Aligning Our Calling with God's Kingdom Purpose

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound connection between our calling and the Kingdom of God. Our calling is not just about personal fulfillment or success; it is about serving the Kingdom with an eternal perspective. Many people struggle to identify their calling because they are focused on personal achievements and material gains, rather than seeking first the Kingdom of God. Jesus emphasized this in Matthew 6:33, urging us to prioritize God's Kingdom and righteousness above all else. When we do this, everything else falls into place.

We are reminded that our professions and daily activities are not just jobs but platforms to advance God's Kingdom. Like the man who saw himself as a disciple of Jesus disguised as a machine operator, we too can use our roles to promote God's interests. This perspective shift is crucial, especially in a culture that often prioritizes materialism and status over spiritual significance.

The story of the Titanic serves as a poignant metaphor for our spiritual lives. Many of us, like the lifeboats that left people behind, become comfortable in our salvation and forget those who are still in need. Kingdom-minded individuals seek to use their opportunities to provide lifeboats for others, ensuring that their calling impacts people directly or indirectly.

To discover our calling, we must examine our passions and ask ourselves what truly captures our attention. Often, our passion for the marketplace aligns with our passion for the Kingdom, but we fail to see the connection. By aligning our passions with God's eternal purposes, we can ignite the fire within us, much like the space shuttle that needs fire to overcome gravity and fulfill its mission.

Ultimately, we are encouraged to seek God daily, asking Him to ignite our passion and reveal our calling. When we are on fire for God, we not only fulfill our purpose but also inspire others around us to do the same.

Key Takeaways:

1. Seek First the Kingdom: Prioritizing God's Kingdom and righteousness is essential to discovering our calling. When we focus on God's eternal purposes, everything else in our lives aligns accordingly. [01:43]

2. Your Job as a Platform: Our professions are not just jobs but opportunities to advance God's Kingdom. By viewing our roles as platforms for God's work, we can make a significant impact in the world. [03:15]

3. The Titanic Metaphor: Like the lifeboats on the Titanic, we must not become complacent in our salvation. Instead, we should actively seek to help others find their way to safety and salvation. [06:45]

4. Passion and Calling Connection: Our passions often align with our calling, but we must recognize their connection to the Kingdom. By doing so, we can fulfill our purpose with an eternal perspective. [09:52]

5. Ignite Your Fire: To overcome fears and limitations, we need God's fire to ignite our passion. By seeking God daily, we can find the strength and motivation to fulfill our calling and inspire others. [13:15]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Kingdom Impact
- [00:24] - Eternal Perspective
- [00:43] - Definition of Calling
- [01:12] - The Problem of "Meism"
- [01:43] - Seek First the Kingdom
- [02:30] - God's Glory and Program
- [03:15] - Disguised Discipleship
- [04:13] - Materialism and Perspective
- [05:11] - The Titanic Tragedy
- [06:45] - Kingdom-Minded Thinking
- [07:25] - Using Gifts for Eternity
- [08:26] - Examining Your Passion
- [09:52] - Marketplace and Kingdom Connection
- [11:10] - The Space Shuttle Analogy
- [13:15] - Igniting Your Passion

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 6:33: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Observation Questions:
1. What does Matthew 6:33 suggest about the order of priorities in a believer's life?
2. How did the sermon illustrate the concept of using one's job as a platform for advancing God's Kingdom? [03:15]
3. What was the significance of the Titanic metaphor in the sermon, and how does it relate to our spiritual responsibilities? [06:45]
4. According to the sermon, how can our passions be connected to our calling in the Kingdom of God? [09:52]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How might seeking the Kingdom of God first change a person's approach to their daily life and decisions? [01:43]
2. In what ways can viewing one's profession as a platform for God's work impact their sense of purpose and fulfillment? [03:15]
3. What does the Titanic metaphor reveal about the dangers of complacency in one's spiritual life? [06:45]
4. How can recognizing the connection between one's passions and the Kingdom of God lead to a more meaningful life? [09:52]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current priorities. Are there areas in your life where you need to seek God's Kingdom first? How can you make this shift? [01:43]
2. Consider your job or daily activities. How can you use these as platforms to advance God's Kingdom this week? [03:15]
3. Think about the people around you who may be in need of spiritual guidance or support. How can you be a "lifeboat" for them? [06:45]
4. Identify a passion you have that might align with God's eternal purposes. How can you begin to use this passion to serve the Kingdom? [09:52]
5. What fears or limitations are holding you back from fulfilling your calling? How can you seek God's fire to overcome these obstacles? [13:15]
6. How can you incorporate daily prayer into your routine to ask God to ignite your passion and reveal your calling? [13:15]
7. Who in your life can you inspire by being on fire for God, and what steps can you take to influence them positively this week? [13:44]

Devotional

Day 1: Prioritize the Kingdom of God
Our calling is deeply intertwined with the Kingdom of God, and it is essential to prioritize this above all else. Many people struggle to identify their calling because they focus on personal achievements and material gains. However, Jesus emphasized the importance of seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, as stated in Matthew 6:33. When we align our lives with God's eternal purposes, everything else falls into place. By shifting our focus from self-centered goals to Kingdom-centered living, we can discover our true calling and live a life of significance. [01:43]

"But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." (Jeremiah 29:7, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific way you can prioritize God's Kingdom in your daily routine today, even if it means sacrificing personal comfort or ambition?


