presents...
What is the Purpose of the 40 Days?
You may be wondering, “Why 40 days? What's so special about that time frame?” The Bible is clear that God considers 40 days to be a spiritually significant time period. Whenever God wanted to prepare someone for his purposes, he took 40 days:
- Noah’s life was transformed by 40 days of rain.
- Moses was transformed by 40 days on Mount Sinai.
- The spies were transformed by 40 days in the Promised Land.
- David was transformed by Goliath’s 40-day challenge.
- Elijah was transformed when God gave him 40 days of strength from a single meal.
- The entire city of Nineveh was transformed when God gave them 40 days to change.
- Jesus was empowered by 40 days in the wilderness.
- The disciples were transformed by 40 days with Jesus after his resurrection.
It’s not just the duration, however, but the direction of 40 Days of Purpose that changes lives. This emphasis is designed to help us answer the most basic question of life: What on earth am I here for? During 40 days, we will rediscover God's five eternal purposes for our lives:
- WORSHIP: We were planned for God’s pleasure!
- FELLOWSHIP: We were formed for God’s family!
- DISCIPLESHIP: We were created to become like Christ!
- MINISTRY: We were shaped for serving God!
- EVANGELISM: We were made for a mission!
Every part of 40 Days of Purpose is designed to help us...
- CENTER our lives on God, not ourselves, and live a lifestyle of worship for the glory of God, because we were planned for God's pleasure. This begins with complete surrender of our lives to Christ.
- CONNECT with other believers who experience real fellowship, because we were formed for God's family. This includes identifying with other believers through baptism, joining a local church family and participating in some kind of small group fellowship.
- CULTIVATE spiritual maturity and godly character, because we were created to become like Christ. This includes developing the habits necessary for spiritual growth.
- CONTRIBUTE something back by using our talents in ministry because we were shaped for serving God. This includes discovering your SHAPE for ministry and finding a place of service at church.
- COMMUNICATE God’s love to others and develop a heart for the world, because we were made for a mission. This includes learning to share our faith and participating in some kind of mission activity.
For more information, contact the church at (425) 868-6879 or email info @ c c o j . org
“40 Days of Purpose” is a ministry partnership between Community Church of Joy and PurposeDriven Ministries