Living with Purpose
Ephesians 2:8-10
The Need for Spiritual Renewal:
- Urging people to hear from God, not just attend another retreat
- Encouragement to study scripture and engage intellectually and spiritually
Four Key Areas of Life:
- A plan to cover four key areas, each with two principles
- The importance of thinking and personal study
Biblical Illustration:
- Story of Elijah and his servant to emphasize spiritual sight and faith
- Importance of seeing beyond problems and trusting in God’s protection
Efficiency vs. Effectiveness:
- Differentiating between doing things right (efficiency) and doing the right things (effectiveness)
- Warning against succeeding in the wrong things
Developing as Whole Persons
- Intellectual Growth:
- Luke 2:52: Jesus grew intellectually, socially, emotionally, and spiritually
- Christians need to develop intellectually, think critically, and base their thoughts on scripture
- Romans 12:2: Transformation through renewing of the mind
- 1 Corinthians 14:20: Maturing in thinking and not remaining spiritually immature
- Managing Time:
- Importance of managing time well as a Christian
- Time management is what separates effective men from ineffective ones
- Psalm 90: Teach us to number our days, understanding the brevity of life
- Ephesians 2:10: Doing the good works God prepared for us
Application to Life
- Career vs. Calling:
- Distinguishing between career (what you get paid for) and calling (what you are made for)
- View work, regardless of profession, as part of God’s calling
- Setting Objectives and Priorities:
- Importance of having clear personal objectives and priorities
- Stories of Van Cliburn (pianist) and setting high priorities for what matters most
- Influence as Grandfathers and Fathers:
- Story of Professor Hendricks personal goal to invest in the lives of his six granddaughters
- Importance of continuing to contribute to family and others even in later years
Personal Testimony
- Professor Hendricks shares his experience with cancer
- Trusting in God's sovereignty during challenging times
- His belief that God’s plan and timing are perfect, and the importance of continuing to serve God while alive
Closing Prayer
- Prayer of thanks for the opportunity to learn and be transformed by God’s truth
- Praying for supernatural change by encountering the Word of God
*The above summary is AI-generated, so discrepancies may exist. Please refer to the audio or video file to verify accuracy.
About the Contributors
Howard G. Hendricks
Dr. Howard G. Hendricks, known simply as “Prof,” directly or indirectly touched millions of lives in the evangelical community and beyond. For more than sixty years Prof served on the faculty of Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS), where he taught more than ten thousand students. He served as the chairman of the Center for Christian Leadership for over twenty years. He also ministered in person in more than eighty countries. Through speaking engagements, radio, tapes, films, the sixteen books he authored and coauthored, countless journal and popular-market articles, his service on numerous boards, and his work as a chaplain to the Dallas Cowboys (1976–1984), his reach was and is worldwide.
His legacy, in partnership with Jeanne, his wife of more than sixty-five years, includes four children and six grandchildren. Holding large audiences enthralled at venues such as Billy Graham’s conference center or Promise Keepers’ stadium rallies, Prof would confide, “It’s wonderful to be here with you, but I have a group of delicious students waiting for me back at the seminary.”
Contributors
