Embracing Apostolic Callings: Freedom to Serve
Summary
In my recent sermon, I reflected on the need for modern-day Patricks—individuals who, like the historical figure of Saint Patrick, are called by God, confirmed by the church, and sent into uncharted territories to spread the gospel and plant churches. I shared the story of Patrick, who was kidnapped at the age of 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave. It was during his six years of captivity that he connected deeply with God, leading to his escape and eventual return to Ireland as a missionary. Patrick's life exemplifies the apostolic gifting, which I believe is still active and necessary today.
I emphasized that the apostolic gift is not just about starting new churches but about being sent by God to address specific needs, whether that's ministering to bikers, mothers of preschoolers, or starting schools of ministry. The apostolic gifting is about being burdened by the need around us and responding to God's call to meet that need.
During the sermon, I also discussed the importance of prayer and being led by the Holy Spirit, as seen in the early church in Acts 13. The church in Antioch was diverse and united in prayer and fasting when the Holy Spirit called Barnabas and Saul (Paul) for their missionary work. This example shows that the apostolic gift, along with other spiritual gifts, must be exercised in community, confirmed by others, and bathed in prayer.
I challenged the congregation to consider whether they might have an apostolic gifting and to respond to God's call to be set free from whatever holds them captive—fear, insecurity, addiction, or lies from others. I believe that many are called to step into their giftings and that the church needs all gifts working together to fully represent Christ to the world.
Key Takeaways:
- The apostolic gifting is not a relic of the past but a present and active calling that God places on individuals to address specific needs in the world. Just as Patrick was called to Ireland, we too must be attentive to where God is leading us to serve and be willing to step into uncharted territories for the sake of the gospel. [17:54]
- Prayer is foundational to the apostolic gift and to all ministry. It is not a last resort but the first and central practice that empowers and guides our actions. We need to be a church that prays boldly and fervently, believing that prayer is where the battle is won and where we align ourselves with God's will. [07:08]
- The confirmation of the church community is essential in discerning and affirming one's apostolic calling. Just as the early church in Antioch discerned and sent out Barnabas and Saul, we too must seek and heed the confirmation of our church family when pursuing our callings. [09:01]
- The apostolic gift is about being burdened by the needs we see around us. It is not enough to recognize a need; we must feel compelled by the Holy Spirit to act and meet that need, whether it is planting churches, starting ministries, or serving in other capacities. [07:48]
- Freedom from captivity is necessary for us to step into our giftings. Many of us, like Patrick, may feel enslaved by fear, insecurity, or addiction. But Jesus came to set us free, and as we experience that freedom, we can more fully embrace the callings God has placed on our lives. [25:24]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Acts 13:1-3 (NIV)
> "Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off."
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the church leaders in Antioch doing when the Holy Spirit spoke to them? ([04:24])
2. Who were the individuals mentioned in Acts 13:1, and what roles did they have in the church? ([02:26])
3. How did the church in Antioch respond to the Holy Spirit's instruction regarding Barnabas and Saul? ([05:00])
4. What does the term "sent them on their way" signify in the context of Acts 13:3? ([06:00])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is prayer and fasting significant in discerning God's call, as seen in Acts 13:2? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on prayer? ([07:01])
2. How does the diversity of the church in Antioch (Acts 13:1) reflect the unity and collaboration needed in exercising spiritual gifts? ([04:02])
3. What does the process of confirming Barnabas and Saul's calling by the church community teach us about the importance of communal discernment? ([09:01])
4. How does the story of Saint Patrick illustrate the concept of being burdened by the needs around us and responding to God's call? ([16:17])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt a burden for a specific need around you. How did you respond, and what steps can you take to be more attentive to such burdens in the future? ([07:48])
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of prayer as foundational to ministry. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine to seek God's guidance? ([07:08])
3. Have you ever felt a sense of calling or gifting that was confirmed by others in your church community? How did that confirmation impact your actions and decisions? ([09:01])
4. Saint Patrick's story involves overcoming captivity and fear to fulfill his calling. What are some fears or insecurities that might be holding you back from fully embracing your spiritual gifts? ([19:16])
5. The sermon mentioned various uncharted territories where ministry is needed, such as ministering to bikers or mothers of preschoolers. Is there a specific group or need that you feel called to serve? How can you take the first step towards that ministry? ([17:14])
6. How can you support others in your church community who may be discerning their own callings and giftings? What practical steps can you take to encourage and affirm them? ([09:01])
7. Reflect on the idea of being set free from captivity, whether it be fear, insecurity, or addiction. What steps can you take this week to seek freedom in Christ and move towards your God-given calling? ([19:16])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Apostolic Callings Today
The apostolic gifting continues to beckon individuals to serve in unique and needed capacities. In the spirit of Saint Patrick, there is a call to be attentive to where God is leading, to serve in areas that may be unfamiliar or challenging, and to be willing to step into these uncharted territories for the sake of the gospel. This calling is not just about planting churches but about addressing the specific needs that one is burdened with, whether it's ministering to a particular group or starting a new ministry. It's about recognizing the unique ways God has equipped each person to contribute to the Kingdom and having the courage to respond to that call. [17:54]
Acts 13:2-3 (ESV)
"While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off."
