Embracing Our Call: From Comfort to Service
Summary
In our exploration of Abraham's life, we delve into the essence of Christian ministry, which is fundamentally about using our gifts and resources to meet the needs of others in Christ's name. This calling is not limited to those in professional ministry but extends to all believers, as we are all part of God's chosen people, a royal priesthood. When God calls us, He calls us into ministry, a mission that transforms us from a consumer mindset to one of service and sacrifice.
The story of Abraham, as recounted in Genesis 12:1-4, illustrates three key principles of this calling. First, encountering God authentically propels us into mission. When we truly see God for who He is, it dismantles our self-centered mentality and compels us to serve others. This is evident in the lives of biblical figures like Moses, Peter, and Isaiah, who, upon encountering God's glory, were immediately sent out on missions.
Second, to be a blessing to others, we must be willing to lose things. Abraham had to leave his homeland and comfort zone to fulfill God's mission. Similarly, we must be prepared to step out of our comfort zones, risking our reputations, resources, and time to serve others. This willingness to sacrifice mirrors the ultimate example of Jesus Christ, who left His heavenly glory to bless humanity.
Lastly, God promises to bless those who are willing to step out in faith and serve. When we engage in mission, God assures us of His presence and blessing. This divine assurance often comes when we are actively serving, as seen in Jesus' life when He began His public ministry. To experience more of God's presence, we must attempt great things for Him, trusting that He will provide the strength and assurance we need.
Key Takeaways:
- Encountering God Transforms Us into Missionaries: When we truly see God for who He is, it shifts our focus from self-interest to serving others. This transformation is evident in the lives of biblical figures who, upon encountering God's glory, were sent out on missions. [03:18]
- Sacrifice is Essential for Blessing Others: To be a blessing, we must be willing to leave our comfort zones and make sacrifices. This principle is exemplified by Abraham, who left his homeland to fulfill God's mission, and by Jesus, who sacrificed His heavenly glory for humanity. [10:42]
- God's Blessing Follows Our Willingness to Serve: God promises to bless those who step out in faith to serve others. This assurance often comes when we are actively engaged in mission, as seen in Jesus' life when He began His public ministry. [14:04]
- Joy Comes from Serving a Greater Purpose: True joy is found in serving something greater than ourselves. When we align our lives with God's mission, we experience a joy that surpasses personal interests and ambitions. [09:42]
- Divine Assurance in Mission: God's presence and assurance are most profoundly experienced when we are willing to take risks and serve others. This divine encounter empowers us to face challenges with confidence and courage. [16:45]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - Introduction to Abraham's Ministry
- [00:47] - Definition of Christian Ministry
- [01:34] - Call to Ministry for All Believers
- [02:05] - God's Call to Abraham
- [02:58] - Meeting God and Mission
- [03:57] - Abraham's Call to Leave
- [04:45] - Moses and the Burning Bush
- [05:24] - Peter's Encounter with Jesus
- [06:32] - Isaiah's Vision of God
- [08:11] - God as a Spiritual Tornado
- [09:12] - Jesus' Mission and Joy
- [10:28] - Sacrifice for Blessing Others
- [13:42] - God's Promise of Blessing
- [16:45] - Assurance in Mission
- [17:23] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Genesis 12:1-4
- Exodus 3:1-10
- Isaiah 6:1-8
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#### Observation Questions
1. What specific command did God give to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-4, and what was Abraham's response? [02:39]
2. How did Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush change his life and mission? [04:45]
3. In Isaiah 6, what was Isaiah's reaction to seeing the Lord, and what mission was he given? [07:16]
4. According to the sermon, what common theme is present in the encounters of Abraham, Moses, Peter, and Isaiah with God? [03:18]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the call to leave one's comfort zone, as seen in Abraham's story, apply to modern believers? [04:13]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between encountering God and being sent on a mission? [03:18]
3. How does the concept of sacrifice play a role in being a blessing to others, according to the sermon? [10:42]
4. What does the sermon imply about the assurance of God's presence when believers step out in faith? [14:04]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to step out of your comfort zone. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [04:13]
2. In what ways can you actively seek to encounter God more authentically in your daily life, and how might this change your perspective on mission? [03:18]
3. Identify an area in your life where you can make a sacrifice to bless others. What steps can you take this week to act on this? [10:42]
4. How can you cultivate a mindset of service and sacrifice in your current environment, whether at work, home, or church? [03:38]
5. Consider a situation where you need to trust in God's promise of blessing as you serve others. How can you remind yourself of His assurance in these moments? [14:04]
6. What specific actions can you take to align your life with God's mission, and how might this bring you joy beyond personal interests? [09:42]
7. How can you encourage others in your community to embrace their calling into ministry, regardless of their professional background? [01:50]
Devotional
Day 1: Encountering God Shifts Our Focus to Service
When we truly encounter God, it transforms our perspective from self-centeredness to a mission-oriented mindset. This shift is evident in the lives of biblical figures like Moses, Peter, and Isaiah, who, upon experiencing God's glory, were compelled to serve others. This transformation is not just for those in professional ministry but for all believers, as we are all called to be part of God's mission. When we see God for who He is, it dismantles our self-interest and propels us into a life of service, reflecting His love and grace to those around us. [03:18]
Isaiah 6:8-9 (ESV): "And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me.' And he said, 'Go, and say to this people: Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.'"
