Awakening Purpose: Embracing Our Divine Callings
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound truth that each of us is born with a unique purpose, destined for this specific time in history. We delved into the story of Moses from Exodus chapters 2 and 3, reflecting on how his journey mirrors our own spiritual callings. Moses' encounter with the burning bush was a pivotal moment that ignited his purpose, and similarly, we are called to seek encounters with God that awaken our hearts and minds to His current work on earth. The groaning of creation, as described in Romans 8, is a call for the sons and daughters of God to rise and manifest His kingdom on earth.
We discussed the importance of recognizing the cries of the world around us—whether they stem from identity confusion, financial struggles, or other forms of brokenness—and responding to them with the love and power of God. Just as Moses was called to lead the Israelites out of bondage, we are called to step into our God-given roles, using the resources and gifts He has placed in our hands. The story of Moses teaches us that our inadequacies do not disqualify us; rather, they are opportunities for God to demonstrate His strength through us.
The sermon emphasized the significance of finding our voice and not allowing anyone to silence it. Our voices carry the power to declare God's truth and bring about transformation. We are encouraged to engage with the world, to be the fire that ignites others, and to partner with God in His redemptive work. This is a time for mobilization, where the church is called to action, to be living sacrifices that carry the presence of God into every sphere of life.
As we closed, we were invited to take a piece of kindling as a symbolic act, representing our commitment to steward the fire of God within us. This act serves as a reminder to seek encounters with God in our private moments, allowing Him to fan into flame the unique assignments He has for each of us.
Key Takeaways:
- Purpose and Timing: Each of us is born with a specific purpose for this time. Embracing this truth requires us to speak life into our spirits, acknowledging that we are alive for such a time as this. Our lives are not accidents; they are divinely orchestrated for God's kingdom work. [01:19]
- Encounter and Calling: Like Moses, our calling is often birthed in moments of divine encounter. These encounters fuel our purpose and sustain our calling. It is in the presence of God that we find clarity and strength to pursue the assignments He has for us. [08:37]
- Voice and Declaration: Our voices are powerful tools for declaring God's truth and bringing about change. We must not allow fear or inadequacy to silence us. Instead, we should boldly speak and act in alignment with God's will, trusting that He will use our words to impact the world. [18:52]
- Resources and Faith: God has equipped us with resources to fulfill our callings. Like Moses' staff, these resources may seem ordinary, but they hold the potential to bring about extraordinary outcomes. We must recognize and utilize what God has placed in our hands. [20:19]
- Community and Mobilization: The journey of faith is not meant to be walked alone. We are called to partner with others, to find our "Aarons," and to work together in advancing God's kingdom. In community, we find strength, encouragement, and the ability to accomplish more than we could alone. [31:03]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:19] - Born for This Time
- [02:15] - Purpose and Identity
- [04:27] - Moses' Early Journey
- [05:24] - The Cry of the Oppressed
- [06:44] - Encounter at the Burning Bush
- [08:37] - The Place of Fire
- [13:03] - Here I Am
- [14:51] - Shifting Focus to God
- [15:57] - Faith and Declaration
- [18:52] - Finding Your Voice
- [20:19] - Embracing God's Resources
- [21:41] - Mobilizing the Church
- [23:25] - Living Sacrifices
- [28:27] - Closing Prayer and Call to Action
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Exodus 2-3
- Romans 8:18-23
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the significance of Moses' encounter with the burning bush, and how did it impact his calling? [06:44]
2. How does the sermon describe the groaning of creation mentioned in Romans 8, and what is it eagerly awaiting? [02:15]
3. What are some examples of the cries of the world that were mentioned in the sermon, and how are we called to respond to them? [05:24]
4. How did Moses initially react to the resources God provided him, such as his staff, and what does this reveal about his journey? [20:19]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our inadequacies can be opportunities for God to demonstrate His strength? [08:37]
2. How does the sermon encourage believers to find and use their voices, and why is this important for declaring God's truth? [18:52]
3. What does the sermon imply about the role of community in fulfilling our God-given purposes, and how can we find our "Aarons"? [31:03]
4. How does the sermon interpret the significance of Moses' question, "Who am I?" and what does it teach us about our identity in God? [14:51]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt inadequate for a task God called you to. How did you see His strength manifest in that situation? [08:37]
2. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel called to speak up. What steps can you take this week to use your voice for God's purposes? [18:52]
3. Consider the resources God has placed in your hands. How can you use them to address a specific need or brokenness in your community? [20:19]
4. Think about the people in your life who could be your "Aarons." How can you intentionally build relationships with them to support each other's callings? [31:03]
5. What are some practical ways you can seek encounters with God in your daily life to fuel your purpose and calling? [06:44]
6. How can you be more attentive to the cries of the world around you, and what actions can you take to respond with God's love and power? [05:24]
7. Reflect on the symbolic act of taking a piece of kindling. What does it represent for you personally, and how will you steward the fire of God within you? [28:27]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Embracing Divine Purpose in Our Time
Each of us is born with a unique purpose, divinely orchestrated for this specific time in history. Recognizing this truth requires us to speak life into our spirits, acknowledging that we are alive for such a time as this. Our lives are not accidents; they are part of God's grand design for His kingdom work. This understanding calls us to be attentive to the world around us, to the cries of those in need, and to respond with the love and power of God. We are called to step into our God-given roles, using the resources and gifts He has placed in our hands. [01:19]
"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 specific gifts or talents has God given you, and how can you use them to address a need in your community today?
