Embracing God's Call: Serving with Humility and Purpose

 

Summary

As the seasons change and the rain finally gives way to clearer skies, there’s a sense that God is inviting us into a new season of opportunity and growth. Our outreach in the park has continued, despite the weather, and it’s been a source of both challenge and blessing. Each week, as we gather—sometimes just to share a meal, sometimes to serve, always to pray—we see God at work. People are being healed, lives are being touched, and testimonies are returning to us. But what’s perhaps even more profound is the way those who serve are being transformed. Evangelism isn’t just about reaching others; it’s also about being discipled ourselves, growing in our faith as we step out and put it into practice.

There’s a call on each of us, echoing Isaiah’s response to God: “Here am I, send me.” Yet, as Isaiah discovered, the call of God often involves a stripping away of our own ideas and self-sufficiency. We are called to a kind of spiritual nakedness, a humility that allows God to clothe us with His power. Only when we surrender and let go of what hinders us can we be filled with the Holy Spirit and fire, equipped to serve with authenticity and boldness. This is not just for a select few, but for all who are willing.

The challenge is to not let our gifts and callings sit unused, like a Stradivarius violin locked away in a glass case, slowly decaying. God has given each of us something unique to contribute—whether in outreach, men’s ministry, children’s work, or elsewhere. The joy is found in stepping out, joining a team, and putting our faith into action. In doing so, we discover the secret place of the Most High, the place where our calling and God’s presence meet.

Key Takeaways

- Serving Together Deepens Community and Faith
When we step out to serve—whether by helping at a barbecue or praying for others—we not only impact those we reach, but we also experience growth and transformation ourselves. The act of serving together forges deeper relationships and strengthens our faith, as we witness God’s power at work in and through us. Community is built not just by gathering, but by laboring side by side in God’s mission. [01:12:35]

- Discipleship Happens Through Doing, Not Just Hearing
True spiritual growth comes when we move beyond theory and put God’s Word into practice. Jesus and James both emphasize that it’s not enough to merely listen; we must act. As we engage in outreach and ministry, we are discipled in real time, learning dependence on God and seeing our spiritual gifts flourish. [01:13:55]

- God’s Call Requires Humility and Surrender
Like Isaiah, we are called to a journey that often strips away our pride and preconceived notions. This “nakedness” before God is not shameful, but a necessary humility that prepares us to be clothed with His power. Only when we let go of our own agendas can we be truly filled and used by the Holy Spirit. [01:15:10]

- The Holy Spirit Empowers Ordinary Believers for Extraordinary Work
The promise of being baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire is for everyone, not just a select few. When we surrender and allow God to fill us, we are equipped to serve with boldness and authenticity. Our outreach becomes effective not because of our strength, but because of the Spirit’s anointing working through surrendered lives. [01:16:00]

- Unused Gifts Decay—Faith Must Be Lived Out
Like a Stradivarius violin that perishes when left unused, our God-given gifts are meant to be exercised, not preserved. The joy and fulfillment of the Christian life are found in stepping out, joining in, and putting our faith into action. In doing so, we find our true place in God’s purpose and experience the richness of His presence. [01:17:30]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:12:35] - Honoring the Outreach Team
[01:13:10] - Invitation to Join the Outreach
[01:13:55] - Evangelism and Discipleship in Action
[01:14:40] - The Call of Isaiah
[01:15:10] - The Walk of Humility and Spiritual Nakedness
[01:15:50] - Being Clothed with Power from on High
[01:16:00] - The Promise of the Holy Spirit and Fire
[01:16:30] - Living Out a Spirit-Filled Gospel
[01:17:00] - The Story of the Stradivarius Violin
[01:17:30] - Using Your Gifts for God
[01:18:00] - Finding Joy in Serving
[01:18:31] - Closing and Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

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### Bible Reading

1. Isaiah 6:8
_Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”_

2. James 1:22
_Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says._

3. Luke 24:49
_I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high._

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### Observation Questions

1. In Isaiah 6:8, what is Isaiah’s response to God’s call, and how does he express his willingness?
2. According to James 1:22, what is the difference between listening to God’s word and doing it?
3. In the sermon, what are some specific ways the outreach team has seen God at work in the park? [01:12:35]
4. What does the phrase “clothed with power from on high” mean in Luke 24:49, and how does it relate to the sermon’s message? [01:15:50]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon mentions that serving together not only impacts others but also transforms those who serve. Why might stepping out to serve lead to personal spiritual growth? [01:12:35]
2. The pastor talks about Isaiah’s “spiritual nakedness” and humility. What does it mean to be spiritually “stripped” before God, and why is this necessary for being used by Him? [01:15:10]
3. How does putting faith into action, rather than just hearing about it, lead to deeper discipleship according to both James 1:22 and the sermon? [01:13:55]
4. The sermon uses the image of a Stradivarius violin decaying when unused. What does this illustration teach about spiritual gifts and their purpose? [01:17:30]

