Called Out to Be About Our Father's Business

Devotional

Day 1: Called to Be the "Called Out" Ones—Living Differently in a Troubled World

Followers of Christ are not simply called to blend in with the world, but to stand out as a distinct community, even as wars, disasters, and uncertainty swirl around us. Jesus warned that such troubles would come, yet He also promised peace to those who keep their eyes fixed on Him. In a world that is often panicked and anxious, believers are invited to be a source of hope and peace, showing by their actions and attitudes that their trust is in something greater than the circumstances. This calling is not about perfection, but about being set apart—living as those who belong to God, and inviting others to experience the same hope and peace found in Christ. [57:37]

Matthew 24:6-8 (ESV)
"And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains."

Reflection: In what specific way can you demonstrate hope and peace to someone anxious about current world events this week?

Day 2: Occupy Until He Comes—Being About the Father’s Business

Believers are called not just to exist, but to actively engage in the work God has given them, using their gifts and opportunities to advance His kingdom. Jesus’ instruction to “occupy till I come” is a call to intentional living—being about the Father’s business, not just personal pursuits. This means standing out for what you believe, using your talents for God’s purposes, and making a difference in your community, workplace, and family. It is a challenge to resist conformity to the world’s patterns and instead be transformed, living with purpose and commitment until Christ returns. [01:00:09]

Luke 19:13 (ESV)
"Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been passive or conforming, and how can you intentionally use your gifts to serve God this week?

Day 3: Devoted Community—Commitment Beyond Attendance

The church is not just a building or a weekly activity, but a devoted community of believers who are deeply committed to God and to one another. True commitment goes beyond casual attendance; it is about being “all in”—engaged in teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. In a culture where busyness and distractions can erode spiritual priorities, believers are called to intentionally commit to the life of the church, encouraging and spurring one another on, especially as the day of Christ’s return draws near. [01:08:10]

Acts 2:42 (ESV)
"And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers."

Reflection: How can you deepen your commitment to your church community this week—whether through prayer, encouragement, or active participation?

Day 4: Building on the Right Foundation—Eternal Perspective in All We Do

Every believer’s work will be tested, and only what is built on the foundation of Jesus Christ will last. In times of crisis, it is easy to focus on earthly concerns, but Scripture reminds us to store up treasures in heaven and to be about the Father’s business. What we do for God—how we use our time, resources, and influence—matters for eternity. This is a call to examine our priorities, ensuring that our lives are centered on Christ and His kingdom, not just on temporary pursuits. [01:14:01]

1 Corinthians 3:11-14 (ESV)
"For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to shift your focus from earthly concerns to building something of eternal value?

Day 5: Empowered by the Holy Spirit—Making an Impact Beyond the Church Walls

The true church is not confined to a building, but is the living body of Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit to make an impact in the world. Even in the face of challenges, persecution, or personal limitations, God calls His people to be reformers—standing for truth, loving others, and advancing His kingdom in every sphere of life. By relying on the Holy Spirit, believers can boldly share the love of Jesus, serve those in need, and bring hope to their communities, knowing that nothing can separate them from God’s love. [01:25:55]

Acts 1:8 (ESV)
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Reflection: Who is one person outside your church walls you can reach out to this week with the love and hope of Christ, trusting the Holy Spirit to guide you?

Sermon Summary

In a world filled with turmoil—wars, famines, disasters, and uncertainty—there remains a steadfast hope and peace available through Jesus Christ. No matter what is happening around us, God invites us to fix our eyes on Him, promising perfect peace to those who trust in Him. The call is not just to survive these times, but to live as the “called out ones”—the ecclesia—who are set apart, not conforming to the world, but being transformed and committed to God’s purposes.

Being part of the church is not about a building or a weekly activity; it is about being a living, active body of believers, deeply committed to Christ and to one another. The early church devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer, and we are called to the same intentional commitment. In a culture that increasingly erodes the value of gathering and prioritizes other activities, we must resist the temptation to treat church as just another checkbox. Instead, we are to “occupy till He comes,” being about our Father’s business, using our gifts, and advancing the Kingdom of God.

