Embracing God's Call: Grace, Purpose, and Service
Summary
In our journey of faith, we are called to serve God's kingdom here on earth through God's grace. Our purpose is not to accumulate deeds to earn God's favor, but to embrace the gifts and calling God has placed upon our lives. We are reminded that our worth to God is not something we can prove or earn; it is freely given through the love and grace of Jesus Christ. This grace empowers us to serve others, particularly the least and the lost, as God commands.
Our reflection on the prophet Jeremiah's call story in Jeremiah 1:4-10 reveals a profound truth about our relationship with God. Before Jeremiah was formed in the womb, God knew him and had a purpose for his life. Despite Jeremiah's hesitation and feeling of inadequacy, God reassured him that he was chosen for a specific mission. God equipped Jeremiah with the necessary tools and words, affirming his call and enabling him to speak God's message to the nations.
This narrative is not unique to Jeremiah; it echoes throughout the stories of many biblical figures, such as Moses and Jonah, who also hesitated when called by God. Yet, God's persistent affirmation and provision enabled them to fulfill their divine purposes. This pattern of calling, hesitation, reaffirmation, and mission is a blueprint for our own lives as we discern our calling and overcome our doubts.
The question we often ask, "Why does God need me?" may be misguided. Instead, we should ask, "Why do I need God?" The answer lies in the recognition that we need a relationship with God to participate in the unfolding of God's kingdom on earth. It is not about our power or ability, but about God working through us to share the message of love and grace.
Our calling is not limited to prophets or religious leaders; it extends to all who claim the name of Christ. We are all chosen, gifted, and affirmed by God's presence in our lives through the Holy Spirit. As we approach the Lenten season and Easter, let us recommit to accepting God's calling and sharing the message of God's grace with the world.
Key Takeaways:
- God's grace is not a reward for our deeds but a gift that empowers us to live out our divine purpose. We are called to serve, not to earn God's favor, but to fulfill the potential God has placed within us. This grace is the foundation of our service to others and our participation in God's kingdom on earth. [32:28]
- The story of Jeremiah's call reminds us that God knows and consecrates us for a specific mission even before we are born. Our feelings of inadequacy are met with God's reassurance and provision. This narrative encourages us to trust in God's plan and to embrace the calling God has for each of us, regardless of our self-doubt. [35:34]
- The pattern of divine calling seen in the lives of biblical figures like Moses and Jonah teaches us that God's call is persistent and unwavering. Even when we offer excuses or run from our calling, God remains steadfast, providing the means for us to accomplish the work set before us. This pattern is a testament to God's faithfulness and our responsibility to respond to God's call. [39:59]
- The true question we must ask ourselves is not "Why does God need me?" but "Why do I need God?" Our need for God stems from our desire to be part of something greater than ourselves—to be instruments of God's love and grace in the world. This shift in perspective transforms our understanding of our purpose and our relationship with the divine. [44:05]
- Our calling is universal and inclusive, extending to all who follow Christ. It is not reserved for a select few but is an invitation to all believers to engage in the mission of sharing God's love and grace. As we live out our calling, we are reminded that God is with us, guiding and empowering us to make a difference in the world. [54:55]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Jeremiah 1:4-10
- "Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.' Then I said, 'Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.' But the Lord said to me, 'Do not say, "I am only a boy"; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.' Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me, 'Now I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What did God say to Jeremiah about his purpose before he was born? (Jeremiah 1:5)
2. How did Jeremiah initially respond to God's call, and what was God's reassurance to him? (Jeremiah 1:6-8)
3. What specific actions did God take to equip Jeremiah for his mission? (Jeremiah 1:9-10)
4. According to the sermon, what common pattern is seen in the call stories of biblical figures like Moses and Jonah? [36:49]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God reassured Jeremiah despite his feelings of inadequacy? How does this reflect on God's nature? (Jeremiah 1:6-8)
2. How does the story of Jeremiah's call illustrate the concept of divine grace empowering us to fulfill our purpose? [32:01]
3. In what ways does the pattern of calling, hesitation, reaffirmation, and mission seen in Jeremiah's story apply to our own lives? [36:49]
4. How does the shift from asking "Why does God need me?" to "Why do I need God?" change our perspective on our relationship with God? [32:28]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt inadequate for a task you believed God was calling you to. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [34:21]
2. How can you remind yourself of God's reassurance and provision when you face self-doubt in your calling? [34:36]
3. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel called to serve but have hesitated. What steps can you take this week to move past your hesitation? [36:49]
4. How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with God to better understand and embrace your divine purpose? [32:28]
5. Think of someone in your life who might feel lost or inadequate. How can you offer them reassurance and support, reflecting God's grace? [32:01]
6. As we approach the Lenten season and Easter, what specific actions can you take to recommit to accepting God's calling and sharing His grace with others? [54:38]
7. How can you shift your focus from trying to prove your worth to God to embracing the grace that empowers you to serve others? [31:02]
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the themes of divine calling, grace, and purpose as illustrated in the story of Jeremiah and the sermon. May your discussions be fruitful and transformative.