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### Application Questions

1. The outreach team has seen people healed and lives changed, but also noticed transformation in themselves. Have you ever experienced personal growth or change while serving others? If so, what was it? If not, what might be holding you back from stepping out? [01:12:35]
2. Isaiah responded, “Here am I, send me.” Is there an area in your life where you sense God calling you to step out, but you feel hesitant? What is one step you could take this week to respond to that call? [01:14:40]
3. The sermon talks about letting go of self-sufficiency and pride to be “clothed with power from on high.” Are there specific attitudes or fears you need to surrender to God so He can use you more fully? [01:15:10]
4. The pastor said, “Evangelism isn’t just about reaching others; it’s also about being discipled ourselves.” How could joining a ministry team or outreach help you grow in your faith? What’s stopping you from getting involved? [01:13:55]
5. The Stradivarius violin story warns against letting our gifts go unused. What is one gift or talent you have that you haven’t been using for God? What’s one practical way you could start using it this month? [01:17:30]
6. The sermon describes the joy found in serving and finding “the secret place of the Most High.” When have you felt closest to God while serving? If you haven’t, what might help you experience that joy? [01:18:00]
7. The pastor invited everyone to join the outreach, even if it’s just to share a meal or help cook. What is one small, practical way you could serve in the church or community this week? [01:13:10]

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Devotional

Day 1: Doing the Word, Not Just Hearing

True discipleship means putting God’s Word into action, not just listening to it. When we step out in faith and serve, our Christian life flourishes in ways that theory alone cannot provide. Jesus taught that the wise builder is the one who hears His words and puts them into practice, and James reminds us that merely listening is not enough. As we engage in outreach or any ministry, we are trained and discipled through real-life obedience, and our faith becomes alive and fruitful. [01:13:50]

Matthew 7:24 (ESV)
"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock."

Reflection: What is one specific way you can put God’s Word into practice today, rather than just hearing it?


Day 2: Responding to God’s Call with Surrender

God calls each of us to serve, sometimes in ways that strip away our self-made ideas and pride. Like Isaiah, who responded, “Here am I, send me,” we are invited to surrender ourselves fully, even when it means letting go of comfort or reputation. This walk of humility is a necessary part of following God’s call, as it prepares us to be used by Him in ways we may not expect. In surrender, we find the freedom and purpose God intends for us. [01:15:00]

Isaiah 6:8 (ESV)
"And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here am I! Send me.'"

Reflection: Where is God asking you to surrender your own plans or comfort so you can say, “Here am I, send me”?


Day 3: Being Clothed with Power from on High

God desires to fill every believer with the Holy Spirit and power, equipping us for ministry and mission. This empowering comes as we allow God to strip away what hinders us and surrender ourselves to Him. When we are clothed with power from on high, we do not serve in our own strength but in the anointing and presence of the Holy Spirit, making our outreach and service effective and life-giving. [01:16:10]

Luke 24:49 (ESV)
"And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."

Reflection: What is one area of your life or ministry where you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit’s power rather than your own strength?


Day 4: Using Your God-Given Gifts

Each person has been gifted and graced by God for a purpose, whether in outreach, children’s ministry, men’s work, or another area. Like a violin that is meant to be played, our gifts are meant to be used, not preserved or hidden away. When we step out and use what God has given us, we find fulfillment and contribute to the flourishing of the church and the world around us. [01:17:30]

1 Peter 4:10 (ESV)
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."

Reflection: What is one gift or talent God has given you that you can use to serve others this week?


Day 5: Finding Joy and Purpose in Serving

Serving God is not meant to be a heavy burden but a source of joy and discovery. When we find the place God has called us to serve, we enter into the “secret place of the Most High,” experiencing His presence and purpose in a deeper way. Whether it’s joining a team, helping with outreach, or supporting others, stepping into service brings us closer to God’s heart and to one another. [01:18:20]

Psalm 91:1 (ESV)
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty."

Reflection: How can you step into a new area of service or deepen your commitment to serving, so that you experience the joy and presence of God in a fresh way?

