The Power of Purpose: Breaking Through to Intentional Living

Michael Catt has a remarkable ability to put into words profound truths in simple terms. He has done it again in The Power of Purpose. These pages will drive you to your knees before the Savior and compel you to look again at your relationship with Him and the reason He has placed you on this earth. Drawing from the book of Philippians, he has captured the key focus of that great epistle. It is the unbounding, irresistible, and exuberant joy that is found in our purpose in life, which is to know our Lord and become like Him. You will be captivated by these pages . . . and drawn into a fresh relationship with the One who gives us our purpose in life!

James T. Draper Jr.President Emeritus, LifeWay Christian Resources

This is Michael Catt’s best work thus far. Michael, the one known to always ask the pointed questions to make comfortable Christianity uncomfortable, uses the context of the book of Philippians to ask, If someone was part of your city or church ten years ago and they moved back, would they say you were still on track, living a purposeful life? Certainly, authentic faith has consistency but it also has conviction. Michael’s insights on purposefulness are insightful to those who understand that the gospel is offensive to this world’s perspective and Lordship is confrontational to those who bow before the altar of man-pleasing instead of surrendering at the foot of the cross.

John Yeats Executive Director, Missouri Baptist Convention Southern Baptist Convention Recording Secretary

I believe Michael Catt to be one of the most gifted expositors of God’s Word in the evangelical world today. His sermons and teachings are always biblically grounded, theologically astute, and devotionally enriching; I am encouraged and challenged every time I submit myself to Michael’s instruction. In his typical fashion, Michael again delivers faithful, biblical teaching in The Power of Purpose. Among the numerous biblical passages that he could have chosen for his study, his selection of the book of Philippians is insightfully appropriate. Michael’s exposition of the epistle is guided by his stated conviction: Purpose matters. But it’s not just about having a purpose; it’s about having the right purpose. With the heart of a pastor, Michael leads us on a journey through this epistle to teach us what God’s ‘right purpose’ is for individuals and churches.

Having served as a pastor, a professor, and an administrator of Christian universities for over thirty years, I have daily witnessed God’s people wrestle to discern His purpose for their lives. Michael Catt has provided an invaluable resource to instruct us on this quest. I enthusiastically commend this work to guide you in this exploration. Knowing God’s purpose for your life is a liberating, empowering reality, for as Michael rightfully states, We were born for purpose. God has gifted you, called you, and empowered you to live a purposeful life. Read this book, learn from Michael’s teachings, and embrace the empowering purpose God has for you!

Stan Norman, Ph.D.Provost and Executive Vice President for Campus Life Professor of Theology, Oklahoma Baptist University

In a day filled with fear, hopelessness, insecurity, insignificance, immorality, oppression and depression, Dr. Michael Catt’s book is a breath of fresh air and a much needed rhema word for this season! IT’S A MUST READ FOR ALL KINGDOM CITIZENS that will educate, equip, enlighten, encourage and enrich!

With historical and biblical exegetical insight, life experience and wisdom, Dr Catt examines the book of Philippians, which is often called the epistle of joy or the believer’s mental health book!! He challenges us to break thru with intentional living or living life according to our unique purpose as ordered by the divine Orderer (Ps. 139:14–15; Jer. 1:5)!

We are called according to His purpose, which is to glorify, exalt, and magnify Him that will push back darkness and draw people to the light (Matt. 5:16; Rom. 8:28; 1 Cor. 10:31; Rev. 4:11)!

It is my prayer that this book will help heal hurts and bind up wounds underneath the skin in the unseen realities of life for sinner and saint alike (Ps. 147:3; Luke 4:18)!

I am greatly blessed by Dr. Catt’s commitment displayed all over the world, to passionate prayer, enthusiastic evangelism, and great commandment living (Matt. 22:37–40)!! I am praying that God would use this book to stimulate us to model unconditional love, holiness, humility, and brokenness with radical obedience to the Lordship of Jesus Christ that will bring inexplicable unity in the body of Christ ushering in revival in the Church and a Spiritual Awakening in the land!

Thank you my brother, for this excellent work!! May the Savior be glorified, the Saints edified, Satan horrified, and heaven magnified by it!!

K. Marshall Williams Sr.Senior Pastor, Nazarene Baptist Church, Philadelphia, PA

In what may be his best book yet, Dr. Catt explores a topic that is relevant for everyone but, unfortunately, is lived by few. The Power of Purpose is not for the passive. This book is an active call to rise up to the standard of your divine design and live in the rarified air of purposeful intent. Your guide on this journey is a man who has lived out these principles and has seen God do the miraculous time and time again. Get prayed up, get ready to be pressed out, and prepare to live out the power of purpose.

