| The Heavy Burden of The Purpose-Driven Life |
Christians rushing to and fro seeking MORE to do for the Lord's work--
Seeking their purpose as they go about to establish their "own mark" in the
kingdom. The Christian has but one duty and that is to REST in Christ and let
Him work through us. It's not about programs, schedules, conferences, social
gatherings -- it's about being led by His Spirit.
The Purpose Driven Life teaches that YOU must search within yourself to find
your place in ministry-- that one has to keep busy in "the Lord's work" but yet
Jesus calls us to sit and learn from Him. It's not about doing anything of our
own power-- it's about growing in Him.
Good works are a result of spending time with Him ALONE-- without the Mega-
Church programs to get in the way.
Yet in the PDL churches, the burden is placed upon the human effort of the
congregation in persuading folks to accept the Gospel and/or inviting others to
join the church, with little or no reference to the role of the Holy Spirit's
leading.
We are to be lead by the Holy Spirit and we are to be satisfied wherever the
Lord has placed us.
Col 2:6-8 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in
him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have
been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man
spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after
the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE IS NEVER SATISFIED
Phi 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in
whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
1Tim 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
Being Christian isn't about being happy with your life; it's about being satisfied
in Christ Jesus. He is our Savior, He is our Lord and He is our example. We are
to learn of Him. Jesus made the time to pray to His Father. How much time do
"purpose driven" Christians spend in prayer? Are they content in simply
knowing Him? Do they rest in Him?
The purpose driven pastors, who place LARGE burdens upon their flock
convey this attitude that one must be BUSY all the time-- "for the Lord's
work", of course. Yet our Lord took the time to fellowship with the Heavenly
Father and to learn of Him. (John 8:28) A purpose driven pastor would have
told Jesus, "Why are you waiting until you are 30 to start your ministry...go
now. Have purpose..." Yet God's Word, quotes Jesus the Messiah, in
Isaiah 50:4-5: The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned,
that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary:
he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the
learned. The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious,
neither turned away back.
What would some of these Megachurch pastors say to Jesus?
"You could reach more people...why are you resting and praying?"
Just by viewing Christian blogs and message boards, one can see that the
Purpose Driven Life groups are so burdened with trying to find purpose, that
they are burning themselves out. It is not of God. The Lord wants us to rest in
Him and KNOWING that whatever work we will do, it is Him who will provide
the way and the grace to do it. He is the Potter and we are simply the clay.
Psalm 37:7 tells us to "Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him"
Psalm 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he
shall bring it to pass.
1Cor 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do
all to the glory of God.
People are rushing to a third-world country to “do great things for God” but
they can’t even reach their own backyard. The Mega-Church has MANY
activities as alternatives to worldly ones. To our shock, there are “Christian
dancing”—“cha cha” lessons offered in the modern church…Lord have mercy.
They have movie nights—where “Christians” can go and watch “Hellywood’s”
newest abomination and call it "fellowship". They encourage people to leave
their “comfort zone” and "do great things for God"…in between the church
programs, dance lessons, social events, sports activities, workouts, city
outreaches and God only knows what else.
WHAT IS "NEEDFUL"
The Lord made a day for rest…but rest is not what you will find with “purpose-
driven” people. They don’t have time to read God’s Word for two hours and
pray and seek His face…they are too busy finding more to do “for the Lord”.
Though well-meaning, this is not found in Scripture.
God leads us…we don’t need to seek "something to do". We can walk out the
door and the Lord will bring us into the path of someone who needs help. I
once read a story about a man who went around the whole city seeking to do
the Lord’s work and found nothing. He finally went back to the place where he
started and waiting there all the time was a person who needed help. The devil
sends us out on wild goose chases. Our flesh wants to do “great things,” but
truthfully speaking…it is the Lord alone who does great things. We do little
things, by His grace alone. He enables us to do little things and it is the little
things that count….for little becomes much when God is in it. The Lord does
not need a fancy preacher…the Lord needs a humble preacher. The Lord does
not work through grand productions but through humble people who are sold
out to Him…who take the time to learn at HIS feet.
Consider the words of Jesus in the following passage:
Luke 10:38-42 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain
village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And
she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said,
Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her
therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha,
Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing
is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken
away from her.
Notice that the "good part" was to sit and learn of Him. Martha was busy doing
work serving the Lord but she was stressed out and Jesus told her what was
"needful".
BEING LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Seeker-Friendly movement has brought the world back into the church.
The preacher stands on a stage, idolized and admired by all his “faithful” and
subtly brings in heresies and places burdens upon his congregation to “be more
productive” so that “we can bring more people into church.” The "Modern
Church" today is run like a factory…mass producing “purpose-driven” people.