Quotes

One of the things I want to say is that just as there is a new season, it seems like we've somehow shaken off this rainy period that we've been through. And I'm sure you would have all been aware of that stuff that's been falling out of the sky and laying in pools along the ground. And it's made it quite difficult for us on a Saturday. Although, having said that, by God's grace, each Saturday we've been going out and going down to the park and we've gotten through. We've been able to do it. [01:11:15]
If you just want to come along and come down for the barbecue and eat the food, you'd be welcome. In fact, we get encouraged when we have people from the church come and, you know, take part in the barbecue. But if you want to come at 9 30 and help us prepare and if you want to come down and help us cook that'd be great too. [01:13:09]
You get involved in something like this because it's a mission of the church. Our mission is to evangelize, we're leading people to Christ and seeking and saving the lost. We're praying for people week by week and as others might testify but I can testify people are being healed each week and people are coming back with testimonies to us so you know what we're doing is is significant in the lives of people that we're reaching out to. [01:13:38]
One of the things that I didn't anticipate was that there's an evangelism element but there's a discipleship element where people are being trained in evangelism and trained in their Christian walk because if you decide that you're going to come in each week and keep doing this and reaching out like we're doing and praying about it your Christian life will flourish and around me I can see the people growing in their giftedness growing in their their desire to serve God and and really being discipled. [01:14:08]
If you decide that you're going to come in each week and keep doing this and reaching out like we're doing and praying about it your Christian life will flourish and around me I can see the people growing in their giftedness growing in their their desire to serve God and and really being discipled. [01:14:22]
You can have all the theory in the world but if you aren't putting it into practice Jesus says quite plainly himself if you don't do the word of God you're only merely you know in James says you're listening to it but Jesus said the person who builds upon the rock is the one who does it you know. [01:14:48]
I think of the call that I want to place on you and you I've used the call of Isaiah he says you know uh he hears the voice of the Lord who will go for us whom shall we send he's maybe looking around like this he's just had the oil a coal put on his thing and he says here am I Lord send me. [01:15:08]
Not many chapters after that there's a there's a period in Isaiah's life where the Lord calls him to walk barefoot and naked before Israel for three years now in a sense when we're all called to what God calls us to he calls us to a nakedness because we have to have all the ideas that we have of ourself and ideas of what it is to serve him stripped away. [01:15:32]
In Hebrews it says that we are laid bare and exposed before the one whom we serve and in this stripping away process you can call it the walk of humility in this stripping away process there's something wonderful happens because he says that uh uh Jesus says or it says of Jesus that one is coming whom shall baptize he baptized in water but he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit. [01:16:05]
He says that if you go into Jerusalem and wait you'll be clothed with power from on high and the only way you can be clothed on power from on high is to surrender yourself to God let God strip away everything that's that's hindering his work in your life to be baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire. [01:16:37]
The only way you can be clothed on power from on high is to surrender yourself to God let God strip away everything that's that's hindering his work in your life to be baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire. [01:16:46]
He wants to baptize us all with the Holy Spirit and fire not just some of us not just one of us but all of us are to be filled with the Holy Ghost and fire and I just glorify God that he would have a church that would be filled with the Spirit that his Spirit would be able to move freely amongst us. [01:17:02]
So that when we go out we go down go out with a half-hearted gospel with a half-hearted belief but Lord we go out in the power and the anointing of the Spirit of God now we attempt to do that you know sometimes we stumble forward sometimes we stumble back but our heart's desire is to reach out with a gospel that does what it says it does. [01:17:25]
Now we know that God does what he says it does but does it does it reflect in our life there's a wonderful story that I'd like to finish on and leave you with as a parting thought because each of you have been gifted and graced with something in your lives to be used for God whether it's for the outreach I'd love it to be for the outreach but whether it's for the men's work whether it's for the children's work whatever it is each of you has a gift that God wants you to use to be equipped for the work of the ministry. [01:17:50]
Each of you has a gift that God wants you to use to be equipped for the work of the ministry. [01:18:16]
There was a wonderful violinist played Stradivarius violins you've heard of Stradivarius they're very amazing violins and they last for hundreds of years but this was great virtuoso violinist and I can't think of his name but this great virtuoso violinist was there and he he said um I want to leave this dedicate this violin celebrate it all over the world to in my hometown and I want it to be put in a case and preserved for all time. [01:18:22]
You know the funny thing about a violin if you don't use it you know what happens to it you know what happened to his violin there were other Stradivariuses that people were playing and they lasted beautifully but this Stradivarius that was put in a glass case to be preserved for all time got worms and it molded and it perished. [01:18:54]
Don't leave what God wants to do in your life without doing something find something to do put your hand to it become part of a group or a team be a follower do something for God put your faith out there because then you have to get real you really do you have to give God your life the way that you said you would when you committed to him. [01:19:18]
I don't want that to be be uh sound in a way heaviness I think it's a joy because when we find what God has called us to do we find our our place where that's the secret place of the most high. [01:19:47]
When we find what God has called us to do we find our our place where that's the secret place of the most high. [01:19:54]

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