Rick Warren’s book draws no distinction between believer and unbeliever. He promotes the idea that God purposes “good” for everyone. Let’s look at a few scriptures Rick offers in his book, Purpose-Driven Life.

[Remember, the intent of all honest Bible students is to discover and promote the original meaning of scripture as it was originally penned to the original audience by the original author.]

Rick quotes a partial verse and labels it correctly: Isaiah 44:2a, but the whole context of Isaiah 44:1-2 is spoken to Israel. Israel is chosen by God as a nation. The same is true of Jeremiah 29:11 that Rick uses to support his whole thesis. Jeremiah is likewise speaking to Israel. Through Jeremiah, God gives Israel a promise. God always intended Israel good, not harm. Yet, Israel brought harm on themselves by rejecting God and worshipping idols. God punished them. God then promises to bring them home after seventy years in captivity in ancient Babylon.

What’s all that got to do with us and our lives being “purposed”? Rick appears to be using scripture as it suits HIS “purpose”. LOL!

In chapter 7, Rick once more partially quotes a verse. Only this time he fails to label it as a partial quote. He should label it: 16:4a. Why would he label a partial quote as a whole quote?

Let’s look at the entire verse, (NLT): "The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for punishment."

Astute readers would see that the conclusion Rick draws from the first part he quotes is clearly in conflict with the latter part he left off! Is this intentional? God here is purposing PUNISHMENT, not good!

God DRIVES no one! He is a gentle shepherd. He implores. He begs. He stands at the door of hearts and knocks. He pleads to be invited in. He asks all to seek him, believe on him, and obey the gospel of his unique son, Jesus Christ. He has no higher purpose for your life than to seek him and obey him.

As a believer, love PROPELS you to speak his name to others. You are led by his Holy Spirit placed deep inside (Romans 8). God is a gentle shepherd. His sheep hear his voice. We hear and obey. We live for no higher purpose than to serve him. His love is sufficient to motivate and animate our lives.

There is no “purpose” sufficient to move me joyfully, peacefully, and lovingly through life. There is no greater THING and no greater ON, only HIM.

He alone is sufficient. He alone saves.

Please first read Part I and Part II below.

Open meetings are not dress-up affairs. No fancy clothes here. This is casual worship where everyone follows the Spirit’s lead. Order is maintained at all times and preference is given to truth-speaking. Problems naturally arise, but should be handled according to I Corinthians 14. Other problems may be avoided by following these simple guidelines.

Handle those who dominate the discussion time by timing them if necessary. Five-minute limits on every one. Encourage shy persons to speak up by creating a safe environment for them. Explain that both the shy and dominant persons will be expected, in time, to come more to the middle. Tell the ones not speaking this Sunday that they will start the discussion next Sunday. Inform the ones who dominate that they will be limited to one five-minute talk next week. That will help each group move toward the middle.

Never allow anything critical or harsh to be said about another person in worship. Worship is a time for building up, not tearing down. Discussion is kept spiritual and does not digress to subjects like politics or sports.

No discussion leaders and no moderators! None! No one takes center stage, besides Jesus. Everyone speaks. Everyone sings. Spiritual songs are selected that all know. If a person can’t sing, but wants a particular song sung at a particular time then tell them to point to the song and nudge someone next to them to start it. These songs can be typed up on a song sheet of up to twenty-five songs. Announce the number AFTER the song has been started spontaneously. Use no musical instruments, not even a guitar. The singing, rough at first, improves over time.

Prayer time is not for nosebleeds or hangnails. Stay away from “prayer requests.” All prayers are to be expressions of love, and appreciation to the Master. Special time may be set aside in worship for praying over a situation or health issue for a member as the Lord directs. Everything is kept uplifting to all and glorifying to God.

When personal sharing takes place, it’s okay to cry. When crying starts to take over the person’s whole talk then someone should walk over and put their arm around them to help them finish. If this doesn’t do it, tell them to give up and try again next week. Keep all sharing positive. This is not a time to dump your garbage on the assembly! (Find a loving and sensitive person to share these things with in private. Or, schedule time with a Christian counselor.)

Always check your motive before you speak. Make certain God and his Spirit prompts you before you do or say anything in corporate worship.

These are my suggestions. Questions? Comments?

Imagine that you are a common person searching for God. You procure a copy of the Bible and begin reading. You ask your family and neighbors to join you in reading and studying the Bible regularly in your home. You agree to read through the entire Bible starting in Genesis. You meet regularly to discuss what you have read the previous week. You see in the Old Testament how God prepares a people, the Israelites, for bringing his Messiah to earth. You finish the Old Testament with the expectation that he is coming soon. You agree to continue reading through the New Testament. You discover in the New Testament that the Messiah has arrived. You read of his immaculate conception, his public life and ministry, including demonstrations of miracles, signs, and wonders proving him to be God’s son. You study the evidence and testimony of his public execution, and literal resurrection from death. You see his instructions to believers to continue making disciples and teaching them what he instructed. You confess your own faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. You express a desire to be immersed as a believer in Jesus. Several others in your group express similar faith and agree to meet at a neighbor’s pool. You immerse one another and God pours out the gift of his Holy Spirit into each heart. You agree to continue meeting regularly to share meals and worship, while observing the Lord’s Supper. You read and study Acts along with the other letters to New Testament congregations. You apply the principles you learn to your own life and congregation. You recognize, appreciate, and utilize each spiritual gift in each believer. Weekly assemblies become more loving and open according to Paul's instructions in I Corinthians 14. You eagerly await the second coming of Christ and continue encouraging one other toward love and good works.

Now, which denomination would your group (meeting in your home) be a member of? The same as New Testament believers...the Kingdom of God, in Christ. Your group is merely a local expression of Christ's universal bride. It’s that simple.

Next, I offer a few suggestions for keeping your worship open and biblical.

The next few posts are exclusively for Christians tired of playing church! I'll be asking you to prayerfully consider hosting a New Testament style, open-meeting worship in your home. Divinity degrees not necessary! In fact, if you are currently satisfied serving a denomination as a pastor, worship leader, or elder, stop reading this unless you are used up and burned-out!

I ask all of you to first study the beginning two chapters of the New Testament book of Acts. Read it from several modern translations. READ NO COMMENTARIES as you study, PLEASE! Rename it, “Acts of the Holy Spirit” (The names of these books are given by men anyway! You have as much right to name them as YOU see fit!)

Here, the Holy Spirit is directly sent from heaven to empower, embolden, lead, and guide early Christians to establish local assemblies of baptized believers. These early believers meet house-to-house; have all things in common; enjoy a common faith; and, have meals together along with simple New Testament worship.

In chapter 13, the Holy Spirit comes to the first Jewish/Gentile congregation (in Antioch) to personally instruct them in separating out Paul and Barnabas for the specific work of establishing congregations throughout the Roman world. Paul later adds he is a witness of the gospel being preached to “every creature under heaven” before Christ's generation ended! Do you think they needed Christian colleges and denominations to do this? They needed only the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit, and each other. Plus, a regular place to meet.

Will you consider offering your home as a weekly meeting place? Would you invite others to join you for five weeks in following the Spirit’s lead in Christian worship within your home?

Pray about it. Come back here for the next couple of posts. I’ll tell you how to begin.

Now, get to reading that book of Acts!

It's all about love.

It's all about sharing.

It's all about peace,

With joy to share.

It's all about hope,

And real thanksgiving.

It's all about love.

It's all about him.