Reflection: What unique need in your community has God placed on your heart, and how might He be calling you to address it?
Day 2: Prayer as the Foundation of Ministry
Prayer is not merely a step in the process of ministry; it is the foundation and the sustaining force behind all efforts to serve and spread the gospel. It is through prayer that individuals align with God's will, gain strength, and receive guidance. The practice of prayer, especially when done fervently and in unity with others, is where the battle is won and where the heart is prepared to follow God's leading. [07:08]
Colossians 4:2-3 (ESV)
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison."
Reflection: How can you deepen your prayer life to more effectively discern and follow God's will for your ministry?
Day 3: Community Confirmation of Calling
The affirmation and discernment of a church community are vital in recognizing and supporting one's calling. Just as the early church in Antioch was instrumental in sending out Barnabas and Saul for their mission, today's church plays a crucial role in discerning and affirming the apostolic gifting within its members. This process ensures that the calling is not self-appointed but is recognized and confirmed by others who are also seeking God's direction. [09:01]
1 Thessalonians 5:11-12 (ESV)
"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you."
Reflection: In what ways can you seek and offer confirmation within your church community to affirm God's calling on your life and the lives of others?
Day 4: Burdened by the Needs Around Us
The apostolic gift is characterized by a deep burden for the needs observed in the world. It is not enough to simply see a need; one must feel compelled by the Holy Spirit to take action. This may manifest in various forms, such as planting churches, starting ministries, or serving in capacities that meet the needs of those around us. The call is to be moved by compassion and to respond with tangible efforts that demonstrate the love and message of Christ. [07:48]
James 2:15-17 (ESV)
"If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: What specific need in your community can you begin to address this week, and what first step will you take to do so?
Day 5: Freedom to Embrace Our Calling
Many are held back from embracing their calling due to various forms of captivity, such as fear, insecurity, or addiction. However, true freedom in Christ is necessary to step into the giftings God has placed on our lives. Like Patrick, who found freedom and returned to Ireland to fulfill his calling, individuals today are called to experience liberation from whatever binds them, so they can fully engage in the work God has prepared for them. [25:24]
Galatians 5:1 (ESV)
"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."
Reflection: What is holding you back from fully stepping into your calling, and how can you seek freedom in Christ to overcome it?
Quotes
1) "God, we need some Patricks who will be called by you, confirmed by the church, bathed in prayer, and sent into uncharted territories. We need some Patricks that are gonna go and start ministries to people who are divorced or walking through divorce. We need some that are gonna go and start ministries to bikers." [17:19]
2) "The apostolic gift needs to be bathed in prayer. Listen, church is not just sitting in chairs, watching a guy spit for 45 minutes. Jesus said, my house shall be called a house of prayer. And we need to understand that prayer is not our last resort. Prayer needs to be first." [07:08]
3) "The apostolic gift was confirmed by others. As they prayed together, the Lord revealed an apostolic calling to everyone in the church. In other words, Barnabas and Saul did not send themselves out. This is so important because they're, just like last week I was talking about the prophetic today can get a little weird." [08:29]
4) "The apostolic gifting has to be working with the teaching gifting and with the prophetic gifting and with the shepherding gifting and with the evangelistic gifting. And when they all come together, and listen, this is what's wrong with the American church. The American church has become about a motivational speaker doing a TED Talk." [09:45]
5) "Patrick and his disciples, in his lifetime, would plant 700 churches. You know, it wasn't until recent history that on St. Patrick's Day, the pubs in Ireland would actually be closed on that day out of reverence for Patrick, who they called the Apostle of Ireland." [16:29]
6) "Some of you are in captivity because of things that were done to you, offenses that have mounted, horrible things maybe in some cases, relationships. And because of that, like you are paralyzed and you're not able to move forward and God wants to use you in ways that you can't even begin to imagine." [21:21]
7) "But Christ is gonna set you free. He's gonna set you free. You say, how do you know? Because he told me he's going to. He's gonna set you free. I'm gonna ask you to stand to your feet. In a moment, I'm gonna ask you a question and I know the answer's not yes for everybody in this room, okay?" [22:40]
8) "And we need to be burdened for the need that is around us. Number three, the apostolic gift was confirmed by others. As they prayed together, the Lord revealed an apostolic calling to everyone in the church. In other words, Barnabas and Saul did not send themselves out." [08:29]
9) "The apostolic gift is burdened by need. You'll see that it says, appoint Barnabas and Saul for the, and then there's this phrase, special work to which I have called them. When you look at that, really it's about need. And the early church was very clear about the need that was all around them." [07:48]
10) "And if you find yourself answering yes to a lot of those questions, it may be that you have an apostolic gifting. So let's look at, because enough of what I have to say or my questions, let's look at what scripture has to say. Let's look at Acts chapter 13." [02:20]
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