Awareness & Intentionality

From Awareness to Purpose

A Gospel Framework for Life and Leadership

Sermon Manuscript with Marginal Notes

Text Anchors: 2 Corinthians 13:5; Matthew 6:22; Ephesians 5:15–16; 2 Corinthians 5:14; Philippians 1:21

Theological Foundation: The Gospel of Jesus Christ revealed through the Five Solas​

​​​Introduction: The Gospel Awakens Purpose

Beloved, all true transformation begins not with self-effort, but with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For man, in his natural state, walks in darkness, estranged from God, blind to truth, and powerless to change himself.

But “God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)

Thus begins every spiritual awakening: the light of the Gospel opening the eyes of the heart. From that divine illumination flows awareness, clarity, intentionality, cause, and purpose.

Marginal Notes

Gospel Foundation: Man’s blindness (Ephesians 2:15); Christ’s light (John 8:12).
Calvin: “We never truly know ourselves until we have contemplated the face of God, and then descend to look into ourselves.”

The Five Solas (Foundational):
Sola Scriptura - Truth revealed
Sola Fide - Faith awakens
Sola Gratia - Grace initiates
Solus Christus - Christ redeems
Soli Deo Gloria  -  God is  glorified

1. Awareness – The Awakening of Vision (Sola Gratia)

“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith.” (2 Corinthians 13:5)

Awareness begins when grace awakens the soul. We cannot see until the Spirit gives sight. It is the gracious work of God to reveal both His holiness and our sin. This is the beginning of all true leadership and discipleship—the mirror of grace that shows us reality.

Before grace, man sleeps; under grace, he awakens. The cry of the Gospel is a summons from blindness to light:

“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:14)

Application: Spiritual leadership begins with awakened eyes. Before we can lead others, we must first see ourselves clearly in the light of God’s grace.

Marginal Notes

Sola Gratia — Salvation and sight are gifts, not achievements (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Calvin: “All the progress of the faithful proceeds from the grace of God alone.”
Awareness is grace’s first mercy: revelation before transformation.

2. Clarity – The Gift of Discernment (Sola Scriptura)

“The eye is the lamp of the body; so, if your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light.” (Matthew 6:22)

Clarity is not born from emotion but from revelation. The Word of God grants clarity to the awakened heart. In Scripture, we see God rightly, sin rightly, and life rightly. Without the lamp of the Word, even the awakened soul stumbles in confusion.

The Reformation began when men once more looked to Scripture alone as the rule of truth. So too, in our lives, the light of Scripture must illumine every decision, every direction, every purpose.

Application: Where confusion reigns, the Word restores sight. Let your clarity be Scriptural, not cultural.

Marginal Notes

Sola Scriptura — “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet” (Psalm 119:105).
Calvin: “The Word of God is the pure light by which we behold His face.”
Doctrine before decision; revelation before reasoning.

3. Intentionality – The Discipline of Direction (Sola Fide)

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time.” (Ephesians 5:15–16)

Faith transforms awareness and clarity into obedient action. Intentionality is faith applied—living as though what God has said is true. By faith, we order our steps, redeem our time, and walk with purpose in the midst of an unwise age.

Sola Fide means we walk not by sight, but by faith. Intentionality is faith’s fruit—trusting God enough to act on His Word.

Application: Faith without direction is sentiment. Direction without faith is striving. The Gospel produces both conviction and action.

Marginal Notes

Sola Fide — “The just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:17).
Calvin: “Faith alone justifies, but the faith that justifies is never alone.”
Intentional living flows from trusting obedience, not human willpower.

4. Cause – The Fuel of Conviction (Solus Christus)

“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all.” (2 Corinthians 5:14)

All lasting conviction springs from one cause—the cross of Christ. When our hearts are captured by His love, we are compelled to live no longer for ourselves but for Him who died and was raised (v.15).

In Christ alone (Solus Christus) we find the foundation of conviction. Every true leader’s cause must rest upon the Gospel: Christ crucified and risen. Without Him, zeal becomes idolatry; with Him, passion becomes holy purpose.

Application: What compels your actions? If Christ’s love is not your cause, your zeal will not endure.

Marginal Notes

Solus Christus — “There is one mediator between God and man” (1 Timothy 2:5).
Calvin: “Our hearts will never be inflamed with true zeal until we have tasted the love of Christ.”
Cause born of Christ’s cross is unshakable; all else is vanity.

5. Purpose – The Fulfillment of Calling (Soli Deo Gloria)

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)

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The journey ends where it began—in God’s glory. Awareness leads to clarity; clarity to intentionality; intentionality to conviction; conviction to purpose. And purpose, when purified by grace, is this: to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

Soli Deo Gloria reminds us that life’s end is not self-expression but divine exaltation. Every act, every plan, every dream must serve the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Application: True purpose is not invented, but revealed. The Christian’s purpose is not “success,” but worship—the lived doxology of a redeemed life.

Marginal Notes

Soli Deo Gloria — “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Calvin: “All things are ordained for the manifestation of His glory.”
Our purpose is not self-fulfillment but God’s glorification.

Conclusion: The Gospel Pattern of Purpose

Thus, the believer’s journey from Awareness to Purpose is none other than the unfolding of the Gospel in the soul:

By Grace (Awareness) we are awakened.

By Scripture (Clarity) we see.

By Faith (Intentionality) we walk.

By Christ (Cause) we are compelled.

By God’s Glory (Purpose) we are fulfilled.

This is the Gospel life. This is the pattern of divine transformation and leadership.

Let us, therefore, live as awakened souls eyes opened by grace, minds illumined by Scripture, hearts compelled by Christ, and lives wholly devoted to the glory of God.

Final Text:

“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36)

Marginal Notes

The Five Solas form both the structure and power of the Christian life.
Calvin: “Let us remember that our whole salvation is comprehended in Christ.”
Final admonition: Live the Gospel, lead by grace, and finish for His glory.