Thus, the name Methuselah signifies, "his death shall bring."6
* And, indeed, in the year that Methuselah died, the flood came.
* It is interesting that Methuselah's life was, in effect, a symbol of God's mercy in forestalling the coming judgment of the flood. It is therefore fitting that his lifetime is the oldest in the Bible, symbolizing the extreme extensiveness of God's mercy.
Jacob and Esau
Genesis 25:21–23 (KJV 1900)
21 And Isaac intreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren: and the Lord was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 22 And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the Lord. 23 And the Lord said unto her,
Two nations are in thy womb, And two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels;And the one people shall be stronger than the other people; And the elder shall serve the younger.
Moses
Exodus 2:1–10 (KJV 1900)
And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi. 2 And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. 3 And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s brink. 4 And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him. 5 And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river’s side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it. 6 And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews’ children. 7 Then said his sister to Pharaoh’s daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee? 8 And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child’s mother. 9 And Pharaoh’s daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it. 10 And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.
Samuel
1 Samuel 1:9–17 (KJV 1900)
9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the Lord. 10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore. 11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no rasor come upon his head. 12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli marked her mouth. 13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. 14 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. 15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord. 16 Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto. 17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
Joseph
Genesis 37:5–8 (KJV 1900)
5 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. 6 And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: 7 For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf. 8 And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.
Isaiah
Isaiah 49:1–5 (KJV 1900)
Listen, O isles, unto me; And hearken, ye people, from far;
The Lord hath called me from the womb; From the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.
2 And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; In the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, And made me a polished shaft; In his quiver hath he hid me; 3 And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified. 4 Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: Yet surely my judgment is with the Lord, And my work with my God.
5 And now, saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be his servant, To bring Jacob again to him,
Though Israel be not gathered, Yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, And my God shall be my strength.
Jeremiah
Jeremiah 1:4–10 (KJV 1900)
4 Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
6 Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. 7 But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. 8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord. 9 Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. 10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
John the Baptist
Luke 1:5–17 (KJV 1900)
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. 8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, 9 According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. 11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife
Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.
16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
Luke 1:39–45 (KJV 1900)
39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; 40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: 42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
Paul
Acts 9:13–16 (KJV 1900)
13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
* Those were just a sampling from the Bible of those whose destiny was told before they were born.
III. God fulfills our destiny even without our cooperation.
We are born with a need for a purpose in life.
I. You were chosen by God before the foundations of the Earth.
II. Some Examples of those who’s destiny was told before they were born:
III. God fulfills our destiny even without our cooperation.
IV. Because we know that we have a destiny assigned by God, it inspires us to live confidently and victoriously.
Pharaoh
Romans 9:10–18 (KJV 1900)
10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; 11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
Judas
Luke 6:12–16 (KJV 1900)
12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; 14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, 15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, 16 And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.
John 17:10–12 (KJV 1900)
10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. 11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. 12 While I was with them in the world,
I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
* God fulfills our destiny even without our cooperation.
IV. Because we know that we have a destiny assigned by God, it inspires us to live confidently and victoriously.
We are born with a need for a purpose in life.
I. You were chosen by God before the foundations of the Earth.
II. Some Examples of those who’s destiny was told before they were born:
III. God fulfills our destiny even without our cooperation.
IV. Because we know that we have a destiny assigned by God, it inspires us to live confidently and victoriously.
Text: Esther 4:14–17 (KJV 1900)
15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, 16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. 17 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.
* Esther’s response to Mordecai’s suggestion that she was born to fulfill a destiny inspired a confidence in God.
* Esther’s response in her time of need showed courage in the face of adversity.
* This great truth, the truth that God also has a destiny for every individual, it should also inspire each of us to live the Christian life courageously.
* Esther’s response to Mordechai reminds me of the words of Job as he also faced his great trials with courage.
* Listen to the worlds of Job as he cries out on the midst of his suffering:
Job 13:15–16 (KJV 1900)
15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: But I will maintain mine own ways before him.
16 He also shall be my salvation:
* God intends for those who live Him to live assured, confident lives because He is always available to answer our prayers.
1 John 5:13–15 (KJV 1900)
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
1 John 5:4 (KJV 1900)
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
* God does not intend for us to live in a spirit of fear, but in confidence.
2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV 1900)
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
* God has promised that we will overcome the world in which we live, so let’s take the advice of the Apostle Paul in Hebrews 12:
Hebrews 12:12–13 (KJV 1900)
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
* Be encouraged, God has a plan and a destiny for you this morning:
Philippians 1:6 (KJV 1900)
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Romans 8:28–39 (KJV 1900)
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
* Because we know that we have a destiny assigned by God, it inspires us to live confidently and victoriously.
Conclusion:
We are born with a need for a purpose in life.
I. You were chosen by God before the foundations of the Earth.
II. Some Examples of those who’s destiny was told before they were born:
III. God fulfills our destiny even without our cooperation.
IV. Because we know that we have a destiny assigned by God, it inspires us to live confidently and victoriously.