Yet we read in the Book of Acts that the Lord added daily such as should be
saved:
Acts 2:46-47 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and
breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and
singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And
the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Now consider Paul's journey through Galatia, and his ultimate destination,
Macedonia. Paul himself did not know he would end up in Macedonia!
Act 16:6-8 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of
Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the
Spirit suffered them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas…
The purpose driven pastor would have told Paul… “What are you talking
about? We are to be purpose driven! Go out there…” But the bible says that it
was the HOLY GHOST who forbid them. Why? Because there is a time and a
purpose for everything, as we see in the next few verses.
Acts 16:9-10 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man
of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help
us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into
Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach
the gospel unto them.
The LORD is the One who should lead us. The bible says tells us that it is He
Who leads us in "the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Obviously,
the Lord’s leading does not include church groups going to the cinema for some
worldly entertainment or some ungodly sporting event with immodestly dressed
cheerleaders. The flesh will lead one there but not the Spirit. Nor will the Holy
Spirit lead one to watch Sunday football, when that time could be spent
fellowshipping with their family. Nor will the Holy Spirit lead a Christian into a
sports bar on a Monday night to watch football.
A GOOD SHEPHERD
Is the Mega-church truly a healthy church? Does the pastor know each person
by name? Obviously not. Yet a good shepherd knows each of his flock by
name. Does the purpose driven pastor have time to rest in the Lord? Or is he
trying to establish a big name for himself in the community?
The pastor is the main idol of the mega-church. Why did the church become so
big? To hear ONE man preach…correct? It’s a pride thing --for if the pastor
truly cares for the community in which he lives, he would not burden the tax
payer with unneeded traffic in and out of the church and making policemen
direct traffic. Tax payers carry the burden of the megachurch.
With the megachurch, it’s about quantity. Yet in God’s Word, we find nothing
of the kind…it’s about quality. Take Gideon, he had all those men but yet God
could only use a few good men. (Judges 7) The Lord does not need the mega
church. They are too self-confident. They have need of nothing…except more
programs and more “productive” workers.
The Lord’s strength is made perfect in weakness. The modern church has been
redefined to fit the world and to “change the world” but it is simply another
“social gospel” --fruitless effort that keeps the Christian busy working as a busy
bee but no time for the Living God and true worship. Yet the Lord Jesus says to
“buy of me gold tried in the fire”. We are to learn at HIS feet, rest in Him, take
His yolk—which is easy and HIS burden—which is light. We are to rest one
day out of the week and learn of Him. Remember that the Lord gave us the
Sabbath...to all people in the Book of Genesis. It was not just given to the Jews
but to everyone. The Lord rested and so should we.
Christ Jesus said in Matthew 11:29-30 Take my yoke upon you, and learn
of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your
souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Do mega church members REALLY pray? They are TOO BUSY to pray with
all their activites and programs they have going on. It's a fast-food type service,
made to order...rush them in the door and rush them out of the door to get
ready for the next group of people coming in. There is no room for the Holy
Spirit in such services. The Early Church was a PRAYING church...it wasn't
about finding purpose. It was about growing closer to Christ Jesus! He is our
LIFE! Our life is hidden in Christ Jesus.
CONCLUSION
Are you burdened with being "purpose driven"? Sit at the feet of Jesus and rest
in Him...open up your KJV bible and pray for the Lord to show you HIS truth
concerning all matters in your life. You will find that whatever the Lord leads
you to do, He will give you the strength to do it. He will perform the work
through you. His burden is not heavy. The burden of the Pharisees was
extremely heavy upon the people but our Lord desires that we yield to His
leading.
Winning the lost does not require "programs" and "committees". Be a light...
reach out to those you know. Ask the Lord to place in your pathway people
who He wants you to witness to. We must not be slothful in doing
the Lord's work BUT it must be the Lord's work that we are doing. It's by
HIS power. He leads us, He is the Vine and we are the branches; He is the
Potter, we are the clay; He guides our steps.
When you view your life as not your own, then you won't be searching for
purpose but rather will have peace knowing that "he which hath begun a good
work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Phil 1:6) Our peace
and our contentment is seeing HIM work in and through us.
We know that apostasy is prophesied in the Last Days. Where shall it take
place? Within small churches whose humble pastor teaches the Word of God,
without compromise? Or within the wheat and tares mega church “purpose
driven” complex where dancing "cha cha" lessons are taught to the "singles"
and where busy people have no time to grow in the knowledge of Christ Jesus?
Rev 3:15-19 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I
would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and
neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou
sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing;
and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and
blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that
thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed,
and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine
eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke
and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
©2006 Cobblestone Road Ministries
All Rights Reserved
FURTHER READING:
Why Did Jesus Die For Us?
We are His Instruments
Church Apostasy - Living In The Last Days
The Lord Jesus said, "I AM the Vine"
What's Wrong With The Prosperity Gospel?
