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Why pursue God? The second major reason is that it leads to the "outward life" - a life of service, mission, and legacy.

Why pursue God? The second reason is that it leads to the “outward life” – a life of service, mission, and legacy. Jesus himself made this clear through his life and teachings. Jesus taught that understanding what you were made for gives your life true purpose.

A Life of Service

Jesus came to serve, not to be served. He demonstrated this powerfully during the last supper with his disciples, when he took the position of a lowly servant and washed their feet. Jesus was modeling for them the mentality that comes with a pursuit of God. It’s a life directed outward.

John 13:12-15 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.

A Life of Mission

Jesus was a man on a mission, and he invited his disciples to join him. A pursuit of God is a pursuit of purpose. Followers of Jesus don’t have to wander aimlessly and wonder what life is about. God gives everything meaning. The reality of God gives purpose to every relationship.

John 15:13-16 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.

A Life of Legacy

Because God exists and pursuing him brings purpose, followers of Jesus have a true and lasting legacy to leave. Our greatest purpose in life is to know God and make him known, and everyone can get in on the action. A pursuit of God is not for the select few, but for everyone. And everyone can leave a legacy for the next generation, regardless of gender, race, or social standing.

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Key Points:

  • A life of service.
  • A life of mission.
  • A life of legacy.

Quote This:

John 15:13-16 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.

See Also: Investigating Faith, Purpose, Sermonlink

Talk About It
  1. What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. In most institutions or businesses, the “lower” people serve the people above them on the organizational chart. How does it work in God’s Kingdom? Explain.
  3. Why is it important to have purpose in your life?
  4. Write out a mission statement for your life. How would you have written it 5 or 10 years ago? Has it changed?
  5. Write out a mission statement for Jesus’ life. What can we learn from it for our own lives?
  6. What legacy do you want to leave when you’re dead and gone?
  7. Write a personal action step based on this conversation.

This is part of the Faith and Growth series.

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