Reflection: Think of a recent encounter with God in your life. How did it challenge you to shift your focus from yourself to serving others in a specific way?
Day 2: Sacrifice as a Pathway to Blessing Others
To be a blessing to others, we must be willing to step out of our comfort zones and make sacrifices. Abraham's journey exemplifies this principle, as he left his homeland to fulfill God's mission. Similarly, Jesus sacrificed His heavenly glory to bless humanity. This willingness to lose things—whether it be our time, resources, or reputation—mirrors the ultimate example of Christ. By embracing sacrifice, we open ourselves to be used by God to bless others, trusting that He will provide for our needs as we serve. [10:42]
Hebrews 11:8-9 (ESV): "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise."
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out of your comfort zone. What specific sacrifice can you make this week to bless someone else?
Day 3: God's Blessing Follows Faithful Service
God promises to bless those who step out in faith to serve others. This assurance often comes when we are actively engaged in mission, as seen in Jesus' life when He began His public ministry. When we take steps of faith, trusting in God's provision and presence, we experience His blessings in profound ways. This divine assurance empowers us to continue serving, knowing that God is with us and will provide the strength and resources we need to fulfill His mission. [14:04]
Joshua 1:9 (ESV): "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you stepped out in faith to serve others. How did you experience God's presence and blessing in that situation?
Day 4: Joy in Serving a Greater Purpose
True joy is found in serving something greater than ourselves. When we align our lives with God's mission, we experience a joy that surpasses personal interests and ambitions. This joy is not dependent on our circumstances but is rooted in the fulfillment of living out God's purpose for our lives. By serving others and being part of God's mission, we find a deeper sense of meaning and satisfaction that transcends temporary pleasures. [09:42]
Nehemiah 8:10 (ESV): "Then he said to them, 'Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'"
Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you are seeking joy. How can aligning this area with God's mission bring you deeper fulfillment and joy?
Day 5: Divine Assurance in Risky Missions
God's presence and assurance are most profoundly experienced when we are willing to take risks and serve others. This divine encounter empowers us to face challenges with confidence and courage. As we step out in faith, trusting in God's guidance, we find that He is faithful to provide the strength and assurance we need. This assurance is not just for our benefit but also serves as a testimony to others of God's faithfulness and love. [16:45]
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "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. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Reflection: What is one risk you feel God is calling you to take in serving others? How can you rely on His assurance and strength as you step out in faith?