Plagiarism Among Preachers and Swapping Sermons?
Seeking their purpose as they go about to establish their "own mark" in the
kingdom. The Christian has but one duty and that is to REST in Christ and let
Him work through us. It's not about programs, schedules, conferences, social
gatherings -- it's about being led by His Spirit.
The Purpose Driven Life teaches that YOU must search within yourself to find
your place in ministry-- that one has to keep busy in "the Lord's work" but yet
Jesus calls us to sit and learn from Him. It's not about doing anything of our
own power-- it's about growing in Him.
Good works are a result of spending time with Him ALONE-- without the Mega-
Church programs to get in the way.
Yet in the PDL churches, the burden is placed upon the human effort of the
congregation in persuading folks to accept the Gospel and/or inviting others to
join the church, with little or no reference to the role of the Holy Spirit's
leading.
We are to be lead by the Holy Spirit and we are to be satisfied wherever the
Lord has placed us.
Col 2:6-8 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in
him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have
been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man
spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after
the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE IS NEVER SATISFIED
Phi 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in
whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
1Tim 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
Being Christian isn't about being happy with your life; it's about being satisfied
in Christ Jesus. He is our Savior, He is our Lord and He is our example. We are
to learn of Him. Jesus made the time to pray to His Father. How much time do
"purpose driven" Christians spend in prayer? Are they content in simply
knowing Him? Do they rest in Him?
The purpose driven pastors, who place LARGE burdens upon their flock
convey this attitude that one must be BUSY all the time-- "for the Lord's
work", of course. Yet our Lord took the time to fellowship with the Heavenly
Father and to learn of Him. (John 8:28) A purpose driven pastor would have
told Jesus, "Why are you waiting until you are 30 to start your ministry...go
now. Have purpose..." Yet God's Word, quotes Jesus the Messiah, in
Isaiah 50:4-5: The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned,
that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary:
he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the
learned. The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious,
neither turned away back.
What would some of these Megachurch pastors say to Jesus?
"You could reach more people...why are you resting and praying?"
Just by viewing Christian blogs and message boards, one can see that the
Purpose Driven Life groups are so burdened with trying to find purpose, that
they are burning themselves out. It is not of God. The Lord wants us to rest in
Him and KNOWING that whatever work we will do, it is Him who will provide
the way and the grace to do it. He is the Potter and we are simply the clay.
Psalm 37:7 tells us to "Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him"
Psalm 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he
shall bring it to pass.
1Cor 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do
all to the glory of God.
People are rushing to a third-world country to “do great things for God” but
they can’t even reach their own backyard. The Mega-Church has MANY
activities as alternatives to worldly ones. To our shock, there are “Christian
dancing”—“cha cha” lessons offered in the modern church…Lord have mercy.
They have movie nights—where “Christians” can go and watch “Hellywood’s”
newest abomination and call it "fellowship". They encourage people to leave
their “comfort zone” and "do great things for God"…in between the church
programs, dance lessons, social events, sports activities, workouts, city
outreaches and God only knows what else.
WHAT IS "NEEDFUL"
The Lord made a day for rest…but rest is not what you will find with “purpose-
driven” people. They don’t have time to read God’s Word for two hours and
pray and seek His face…they are too busy finding more to do “for the Lord”.
Though well-meaning, this is not found in Scripture.
God leads us…we don’t need to seek "something to do". We can walk out the
door and the Lord will bring us into the path of someone who needs help. I
once read a story about a man who went around the whole city seeking to do
the Lord’s work and found nothing. He finally went back to the place where he
started and waiting there all the time was a person who needed help. The devil
sends us out on wild goose chases. Our flesh wants to do “great things,” but
truthfully speaking…it is the Lord alone who does great things. We do little
things, by His grace alone. He enables us to do little things and it is the little
things that count….for little becomes much when God is in it. The Lord does
not need a fancy preacher…the Lord needs a humble preacher. The Lord does
not work through grand productions but through humble people who are sold
out to Him…who take the time to learn at HIS feet.
Consider the words of Jesus in the following passage:
Luke 10:38-42 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain
village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And
she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said,
Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her
therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha,
Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing
is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken
away from her.
Notice that the "good part" was to sit and learn of Him. Martha was busy doing
work serving the Lord but she was stressed out and Jesus told her what was
"needful".
BEING LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Seeker-Friendly movement has brought the world back into the church.
The preacher stands on a stage, idolized and admired by all his “faithful” and
subtly brings in heresies and places burdens upon his congregation to “be more
productive” so that “we can bring more people into church.” The "Modern
Church" today is run like a factory…mass producing “purpose-driven” people.
Yet we read in the Book of Acts that the Lord added daily such as should be
saved:
Acts 2:46-47 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and
breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and
singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And
the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Now consider Paul's journey through Galatia, and his ultimate destination,
Macedonia. Paul himself did not know he would end up in Macedonia!
