"Purpose Driven." What is it? by Dean Gotcher

"Purpose Driven." What is it?

by
Dean Gotcher

"It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." Jeremiah 10:23

The fellowship of believers have this "Purpose":

1) To live by every Word which proceedeth from the mouth of God (make sure you have the Word of God). Not to live according to the opinions of men, i.e. according to the flesh (according to the "lust of the flesh").

2) To worship the Lord God alone. Not to worship the world and the works of men (according to the "lust of the eyes").

3) To use God's Word as He directs. Not to use God's Word out of context for personal gain, i.e. for the approval of men (according to the "pride of life").

It is not driven (like cattle). It is directed and lead (like sheep) by the Word and the Holy Spirit—to suffer in the flesh, doing the Lord's will as He directs only (as He leads).

Unless a man is dead to himself and alive in Christ he is only "driven" by his flesh (and his fleshy mind), living for bread (wanting the pleasures of this life), living for the worship of men (worshiping the pleasures of this life), and personal gain (being supported for the pleasures of this life), including and especially the approval of men, seducing, deceiving, and manipulating those around him for the pleasures of this life, neutralizing, marginalizing, removing, and negating anyone who gets in his way (of the pleasures of this life). Even doing so in the name of the Lord, i.e. in the name of the fellowship (the group, the community, the world, the nations, the environment, etc.), in the name of "purpose," i.e. in the name of pleasure for all, i.e. in the name of "growth." As a loving Father chastens his children, to get them off of their "lusting" after the gratifying things of the world, thus producing a "peaceful fruit of righteousness," so God chastens those who are His, casting out those who reject his chastening, turning them over to their reprobate mind. The "purpose driven church" is of the spirit of Antichrist, a Fatherless Christ, who but serves himself and the interests of men, who makes "customers" of the world, who has a great following, "prospering" those who follow him in the things of this life only ('liberating' the children from their Father's authority, using them instead for his own worldly pleasures).

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Proverbs 14:12

"Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness." Luke 11:35

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." "And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." "Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John 8:12, 23-24, 31-32, 34-36

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Matthew 6:24

"Be ye not unequally yoked together [come to consensus] with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 & 7:1

"Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled." "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and he that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day." "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you they are spirit, and they are life." John 6:26, 36-40, 63

"Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him." John 7:14-18

How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses. They were as fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour's wife. Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?" Jeremiah 5:7-9

"These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you. But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart." John 16: 1-6

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you." John 16:7-15