A. This is the fifth lesson is a series based on Psalm 16:11 – "You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”

B. One of the ways that God gives us fullness of joy is by giving us purpose in life and making us adequate to fulfill that purpose. Let us examine this source of joy in our present lesson.

II. YOUR PURPOSE IS TO SERVE

A. A life without substantial purpose and meaning is a life devoid of joy.

1. Without a clear purpose for living, a person will struggle to find any lasting meaning and significance for his life. This leads to hopelessness and despair.

2. Those who reject God lack any meaningful purpose and cannot experience genuine joy. They may find temporary satisfaction in pleasure, possessions, or power, but all of that is fleeting and cannot bring the true joy of knowing God (consider Phil. 3:4-11).

B. God has given us purpose and meaning by creating us for His service.

1. The book of Ecclesiastes is a record of Solomon's struggle for purpose and meaning, and he summarized his findings in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 – "The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.”

2. Understanding this God-given purpose in life is the key to a truly happy existence.

a. We are created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27). This fact must be the foundation to everything we understand about ourselves. If we do not understand and believe in this fact, then our lives are adrift in a sea of random nothingness.

b. Jesus, the living Word, gives us this understanding, for it was He who made us (John 1:1-3). Paul explained that "we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Eph. 2:10).

c. We may find lasting happiness by performing these "good works, which God prepared beforehand.” God's eternal purpose in Christ can lead us to eternal happiness in Him as well.

d. Therefore, let us be happy by heeding the words of Christ in Matthew 5:16 – "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

C. Christians are equipped by Jesus for the work of service in His body, the church.

1. Jesus not only gives us purpose, but He also gives us the tools to accomplish that purpose.

a. Consider Ephesians 4:11-12 – "And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.”

b. Notice that "the work of service” belongs to all the saints and not only evangelists, pastors, and teachers. The saints are equipped for this work so that every member of the body of Christ has significance.

2. Both Romans 12 and 1Corinthians 12 elaborate on how Christ equips His followers (the saints) for a meaningful life of service to Him and fellow Christians.

a. These passages describe how each member of Christ's body has been given a distinct function and purpose. By Christ's design, every member is necessary and significant in the work of the church.

b. The point is strongly made in 1Corinthians 12 that all members of Christ are needed and no one can be disregarded or overlooked in importance. The significance of this is stated simply in verse 27: "Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it.”

3. What could be more meaningful or bring more joy than using the tools Jesus gives you to glorify God, please the Lord, and build up His holy body?

III. REJOICE IN SERVING

A. It is a joy and an honor to serve the Almighty God.

1. We serve a glorious Master, who is worthy of our eternal praise and service.

a. The chorus of heaven declares, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing” (Rev. 5:12).

b. It is a pleasure to serve the glorious Lord and Savior of our souls. There is nothing better that we could do on earth or in heaven.

2. The honor of serving Him has been granted to us by means of the cleansing power of His blood through the gospel.

a. Consider 2Timothy 2:20-21 – "Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.”

b. Although we were sinners, Christ has sanctified us for an honorable service to Him. This is cause for great joy and thanksgiving, just as Paul expressed in 1Timothy 1:12-16:

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.

B. Our joy is increased by the anticipation of the reward for serving Him.

1. The promises of the Lord for this reward are abundant, and the hope of their fulfillment gives us great joy in the present.

a. In John 12:26, the Lord promised, "If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.” The hope of being with Jesus and receiving honor from the Father brings us profound joy.

b. In 1Corinthians 15:58, Paul gave us the joyful promise of a reward, saying, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” Notice that our work in Jesus is meaningful, significant, and worthwhile, for our "toil is not in vain in the Lord.”

c. We can find joy even in our common, ordinary tasks, for Colossians 3:23-24 commands us, "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” Even the most mundane things of life can be joyful when we serve the Lord and anticipate His reward.

2. The joy of anticipation for this reward is great, but the joy of receiving this reward will be even greater when we will hear the Lord say, "Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master” (Matt. 25:21).

IV. CONCLUSION

A. Consider that the joyful residents of heaven are busy in the service of God just as we will be after the judgment. Notice these passages:

1. Revelation 7:15 – "For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them.”

2. Revelation 22:3-5 – There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.

B. If there is such joy in the service of God in heaven, then surely we can also experience great joy in His glorious service while here on earth. Indeed, this is the purpose for which we have been made.