Day 2: Encountering God to Fuel Our Calling
Like Moses, our calling is often birthed in moments of divine encounter. These encounters are pivotal, igniting our purpose and sustaining our calling. It is in the presence of God that we find clarity and strength to pursue the assignments He has for us. Just as Moses' encounter with the burning bush was a turning point, we are encouraged to seek encounters with God that awaken our hearts and minds to His current work on earth. These moments of divine connection are essential for understanding and fulfilling our unique callings. [08:37]
"And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day." (Genesis 18:1, ESV)
Reflection: When was the last time you intentionally sought a quiet moment to encounter God? How can you create space in your daily routine to listen for His voice?
Day 3: The Power of Our Voice in Declaring Truth
Our voices are powerful tools for declaring God's truth and bringing about change. We must not allow fear or inadequacy to silence us. Instead, we should boldly speak and act in alignment with God's will, trusting that He will use our words to impact the world. Finding our voice means recognizing the authority we have in Christ to speak life and truth into situations of darkness and confusion. It is through our declarations that we partner with God in His redemptive work on earth. [18:52]
"Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble." (Psalm 107:2, ESV)
Reflection: Is there a truth about God or His kingdom that you feel called to share with someone today? How can you do so with courage and love?
Day 4: Recognizing and Utilizing God's Resources
God has equipped us with resources to fulfill our callings. Like Moses' staff, these resources may seem ordinary, but they hold the potential to bring about extraordinary outcomes. We must recognize and utilize what God has placed in our hands, trusting that He will multiply our efforts for His glory. This requires faith and a willingness to step out, even when we feel inadequate. Our inadequacies are opportunities for God to demonstrate His strength through us. [20:19]
"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord." (1 Corinthians 12:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: What is one resource or talent you have overlooked as insignificant? How can you begin to use it for God's purposes this week?
Day 5: Mobilizing in Community for Kingdom Work
The journey of faith is not meant to be walked alone. We are called to partner with others, to find our "Aarons," and to work together in advancing God's kingdom. In community, we find strength, encouragement, and the ability to accomplish more than we could alone. This is a time for mobilization, where the church is called to action, to be living sacrifices that carry the presence of God into every sphere of life. Together, we can manifest His kingdom on earth. [31:03]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your community can you partner with to advance God's kingdom? How can you support and encourage each other in your faith journeys?
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Quotes
"I really feel like as I was just seeking the Lord yesterday for a word that he would plant in my heart. There were some specific things that he was stirring inside as it relates to who you are, what he's doing in the kingdom of God, what he's wanting to release into the earth. And I really believe that it is for such a time as this. It is not by accident that any one of us is here." [00:00:49] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"There is extreme purpose on every single one of your lives and nothing will be wasted. And so I just want to invite you to just put your hand on your heart and just say, sometimes we have to speak to our spirit. You guys know what I'm saying by that?" [00:01:37] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"We see this on the pages of Romans chapter 8 when it says that the earth groans. We sense the groaning. We have felt the groaning as if in a child, a woman in childbirth, the pangs that are being released into the earth, and it's eagerly anticipating, eagerly awaiting for the sons and daughters to be fully revealed, and so I really believe that it's in this time that the people of God are rising up to truly become the expression of the kingdom of God here on earth." [00:03:13] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"It was in the place of encounter that fueled the fire of Moses' call. So we see this cry go out to heaven, and then we see this this call that's then released to the person of Moses. And I was thinking about this, guys, like there is, I believe, as the calls and the cries go out to heaven, that there is a call for each and every single one of our lives to be discovered at the place of the fire." [00:08:31] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"The place of the fire is the place where we meet God. The place of the fire is where the encounter of God occurs. The place of the fire is where we meet God. The place of the fire is where we meet God. The place of the fire is the place where the call is sustained, and it does not die." [00:09:02] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"And for every single one of us, we too need to find ourselves in that place, like, God, I declare this by faith, although I don't see what you're doing in the now. Like, there's something out here that you're drawing from here to here." [00:15:33] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"The very tool and resource that God has given us is a tool and resource that God has given us. And it's a tool and resource that God would give to part the waters for a whole nation to be released was the very thing that he ran from." [00:20:36] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"it's fascinating just to continue to wrestle all throughout chapter four where moses and the lord are wrestling through this conversation of of the voice you know don't allow anybody to steal your voice" [00:21:41] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"He's mobilizing his church. He's moving us toward action. He provides the fire. We provide the sacrifice. Therefore, I urge you in view of God's mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices." [00:23:05] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"To hear the cries of the unborn, to hear the cries of systems and business and entertainment and arts and all of these things, like some of you have a call to other nations." [00:24:11] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"The journey of the faith is not one that is to us alone. But it's in the context of community. And so, Father, highlight people to our hearts." [00:31:03] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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