Embracing God's Call: A Journey of Faith and Obedience
Summary
God calls each of us not only to receive His grace but to become active participants in His mission—harvesters in the field. The call of God is always bigger than our own abilities, and it often seems impossible by human standards. Just as Noah was asked to build an ark before rain had ever fallen, or Gideon was called to face an army with only 300 men and a single sword, God’s assignments stretch us beyond our comfort and resources. The key is not self-reliance, but God-dependence. We are given access to the unlimited supply of God’s wisdom, strength, and creativity, but He also asks for our full surrender and obedience in return.
The “whatever it takes” attitude is essential for fulfilling God’s purposes. This means laying our lives on the altar, embracing sacrifice, and refusing to make excuses or retreat. Jesus Himself modeled this attitude, enduring the cross for our sake. Our response must be one of joyful obedience, seeing every task as a privilege rather than a burden. True obedience is not reluctant or grudging, but marked by gladness and generosity, knowing that God entrusts us with things of eternal value.
Perseverance is also vital. The fruit of our labor may not be immediate, and the journey often requires years of unseen faithfulness, prayer, and endurance. The “whatever” God calls us to do is sustained by a compelling “why”—the deep conviction that we are new creations, born of God, compelled by His love, and driven by a vision that transcends personal comfort or ambition. Without a strong “why,” our resolve will falter.
Finally, the call is urgent. Procrastination is the enemy of purpose. Today is the day to begin, not tomorrow. Every moment is pregnant with eternity, and our decisions have eternal consequences for ourselves and those around us. God remembers every act of faithfulness, and He calls each of us—no matter our specific assignment—to step forward, embrace the “whatever it takes” mentality, and live fully for His glory.
Key Takeaways
- God’s assignments are always bigger than our abilities, requiring us to depend on His unlimited resources rather than our own strength. When we face tasks that seem impossible, it is an invitation to trust in God’s power and creativity, not to shrink back in fear or self-reliance. The “whatever it takes” attitude begins with recognizing that God’s call will always stretch us beyond ourselves. [05:10]
- Full surrender is the foundation of fruitful partnership with God. Just as Jesus gave everything for us, we are called to place our lives on the altar, holding nothing back. This means cultivating a listening ear, an obedient heart, and a willingness to act without excuses, allowing God to have as much access to us as we have to Him. [13:25]
- Joyful obedience transforms sacrifice into privilege. When we serve God with gladness, even the hardest assignments become opportunities for joy and fulfillment. True obedience is not about grudging compliance but about embracing God’s trust in us and responding with generosity and delight, knowing that every act of service is a privilege. [17:23]
- Perseverance and endurance are essential for lasting impact. The results of our faithfulness may not be immediate, and much of the work happens behind the scenes, often unnoticed by others. Yet, it is through patient endurance, continual sowing, and steadfastness that God brings about miracles and lasting fruit. [20:17]
- A compelling “why” sustains the “whatever.” Our motivation must be rooted in our identity as new creations, compelled by the love of God and a vision that transcends personal comfort. Without a strong sense of purpose and urgency, we are prone to procrastination and distraction; but when our “why” is clear, we are empowered to act decisively and live with eternity in view. [25:57]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:46] - The Three “Whatevers”
[02:26] - Noah’s Impossible Assignment
[03:50] - Faith in the Face of the Unknown
[05:10] - Gideon and the Power of God-Dependence
[06:20] - The Secret of Strength: God’s Supply
[08:55] - Unique Callings and Divine Creativity
[10:29] - Nehemiah: Inspiring a “Whatever It Takes” Mentality
[13:25] - Surrender: Giving God Full Access
[16:00] - The Altar of Sacrifice and Self-Denial
[17:23] - Joyful Obedience as Privilege
[20:17] - Perseverance and the Hidden Cost
[21:54] - The Power of Vision and the “Why”
[25:57] - The Danger of Procrastination
[32:31] - Living with Eternal Urgency
[34:38] - Every Day for God’s Glory
[36:34] - Responding to God’s Call and Prayer
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Whatever It Takes”
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### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 6:22
“Noah did everything just as God commanded him.”
