Introduction

·        The people who accomplish the most in their chosen field are rarely motivated by money

            Illustration: TV host, Jay Leno makes $15 million a year hosting The Tonight Show, but his driving force is     making people laugh.

            Illustration: Football legend Walter Payton maintained a rigorous summer        training regiment because his passion was for being the best he could be.

·        What is the driving force in your life?

            Illustration: Christian writer and pastor, Rick Warren, wrote The Purpose Driven       Life and could retire on the proceeds, but has chosen to expand his ministry.

Transition: We can emulate Paul’s three driving purposes in our own relationships.

When our driving force is to offer encouragement to others, they gain hope and reassurance.

·        We must realize just how much and how often people need to be encouraged

            Colossians 2:1–5

·        We must look for ways we can encourage people.

            Illustration: Mother Teresa said, “Let no one ever come to you without leaving             better and happier.”

When our driving force is being united in love, we give strength and spiritual nourishment to one another.

·        Colossians 2:2

·        Striving for unity without a commitment to love will never create lasting unity.

            John 13:34

·        Illustration: Redwood trees can reach incredible heights because of their dependence on each other.

·        Illustration: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said, “All your strength is in union—all your danger is in discord.”

·        Paul’s ideal of us being united in love can happen as we share a common commitment to Jesus.

            Illustration: A quote from Bob Snyder on Christian unity.

·        Let’s look for ways to spread unity throughout our congregation and make it a driving force in what we do.

When our driving force is to reflect the light of Christ, we live as an example of what Jesus did for us and help others know him fully.

·        Colossians 2:2

·        The driving force in Paul’s life was to allow others to experience the same miraculous, life-changing encounter with God that he did.

            Illustration:  An extended story about a wartime child whose favorite game      involved using a broken mirror to shine light into dark places.

·        We are called to reflect the light of Jesus so people can know the mystery of God.

            John 3:17

Conclusion

·        The driving force in Paul’s life was to help people experience the fullness of God, which is recorded in key verses of his writing.

            Galatians 4:19; Ephesians 3:7; Philippians 3:15

·        Big Idea: We can make it our purpose to help others experience the fullness of God by sharing with them our hope, our love, and our faith.