Cultivated in Christ, Called to Serve and Shine

Devotional

Day 1: Worshiping God as King Over All

True worship flows from recognizing God’s sovereignty and exalting Him as King.

Psalm 47:1-2, 5-7 (ESV)
Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth... God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!

Reflection: When you worship today, how can you intentionally focus on God’s kingship and let that shape your prayers and praise? [04:29]

Day 2: Living a Life Worthy of Your Calling

Every believer is personally called by God into relationship and invited to live out that calling daily.

Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV)
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Reflection: In what specific way can you respond to God’s personal invitation to relationship today—perhaps by setting aside time to listen for His voice or by stepping out in faith where He is calling you? [34:59]

Day 3: You Are Uniquely Gifted for Service

God has given each believer unique gifts to build up the body of Christ and serve others.

Ephesians 4:7, 11-13 (ESV)
But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift... And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

Reflection: What is one gift or ability God has given you that you can use to serve someone in your church or community this week? [46:13]

Day 4: Filled to Share and Shine Christ

Christ fills His people with His presence so that they may reflect Him in every interaction and circumstance.

Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV)
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Reflection: Who is one person—inside or outside the church—who needs to see Christ’s love through you today, and how can you intentionally reflect Jesus to them? [49:57]

Day 5: Embracing Holy Redemption and Responsibility

Salvation is both a gift and a calling to participate in God’s redemptive work and serve with love.

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can step into your holy responsibility today—either by serving someone in need or by sharing your redemption story with someone who needs hope? [53:49]

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered to remember and celebrate the truth that God is not distant or detached, but has called each of us into a living, personal relationship with Himself. This calling is not reserved for a spiritual elite, but is extended to every ordinary person—fishermen, farmers, teachers, parents, and children alike. We are invited not just to know about Jesus or admire Him from afar, but to follow Him, to be formed into His likeness, and to have His character cultivated deep within us. The fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are not just ideals, but the evidence of Christ being formed in us.

Yet, this formation is not the end of the story. As Christ is cultivated within us, we are also called to express His life outwardly. There is no such thing as a “shelf-stable” Christian; we are not meant to simply receive God’s gifts and then sit idly by. Instead, we are called to serve, to participate in God’s kingdom, and to make an impact in our world. Each of us has been uniquely gifted by Christ’s generosity—not for our own recognition, but for the building up of the body of Christ and the blessing of our community. Whether our gifts are seen or unseen, public or private, each one matters deeply and reveals the nature of Jesus to those around us.

We are filled with the Spirit not just for our own benefit, but so that we might share and shine Christ wherever we go. Every act of kindness, every word of encouragement, every moment of service is an opportunity to reflect the heart of the Father. Our holy redemption comes with a holy responsibility: to live lives worthy of our calling, to serve both those within the church and those far from Jesus, and to let the light of Christ shine through us in practical, tangible ways. May we be a people who not only gather, but who go—faithful to our calling, equipped by God, and eager to serve.

Key Takeaways

1. Called into Personal Relationship with God God’s invitation is not generic or distant; it is a personal call to relationship. We are not merely called to religious activity or moral improvement, but to know the Father intimately as His sons and daughters. This relationship is the foundation of our identity and the wellspring of our transformation. Living in this calling means receiving God’s love and approval, not striving to earn it. [34:15]
2. Uniquely Gifted for Kingdom Purpose Each believer is given unique gifts by Christ’s generosity, designed for the building up of the church and the blessing of the world. Our gifts are not for personal acclaim, but for kingdom participation. The church is incomplete without the contribution of every member, and God’s Spirit works through both the seen and unseen acts of service. Recognizing and using our gifts is an act of stewardship and worship. [41:04]
3. Filled to Share and Shine Christ The presence and power of Christ fill us so that we might reflect Him in every sphere of life. We are the hands, feet, and heart of Jesus to those we encounter—whether in grand gestures or quiet moments. Every interaction is an opportunity to display the love, hope, and compassion of Christ. Our holy redemption is inseparable from our holy responsibility to share and shine His light. [49:57]
4. Service as a Response to God’s Call Serving others is not an optional add-on to faith, but the natural outflow of being called and filled by God. Whether it’s encouraging a fellow believer, helping a neighbor, or loving someone difficult, each act of service is a reflection of Christ’s love. True maturity in Christ is measured not by knowledge alone, but by a life poured out for others. [50:24]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[04:02] - Call to Worship from Psalm 47
[16:40] - Prayers of Thanksgiving and Refuge
[17:53] - Blessing Over the Children
[19:12] - Community Announcements
[20:00] - Series Recap: Cultivated and Called
[21:22] - Reciting the Fruits of the Spirit
[22:00] - The Call to Follow and Be Formed
[23:15] - From Cultivated to Called
[24:28] - Born to Serve the Lord
[27:39] - Reading Ephesians 4:1-16
[31:58] - Three Aspects of God’s Calling
[34:15] - Called into Relationship with the Father
[41:04] - Uniquely Gifted for Service
[47:13] - Filled to Share and Shine Christ
[51:41] - Prayer and Challenge for the Week
[54:44] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Ephesians 4:1-16 (ESV) —
> I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Observation Questions

