Called to Share: Embracing God's Work Boldly
Summary
In the sermon, I was reminded of the importance of being set apart for God's work. The speaker emphasized that we are all called to share the gospel, whether it's in our neighborhood, workplace, or family. We are encouraged to listen to the Holy Spirit and trust that God will lead us. The sermon also highlighted the importance of discerning when there is opposition that needs to be addressed and the need to speak the truth boldly.
The sermon also discussed the faith and unity of the church in Antioch and their role in spreading the gospel throughout the world. The believers in Antioch were devoted to seeking God and it was likely that the Holy Spirit often spoke to them. They set aside their human desires to focus on worshiping and hearing from God. The sermon also touched on the concept of being set apart for God's work, as Barnabas and Saul were in the scriptures. We are all set apart for God and called to fix our hearts and minds on Him and to do what He has for us.
Key Takeaways:
- We are all called to share the gospel and should be open to doing so in our current environments, trusting that God will lead us. ([22:20])
- The believers in Antioch were devoted to seeking God, setting aside their human desires to focus on worshiping and hearing from God. This is a model we should strive to emulate. ([04:45])
- We are all set apart for God's work, just as Barnabas and Saul were in the scriptures. We should seek to understand and fulfill the unique roles God has for us. ([06:06])
- We should not let opposition deter us from sharing the gospel. Instead, we should discern when opposition needs to be addressed and speak the truth boldly. ([19:46])
- We should focus on ensuring that those ready to hear the gospel can do so, rather than getting caught up in trying to win over those who oppose us. ([21:03])
Study Guide
Main Points from the Sermon:
1. We are all set apart by God for a specific purpose, and He will guide us to fulfill that purpose. This guidance can come through prayer, the Holy Spirit, circumstances, or through others. We need to live in faith, seeking God and doing what He says. [22:20] [07:58]
2. We are called to share the gospel with those around us, whether in our neighborhood, workplace, or family. We should not let opposition deter us, but instead, we should discern when to speak the truth boldly and call out what is false. [22:57] [19:46]
3. We should be devoted to seeking God, hearing from Him, and obeying Him. This devotion involves setting aside our human desires to focus on worshiping and hearing from God. [04:10] [05:25]
Bible Chapters for the Group to Read:
1. Acts 13: This chapter narrates the story of Barnabas and Saul being set apart by the Holy Spirit for their missionary journey.
2. Ephesians 2: This chapter emphasizes that we are God's workmanship, created for good works that God has prepared for us.
Discussion Guide:
Observation Questions:
1. In Acts 13, how did the Holy Spirit communicate to the church in Antioch about setting apart Barnabas and Saul?
2. How does Ephesians 2:10 relate to the idea of being set apart by God for a specific purpose?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Barnabas and Saul in Acts 13 illustrate the concept of being set apart by God?
2. What does Ephesians 2:10 suggest about the nature of the good works that God has prepared for us?
Application Questions:
1. Can you recall a time when you felt God was guiding you towards a specific purpose? How did you respond?
2. How can we discern when to speak the truth boldly in the face of opposition, as discussed in the sermon?
3. How can we cultivate a lifestyle of devotion to seeking God, hearing from Him, and obeying Him, as exemplified by the believers in Antioch?
Devotional
Day 1: Set Apart for God's Work
God has set each one of us apart for a specific purpose. This purpose is not always grand or dramatic, but it is always significant. It could be as simple as showing Jesus' love and truth to those around us in our everyday lives. This is a calling that requires faith, trust, and obedience to God's leading. [22:20]
Bible Passage: Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Reflection: Reflect on the ways God has set you apart for His work. How can you live out this calling in your everyday life?
Day 2: Seeking God in Faith
The believers in Antioch were devoted to seeking God. They set aside everything else to worship and hear from God. This wholehearted devotion and faith led them to be equipped and ready to reach others with the truth of God. [04:10]
Bible Passage: Jeremiah 29:13 - "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper devotion to seeking God in your life? What might you need to set aside to do so?
Day 3: God's Guidance in Our Calling
God guides us in our calling. It can come through His word, prayer, circumstances, or through a word from another person. We need to live in faith, seeking God and doing what He says. [07:58]
Bible Passage: Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt God guiding you in your calling. How did you respond?
Day 4: Overcoming Opposition with Faith
Even when we are obeying God, we may face opposition. However, we are to hold on to God in faith and be confident that He is with us. We need to be discerning and hold firmly to the truth. [19:46]
Bible Passage: 1 Corinthians 16:13 - "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you faced opposition while obeying God. How did your faith help you overcome it?
Day 5: Focused on God's Mission
We are not to get distracted by opposition or try to win over those who oppose us. Instead, we should focus on ensuring that those who are ready to hear the gospel can do so. This requires prayer, seeking God, and boldness that comes through faith in Him. [21:03]
Bible Passage: Colossians 3:2 - "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."
Reflection: How can you stay focused on God's mission amidst opposition or distractions?
Quotes
1. "Lord, some of us might be called to go further afield but most of us will be called in where we are now Lord in our neighborhood, in our workplace, in our family Lord with those around us who don't know you. Lord give us discernment, let us be listening to your holy spirit in faith, let us trust that you will lead us Lord and that you will be with us." 22:20
2. "These Believers were devoted to seeking God. It's very likely the Holy Spirit often spoke to them when they came together when they put aside everything else to seek God. With wholehearted devotion, they were seeking God in faith that he would hear them and speak to them." 04:45
3. "We're to live with faith and trust in God to lead us. God knew that this Roman official was ready to believe and he brought Barnabas and Saul to him. We need to let God use us in those situations." 19:11
4. "We're not to let opposition put us off no matter how strong it seems. We can see from this that even when we're obeying what God has said to do there's not always going to be straightforward. There will be opposition to what we do that will try to disrupt our plans, try to disrupt what we're doing and we're to hold on to God in faith and be confident that he is with us." 19:46
5. "We need to live in faith seeking God doing what he says. It may not be something like dramatic like Barnabas and Saul were about to do something that was going to take them on Journeys throughout the world. It may be what seems simple but is an incredibly important task of showing Jesus love and truth to those around us as we go about our everyday life." 07:58
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