2. Judges 7:2-7
(Gideon’s army reduced to 300 men to face a vast enemy.)
3. Romans 12:1
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Genesis 6:22, how did Noah respond to God’s instructions, and what made his obedience remarkable in his context?
2. In Judges 7, what did God ask Gideon to do, and how did the size of his army compare to the enemy?
3. The sermon mentioned that God’s assignments are always bigger than our abilities. What examples from the Bible or the sermon illustrate this point? [05:10]
4. What does Romans 12:1 say about the kind of sacrifice God desires from us?
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God often gives assignments that seem impossible or beyond our own strength? What does this reveal about His character and our relationship with Him? [06:20]
2. The sermon talks about a “whatever it takes” attitude. How does this attitude differ from simply following rules or doing the minimum required? [10:29]
3. What does it mean to offer our lives as a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1), and how is this connected to joyful obedience rather than reluctant compliance? [17:23]
4. The sermon says perseverance is essential because results are not always immediate. Why is perseverance so important in fulfilling God’s call? [20:17]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon says God’s call will always stretch us beyond our comfort and resources. Can you think of a time when you felt God asking you to do something that seemed impossible? How did you respond? [05:10]
2. The “whatever it takes” attitude means laying our lives on the altar and refusing to make excuses. What is one area of your life where you tend to make excuses or hold back from full surrender? What would it look like to lay that area on the altar this week? [13:25]
3. Joyful obedience transforms sacrifice into privilege. Is there a task or responsibility in your life right now that feels more like a burden than a privilege? How could you shift your perspective to see it as a privilege God has entrusted to you? [17:23]
4. The sermon highlights the importance of perseverance and unseen faithfulness. Is there something you’ve been faithfully doing for God that feels unnoticed or unrewarded? How can you remind yourself of the eternal value of your faithfulness? [20:17]
5. The “why” behind our obedience is rooted in our identity as new creations and God’s love for us. What is your personal “why” for serving God? How does remembering your “why” help you keep going when things get tough? [25:57]
6. Procrastination is called “the enemy of purpose” in the sermon. Is there something you know God is calling you to do that you’ve been putting off? What is one step you can take this week to begin? [28:57]
7. The sermon ends with a call to live every day for God’s glory. What is one practical way you can live with more urgency and purpose for God this week? [34:38]
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Devotional
Day 1: Obedience to God’s Call Requires a “Whatever It Takes” Attitude
When God calls someone to a task, it is often far beyond their own abilities or resources, just as Noah was called to build an ark before rain or floods had ever been seen, and Gideon was called to face a vast army with only 300 men. The key to fulfilling such a calling is not self-reliance, but a willingness to do whatever it takes in obedience to God, trusting that He will provide the strength, wisdom, and resources needed. This attitude is marked by a refusal to make excuses or retreat, and instead, a commitment to advance in faith, knowing that God’s assignments are always bigger than ourselves and require His miraculous intervention. [05:10]
Genesis 6:22 (ESV):
Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.
Reflection: What is one area where God is calling you to step out in faith, even though it feels bigger than your abilities? What would it look like to say “whatever it takes” in that area today?
Day 2: Sacrifice and Surrender Are the Foundation of Kingdom Impact
To truly fulfill God’s purposes, one must lay their life on the altar of sacrifice, just as Jesus did when He embraced the cross with a “whatever it takes” attitude. This means giving God full access to your life—your time, your talents, your resources—and not holding anything back. It is not enough to simply have access to God’s unlimited supply; He must also have unlimited access to you. The call to be a world changer is a call to radical self-denial, surrender, and wholehearted investment in God’s mission, refusing to settle for comfort or mere spectatorship. [16:00]
Romans 12:1 (ESV):
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Reflection: What is one thing you are holding back from God that needs to be placed on the altar of sacrifice today?