Act 16:6-8 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of
Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the
Spirit suffered them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas…
The purpose driven pastor would have told Paul… “What are you talking
about? We are to be purpose driven! Go out there…” But the bible says that it
was the HOLY GHOST who forbid them. Why? Because there is a time and a
purpose for everything, as we see in the next few verses.
Acts 16:9-10 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man
of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help
us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into
Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach
the gospel unto them.
The LORD is the One who should lead us. The bible says tells us that it is He
Who leads us in "the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Obviously,
the Lord’s leading does not include church groups going to the cinema for some
worldly entertainment or some ungodly sporting event with immodestly dressed
cheerleaders. The flesh will lead one there but not the Spirit. Nor will the Holy
Spirit lead one to watch Sunday football, when that time could be spent
fellowshipping with their family. Nor will the Holy Spirit lead a Christian into a
sports bar on a Monday night to watch football.
A GOOD SHEPHERD
Is the Mega-church truly a healthy church? Does the pastor know each person
by name? Obviously not. Yet a good shepherd knows each of his flock by
name. Does the purpose driven pastor have time to rest in the Lord? Or is he
trying to establish a big name for himself in the community?
The pastor is the main idol of the mega-church. Why did the church become so
big? To hear ONE man preach…correct? It’s a pride thing --for if the pastor
truly cares for the community in which he lives, he would not burden the tax
payer with unneeded traffic in and out of the church and making policemen
direct traffic. Tax payers carry the burden of the megachurch.
With the megachurch, it’s about quantity. Yet in God’s Word, we find nothing
of the kind…it’s about quality. Take Gideon, he had all those men but yet God
could only use a few good men. (Judges 7) The Lord does not need the mega
church. They are too self-confident. They have need of nothing…except more
programs and more “productive” workers.
The Lord’s strength is made perfect in weakness. The modern church has been
redefined to fit the world and to “change the world” but it is simply another
“social gospel” --fruitless effort that keeps the Christian busy working as a busy
bee but no time for the Living God and true worship. Yet the Lord Jesus says to
“buy of me gold tried in the fire”. We are to learn at HIS feet, rest in Him, take
His yolk—which is easy and HIS burden—which is light. We are to rest one
day out of the week and learn of Him. Remember that the Lord gave us the
Sabbath...to all people in the Book of Genesis. It was not just given to the Jews
but to everyone. The Lord rested and so should we.
Christ Jesus said in Matthew 11:29-30 Take my yoke upon you, and learn
of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your
souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Do mega church members REALLY pray? They are TOO BUSY to pray with
all their activites and programs they have going on. It's a fast-food type service,
made to order...rush them in the door and rush them out of the door to get
ready for the next group of people coming in. There is no room for the Holy
Spirit in such services. The Early Church was a PRAYING church...it wasn't
about finding purpose. It was about growing closer to Christ Jesus! He is our
LIFE! Our life is hidden in Christ Jesus.
CONCLUSION
Are you burdened with being "purpose driven"? Sit at the feet of Jesus and rest
in Him...open up your KJV bible and pray for the Lord to show you HIS truth
concerning all matters in your life. You will find that whatever the Lord leads
you to do, He will give you the strength to do it. He will perform the work
through you. His burden is not heavy. The burden of the Pharisees was
extremely heavy upon the people but our Lord desires that we yield to His
leading.
Winning the lost does not require "programs" and "committees". Be a light...
reach out to those you know. Ask the Lord to place in your pathway people
who He wants you to witness to. We must not be slothful in doing
the Lord's work BUT it must be the Lord's work that we are doing. It's by
HIS power. He leads us, He is the Vine and we are the branches; He is the
Potter, we are the clay; He guides our steps.
When you view your life as not your own, then you won't be searching for
purpose but rather will have peace knowing that "he which hath begun a good
work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Phil 1:6) Our peace
and our contentment is seeing HIM work in and through us.
We know that apostasy is prophesied in the Last Days. Where shall it take
place? Within small churches whose humble pastor teaches the Word of God,
without compromise? Or within the wheat and tares mega church “purpose
driven” complex where dancing "cha cha" lessons are taught to the "singles"
and where busy people have no time to grow in the knowledge of Christ Jesus?
Rev 3:15-19 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I
would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and
neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou
sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing;
and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and
blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that
thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed,
and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine
eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke
and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
©2006 Cobblestone Road Ministries
All Rights Reserved
FURTHER READING:
Why Did Jesus Die For Us?
We are His Instruments
Church Apostasy - Living In The Last Days
The Lord Jesus said, "I AM the Vine"
What's Wrong With The Prosperity Gospel?
Plagiarism Among Preachers and Swapping Sermons?