Tally Wilgis Founding Pastor, Captivate Christian Church Executive Director, Baltimore Baptist Association

A life without purpose is a meaningless walk in the darkness. The most fully alive people on the planet are those who have discovered that life really does possess meaning and have found their purpose for living. Michael Catt knows something about purpose. As one of America’s top communicators he understands how to connect ordinary people with transformative truth. In his new book he skillfully unveils the keys to finding a life of purpose through this skillful exposition of the book of Philippians. Whether you’re an individual wanting to take a fresh look at this ancient book or a study group looking for an excellent resource, this book will help you see Philippians in a new way and help you find real life through real purpose.

William Rice Senior Pastor, Calvary Baptist Church | Clearwater, FL

Michael Catt’s book The Power of Purpose comes at a time of great spiritual need in North America, and it is desperately needed by today’s church. If we’re going to reach the millions of lost people across our continent with the gospel, we need God to raise up a new generation of men and women who understand God’s purpose for their lives and commit to live it out with everything they have. Read this book and get another copy for a friend. I pray God will use it to ignite a revival of purpose across our continent.

Kevin Ezell President of the North American Mission Board

Copyright © 2017 by Michael Catt

All Rights Reserved

978-1-4336-5043-7

B&H Publishing Group

Nashville, Tennessee

www.BHPublishingGroup.com

Dewey Decimal Classification: 248.84

Subject Heading: BIBLE. N.T. PHILIPPIANS \ CHURCH \ CHRISTIAN LIFE

Unless otherwise noted, all Scriptures are taken from the New American Standard Bible (nasb) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Other translations used include: Holman Christian Standard Bible (hcsb), copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved. New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. New English Translation (net), NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved. J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS), The New Testament in Modern English by J.B Phillips copyright © 1960, 1972 J. B. Phillips. Administered by The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England. Used by Permission. The Message (msg) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Quotations at the beginning of each chapter and other uncited quotes are taken from John Blanchard’s The Complete Gathered Gold (Webster, NY: Evangelical Press, 2006).

Printed in the United States

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Dedicated to Andy Andrews

Andy has helped countless numbers of people find their purpose through his writing and speaking. From a young man who was once homeless to now a New York Times best-selling author and popular speaker, he asked the question that would bring focus to his life: Is life just a lottery ticket, or are there choices one can make to direct his future?

Andy has made deliberate choices in light of who he is in Christ, and he makes me want to be better. His books, stories, emails, and phone calls (always filled with the message of faith, hope, joy, and perseverance) resonate in my heart. My friend has found his purpose and lives it daily, and his focus and determination remind me to pursue mine with the same passion.

introduction: Defining Our Purpose

God made us for himself; that is the first and last thing that can be said about human existence, and whatever more we add is but commentary.

—A. W. Tozer

Someone has said that the two greatest days in a person’s life are the day he was born and the day he finds out why. Let me start there. I’m adopted. I first learned about my adoption when I was in my late thirties, and to this day I don’t know who my birth parents are. But I do know my purpose—I have meaning in life, and I know why I’m here.

A very familiar Scripture on purpose is found in the book of Jeremiah, when the prophet writes, ‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope’ (29:11). These words were written some time after the Jews were deported to Babylon around 597 BC to encourage the exiles. Can you imagine how purposeless they felt? God’s people had been defeated and exiled. They were probably asking, What’s the use?

Jeremiah wrote to encourage them, strengthen them, and give them a sense of purpose. Even though they were in captivity, all was not lost. Although they were living in a pagan culture, God had plans for them. It was important for them to be God’s witnesses in a pagan world. They needed to follow the one true God while living in Babylon.

Don’t Give Up Hope

Maybe you too have given up hope. Stop thinking that way. As long as God is on the throne, there is hope. None of us knows what may be in store in the days ahead, but we can live with hope. These exiles had lost everything except a few possessions they carried into Babylon. From their perspective, there wasn’t much worth living for. If you are a walking pity party, you’ll lose your sense of purpose. Whining and complaining won’t change a thing. Whether you see your situation as temporary or permanent, if you lose hope, you lose your reason for living. Whatever you are facing, look it in the face and look God in the face and ask Him what He wants you to learn. Wherever you are, it’s not an accident. God can take a setback and turn it into a stepping stone.

There is danger if you lack purpose. You start listening to people who tell you what you want to hear. You’ll buy lies that make you feel better and feed off spiritual junk food rather than the meat of the Word of God. This was happening with the Babylonian captives. They were listening to false prophets who told them this was a temporary setback that would be over soon. Jeremiah told them the truth. The Scriptures were clear that the Babylonian captivity would be seventy years. Therefore, they needed to settle down, build homes, and get on with their lives. Warren Wiersbe writes, This small Jewish remnant was holding in its hands the future of God’s great plan of salvation, and they must obey Him, be fruitful, and multiply.¹

Hope and Purpose

I believe hope and purpose are tied together. If I have a sense of purpose, I have hope. If I have hope, I have a sense of purpose. I find both hope and purpose in the Word of God. Israel was in captivity, yet they needed to be reminded of their purpose. Paul was in prison when he wrote the letter to the Philippians, but he never forgot his purpose. The church is in a battle. We need to remember our purpose. We have a message of hope for a lost world.

