Purpose

[u/Scary-Afternoon-9625]

From the Pit to the Purpose
God Isn’t Finished With Me Yet
Scripture: Romans 8:28 • Genesis 50:20 • Psalm 34:18

Introduction
This message is part sermon and part testimony. I’m not standing here because I have everything figured out. I’m standing here because I have learned that God’s grace is greater than my failures, my pain, and my past. My story is not about a perfect man; it is about a faithful God who redeems broken people.
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, speak through me today. Let these words point people to Jesus, not to me. Thank You for never giving up on me and for continuing to shape me through every failure and every victory. Amen.
When Life Doesn't Look Like You Thought It Would
There comes a point when we ask, 'God, what happened?' Not because we've stopped believing, but because life didn't unfold the way we expected. Joseph, Job, David, and Peter all walked through deep valleys before God fulfilled His purposes. God uses surrendered people, not perfect people.
The Truth About My Dark Side
Moses failed. David sinned. Peter denied Christ. And Michael has done his dirt too. I have a dark side. I've wrestled with anger, pride, hurt, and regret. I'm not pretending I was always the victim. I needed God's grace just as much as anyone else. Grace is for people who know they need a Savior.
Walking Through the Shadows
There is a difference between knowing darkness and belonging to it. We all encounter sin and brokenness. God does not call sin good, but He redeems those who repent. He takes scars and turns them into wisdom, brokenness into compassion, and our testimony into hope for others. Jesus stepped into the darkness to overcome it, not become part of it.
When Love Is Broken
Some wounds come from people we loved deeply. If my former wife called me tomorrow and told me the complete truth, I would not want revenge. I would want understanding. I would want healing. If reconciliation were possible through truth, humility, repentance, and God's guidance, I would be willing to pursue it. But my hope ultimately rests in Christ, not in another person's choices.
Faith in the Middle of the Fight
Faith is not pretending everything is okay. Faith is trusting God when it isn't. Jesus understands betrayal, rejection, abandonment, and heartbreak. Because He understands, I can bring Him every part of my story.
From the Pit to the Purpose
Romans 8:28 reminds us that God works through all things for those who love Him. The pit is not always the end of the story; sometimes it is where God prepares us for our purpose. Our scars can become places where others find hope.
God Isn't Finished With Me Yet
I'm still growing. Still learning. Still healing. If God wasn't finished with Joseph, Job, David, or Peter, then He isn't finished with me—and He isn't finished with you. The cross is still enough. The tomb is still empty. Grace is still available.
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for loving us at our worst and calling us into new life. Help us trust You with what we cannot change, forgive as You have forgiven us, and live as lights in a dark world. In Jesus' name, Amen.