Awakening to Divine Purpose and Destiny

 

Summary

In the heart of every believer lies a whisper, a divine echo of purpose and destiny that God has planted within us. This whisper is the voice of the Father, calling us to awaken to the reality of Heaven's plan for our lives. We are not accidents or mere byproducts of chance; we are fearfully and wonderfully made, crafted with intention and significance. Our lives are not meant to be lived in the shadows of complacency or the hollow pursuit of personal fulfillment. We are the bearers of gifts, the carriers of divine assignments, and the stewards of heavenly callings.

God orchestrates encounters between believers and those seeking truth, and in these divine appointments, destinies are revived. As illustrated in the story of the high-profile lawyer who encountered God in the midst of his darkest hour, God can restore what has been lost or consumed by life's hardships. He is the God who restores the years the locusts have eaten, who revives dreams and rekindles destinies, even in the midst of our messes.

We must not sit idly by, waiting for someone to ask us to step into our calling. Like Abishai, who was constantly seeking to discover and use his gift, we too must be proactive in our pursuit of God's purpose for our lives. We must be willing to step out, to experiment, and to risk failure in order to find where our gifts fit within the body of Christ. We cannot afford to let the whisper of God in our lives be drowned out by fear, complacency, or the lies of the enemy.

Moreover, we are called to rally around a common cause, to encounter God and become an encounter for others. We are equipped to make disciples and extend the kingdom of God. In this, we must fight for each other rather than against each other, especially in times of societal division, such as political seasons. Our primary allegiance is to the Kingdom of God, not the transient kingdoms of this world.

Finally, we must develop an attitude of purpose, recognizing that God has created us for something significant. We are called to win souls, to love people, and to use our gifts to advance the Gospel. We must not let the gift within us die but instead, step into the fullness of what God has for us, even if it means facing and healing from past wounds inflicted within the church or elsewhere.

Key Takeaways:

- The whisper of God in your life is a sacred echo of your divine purpose and calling. It is essential to tune out the noise of the world and the lies of the enemy to hear God's voice clearly. As you listen and obey, you will find that God is able to restore and revive your destiny, no matter the past or present circumstances. [31:27]

- Your gift is not meant to be hidden or withheld. Like Abishai, you must actively seek to discover and use your gift, even if it means stepping out in faith without a clear invitation. The church is a place where you can safely explore your calling and find where you fit in God's plan. [32:39]

- Unity and mutual support within the body of Christ are crucial, especially as we face spiritual warfare. We must rally around the cause of Christ, fighting for each other's destinies and standing together against the strategies of the enemy. [00:40]

- Your identity in Christ includes a unique purpose that only you can fulfill. Embrace the truth that you are created for more than mere enjoyment; you are fashioned to leave a lasting impact on the world for the Kingdom of God. [34:25]

- Healing from past wounds is available in Christ. Do not let hurt or disappointment from previous experiences in church or life prevent you from stepping into your calling. God desires to heal and restore you so that you can freely use your gifts for His glory. [38:38]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Chronicles 2:16 - "And their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. The sons of Zeruiah: Abishai, Joab, and Asahel—three."
2. Joel 2:25 - "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm—my great army that I sent among you."
3. Jeremiah 1:5 - "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does the name "Abishai" mean, and how does it relate to his role in David's life? ([13:12])
2. How did David respond to Abishai's offer to kill Saul, and what does this reveal about David's character? ([14:25])
3. According to the sermon, what percentage of people do not know their purpose in life, and what do many of them believe their purpose is? ([05:58])
4. What was the significant event that happened to the high-profile lawyer in the sermon, and how did it change his life? ([28:23])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of Abishai illustrate the importance of discovering and using one's gifts within the body of Christ? ([32:39])
2. What does Joel 2:25 mean in the context of God restoring lost years, and how can this be applied to personal experiences of loss and restoration? ([31:27])
3. How does the concept of being "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14) align with the sermon's message about divine purpose and calling? ([22:29])
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest believers should respond to societal divisions, especially during political seasons? ([01:16])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt a "whisper" from God about your purpose. How did you respond, and what steps can you take to better tune into God's voice in your life? ([23:08])
2. Abishai was proactive in seeking to use his gift, even without a clear invitation. What is one area in your church or community where you can step out in faith and serve, even if you haven't been specifically asked? ([32:39])
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of unity and mutual support within the body of Christ. How can you actively support and fight for the destinies of your fellow believers, especially in times of division? ([00:40])
4. Consider the past wounds or disappointments you may have experienced within the church or in life. What steps can you take towards healing and restoration so that you can fully step into your calling? ([38:38])
5. The sermon mentions that our primary allegiance is to the Kingdom of God, not the transient kingdoms of this world. How can you keep your focus on God's Kingdom in your daily life, especially during politically charged times? ([01:50])
6. Identify one specific gift or talent you believe God has given you. How can you begin to use this gift more effectively to advance the Gospel and serve others? ([34:25])
7. The high-profile lawyer's story shows that God can restore and revive destinies even in the midst of messes. How can you encourage someone in your life who feels like their past disqualifies them from God's purpose? ([28:23])

