Embracing God's Call: Purpose and Empowerment in Faith
Summary
In today's service, we gathered to celebrate the presence of God in our lives and to reflect on the profound calling each of us has as followers of Christ. We began by welcoming everyone, including our Scout troops, acknowledging the importance of community and fellowship. We then moved into a time of worship, focusing on the call to serve and the empowerment that comes from God. Our scripture reading from Jeremiah 1:4-10 reminded us of the divine purpose and calling that God has for each of us, even before we are born. This passage highlights God's intimate knowledge of us and His plans for our lives, emphasizing that our purpose is rooted in His will and not our own ambitions.
We explored the theme of responding to God's call, using biblical examples like Ananias, Moses, and Jeremiah, who initially resisted but ultimately obeyed God's call. These stories illustrate that God often chooses those who feel inadequate or reluctant, yet He equips them with His presence and power. The message is clear: God is the initiator and sustainer of our calling, and our role is to trust and follow His lead.
The sermon also addressed the human desire for purpose and connection, as articulated in Rick Warren's "The Purpose Driven Life." We are reminded that our life's purpose is not self-centered but God-centered, and that true fulfillment comes from aligning our lives with God's mission. God's promise to be with us, as He was with Jeremiah, assures us that we are never alone in our journey of faith.
As we concluded, we celebrated the Lord's Supper, a reminder of Christ's sacrifice and His presence with us. We are called to be His body in the world, sharing His love, grace, and truth with others. Let us go forth, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to fulfill the unique purpose God has for each of us.
Key Takeaways:
1. Divine Purpose and Calling: God has a specific purpose for each of us, known even before we are born. Our calling is rooted in His will, not our own ambitions, and we are invited to trust in His plan for our lives. [45:06]
2. Responding to God's Call: Biblical figures like Ananias, Moses, and Jeremiah show us that God often chooses those who feel inadequate. Despite initial resistance, they obeyed, demonstrating that God equips us with His presence and power to fulfill our calling. [42:51]
3. God-Centered Purpose: Our life's purpose is not self-centered but God-centered. True fulfillment comes from aligning our lives with God's mission, as emphasized in Rick Warren's "The Purpose Driven Life." [47:30]
4. God's Promise of Presence: God's assurance to Jeremiah, "Do not be afraid, for I am with you," is a promise for all believers. We are never alone in our journey of faith, and His presence empowers us to speak truth and act with courage. [49:50]
5. Empowered to Serve: As we partake in the Lord's Supper, we are reminded of Christ's sacrifice and His call to be His body in the world. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to share His love, grace, and truth with others. [54:12]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:30] - Opening Remarks and Announcements
[05:28] - Scout Sunday Acknowledgment
[07:14] - State of the Scout Troop
[22:58] - Call to Worship and Prayer
[35:06] - Humbling Ourselves Before God
[36:28] - The Lord's Prayer
[38:01] - Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-10
[41:34] - Responding to God's Call
[45:06] - Lessons from Jeremiah's Calling
[46:25] - God's Purpose and Our Existence
[47:30] - The Purpose Driven Life
[49:50] - God's Promise to Be With Us
[54:12] - Empowered to Serve
[01:05:06] - Benediction and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Jeremiah 1:4-10
Observation Questions:
1. What does God tell Jeremiah about his purpose and calling in Jeremiah 1:4-10?
2. How did biblical figures like Ananias, Moses, and Jeremiah initially respond to God's call, according to the sermon? [42:51]
3. What assurance does God give to Jeremiah about His presence and support? [49:50]
4. How does the sermon describe the human desire for purpose and connection, as mentioned in Rick Warren's "The Purpose Driven Life"? [47:30]
Interpretation Questions:
1. What might it mean for someone to have a divine purpose that is known even before they are born, as described in Jeremiah 1:4-10?
