Pastor Josh White teaches on finding peace in our purpose from 2 Thessalonians 3:16. In this message, he explains that while God is fully responsible for our identity and destiny, He has given us the responsibility of discovering and living out our purpose—and that’s where we find true peace.
The Search for Purpose
Most people search for meaning and purpose in life through their work, relationships, possessions, or hobbies. They think, “If only I had this job… this relationship… this thing… then I’d be fulfilled.” But Pastor Josh White shares that when we chase purpose outside of God’s will, we end up disappointed—just like the prodigal son who rejected his father’s purpose and went looking for meaning in the world, only to become miserable.
He asks a challenging question: “What areas of your life have you found to be rather disappointing?” Work, relationships, possessions—we all have lists. The problem isn’t that these things are bad; it’s that we’re looking for ultimate purpose in them when they can only provide temporary satisfaction.
Our Purpose in Good Works
Paul writes in Ephesians 2:8-10 about our purpose: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing. It is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Here’s the clarity we need: God has prepared good works for each of us to do. When we discover those works and commit ourselves to them, we find peace. When we chase a different purpose—not God’s—we become like the prodigal, chasing a lie that inevitably leads to disappointment.
Romans 12: Finding Your Purpose
Pastor Josh White uses Romans 12 as a guide to finding purpose. He identifies three areas from this chapter where we discover God’s will for our lives:
1. Discern God’s Will
Romans 12:1-2 says we are to present our bodies as living sacrifices and “be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Part of our purpose is actively seeking God’s will every day—testing our decisions and experiences against His word. That’s what we do in church: gather together to compare our thoughts with biblical truth and discern God’s direction for our lives.
2. Use Your Spiritual Gifts
In Romans 12:4-8, Paul explains that just as the body has many parts with different functions, we each have different gifts. “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” We are to serve using the gifts God has given us.
3. Love in Action
Romans 12:9-21 describes genuine love: “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”
Purpose isn’t found in chasing after what the world offers—it’s found in walking in the good works God prepared for us, using our gifts to serve others, and loving authentically.
The Application
Where are you looking for purpose? If you’ve been chasing meaning in work, relationships, or possessions and finding disappointment, consider that God has a specific purpose for you—good works He prepared in advance for you to do.
Find peace by: (1) actively seeking God’s will through His word, (2) using your spiritual gifts to serve the body of Christ, and (3) loving others with genuine affection. When you live in these areas, you discover the purpose God created you for—and you find the peace that passes understanding.
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”