According to Ephesians 4:1-3, what attitudes and actions does Paul say are necessary for living a life worthy of our calling?
In verses 7 and 11-12, what does Paul say about the gifts Christ gives to believers, and what is their purpose?
The sermon described the call of God as personal and not just for a spiritual elite. Who does Paul address in this passage, and how does that support this idea? [32:58]
What does Paul say is the result when each part of the body does its work (v.16)?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon emphasized that God’s call is personal and relational, not just about religious activity. Why is it important to see our relationship with God as the foundation for everything else? [34:15]
Paul says that each believer is given a unique gift for the building up of the church. How might someone discover or recognize their unique gift? [41:04]
The passage and sermon both stress that being filled with Christ is meant to lead to outward action. Why do you think Paul connects spiritual maturity with serving others? [47:13]
The sermon said, “There is no such thing as a ‘shelf-stable’ Christian.” What are some dangers of trying to keep faith private or inactive? [23:40]

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to pray, “Lord, how have you uniquely gifted me, and where are you calling me to serve in this season?” Will you commit to praying this daily for a week? What do you hope God might show you? [51:56]
Think about the gifts or abilities you have—whether public or behind the scenes. How could you use one of these gifts to serve someone in the church this week? Be specific. [45:49]
The sermon described being “filled to share and shine Christ.” Where in your daily life (work, home, neighborhood) do you have the chance to reflect Jesus’ love in a practical way this week? [49:57]
Paul urges us to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Is there a relationship in your life that needs more humility, patience, or gentleness? What is one step you could take to pursue unity? [28:16]
The sermon said, “Serving others is not an optional add-on to faith, but the natural outflow of being called and filled by God.” What is one act of service you can do for someone outside the church this week, especially someone who might be far from Jesus? [52:53]
The pastor shared about people who shaped his faith through encouragement and support. Who has encouraged you in your walk with Jesus? How can you thank or encourage them this week? [42:16]
The sermon reminded us that our identity is rooted in being God’s beloved children, not in earning His approval. Are there ways you find yourself striving for God’s approval instead of living from it? How can you remind yourself of your true identity this week? [39:14]

Sermon Clips

This whole concept of simple words but profound that God saves us and then he uses us to declare his glory and his goodness to the people around us. We're called to reflect his nature and his character and then to serve the purposes of God for we too have been born to serve the Lord. [00:26:11] (32 seconds) #BornToServe

I would submit that as a follower of Jesus we have been called to a holy redemption. We love redemption stories. Almost every love story is some sort of redeeming story, right? We've been called to a holy redemption but I would also submit we've been called to a holy responsibility. A holy responsibility to steward well what God's called us to. [00:27:09] (30 seconds) #HolyRedemption

It reminds me that we have been called as Paul reminds us not to earn our place but to receive our place as children of God. That we have been called not to struggle for God's approval but to live in it and to live from God's approval. That when we say yes to Jesus we don't just say yes to salvation and our eternal ticket is punched but we have then received a calling. We have received a gift. That we've been given a new name. We've been given a new nature. We've been given a new role. A new job. A new title and it carries with it kingdom authority. Child of God. An ambassador of Christ. The one who is sharing and bearing God's light in the world. [00:39:01] (54 seconds) #BodyOfChrist

All of this God pulled these people together and gifted them in the life of the church and the church would not be the same without them. My life wouldn't be the same without them and I would submit to you this morning that this church wouldn't be the same without you. This church, these saints of God would not be the same without you. This community, Reedsport, it wouldn't be the same without you, saints of God. Because why? Not because you're fantastic and you're the best thing since sliced bread, but because you've been called by God. You have been uniquely gifted for this season of your life and for this placement of your life. God has purpose for you here. And we need each other. [00:44:00] (64 seconds) #ServeWithLove

We have all been grafted in and gifted. And it takes all of us to bring us up to maturity to build us and to grow us into the likeness of Jesus. You've been uniquely gifted. Not for personal recognition but for kingdom participation. To make an impact for Christ in this place. [00:46:33] (28 seconds)

And what this means is that Christ now fills the whole earth his glory, his presence, his power fills the earth and his presence and his power and his glory fills his people. And so as we walk and talk and as we live and as we breathe and as we go where we go in our lives we are displaying Jesus along the way. That is he has filled us we are the very hands and the feet and the voice and the heart of Jesus. [00:48:02] (33 seconds)

Every room you enter as a follower of Jesus every conversation you're in as I told my seniors in Lexington, every handshake, hug and smile, you are reflecting the heart of the Father. For we have been filled to share and to shine Jesus in our lives. We have a holy redemption story and we have a holy responsibility. [00:49:43] (35 seconds)

``I want to challenge you to pray this prayer simply with me every day this week I want us to pray Lord how have you uniquely gifted me how have you uniquely gifted me and where are you calling me to serve in this season how have you gifted me and where are you calling me to serve Lord I want you to pray that prayer every day this week I'm going to pray it too, ask me next week. [00:51:51] (34 seconds)

Serve the body of Christ this week but I also want you to find someone who's far from Jesus and I want you to serve them too serve that person that just gets under your skin find that person and serve them with the love of Christ because as you do you're reflecting him. [00:52:46] (25 seconds)

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