There is a challenge to stand out for what we believe, just as others boldly stand for their values. While some openly celebrate things contrary to God’s ways, believers often shrink back from sharing their faith or living distinctively. Yet, we are called to be reformers, not conformers—impacting our workplaces, schools, and communities with the love and truth of Christ. The suffering of the global church, especially in places of persecution, reminds us not to take our freedom for granted but to use every opportunity to encourage, support, and pray for one another.

Our focus must shift from earthly anxieties to eternal priorities. In times of crisis, while the world scrambles for material security, we are called to point others to the hope and assurance found in Christ. Our true reward is not in what we accumulate here, but in what we do for God’s Kingdom. The love of God, demonstrated in Christ’s sacrifice, is overwhelming and available to all, no matter our past. We are invited to share this love, to walk in forgiveness, and to live as those who are truly set apart.

Key Takeaways

1. Hope and Peace Amidst Chaos In the midst of global unrest, disasters, and personal anxieties, God offers a peace that surpasses understanding to those who fix their eyes on Him. This peace is not dependent on circumstances but is rooted in the unchanging character of Christ. When the world is shaken, believers are called to be anchored in hope, demonstrating calm and assurance that comes from knowing Jesus. This is a powerful witness to those searching for stability in uncertain times. [57:10]
2. The True Nature of the Church The church is not a building or a weekly event, but a living community of believers called out to be different. Our identity is found in being the body of Christ—supporting, encouraging, and spurring one another on toward love and good deeds. The erosion of commitment to gathering together is a spiritual danger; intentional devotion to fellowship and worship is essential for spiritual health and Kingdom impact. We must remember that the real church is the people, not the place. [59:06]
3. Occupying with Purpose: About the Father’s Business Jesus calls us to “occupy till He comes,” which means actively engaging in God’s work, not just existing or conforming to the world’s patterns. This involves using our spiritual gifts, serving others, and prioritizing Kingdom advancement over personal pursuits. Our presence should make a tangible difference wherever we are, reflecting the values and mission of Christ in every sphere of life. [62:27]
4. Reformers, Not Conformers Throughout history, God’s people have been called to challenge the status quo and bring transformation—whether in spiritual, social, or cultural arenas. Like Daniel, Jesus, and others, we are to stand firm in our convictions, even when it is costly or countercultural. Being a reformer means allowing the Holy Spirit to empower us to impact our generation, break negative cycles, and establish generational righteousness and Kingdom values. [79:56]
5. Eternal Perspective and the Call to Action Our lives are to be lived with eternity in view, storing up treasures in heaven rather than being consumed by earthly concerns. In moments of crisis, we have a unique opportunity to point others to Christ, ensuring our own calling and election is sure, and inviting others into God’s family. The love of God compels us to reach out, serve, and share the gospel, knowing that our true reward is found in faithfulness to God’s mission. [73:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[55:30] - Opening Greetings and World Events
[56:18] - Signs of the Times: Wars, Famines, and Disasters
[57:10] - Hope and Peace in Troubled Times
[58:14] - The Meaning of Ecclesia: Called Out Ones
[59:06] - The Church: More Than a Building
[59:27] - Rain Falls on the Just and Unjust
[60:09] - Occupy Till He Comes: Our Calling
[61:03] - Standing Out for Christ
[62:27] - About the Father’s Business
[64:08] - The Persecuted Church: A Global Perspective
[65:34] - Erosion of Commitment to Gathering
[67:05] - Commitment vs. Attendance
[69:12] - Encouraging One Another as the Day Approaches
[72:14] - Earthly Concerns vs. Eternal Focus
[73:16] - Storing Up Treasures in Heaven
[79:56] - Reformers in History and Today
[82:51] - A Wake-Up Call: Be a Reformer
[84:05] - Living for Christ: Paul’s Example
[86:13] - Prayer for Empowerment and Boldness
[89:19] - Sharing God’s Love in Practical Ways
[92:07] - The Overwhelming Love of God
[95:36] - Confession and Communion
[114:00] - Love Offering for Jamaica and Closing Announcements

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

---

### Bible Reading

Matthew 24:6-8 (ESV)

> "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains."

Luke 19:13 (ESV)

> "Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’"

Acts 2:42 (ESV)

> "And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers."