Day 3: Joyful Obedience and Perseverance Unlock God’s Purposes
Serving God is not meant to be a burden, but a privilege embraced with joy and gladness, even when it requires perseverance through seasons of waiting, difficulty, or unseen labor. The “whatever it takes” attitude is marked by cheerful generosity, patient endurance, and a refusal to grow weary in well-doing, knowing that the harvest comes after much sowing, sacrifice, and faithfulness behind the scenes. The results may not be immediate, but God remembers every act of obedience and endurance, and in due season, the fruit will come. [20:17]
Galatians 6:9 (ESV):
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Reflection: Where do you need to shift from grudging obligation to joyful obedience in your service to God or others today?
Day 4: A Compelling “Why” Fuels a Lasting “Whatever”
The strength to persevere in God’s calling comes from a deep understanding of your identity as a new creation and the compelling love of God that motivates all you do. Without a strong “why”—a vision rooted in God’s love, your new identity, and the urgency of eternity—your commitment to the “whatever” will falter. Vision gives endurance, and love compels action, transforming duty into delight and enabling you to take on tasks far greater than yourself for the sake of God’s kingdom. [25:57]
2 Corinthians 5:14-17 (ESV):
For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Reflection: What is your “why” for serving God? How can you let the love of Christ and your new identity in Him become your driving motivation today?
Day 5: Don’t Delay—Start Fulfilling God’s Call Today
Procrastination is a thief of vision, calling, and destiny; every moment is pregnant with eternity, and the time to begin what God has called you to do is now. Waiting for a more convenient season or allowing fear, overcommitment, or avoidance to delay obedience only leads to regret and missed opportunities. God calls you to live every day, every second, with eternity in mind, making the most of the time given and stepping into your unique calling without further delay. [28:57]
Ephesians 5:15-17 (ESV):
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Reflection: What is one step you can take today to stop procrastinating and begin acting on what God has called you to do?
Quotes
Whatever it takes is obedience to the word of God, to the task that he assigns you. No excuses. I like to say, no retreat. We only advance. We only move forward with the mission and the commission of God. [00:06:00] (20 seconds)
It's not to live out of my own resource, out of my own energy, out of my own knowledge, skill. I have access to the unlimited supply of God. When he says, be strong in the Lord and the power of his might, you have access to the strength of God. [00:07:15] (21 seconds)
We have this access to the unlimited supply of God, but does God have unlimited access to your life? It's not a one -way street. It's all of him, but it requires all of you. [00:13:09] (17 seconds)
If God's going to give you something to do, it will require of you your obedience. And that means that you have to place your life on the altar of sacrifice. It starts just as he gave his all to accomplish what we needed for our lives. [00:14:02] (19 seconds)
Do not grow weary in well -doing, for in due season we shall reap. There has to be patience, perseverance, perseverance, perseverance, and endurance. These come together. [00:20:17] (15 seconds)
If you don't have a strong why, you will probably not stick to it. The pull and the attraction of life is too enticing. The writer of Hebrews calls it the fleeting pleasure of sin. It won't sustain you, but it is pleasurable in the immediate. [00:25:57] (21 seconds)
Without a vision, the people perish. Without a vision, there'll be no churches. Without a vision, there'll be no orphanages. Without a vision, there'll be no libraries. There'll be no Bible schools. It is vision that's the why that gets us to take on something bigger than ourselves. [00:28:10] (17 seconds)
Life does not have a dress rehearsal. This is it. When the curtains come down, there's no coming back on the stage for another bow, another take at it. You have to make this one scene work. [00:29:40] (15 seconds)
Every second is your eternity. Every second is their eternity. You've got to have a strong, compelling, why ever, whenever, and then a whatever. What has God called you to do? Begin to do it today. Don't put it off. [00:36:00] (16 seconds)
You will never take on something big and do a great work. And I love, in closing, Nehemiah turns around and he says, remember me, oh God, for the things he did, rebuilding the city, reigniting the fire on the altar, restoring the tithe, restoring a godly nation. He says, remember me. I want you to know that everything you do is remembered by God. [00:35:16] (28 seconds)
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