Day 2: Your Job as a Kingdom Platform
Our professions and daily activities are not just jobs but platforms to advance God's Kingdom. By viewing our roles as opportunities for God's work, we can make a significant impact in the world. Like the man who saw himself as a disciple of Jesus disguised as a machine operator, we too can use our roles to promote God's interests. This perspective shift is crucial, especially in a culture that often prioritizes materialism and status over spiritual significance. When we see our jobs as platforms for Kingdom work, we can transform ordinary tasks into extraordinary opportunities for God's glory. [03:15]

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally use your current job or daily activities as a platform to advance God's Kingdom today?


Day 3: Avoid Complacency in Salvation
The story of the Titanic serves as a poignant metaphor for our spiritual lives. Many of us, like the lifeboats that left people behind, become comfortable in our salvation and forget those who are still in need. Kingdom-minded individuals seek to use their opportunities to provide lifeboats for others, ensuring that their calling impacts people directly or indirectly. We must not become complacent in our salvation but actively seek to help others find their way to safety and salvation. By doing so, we fulfill our calling and make a lasting impact on the lives of others. [06:45]

"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." (Galatians 6:1, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life might be in need of spiritual support or guidance, and how can you reach out to them this week?


Day 4: Align Your Passion with God's Purposes
To discover our calling, we must examine our passions and ask ourselves what truly captures our attention. Often, our passion for the marketplace aligns with our passion for the Kingdom, but we fail to see the connection. By aligning our passions with God's eternal purposes, we can ignite the fire within us, much like the space shuttle that needs fire to overcome gravity and fulfill its mission. Recognizing the connection between our passions and God's purposes allows us to fulfill our calling with an eternal perspective. [09:52]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one passion or interest you have that could be aligned with God's purposes, and how can you take a step towards that alignment today?


Day 5: Ignite Your Passion with God's Fire
To overcome fears and limitations, we need God's fire to ignite our passion. By seeking God daily, we can find the strength and motivation to fulfill our calling and inspire others. When we are on fire for God, we not only fulfill our purpose but also inspire those around us to do the same. This divine fire empowers us to overcome obstacles and pursue our calling with zeal and determination. By seeking God's presence and guidance, we can ignite our passion and live a life that reflects His glory. [13:15]

"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands." (2 Timothy 1:6, ESV)

Reflection: What is one fear or limitation that is holding you back from pursuing your calling, and how can you ask God to help you overcome it today?

Quotes

Kingdom folk want to know how I can use the opportunities that God has given me and called me to to provide a Lifeboat for somebody else because God's kingdom call will always involve indirectly or directly impacting people that doesn't mean everybody's a preacher it means everybody understands that there is a Kingdom operating here it means that there is an eternal perspective. [00:00:11]

Remember our definition of calling: it's your customized purpose for which you have been ordained and equipped but here it is to service the kingdom of God because remember it has an eternity Eternal perspective always your passion is always excuse me your calling is always linked with kingdom of God. [00:00:43]

Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things, stuff, will be added to you now that's not what we do we seek first the stuff and if there is anything left over in my time talents and treasures then the kingdom may have them God will never show you your calling if it's not thirst. [00:01:43]

He wasn't just doing a job from eight to five, he supersized it. He wasn't just out giving widgets you know making widgets, he was using that platform as an opportunity to promote God's interest in history, now God is going to show somebody like that they're calling. [00:03:18]

The folks who were saved got so comfortable in their salvation they forgot other folk were still drowning and only one of the 20 boats returned if though most of them that were not filled with a return hundreds of more people would have been saved but after all they were already saved. [00:06:45]

My challenge to you today is to examine your passion, to look deep down inside and begin to ask yourself some strategic questions, what captures my attention what do I dream about, we ask kids that all the time what do you want to be when you grow up that's a passion question. [00:08:26]

Many of you who have discovered your passion for the marketplace have also discovered your passion for the kingdom you just didn't make the connection many of you who have discovered your passion for the marketplace have at the very same time discovered your passion for the kingdom. [00:09:52]

The space shuttle sits on a launch pad, it has a mission and a direction it's going somewhere that has already been predetermined by NASA, the only problem it's grounded because of gravity gravity says to the shuttle you're not going anywhere be still and that huge space shuttle with all this equipment All these power all this Personnel is grounded that is until it is set on fire. [00:11:10]

Many of us are grounded by our fears and what you need is some fire, many of us are grounded by what we were told, we've got such poor self-esteem and even though we desire it we don't even believe God can create enough fire to lift this mess off the ground. [00:13:15]

You go to God and say, Firestarter, ignite it, you ask God to ignite the fire for whatever it is it doesn't mean you're going to do cartwheels that may not be your personality trait doesn't mean that you're going to shout and scream because we're all different it will mean you are lit. [00:13:19]

When you get hot enough, other folks around you will scorch because when you get fires loose, they start other fires too so God's richest blessing on you as you look deep within and find your passion because your passion is always designed to lift your calling right up off. [00:13:36]

God has given you fire, you say well how do I find it if I don't know where it is, well then you go to God every day and you ask him to light your fire, you go to God and say, Firestarter, ignite it, you ask God to ignite the fire for whatever it is. [00:13:15]

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Transcript
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