Awakening to God's Call: Urgency in Discipleship

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Call Is Personal and Purposeful

Before you were even born, God knew you and set you apart for His purpose. He has a specific will for your life, and His call is not accidental or random. No matter your circumstances or background, God’s hand has been on you, shaping your story and inviting you into His plan. When you feel lost or uncertain, remember that you are fearfully and wonderfully made, and God’s call is for you to walk in relationship and purpose with Him. [33:53]

Jeremiah 1:5 (ESV)
“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.”

Reflection: When have you sensed God’s hand guiding your life, even before you understood His purpose? How might you respond to His personal call today?

Day 2: The Call to Follow Jesus Demands a Response

Jesus’ invitation to “Follow me” is not just for the people in the Bible—it’s for you, right now. The call of Christ interrupts our plans and routines, asking us to leave behind comfort, excuses, and old ways of living. Following Jesus means surrendering your own agenda and stepping into a new life of discipleship, obedience, and transformation. It’s not enough to simply attend church or be around Christians; Jesus calls you to rise up and follow Him wholeheartedly, letting Him author your story. [33:53]

Matthew 9:9 (ESV)
“As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he rose and followed him.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where Jesus is calling you to follow Him more closely, even if it means changing your plans or priorities?

Day 3: Consistency and Commitment in the Christian Life

God is not looking for people who are in and out, hot and cold, or living on a spiritual roller coaster. He desires consistency, faithfulness, and a made-up mind to serve Him through every season—good or bad. The more you serve God with all your heart, the more you experience His power and presence. Consistency in worship, prayer, and service is the key to spiritual growth and victory over the distractions and challenges of life. [58:40]

1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to be more consistent in your walk with God, even when life gets busy or difficult?

Day 4: God Desires Relationship, Not Just Religion

God’s greatest desire is not for you to simply go through the motions of religion, but to have a real, living relationship with Him. From the beginning, He sought fellowship with His people, and He still calls you to draw near, to walk with Him daily, and to let His presence transform your life. True change comes not from outward appearances or rituals, but from surrendering your heart and letting God’s Spirit lead you into deeper intimacy and holiness. [46:38]

Psalm 139:14 (ESV)
“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

Reflection: How can you intentionally cultivate a deeper relationship with God this week, beyond just attending church or doing religious activities?

Day 5: Answering the Call to Serve and Reach Others

God’s call is not just for your own benefit—it’s a call to get involved, to serve, and to reach others with the love and message of Jesus. The work of the kingdom requires every believer to step up, use their gifts, and help build up the church and reach the lost. Whether it’s through prayer, outreach, encouragement, or practical service, God wants to use you. Don’t let excuses or comfort hold you back; say yes to God’s call and be part of what He is doing in your community. [01:12:09]

Matthew 9:37-38 (ESV)
“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’”

Reflection: Who is one person you can reach out to, encourage, or invite to church this week as a response to God’s call to serve and reach others?

Sermon Summary

Today is a call to awaken to the reality that God is actively writing our stories, and He is inviting each of us to step into His purpose with urgency and wholehearted commitment. From the very beginning, God has desired fellowship with us—not just a casual association, but a deep, transformative relationship. He knows us intimately, even before we were formed, and He calls us not merely to attend church or carry the symbols of faith, but to surrender our lives, become true disciples, and participate in His work.

Life is filled with distractions, challenges, and excuses that can easily lull us into spiritual complacency. Yet, God’s call is not deterred by our circumstances or our past. He is looking for people who will respond, who will say “yes” even when it means interrupting our plans or stepping out of our comfort zones. The world around us is growing more confused and hostile to the things of God, but this is not the time for lukewarm faith or half-hearted service. Now, more than ever, we are called to be consistent, fervent, and bold in our walk with Christ.

God’s call is not just about personal blessing; it is a summons to action. There is a need for workers in the kingdom—people willing to serve, to reach out, to pray, to invite, and to build up the body of Christ. It’s not enough to sit at the table and enjoy the blessings; we must also go into the fields and labor for souls. Every act of service, every invitation, every prayer is part of God’s plan to reach the lost and strengthen the church.