As I travel this land, I see people who look empty. They crowd onto subways, planes, and trains, and their faces reveal a lack of purpose. Some look bored. Others seem dazed and confused. For the most part, mankind seems to move through life like cattle headed for the slaughter pen. In the youngest generation—those who should be the most idealistic—there is a sense of dread. They realize they won’t have the things their parents had. They graduate from college, can’t find a job, and move back home. Social media create a false sense of connection, yet they can’t carry on a face-to-face conversation about the real meaning of life. They look empty.

Some people live for their careers. Others focus on finding fulfillment through a soul mate. Many parents allow their lives to be dictated by soccer, ballet, and a thousand other activities that place their children at the center of the universe. Others still focus on fitness, obsessing over exercise, marathons, the gym, or the latest dieting fad. But none of these or the whole host of other false security nets can provide true purpose or lasting satisfaction.

What Is Your Purpose?

Purpose matters. But it’s not just about having a purpose; it’s about having the right purpose. Our world is off track. We’ve lost our way. Everything that used to be wrong is now right. Suicide rates are alarming. Counseling centers can’t handle the requests from people whose lives are unraveling. Domestic violence and sexual abuse are ruining the lives of people around the globe. Many seem to have lost (or never truly found) their reason for living. The reality is, we can’t live without meaning and purpose. Thomas Carlyle said, The man without purpose is like a ship without a rudder.²

I find great truth in the words of George Eliot: What makes life dreary is absence of motive. What makes life complicated is multiplicity of motive. What makes life victorious is singleness of motive.³ Job asked the question, What is man that You magnify him, and that You are concerned about him, that You examine him every morning and try him at every moment? (7:17–18). The psalmist asked, O Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You think of him? Man is like a mere breath; His days are like a passing shadow (144:3–4). From the Garden to Glory, God has a purpose for man. Life is about discovering that purpose. Fallen man will never find his true purpose until he finds forgiveness and life in Christ. As the early church leader Augustine of Hippo said, You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless, until they can find rest in you. The believer can have Christ and still miss his or her purpose. If we aren’t surrendered to the lordship of Christ and walking in the Spirit, we can end up like the children of Israel, wandering in the wilderness of lost opportunity.

The very idea of purpose could not arise by chance, for purpose and chance are opposites. God didn’t place us here and wish us good luck. He didn’t make us in His image to be a victim of circumstances. He put us here to be overcomers. His witnesses. Salt and light. If it weren’t for Jesus, everything in this world would be meaningless. All of life would be a dead-end street. Francis Schaeffer wrote, Man, made in the image of God, has a purpose: to be in relationship to God, who is there. Man forgets his purpose and thus he forgets who he is and what life means.⁴ So let me ask you: What is your purpose?

Chapter 1

Living a Purposeful Life

Philippians 1:1–2

God doesn’t call people who are qualified. He calls people who are willing, and then He qualifies them.

—Richard Parker

I have hundreds of biographies in my personal library—biblical heroes, historical personalities, politicians, entertainers, and sports figures. When you read a biography, you learn things about a person you may have never known by just hearing a few facts about them. Paul often includes biographical snippets in his letters to help us know what’s going on in his life. At the beginning of the book of Philippians, he gives readers a glimpse of his own perspective of the current situation: Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (1:1–2). From these two verses we know who is accompanying Paul and who his audience is.

From a prison cell, the apostle puts pen to parchment with a purpose in mind—to encourage a church that has brought him great joy. This body of believers in Philippi had taken seriously their partnership with Christ. Paul is not thinking about a building, but a people who had made a lasting impression on him.

No More Business as Usual

I’ve chosen Paul’s letter to the Philippians as the focus for this book about purpose. These men and women were assembled in the middle of a corrupt, sensual society, fighting against the trends of political correctness and business as usual. They were God’s representatives in a secular society, and they maintained a singular focus, vision, and purpose.

In the Sacra Script Field Notes on Philippians, the authors note, Christians who cease to stand out begin to blend into their surrounding culture. When the mind-set and values of secular society concerning lifestyles, faith, morality, responsibility, conduct, marriage, sexuality, and truth influence one’s mind and take hold of one’s heart they inevitably affect one’s attitude and behavior. Society begins to influence the life and mission of the church rather than the other way around. . . . Tragically, light gives way to darkness.¹

In a world that encourages us to just go with the flow, this letter stands as a reminder of our purpose as Christ-followers. We are called to be the church, the bride of Christ, who stands against the whims of the age. The corrupt culture of the twenty-first century is nothing new. This dichotomy between light and darkness, believers and a lost world, has existed since the beginning of time. In the midst of temptations to conform to or retreat from our society, salt cannot afford to lose its saltiness. If we lack a sense of calling and an understanding of purpose, we’ll begin to question God, His character, and His Word.

The church cannot fall into the same trap the Israelites of old fell