---

### Observation Questions

According to Matthew 24, what kinds of events does Jesus say will happen in the world before the end comes?

(see [55:59])

In Luke 19:13, what instruction does the master give to his servants, and what does the word "occupy" or "engage in business" mean in this context?

(see [01:00:09])

What were the four main things the early church devoted themselves to, according to Acts 2:42?

(see [01:07:50])

The sermon mentioned that the church is not a building but a body. What examples were given to show this truth?

(see [01:18:16])

---

### Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that God offers peace that surpasses understanding, even in the middle of chaos. How does fixing our eyes on Jesus help us experience this peace, according to both the Bible and the sermon?

(see [57:37])

The early church was described as being "all in"—deeply committed to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. Why do you think intentional commitment to gathering and community is so important for spiritual health?

(see [01:07:50])

The phrase "occupy till He comes" was highlighted as a call to be about the Father’s business. What does it look like for a believer today to be actively engaged in God’s work rather than just existing or conforming to the world?

(see [01:02:27])

The sermon challenged believers to be "reformers, not conformers." What does it mean to be a reformer in your context, and why is this distinction important?

(see [01:19:56])

---

### Application Questions

When you hear about wars, disasters, or uncertainty in the news, what is your first reaction? How can you practically shift your focus from anxiety to the hope and peace that Jesus offers?

(see [57:10])

The sermon mentioned that many people treat church as just another activity or checkbox. In what ways have you been tempted to do the same? What would it look like for you to move from casual attendance to intentional commitment?

(see [01:07:26])

"Occupy till He comes" means using your gifts and being about the Father’s business. What is one specific way you can use your gifts to serve others or advance God’s Kingdom this month?

(see [01:02:27])

The message challenged us to stand out for our faith, even when it’s uncomfortable. Can you think of a recent situation where you shrank back from sharing your faith or living differently? What could you do differently next time?

(see [01:01:38])

The global church faces persecution, while we often take our freedom for granted. How can you support, encourage, or pray for believers who are suffering for their faith? Is there a step you can take this week?

(see [01:04:30])

The sermon talked about shifting from earthly concerns to eternal priorities. What is one area of your life where you are focused more on temporary things than on God’s Kingdom? What change can you make this week to realign your priorities?

(see [01:13:16])

God’s love is overwhelming and available to all, no matter our past. Is there someone in your life who needs to experience this love through you? What is one practical way you can share God’s love or forgiveness with them?

(see [01:32:07])

---

Sermon Clips

My thing is they are standing out for what it is they believe. But we don't always stand out for what it is we believe. And so if we are called to be called out and to come out from, then it is we need to show a difference as well in terms of the things that we do. [01:01:36] (21 seconds) #StandOutInFaith

We as believers in this part of the globe have such an opportunity to be able to come to God, to be with one another. We have such an opportunity to be able to pray for those dealing with persecution and we don't take up those opportunities. [01:04:26] (18 seconds) #PrayForPersecuted

I am saying that as believers we have to come to a place where it is Church doesn't become another activity. It doesn't just become a place where it is we attend. It doesn't just come where it is where there is always a next Sunday. We are called, we are becoming conformers rather than becoming reformers. [01:07:14] (28 seconds) #ChurchIsReformer

There has to be a commitment to Jesus Christ. There has to be a commitment to the Church of God and the advancing of the Kingdom of God. You see church just isn't a checkbox for activity. Well I made it on Sunday. It isn't a checkbox to say Oh I made it this Wednesday. But it is relationship centered and a commitment that God's people have to make. [01:09:36] (33 seconds) #EngagedNotExistent

I want to remind us that the church is not a building. It is not just the building it is sitting in. It is not the lights. It is not the sound. It is not the sanctuary. The church isn't a building. It is a body. And so it is not made of bricks, but it is made of believers. The real church is sitting next to you. The real church is sitting behind you, in front of you. Some of them are watching online. That is the real church. [01:18:05] (31 seconds) #TreasureHeavenNotEarth

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What does it mean to be the called-out ones?

How can believers actively occupy until Jesus returns?

In what ways should Christians demonstrate reform over conformity?