Co-Laboring with God: Embracing Our Divine Calling
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound significance of co-laboring with God, as illustrated in the creation story and the life of Jesus Christ. We began by reflecting on the name of Jesus Christ, our King, and the power and authority it holds. The story of the farmer and his field served as a metaphor for our role in God's creation. Just as the farmer worked hard to bring order to his field, we are called to co-labor with God in His creation. This theme is echoed in Genesis 1 and 2, where humanity is created in God's image and blessed with the responsibility to cultivate and care for the earth.
We then delved into the New Testament, focusing on the life of Jesus as the incarnate Son of God. Jesus invites us into a community, the church, to be His apprentices and to embody His love and grace in the world. Paul’s metaphor of the church as the body of Christ emphasizes our collective role in God's plan. Each of us has unique gifts and a specific calling, and we are encouraged to recognize and nurture these gifts within our community.
The sermon also highlighted the importance of understanding our blessings, both seen and unseen. The story of my bicycle accident served as a reminder of the many blessings we often overlook. We are called to be fruitful and multiply, to subdue and have dominion over the earth in a way that honors God. This involves both investing in the good and keeping out the bad, much like a gardener tends to a garden.
We concluded with the story of Cornelius and Peter in Acts 10, illustrating the transformative power of God's call and the importance of collaboration. Cornelius, a devout man, and Peter, a faithful apostle, both experienced conversions that expanded the reach of the gospel beyond the Jewish community. This story serves as a powerful reminder of the drama of collaboration and the joy of being in the jet stream of God's activity.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Jesus' Name: The name of Jesus Christ holds immense power and authority. It is a name that brings salvation, healing, and comprehensive well-being. As believers, we are called to invoke His name in our lives and recognize the blessings that come from being in His presence. [32:47]
2. Co-Laboring with God: We are invited to co-labor with God in His creation. This involves both cultivating the good and keeping out the bad, much like a gardener tends to a garden. Our role is to work with God to bring order and flourishing to the world around us. [40:19]
3. Recognizing Our Blessings: Many of God's blessings are unseen and often go unnoticed. We are encouraged to reflect on the blessings in our lives, both obvious and hidden, and to give thanks for the ways God protects and provides for us. [44:11]
4. The Drama of Collaboration: The story of Cornelius and Peter in Acts 10 illustrates the transformative power of collaboration. God orchestrates events and relationships to bring about His purposes, and we are called to be attentive to His promptings and to work together in His mission. [50:49]
5. Living as the Body of Christ: As members of the body of Christ, we each have unique gifts and callings. We are encouraged to recognize and nurture these gifts within our community, working together to embody the love and grace of Jesus in the world. [55:05]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[32:47] - The Power of Jesus' Name
[40:19] - Co-Laboring with God
[44:11] - Recognizing Our Blessings
[50:49] - The Drama of Collaboration
[55:05] - Living as the Body of Christ
[01:12:40] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 1:27-28 (ESV) - "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'"
2. Genesis 2:15 (ESV) - "The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it."
3. Acts 10:1-23 (ESV) - The story of Cornelius and Peter.
### Observation Questions
1. What responsibilities were given to humanity in Genesis 1:27-28?
2. How does Genesis 2:15 describe the role of humanity in the Garden of Eden?
3. What characteristics are attributed to Cornelius in Acts 10:1-2?
4. How did Peter respond to the vision he received in Acts 10:9-16? [01:07:38]
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to be created in the image of God, and how does this relate to our responsibilities on earth? (Genesis 1:27-28)
2. How does the story of Cornelius and Peter illustrate the theme of collaboration in God's mission? [01:06:45]
3. In what ways does the concept of co-laboring with God challenge or affirm your understanding of your role in the world? [50:49]
4. How can recognizing unseen blessings, as mentioned in the sermon, change our perspective on daily life? [44:11]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the power and authority of Jesus' name. How can you invoke His name in your daily life to bring about change and healing? [32:47]
2. Think about your current responsibilities. How can you better co-labor with God in your work, family, or community? [40:19]
3. Identify a blessing in your life that you often overlook. How can you cultivate a habit of gratitude for both seen and unseen blessings? [44:11]
4. The story of Cornelius and Peter shows the importance of being open to God's promptings. How can you be more attentive to God's guidance in your relationships and decisions? [50:49]
5. As a member of the body of Christ, what unique gifts do you have, and how can you use them to serve your community more effectively? [55:05]
6. Consider the metaphor of tending a garden. What "weeds" in your life need to be removed to allow for greater spiritual growth and flourishing? [48:02]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt you were in the "jet stream" of God's activity. What steps can you take to align yourself more closely with God's purposes now? [01:10:02]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Jesus' Name
The name of Jesus Christ holds immense power and authority. It is a name that brings salvation, healing, and comprehensive well-being. As believers, we are called to invoke His name in our lives and recognize the blessings that come from being in His presence. The name of Jesus is not just a label but a representation of His character and His divine authority. When we call upon His name, we are tapping into the very essence of who He is and what He has accomplished for us. This understanding should transform how we pray, how we live, and how we interact with the world around us.
In moments of doubt, fear, or need, invoking the name of Jesus can bring peace, clarity, and strength. It is a powerful reminder that we are not alone and that we have access to the Creator of the universe. Reflect on the power and authority of Jesus' name in your daily life and consider how you can more intentionally call upon Him in every situation. [32:47]
Acts 4:12 (ESV): "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to more intentionally invoke the name of Jesus? How can you remind yourself of His power and authority daily?
Day 2: Co-Laboring with God
We are invited to co-labor with God in His creation. This involves both cultivating the good and keeping out the bad, much like a gardener tends to a garden. Our role is to work with God to bring order and flourishing to the world around us. From the very beginning, humanity was given the responsibility to care for and cultivate the earth, reflecting God's creative nature. This calling extends to every aspect of our lives, whether it be our work, relationships, or personal growth.