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Grace as Divine Empowerment
Grace is not earned but given to fulfill our divine purpose. It is a divine empowerment that allows us to serve others and participate in the unfolding of God's kingdom on earth. This grace is a reminder that our worth to God is inherent and not based on our deeds. As recipients of this grace, we are called to serve not to earn favor, but because we are equipped and empowered to do so. This service is an expression of the potential that God has placed within each of us, and it is through this service that we truly live out our calling.
"Even before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." - Jeremiah 1:5 ESV
Reflection: How can you actively rely on God's grace today to serve others in a way that you have been hesitating to do? [32:28]
Day 2: Trusting God's Plan Over Our Inadequacies
God's knowledge of us precedes our existence, and His plans for us are established before we are born. The story of Jeremiah's call demonstrates that feelings of inadequacy are common, but they are met with God's reassurance and provision. We are each consecrated for a mission, and God equips us with what we need to accomplish it. This narrative encourages us to trust in God's plan for our lives and to embrace our calling with confidence, knowing that God is with us every step of the way.
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10 ESV
Reflection: What specific mission or good work do you feel God has prepared for you, and what step can you take today to move closer to fulfilling it? [35:34]
Day 3: Responding to God's Persistent Call
The biblical pattern of calling, hesitation, reaffirmation, and mission is not just a historical account but a blueprint for our own lives. Like Moses and Jonah, we may hesitate or offer excuses, but God's call is persistent and unwavering. God remains steadfast, providing the means for us to accomplish the work set before us. This pattern is a testament to God's faithfulness and our responsibility to respond to God's call with action.
"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." - Philippians 1:6 ESV
Reflection: Can you identify a time when you hesitated to respond to God's call? What can you do today to reaffirm your commitment to that call? [39:59]
Day 4: Understanding Our Need for God
Our need for God is not about God requiring our service, but about our need to be part of God's greater plan. It is through our relationship with God that we become instruments of His love and grace in the world. This shift in perspective helps us understand our purpose and our relationship with the divine, transforming our approach to life and service.
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV
Reflection: In what ways do you need God's grace to be sufficient for you today, and how can that understanding change your approach to challenges you face? [44:05]
Day 5: Living Out Our Universal Calling
Our calling to share God's love and grace is universal and inclusive, extending to all who follow Christ. It is not reserved for a select few but is an invitation to all believers to engage in the mission of sharing God's love and grace. As we live out our calling, we are reminded that God is with us, guiding and empowering us to make a difference in the world.
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." - 1 Peter 4:10 ESV
Reflection: What unique gift have you received from God, and how can you use it today to serve someone in your community? [54:55]
Quotes
- "God calls the individual to tell them of a specific purpose they have been chosen for. The person that God calls begins creating excuses to not be the right person for the specific purpose God has chosen them for." [37:29] (Download | )
- "God says, I'm going to give you the individual tools and speech and words and all that is needed for you to fulfill the call that I have given you." [39:59] (Download | )
- "It's not so much the question, Why does God need me? But it's more like this. How will I today, how will I be in relationship with God to discern my chosenness, my giftedness, and the affirmation of God's presence?" [54:55] (Download | )
- "It's not just for one specific person. It's for all of us who claim the name. It's not just for pastors, preachers, those in church executive roles. It's for all people that God calls it, all of us." [54:55] (Download | )
- "God is with us. God is with you. And Jesus, God incarnate, Emmanuel, let us not forget, says to his disciples in the Gospel of Matthew, following his resurrection, he says this, I am with you always to the end of the age." [50:35] (Download | )
- "It could be that the real question is why do I need God? Why do I need God? So tonight we're going to look at a passage of scripture from the prophet Jeremiah." [32:28] (Download | )
- "We don't do all this stuff to prove our worth to God, to receive God's graciousness upon us. It's not something that can be bought. But to understand how we can be the best individuals God has created us to be, to serve God's kingdom here on earth, through God's grace." [32:28] (Download | )
- "Maybe it says, why do I need God? And will I claim the ministry God has set before me? Because I don't think it is so much that God needs me. Rather, I think it's more that God has set before and wants to have this relationship with me." [44:05] (Download | )
- "God uses us to share that with others. We pray that Jesus leads us in that prayer that kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven." [44:05] (Download | )
- "But visits, messages, and practical help arrive when I most need them. And always, our loving Lord and Shepherd restores my soul." [47:26] (Download | )
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