This is a season to examine our priorities. Are we putting God first, or have we relegated Him to the background of our busy lives? The challenge before us is to realign our schedules, our energy, and our hearts to God’s agenda. As we do, we will not only experience personal transformation, but we will also become instruments of change in our families, our church, and our community. The story God wants to write with our lives begins with our response to His call—today.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Call Is Personal and Preceded Your Birth God’s knowledge of us is intimate and purposeful; before we were even formed, He had a plan for our lives. This means our existence is not accidental, and our calling is not generic. Each of us is uniquely crafted for a divine purpose, and God’s invitation to follow Him is rooted in His deep love and forethought for us. Recognizing this should move us from passivity to intentional pursuit of His will. [33:53]
2. Urgency and Consistency Are Essential in Following Christ The spiritual battle we face is real, and the enemy works tirelessly to lull believers into complacency or distraction. It is not enough to serve God when it is convenient or to drift in and out of commitment. True discipleship requires a made-up mind, a resolve to remain steadfast regardless of circumstances, and a willingness to prioritize God above all else. Consistency in our walk fuels spiritual fire and brings lasting transformation. [36:24]
3. Transformation Is the Evidence of Answering God’s Call God’s call is not simply to attend church or adopt religious habits, but to be changed from the inside out. When we truly surrender, our desires, behaviors, and even our appearance begin to reflect Christ. Holiness is not a burden but a byproduct of genuine relationship with God, and resisting change is often a sign of resisting His call. The world may offer comfort in compromise, but God calls us to a higher, distinct way of living. [44:39]
4. Serving God Means Active Participation, Not Passive Observation The kingdom of God advances through the labor of willing servants, not spectators. Every believer is called to contribute—whether through outreach, prayer, encouragement, or practical service. Excuses and reluctance rob us of growth and rob the church of needed workers. God honors those who humble themselves to serve, and the joy of seeing lives changed is reserved for those who answer the call to action. [64:08]
5. Our Priorities Reveal Our Allegiance and Shape Our Legacy It is easy to fill our lives with good things—family, work, activities—while neglecting the most important thing: our relationship with God and our service to His kingdom. The call to put God first is not about legalism, but about aligning with the One who holds our future and desires to use us for eternal impact. When we make God our first priority, we position ourselves to be part of stories that outlast this life and echo in eternity. [73:27]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:30] - Opening Prayer and Worship
[05:30] - Praise and Dismissal of Classes
[27:12] - Introduction to the Series: God as Author
[28:16] - Testimony of God’s Faithfulness
[32:32] - All Things Work Together for Good
[33:53] - The Call: God’s Purpose Before Birth
[35:28] - The Urgency of Worship and Spiritual Warfare
[38:33] - Apostasy and the Challenge of Bold Faith
[42:13] - Beyond Attendance: True Discipleship
[44:39] - Transformation and Holiness
[51:54] - Stop Wandering: Responding to God’s Call
[58:40] - Consistency and the Power of a Made-Up Mind
[61:46] - Serving Together: The Need for Workers
[64:08] - The Spiritual Challenge: Getting Involved
[73:27] - Examining Priorities and Responding to the Call
[77:24] - Altar Call and Worship
[88:55] - Faithful Giving and Church Involvement
[93:23] - Outreach, Marketing, and the Month-Long Challenge
[97:39] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Jeremiah 1:5 (ESV) — > “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.”

Matthew 9:9 (ESV) — > “As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he rose and followed him.”

Observation Questions

According to Jeremiah 1:5, what did God say about Jeremiah before he was even born?
In Matthew 9:9, what was Matthew doing when Jesus called him, and how did he respond?
The sermon described God’s call as “personal and preceded your birth.” What examples did the pastor give to show that God’s call is not accidental? [[33:53]]
What are some of the excuses or distractions mentioned in the sermon that keep people from responding to God’s call? [[35:28]]

Interpretation Questions

What does it mean that God “knew” Jeremiah before he was formed? How does this shape the way we view our own purpose and calling? [[33:53]]
When Jesus called Matthew, he simply said, “Follow me,” and Matthew got up and followed. What does this tell us about the nature of God’s call and our response? [[33:53]]
The pastor said that transformation is the evidence of answering God’s call. Why is real change (in desires, behavior, priorities) so important in the Christian life? [[44:39]]
The sermon emphasized urgency and consistency in following Christ. Why do you think spiritual complacency is so dangerous, especially in today’s world? [[36:24]]