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Echoes of Purpose
Every believer carries within them a sacred echo, a whisper from God that speaks of a unique purpose and calling. This is not a faint or random murmur, but a clear and intentional voice from the Creator, affirming that one is fearfully and wonderfully made. This divine whisper is an invitation to step out of the shadows of complacency and into the light of meaningful action. It is a call to recognize the gifts one possesses and to understand that these gifts are not just for personal fulfillment but for the fulfillment of a heavenly calling. The whisper of God is a reminder that one's life is part of a grander narrative, woven by God's own hand, and it beckons the believer to align with Heaven's plan.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5 ESV)

Reflection: How can you create space in your daily routine to listen more intently for God's whisper and discern His purpose for your life?

Day 2: Unveiling and Utilizing Your Gift
The journey of discovering and using one's spiritual gift is not a passive one. It requires action, a willingness to step out in faith, and sometimes to embrace the possibility of failure. This pursuit is akin to an adventure where one actively seeks to understand how their unique abilities and passions align with God's plan for the body of Christ. It is about experimenting with different forms of service and ministry, finding where one's gifts can flourish and contribute to the growth of the church. The process of uncovering one's gift is not just about personal satisfaction but about being a vital part of a community that thrives on each member's contributions.

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." (1 Peter 4:10 ESV)

Reflection: What is one step you can take this week to explore or develop your spiritual gift within your church community? [32:39]

Day 3: Unity in the Body of Christ
The body of Christ is designed to function in unity, with each member supporting and enhancing the others. This unity is especially crucial during times of spiritual warfare and societal division. Believers are called to stand together, rallying around the cause of Christ, and fighting for each other's destinies rather than against one another. This unity is not just about agreement but about mutual support, encouragement, and a shared vision that transcends individual differences. It is about recognizing that the true battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces that seek to divide and conquer.

"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 can you encourage or support in your faith community this week to help them pursue their God-given destiny? [00:40]

Day 4: Embracing Your God-Given Identity
Understanding one's identity in Christ is foundational to embracing the unique purpose God has for each individual. This identity is not rooted in worldly achievements or the pursuit of pleasure but in the truth that one is created for a significant impact in the world for the Kingdom of God. Embracing this identity means recognizing that there is a specific role to play in the grand story of redemption, a role that only you can fulfill. It is about living with intentionality, seeking to win souls, love people, and use one's gifts to advance the Gospel.

"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 way you can live out your God-given identity today in a manner that impacts those around you for the Kingdom? [34:25]

Day 5: Healing and Stepping into Your Calling
Past wounds, whether inflicted within the church or elsewhere, can create barriers to stepping into one's calling. However, healing is available in Christ, who desires to restore and renew. Embracing this healing allows one to move forward, unencumbered by the past, and to freely use their gifts for God's glory. It is about acknowledging the pain, seeking God's restoration, and allowing His love to heal the deepest hurts. Through this process, one can step into the fullness of their calling, equipped and ready to serve with a heart made whole.

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3 ESV)

Reflection: What past hurt do you need to bring before God for healing in order to move forward in your calling? [38:38]

Quotes

- "You carry a gift on the inside and some of you in the room this morning, you've lost the whisper of the father. My job is to awaken the whisper in you again." [23:08](Download | )

- "God has written inside of you his DNA that when you became a new creation, you were awakened to the reality of Heaven's plan for your life." [23:08](Download | )

- "Hear the whisper and obey. I can tell you this, we're not going to be one of those churches where we just make you feel comfortable all the time." [35:00](Download | )

- "If you want to find out what you're good for, you have to be willing to risk failure. If you're not willing to risk failure, you'll never try at anything." [36:11](Download | Download Cropped Video)

- "Hear the whisper, the lesson is: Don't let your gift die. Try something until you discover what your gift is." [37:22](Download | )

- "God wants to heal those wounds in your heart. I know what it's like to be wounded in church... Don't allow hurt to hold you back either." [38:38](Download | )

- "Right in the middle of your mess, God can revive your destiny." [30:53](Download | )

- "We have to Rally around the common cause... that we're called to fight for each other rather than against each other." [00:40](Download | )

- "Your highest calling is to be conformed to the image of Christ... you are created for more than just fun and a few laughs." [07:37](Download | )

- "According to Joel 2:25... He can restore everything... He's saying to us he will restore the little things, the big things, the Small Things, those big dreams and those little dreams." [31:27](Download | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?