IN PURSUIT OF A LIFE PLAN

First Presbyterian Church

Jackson, MS

MEN’S RALLY

Session 1

Choosing Your Life Purpose
Philippians 1:12-26

Session 2

Choosing Your Life Power
Romans 6:1-13

Life Plan Workbook

Download Here

Session 1

Choosing Your Life Purpose
Philippians 1:12-26

Session 2

Choosing Your Life Power
Romans 6:1-13

Life Plan Workbook

Download Here

Why a life plan?

Proverbs 21:5a (NASB95)
the plans of the diligent lead to profit

Six Components And The Questions They Answer

1. Purpose – “Why do I exist?”

2. Vision – “What am I trying to accomplish?”

3. Mission – “How do I plan to accomplish my life vision?”

4. Values – “What is most important to me as I seek to accomplish my vision?”

5. Goals – “How will I know if I’m accomplishing my mission?”

6. Power – “How will I find the power to work my plan?”

Philippians 1:20-21 (NASB95)
20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I shall not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ shall even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

One’s True Life Purpose Is Revealed By A Two-Fold Litmus Test

1. How One Views Their Life Problems

Philippians 1:12-19 (NASB95)
12 Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel,
13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,
14 and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.
15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will;
16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;
17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.
18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,
19 for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ

2. How One Views Their Life Decisions

Philippians 1:22-26 (NASB95)
22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.
23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;
24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.
25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,
26 so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.

The Most Important Takeaway
One’s life purpose can only be eternal after experiencing a life-changing encounter with Christ. And if one’s lifestyle, use of time and life focus is temporal, one must assume they have perhaps never experienced such an encounter.

Three Realities

Reality #1

My Story

I realized I had an insurmountable debt I could not pay, for which I knew I had to eventually give an account.

The Gospel Story

Every living person has an insurmountable moral debt that must be paid and there will one day be a final moral audit.

Romans 3:23 (NASB95)
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Romans 6:23a (NASB95)
23a For the wages of sin is death, …

Hebrews 9:27 (NASB95)
27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment

WE LOST IT ALL!

Reality #2

My Story

I knew I had to eventually meet the owner who, to my great surprise, and at his own expense, cancelled my insurmountable debt.

The Gospel Story

Only Jesus’ death on the cross can cancel man’s moral debt.

Colossians 2:13-14 (NASB95)
13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,
14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

HE DID IT ALL!

REALITY #3

My Story

As a result, what the owner did for me created in me a forever love for a man, who until then, I had never met.

The Gospel Story

The cancellation of man’s moral debt includes a gift of God’s perfect righteousness, which when comprehended, leads to a love for God and a desire to obey Him.

Philippians 3:9 (NASB95)
9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NASB95)
21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Luke 7:47 (NASB95)
47 For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

WE GET IT ALL!

Romans 6:1-13 (NASB95)
1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?
2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?
3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?
4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,
6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;
7 for he who has died is freed from sin.
8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,
9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him.
10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.
11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts,
13 and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

1. There Are Two Kinds Of People In The World

1) Natural

2) Spiritual

2. There Are Two Certainties True Of Every Christian\

1) Sealed with the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 1:13 (NASB95)
13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise

2) Capable of being filled with the Holy Spirit

Galatians 5:16 (NASB95)
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

3. There Are Three Important Words In Romans 6:1-13 That Give Understanding To Being Filled With The Holy Spirit (Appropriating The Power Of The Holy Spirit)

1) “Know”

Romans 6:3 (NASB95)
3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?

Romans 6:6 (NASB95)
6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;

Romans 6:9 (NASB95)
9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him.

2) “Consider”

Romans 6:11 (NASB95)
11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

3) “Present”

Romans 6:13 (NASB95)
13 and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

“Resolved to “consider” what I “know” and to “present” to You the members of my body as instruments of righteousness.”

SESSION 1 – CHOOSING YOUR LIFE PURPOSE

Why a life plan?

Proverbs 21:5a (NASB95)
the plans of the diligent lead to profit

Six Components And The Questions They Answer

1. Purpose – “Why do I exist?”

2. Vision – “What am I trying to accomplish?”

3. Mission – “How do I plan to accomplish my life vision?””

4. Values – “What is most important to me as I seek to accomplish my vision?”

5. Goals – “How will I know if I’m accomplishing my mission?”

6. Power – “How will I find the power to work my plan?”

Philippians 1:20-21 (NASB95)
20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I shall not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ shall even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

One’s True Life Purpose Is Revealed By A Two-Fold Litmus Test

1. How One Views Their Life Problems

Philippians 1:12-19 (NASB95)
12 Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel,
13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,
14 and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.
15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will;
16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;
17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.
18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,
19 for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ

2. How One Views Their Life Decisions

Philippians 1:22-26 (NASB95)
22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.
23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;
24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.
25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,
26 so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.

The Most Important Takeaway
One’s life purpose can only be eternal after experiencing a life-changing encounter with Christ. And if one’s lifestyle, use of time and life focus is temporal, one must assume they have perhaps never experienced such an encounter.

Three Realities
Reality #1

My Story

I realized I had an insurmountable debt I could not pay, for which I knew I had to eventually give an account.

The Gospel Story

Every living person has an insurmountable moral debt that must be paid and there will one day be a final moral audit.

Romans 3:23 (NASB95)
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Romans 6:23a (NASB95)
23a For the wages of sin is death, …

Hebrews 9:27 (NASB95)
27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment

WE LOST IT ALL!

Reality #2

My Story

I knew I had to eventually meet the owner who, to my great surprise, and at his own expense, cancelled my insurmountable debt.

The Gospel Story

Only Jesus’ death on the cross can cancel man’s moral debt.

Colossians 2:13-14 (NASB95)
13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,
14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

HE DID IT ALL!

REALITY #3

My Story

As a result, what the owner did for me created in me a forever love for a man, who until then, I had never met.

The Gospel Story

The cancellation of man’s moral debt includes a gift of God’s perfect righteousness, which when comprehended, leads to a love for God and a desire to obey Him.

Philippians 3:9 (NASB95)
9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NASB95)
21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Luke 7:47 (NASB95)
47 For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

WE GET IT ALL!

SESSION 2 – CHOOSING YOUR LIFE POWER

Romans 6:1-13 (NASB95)
1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?
2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?
3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?
4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,
6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;
7 for he who has died is freed from sin.
8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,
9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him.
10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.
11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts,
13 and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

1. There Are Two Kinds Of People In The World

1) Natural

2) Spiritual

2. There Are Two Certainties True Of Every Christian

1) Sealed with the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 1:13 (NASB95)
13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise

2) Capable of being filled with the Holy Spirit

Galatians 5:16 (NASB95)
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

3. There Are Three Important Words In Romans 6:1-13 That Give Understanding To Being Filled With The Holy Spirit (Appropriating The Power Of The Holy Spirit)

1) “Know”

Romans 6:3 (NASB95)
3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?

Romans 6:6 (NASB95)
6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;

Romans 6:9 (NASB95)
9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him.

2) “Consider”

Romans 6:11 (NASB95)
11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

3) “Present”

Romans 6:13 (NASB95)
13 and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

“Resolved to “consider” what I “know” and to “present” to You the members of my body as instruments of righteousness.”