Application Questions

The pastor challenged us to examine our priorities. Is there something in your schedule or routine that regularly pushes God to the background? What is one step you could take this week to put God first? [[01:13:27]]
God’s call often interrupts our plans and asks us to step out of our comfort zones. Can you think of a time when you felt God nudging you to do something uncomfortable? How did you respond, and what would you do differently now? [[43:33]]
The sermon said, “It’s not enough to sit at the table and enjoy the blessings; we must also go into the fields and labor for souls.” What is one practical way you can serve or reach out to someone this month? [[01:04:08]]
The pastor talked about the need for consistency in our walk with Christ. Are there areas where you tend to drift in and out of commitment? What would it look like to be more consistent? [[36:24]]
Transformation was described as a sign of truly answering God’s call. Is there an area of your life where you sense God is calling you to change? What is holding you back from surrendering that area to Him? [[44:39]]
The sermon mentioned that every believer is needed in the work of the church, not just the pastor or a few leaders. What is one way you could get more involved in serving at church or in your community? [[01:04:08]]
The pastor shared about distractions and excuses that keep us from God’s agenda. What is one distraction you want to ask God to help you overcome this week? [[35:28]]

Sermon Clips

You can't have the same lifestyle and the same dressing and the same music and the same way of talking and say that God came into my life. It doesn't work like that. If you're still cursing, you need to get saved. If you still walk around evil, you still need to get saved. Something's not changing in your life. If you can say it all day long, how I'm saved, I'm saved, I'm saved, I'm saved. You can have a cross on your neck and still keep on sinning. But if your spirit is messed up, you need to answer the call. [00:44:30] (31 seconds) #FellowshipWithGod

From the very beginning, God wanted fellowship. From the very beginning, we're supposed to have fellowship, a relationship with God. Not just being able to walk through the doors. Not just shaking the preacher's hand. God wants you to have a relationship with him. [00:46:04] (17 seconds) #SayNoYesToJesus

You weren't made to fellowship with the devil. You weren't made to wander around and sin. God's calling you to come closer, to come higher, to do what he's called you to do. And so at some point, you have to say no to sin, no to the world, and yes to Jesus. [00:47:18] (16 seconds) #SavedForRelationship

If you're fighting the call of God, that's because you're fighting God himself. At some point, you've got to say yes to God and no to self, no to the world. You see, in the Gospels, God was actively calling those people. He walked from place to place, walked up to Matthew and said, follow me. Went over to Peter and he said, follow me. All of it for once, he was walking all over the place, very active and calling souls. He has not changed. Jesus Christ is saying yesterday and today and forever. If he was calling souls then, he's still calling souls today. [00:50:49] (38 seconds) #WalkDailyWithGod

I'd rather have them mad at me than have God mad at me. I'd rather serve God and know his face is smiling down upon me than having to see all the smiles of the people I'm looking at. Because sometimes the very ones that are smiling in your face are stabbing you in the back also. Come on now. So I'd rather have God on my side. Me and Jesus, we are the majority. [00:54:29] (25 seconds) #GodKnowsYourFuture

``Because the more you serve God, the more of the fire that you get. The more of the power that you get. I know some people say, can you pray for my children? You know the best thing for a child? It's a mom who's on fire for God. A father who's on fire for God. You want that child to be protected? You want the angels of heaven all around your children? You want God to be able to work miracles in your family? Then serve him with everything within you. [00:58:51] (29 seconds) #LetGoAndChange

You're not saved for a little while. You're saved for a lifetime. You're not saved just to walk around and think about good things. You're saved to be a worker for God. You're not saved just to walk around and be a cheerleader for God on Sunday morning. You call to deliver him every single day. He's my Lord and my Savior every single day. [01:05:47] (28 seconds) #GrowInChrist

He said we have to work while it's day, for the night comes when no man can work. And here's what I'm going to do before we pray. I want to challenge you. Grow in Christ Jesus. You may think, looking around here, and this is, but looking around, can we do anything for Christ in the Dallas area? Can we do anything for Christ in the city of Irving? Can we do anything and make anything get accomplished? He said despise not the day of small beginnings. All God wants is for somebody to get together and begin to pray. If we pray, how many believe that God will move? If we pray, how many believe that God can help you to tell somebody about Jesus? [01:10:49] (48 seconds) #CalledToWork

Your story is waiting to be written. But only if you let God write the story according to his will. Lord, I don't want to do it my way anymore. Lord, I want to be about your business. Help me, Jesus. Lord, we give you all the praise, all the glory. And we're willing, God, to do your work. [01:13:45] (27 seconds) #DrawCloserAndServe

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