2. How does the sermon suggest that feelings of inadequacy or reluctance can be overcome when responding to God's call? [42:51]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that aligning one's life with God's mission leads to true fulfillment? [47:30]
4. How does the promise of God's presence, as given to Jeremiah, apply to believers today in their journey of faith? [49:50]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt inadequate or reluctant to follow a calling. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now? [42:51]
2. Consider your current life goals and ambitions. How can you ensure they are aligned with a God-centered purpose rather than a self-centered one? [47:30]
3. How can you remind yourself of God's promise to be with you during challenging times in your faith journey? [49:50]
4. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel called to serve. What steps can you take to trust and follow God's lead in this area? [45:06]
5. How can participating in the Lord's Supper remind you of your role as part of Christ's body in the world? [54:12]
6. Think of a person or community in need of love, grace, and truth. How can you be an instrument of God's presence to them this week? [54:12]
7. What practical steps can you take to deepen your relationship with God and better understand His purpose for your life? [46:25]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing God's Unique Purpose for You
God has a specific purpose for each of us, known even before we are born. This divine purpose is not about fulfilling our own ambitions but aligning ourselves with God's will. Jeremiah 1:4-10 reminds us that God has an intimate knowledge of us and has set a path for our lives. Our calling is rooted in His will, and we are invited to trust in His plan. This means letting go of our own desires and ambitions and embracing the unique purpose God has for us. Trusting in God's plan requires faith and surrender, knowing that He has equipped us for the journey ahead. [45:06]
"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 personal ambitions or desires do you need to surrender to align more closely with God's purpose for your life today?
Day 2: Trusting God's Equipping Power
Responding to God's call can be daunting, especially when we feel inadequate. Biblical figures like Ananias, Moses, and Jeremiah initially resisted God's call, feeling unworthy or ill-equipped. However, they ultimately obeyed, demonstrating that God equips those He calls with His presence and power. This is a reminder that God often chooses those who feel inadequate, yet He provides the strength and resources needed to fulfill our calling. Our role is to trust and follow His lead, knowing that He is the initiator and sustainer of our calling. [42:51]
"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 areas of your life do you feel inadequate, and how can you rely on God's strength to equip you for His calling today?
Day 3: Aligning with God's Mission
Our life's purpose is not self-centered but God-centered. True fulfillment comes from aligning our lives with God's mission, as emphasized in Rick Warren's "The Purpose Driven Life." This means shifting our focus from personal achievements to serving God's greater plan. By aligning with God's mission, we find deeper meaning and satisfaction in our lives. It requires a conscious effort to prioritize God's will over our own desires and to seek His guidance in all aspects of life. [47:30]
"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." (Proverbs 16:3, ESV)
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from personal achievements to serving God's mission in your daily life today?
Day 4: Experiencing God's Presence
God's assurance to Jeremiah, "Do not be afraid, for I am with you," is a promise for all believers. We are never alone in our journey of faith, and His presence empowers us to speak truth and act with courage. This promise of presence is a source of comfort and strength, reminding us that God is with us in every situation. It encourages us to step out in faith, knowing that we are supported by His unwavering presence. [49:50]
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)
Reflection: In what situation do you need to be reminded of God's presence and courage today, and how can you act on that assurance?
Day 5: Empowered to Serve
As we partake in the Lord's Supper, we are reminded of Christ's sacrifice and His call to be His body in the world. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to share His love, grace, and truth with others. This empowerment is not just for personal edification but for serving others and fulfilling God's mission on earth. It calls us to be active participants in God's work, using our gifts and talents to make a difference in the lives of those around us. [54:12]
"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 specific gift or talent can you use today to serve others and share God's love and grace?
