Desires, Dreams and Destiny

22 May 2011

1. Introduction

• Ecc.3:11 “…He has put eternity in their hearts…”
• God has built into the heart of every person an awareness of eternity.
• People long for a sense of purpose, destiny – to make their life count.
• God has written this desire into the hearts of men.

2. You have a Destiny

(a) Common Ideas of Destiny

• Destiny = a future that is predetermined for you and you cannot change it.
• Destiny = a power that determines the course of your life.

e.g. “Fate”, “Karma”; Star Wars Movie “It is your destiny”.

(b) Christians have their own idea of destiny

• Many of the ideas, thoughts Christians have are rooted in Greek ideas.
• God is Sovereign        = the one who causes all things

= He is the sole originator of all thoughts, decisions,

   actions

= When something goes wrong God is to blame.

• If God orchestrates every detail of our life then all we can do is align with His instructions to be told what to do = passivity or reaction.
• God is a personal, loving, caring God.
• Jer.29:11 “I know the plans I have for you, plans for good not evil to give you hope”.
• God has a plan, purpose, a destiny for us – but He invites our participation and initiative in this plan.

3. God’s Destiny for you was planned before you were born

(a) Samson – Destined to be a deliverer

            Jud.13:3-5

(b) Josiah – Destined to be a reformer

            1 Kg. 13:2 – Destiny foretold 360 years ahead of his birth.

            2 Kg. 21:24

(c) Jeremiah – Destined to be a prophet

Jer.1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, I ordained you”.

            God created us long before He forms us.

God imagined trees – created seeds – every seed is potentially a tree.

Before Jeremiah conceived – a destiny was formed by God for him.

(d) You and Me – Destined by God for greatness

Eph.2:10 “We are His workmanship – created in Christ Jesus unto good works which

God prepared beforehand that we would walk in them”

Note:

· Identity – who I am

· Works – what I am called to do

· Time – a period of time to accomplish works. Ps.139:16

4. You were created by God for a Purpose

• Eph.2:10
• Notice the background or context for this verse:

(i) Chosen by God (ch.1:4)

(ii) Destined for Son-ship (ch.1:5)

(iii) Joined to Holy Spirit (ch.1:13)

(iv) Needing revelation of calling (ch.1:17-19) + purpose

(v) Raised to realm of Kingdom (ch.2:6)

(vi) Belonging to a body/people – church (ch.2:19) (4:12)

(vii) Needing to learn how to walk with God (ch.4:11)

(viii) Needing to learn how to warfare for destiny (ch.6:10)

• “Workmanship” = 4161 = something uniquely created by God.
• “Created”         = 2936 = to bring forth, construct, fabricate.

= to bring into existence something that is unique, is designed for an assignment, that could not evolve by itself.

• You are uniquely designed by God to represent Him and advance the Kingdom.
• “Before Ordained” = 4282 = to make all the necessary preparations ahead of time.
• Before you were formed in the womb and birthed into the world God made all the necessary preparations for you to fulfil His call and purpose.
• “Should Walk” = 4043 = to tread all around, to walk at large.

= to be occupied with, to fill your life accomplishing.

= to trample on path, tread underfoot, conquer a territory.

• We are called to walk out daily our destiny.

5. You are “Hard Wired” for your Destiny

• How does God get you to your destiny?

(i) God speaks to us – must learn to hear, respond, walk.

(ii) God has hard wired us with desires, passions, dreams.

• Prov. 4:23 Out of heart flow issues of life.
• You must choose to believe what God says about you.

(i) You are a King (Rev.5:10)

(ii) You are one spirit with God (1 Cor. 6:17)

(iii) You are a winner in life (1 Jn.4:4, 5:4)

(iv) You have power (Acts 1:8)

(v) You have an inheritance – territory to possess (Jn. 14:12)

(vi) You are blessed to bless others (Gal. 3:13-14)

(vii) You must take initiative (Lk. 19:13).