Priority Of Purpose

PRIORITY OF PURPOSEby karen whiting

WWW.KARENWHITING.COM

What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” (1 Corinthians 1:12, NIV).

Before making the above statement, Paul shared that he thanked God for the reader and shared his faith in them. He encouraged them to desire unity. Then, Paul spoke these words about disunity among them. He pointed out a danger of people who build platforms where followers looked to the person with the platform instead of looking at Christ.

Paul noted that Christ sent him to preach and not to baptize. He understood his mission. In a world where opportunities to speak and write are connected to being known, it’s easy to prioritize self-promotion. Focus on this acrostic of p-u-r-p-os-e to help maintain balance in your ministry.

Place Christ before self. Make sure you always point to Christ to help listeners focus on Him. Your message should glorify God and center on

His power and not you. help people draw closer to Jesus, the Bread of Life.

Understand your audience’s needs. Know who needs your message, and seek to reach them. Understand their hearts and spiritual needs so you can connect those listeners with God.

Relate to audience to develop rapport and trust. Connecting to listeners builds unity. That’s how you impact your audience so they will believe and do what you say. This builds relationships that naturally build a platform.

Present a gift with words. Consider your talk a gift that meets needs. Your words and your smile are the wrapping; your message is the present. As you unwrap the gift, help them see how it can change their lives and draw them closer to God.

Opt in to opportunities. Paul used every opportunity to reach people who needed God. Ask God to open doors and guide you where He wants you to speak or publish.

Serve rather than seek to be served. Your attitude is the heart of what you do. Stay close to God. Keep your heart in tune with Him and focused on the people who need you. You are serving God; do not seek to have people serve you.

Equip audiences to action. Your purpose and message flow from God’s calling and what He wants you to do and say. If you communicate that message well, your audience will be equipped to change and also impact others.

Karen Whiting (www.karenwhiting.com) is an international speaker, former television host, and author of 25 books. Her latest book, The Gift of Bread, showcases bread in the Bible to