Quotes
Christian ministry is taking your gifts and resources and meeting needs of people in Christ's name with them taking your gifts and your resources and taking them and meeting needs in Christ's name with them that's what ministry is serving people now we're going to be focusing in on on a couple of what you call professional ministers people who are supported financially to do this with all of their time but it's very important to understand that the principles that govern their lives or I should say our lives are really the same principles that govern your lives if you are one of the people of God. [00:41:48]
The first thing we learn from this and from many other similar texts in the Bible is that whenever you meet God face to face whenever you meet God whenever you get a grip on who God really is it changes you into a person in mission anyone who meets God as he really is sends you out it sends you out it pushes you out see the word mission is from the Latin word messiah which means to be sent. [02:56:58]
When you see God as he really is I don't mean just a belief in general but when you see God as he really is it destroys your consumer mentality it destroys your what's in this thing for me mentality and it immediately turns you into a man or a woman in Mission sends you out look this is Abraham situation the first time God actually meets Abraham meets God face-to-face almost immediately God says get out get out of the familiar culture where you're prominent and where you're comfortable. [03:38:20]
Every time somebody sees God for who he is they lose their consumer mentality they say I will risk I will sacrifice I will go I will do whatever it takes to serve those people and to meet their needs in the name of Christ every time you say well aren't they different aren't the extraordinary I mean yes of course yes these were epoch-making people this is Moses this is Abraham this is Peter as a result there is you know there's a special effects you know there's there's visions you you know there's fire that's not the way it happens to most of us were not epoch-making but it's the same principle. [07:12:49]
God is a spiritual tornado he will never bless you except to make you to be a blessing that's the principle see he says Abram I will bless you I will make your name great and you will be a blessing god never pulls you in without sending you out god never blesses you except to make you to be a blessing for somebody else that's how you know your that's how you know that you're dealing with a real God not a figment of your imagination you become a man or a woman in Mission. [08:30:10]
Nobody has joy like somebody who knows that you've got something that will change the world nobody has joy until you finally serve something bigger than your own interests until you've got something more on your heart then your own career advancement then your own love life then your own hurts then your own aches and pains nobody has a joy like Christ you know why because there's never been a person to mission like Christ that's the first point if you really see God who we for who he is you lose your consumer mentality. [09:42:45]
You can't be a blessing to other people unless you're willing to lose things unless you're willing to get out to see Abraham he says I'm going to bless all the people of the earth through you Abraham I have a mission for you and I'm going to bless you and I'm going to make you to be a blessing therefore Abraham get out and that I've already an ascent talked about you you can't even be a public Christian without beginning to get out your family might get pretty upset don't say we raised you to be a Christian what are you saying you're just become a Christian now. [10:28:08]
You can't be a blessing to others unless you're willing to lose things you can't unless you're willing to get out but you see at that point you're just like Jesus because Jesus Christ has it at all costs and ultimately got out so that we could be reached in the same way if you are not willing to begin to take risks to open your mouth so people might laugh at you that's getting out of your family getting out of your reputation getting out of your status if you're not willing to open your wallet to put in the money which it takes to start ministry. [12:31:49]
God particularly promises when people are willing to go to the mat when people are willing to get into mission when people are willing to put their lives on the line and put their time on the line and put their money on the line God says I will bless you take a look when was it that Jesus Christ got this great effusion of the Spirit when was it that the Dove came down the Spirit came down and we heard from heaven a voice saying this is my beloved child in whom I'm well pleased when did you get that incredible assurance that he was God's when did he get that incredible sense of the presence of God. [14:01:30]
Do you want more of God in your life you have to attempt great things for him in your life it's as simple as that you know we've been studying in the morning services hebrews chapter 11 and in verse 2 it says the ancients all had the witness that they pleased God that's a strong passage and I'm one of these days and the evening services we go through the book of first John where I get to this whole idea how do you know you're a child of God and get to it then but let me just say it in a sentence or two here God not only allows you to know you're a Christian by inference. [14:50:29]
The Spirit bears witness with our spirit God comes down into your life Paul talks about the love of God so being shed abroad on your heart that you almost have to say stop stop it's God coming alongside and making you know he loves you so that you're ready to take anything on if you know he loves you if you have that sense of his of his commendation if you have a sense of his loving fatherly presence you say let hell fall break loose I don't care I've got what I need it doesn't matter there's a power about you. [16:07:13]
He blesses you when you're willing to get out to bless others that descends on you when you're about to move out attempt great things for God and He will give you gulps of himself he'll give you huge portions of himself that's the promise God says if you know me you become a man or woman and mission you will bless others that won't happen unless you're willing to lose things but if you're willing to lose things I will come down into your lives it's one of the reasons why many of us have never felt his reality because we're not willing to get out. [16:45:00]
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