Quotes
"Wise and loving God, you graciously impart to your church all the gifts that we need to serve you. And then you give us your spirit to empower us to use those gifts. And yet, God, time and again, we try to do things in our own power, in our own way, in our own time. And of course, the inevitable happens. We become frustrated. We feel burdened. We're weary. We burn out. Or we're fearful. We feel fearful to speak your truth." [00:35:35]
"So, remind us once more of your ever-present invitation to rest in you, to abide in your love, to trust in your ways, and fulfill our calling to be your agents of love and peace and justice and grace. Empower us with your Holy Spirit that we might let go of our fear and allow you to direct our paths." [00:35:58]
"It's relevant, I think, because as Christians, we all are called. We all have to respond to the call to follow Jesus. Amen. Amen. And then as followers, we have been blessed with the task within the call, the mandate recorded in Matthew's gospel, to go, therefore, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I command you and lo, I'm with you always to the close of the age." [00:41:34]
"God said, before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. I consecrated you. I appointed you. I send you. You shall speak. Do not be afraid. I am with you to deliver you. I have put my words in your mouth. I appoint you. Now what can we discern from these snippets of conversation we overhear in this text?" [00:45:30]
"God did four things for Jeremiah, and this is personal. He was working out a mission for Jeremiah even before he was born. God formed him, God knew him, God consecrated him, and God appointed him. Now, this is important because it connects to a very real human need, I think, to feel connected to the power that is, some power that is bigger than ourselves." [00:46:44]
"The Apostle Paul doubled down on this reoccurring biblical theme when he says in Ephesians, 4. 4. We are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for all of us to do. Each of us, each and every one of us, Paul insists, has been crafted with intention and have been called to fulfill a divine purpose." [00:48:30]
"God makes a huge promise to Jeremiah, he says, 'Do not be afraid, for I am with you.' As he prepares to speak truth to the power of his day, God tells him, 'I'm with you.' God says this in response to the hesitation that Jeremiah expresses. I love that. Ah, God. Did you catch that? Want to hear that? Oh, man. Ah, God, truly. I do not know how. How to speak, for I'm only a boy." [00:50:04]
"If there's one theme if there's one theme that runs throughout scripture it is that we are never alone we're not alone the very name of god the son of god is emmanuel which means god with us we're never alone it's there in the bible from cover to cover god tells us that we can count on god for being with us non-executes god is here in the bible non-deficiente his divine presence." [00:52:40]
"Through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you and you could walk through fire. You shall not be burned. The flames will not consume you. The great commission that Jesus gave to his disciples, remember, I am with you always to the close of the age. To Paul and Corinth, do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent for I am with you." [00:53:34]
"Lord said to me now I put my mouth my words in your mouth see today I have appointed you over nations over kingdoms to pluck up and to put pull down to destroy to overflow to build and to plant writing to the Philippian Christians the Apostle Paul put it this way I can do all things through him who strengthens me how we respond to God's call is something unique to each and every person Moses and David Isaiah Jeremiah the disciples the Apostle Paul all received a call to to serve differently but they all spoke with a prophetic voice the prophetic voice of their God and responding to God's call is a part of the journey of faith forever every disciple like Jeremiah we may feel inadequate we might feel fearful but God's assurance and equipping us for success makes all the difference and so let us listen to the voice of God let us trust in the promises of God and let us step out with faith in God God will take care of the rest God will fulfill God will fulfill the unique purpose in this life that awaits each and every one of us amen" [00:54:18]
"blessed is our lord jesus christ who walks with us in the road of the world's suffering who knows is known to us in the breaking of the bread for on the night in which he was betrayed he took the bread and after giving thanks to god for it he broke it and he said this is my body which is broken for you in the same manner after supper he took the cup and he said this cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood whenever you drink of it do so in remembrance of me" [00:58:23]
"every time we eat this bread and we drink of this cup we proclaim christ's life death and resurrection until he comes again in glory let us pray oh christ you are within each of us and it's not just in the interior of these walls but it is in our own inner being that you have renewed we are your temples not made with hands we are your body and so now take us outside oh christ out to where the world needs your love your grace your truth your peace your justice out into the crossroads of the world to be those instruments of grace and peace and truth and justice amen" [01:05:06]
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