Co-laboring with God means recognizing that we are not working alone. God is actively involved in His creation, and He invites us to join Him in His work. This partnership requires us to be attentive to His guidance and to be diligent in our efforts. Reflect on how you can better align your actions with God's purposes and consider the ways in which you can contribute to the flourishing of His creation. [40:19]
1 Corinthians 3:9 (ESV): "For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building."
Reflection: What specific actions can you take this week to co-labor with God in your daily life? How can you cultivate the good and keep out the bad in your environment?
Day 3: Recognizing Our Blessings
Many of God's blessings are unseen and often go unnoticed. We are encouraged to reflect on the blessings in our lives, both obvious and hidden, and to give thanks for the ways God protects and provides for us. It is easy to take for granted the everyday blessings that we experience, such as health, relationships, and opportunities. However, recognizing these blessings can transform our perspective and deepen our gratitude.
Reflecting on our blessings also helps us to see God's hand at work in our lives, even in difficult circumstances. It reminds us that God is always present and that He cares for us in ways we may not always understand. Take time to intentionally acknowledge and give thanks for the blessings in your life, both big and small. [44:11]
James 1:17 (ESV): "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."
Reflection: What are three specific blessings in your life that you often overlook? How can you cultivate a habit of gratitude for these blessings?
Day 4: The Drama of Collaboration
The story of Cornelius and Peter in Acts 10 illustrates the transformative power of collaboration. God orchestrates events and relationships to bring about His purposes, and we are called to be attentive to His promptings and to work together in His mission. This story shows how God can use diverse individuals and circumstances to expand His kingdom and bring about His will.
Collaboration in God's mission requires humility, openness, and a willingness to step out of our comfort zones. It involves recognizing that we are part of a larger story and that our actions can have a significant impact on others. Reflect on how you can be more attentive to God's promptings and how you can collaborate with others in His mission. [50:49]
Acts 10:34-35 (ESV): "So Peter opened his mouth and said: 'Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.'"
Reflection: How can you be more open to God's promptings in your life? What steps can you take to collaborate with others in God's mission?
Day 5: Living as the Body of Christ
As members of the body of Christ, we each have unique gifts and callings. We are encouraged to recognize and nurture these gifts within our community, working together to embody the love and grace of Jesus in the world. The metaphor of the church as the body of Christ emphasizes the importance of each member and the diversity of gifts that contribute to the whole.
Living as the body of Christ means valuing and supporting one another, recognizing that we are stronger together. It involves using our gifts to serve others and to build up the community. Reflect on your unique gifts and how you can use them to contribute to the body of Christ. [55:05]
1 Corinthians 12:12 (ESV): "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ."
Reflection: What unique gifts has God given you? How can you use these gifts to serve and build up your community?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "If you want to know what makes God take joy, if you want to know what makes God weep. When it comes to the anguishing events of the world that he so loves, you look at Jesus. Jesus is the incarnate, living, eternal son of God. And by taking our place in the Gospels, and my encouragement is to read the Gospels always and forever." [38:43] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Consider this. There are some words of encouragement that will never be spoken in all of eternity unless you speak them. There are some acts of kindness that will never be delivered in all of eternity unless you do. This is the seriousness of being members of the body of Christ. This is the staggering drama." [53:16] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Lord Jesus, put me in the jet stream of your activity. I don't even know what it is, but by your Spirit, prompt me. Bring people. The Lord oftentimes uses people who visibly come to us, and they speak the Word of God to us. They help us understand a little bit more fully what we're supposed to be doing in our lives." [01:10:49] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "You are the body of Christ. You're the visible body of Christ in the world. I want you to think with me a little bit today about this co-laboring. God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, which only God can do. But now he is at work and inviting you and I to get in the game. You and I to get off the bench. You and I to get out of the stands and get into the game where the real drama is happening." [40:19] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The first directive, the first word of God's guidance to all of us and each of us, the first spoken word about our calling and our purpose. Be fruitful and multiply, subdue the earth and have dominion over it. Now that word subdue in our culture and that word dominion in our culture can have a very negative tone for some people. You're pillaging the earth. You're making a habit. You're making havoc of the environment. All kinds of ways you could take those words, but that's not the biblical text." [47:30] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Ephesians 5, 10 is one of my favorite texts when it comes to New Testament ethics. It's very simple. It's 10 words. It says, try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. That's Christian ethics in a nutshell. Ephesians 5, 10. If you do it as a husband, you'll be a different husband. If you do it, as a wife, a different wife, a mom or a dad. If you do it as a citizen, if you do it as a co-worker, try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord in this circumstance, in this season of my life, try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord." [49:04] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We're called to co-labor in God's garden. Genesis 2, 15. The Lord took the man, put him in the garden of Eden to work it and to keep it. There it is again to work it and to keep it. So, you've been given a garden. The garden sometimes is called your family. The garden has multiple concentric circles. This is part of the garden. The people with whom you work is part of the garden. Whatever it is that you have been called to do, you have been called to do that, which involves the tilling and the tending of the garden, the people, the experiences that are being had around you." [50:07] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The angel does not, preach the gospel to Cornelius, the centurion. That privilege was to be entrusted to the apostle Peter. The angel could have said, you know, you do so many things well. You're faithful. You're serious about your faith. You're prayerful. You're generous. You do so many things well. But I'm here to tell you that God came to your world out of his love for you. And his name is Jesus. His name means savior. He's here to save you. You don't know anything about this. You don't know about the cross. You don't know about God awful day and Good Friday. Nothing like that. I love the fact that the angel is not sent to do that." [01:05:48] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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