Embracing Our Callings Through Service and Prayer

Devotional

Day 1: Bringing Our Burdens to God

God invites us to bring our burdens to Him, laying them at the foot of the cross. This act of communal prayer not only strengthens our faith but also unites us as a spiritual family. It reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles and that God is always present to hear our prayers. When we come together to pray for one another, we create a supportive community that reflects God's love and care. This communal support is vital, especially when facing life's challenges, such as surgeries or other personal difficulties. [11:34]

"Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved." (Psalm 55:22, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a specific burden you are carrying right now. Can you take a moment to pray and lay this burden at the foot of the cross, trusting God to sustain you?

Day 2: Living the Gospel Through Service

Tabitha's life exemplifies how we can share the gospel through our actions and service. Her dedication to making clothes for the poor and widows was a powerful testimony of her faith. This teaches us that our everyday actions, when done in love and service, can be a profound witness to the gospel. By serving others with our unique gifts, we reflect Christ's love and compassion to the world around us. Our actions, no matter how small, can have a significant impact when they are done in the spirit of love and service. [29:47]

"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one way you can serve someone in your community this week. How can your actions reflect the love and compassion of Christ?

Day 3: God's Power in Our Weakness

The resurrection of Tabitha by Peter demonstrates that God's power is made perfect in our weaknesses. It shows that even in our most vulnerable moments, God can work through us to display His glory. This encourages us to trust in God's strength rather than our own abilities. When we acknowledge our weaknesses and rely on God's power, we open ourselves up to experiencing His miraculous work in our lives. This story reminds us that God can use even the most challenging situations to reveal His glory and strengthen our faith. [37:52]

"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: Reflect on a time when you felt weak or inadequate. How did you see God's power at work in that situation? How can you trust in His strength today?

Day 4: Unique Callings and Gifts

Each of us is created with unique gifts and callings. Understanding and embracing these gifts allows us to serve God more effectively. The upcoming series "Created and Called" will help us explore our deeper motivations and how they align with God's purpose for our lives. By discovering our unique callings, we can find fulfillment and joy in serving God's kingdom. Just as Tabitha used her skills in sewing to serve others, we are encouraged to discover and utilize our own gifts for God's glory. [43:09]

"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching." (Romans 12:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: What unique gifts and talents has God given you? How can you use these gifts to serve others and fulfill your calling?

Day 5: Community and Support

The Prayer Shawl Ministry is a beautiful example of how we can use our gifts to support and comfort others. By creating and praying over shawls, this ministry provides tangible expressions of God's love and care. It reminds us that small acts of kindness can have a significant impact on those around us. This ministry demonstrates the power of community and the importance of supporting one another through our unique gifts. By participating in such acts of service, we can bring comfort and hope to those in need. [45:25]

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who may need comfort or support. How can you use your gifts to provide encouragement and show God's love to them today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone. Today, we gathered to worship and pray, lifting up our friends and family members who are facing surgeries and other challenges. We are reminded that God invites us to bring our burdens to Him, laying them at the foot of the cross. We also discussed some exciting upcoming events, including a mission trip to Guatemala, the Kids Against Hunger event, and our Trunk or Treat celebration. Additionally, we introduced a new sermon series called "Created and Called," which will explore how our unique gifts and motivations align with God's calling for our lives.

We delved into the story of Tabitha (also known as Dorcas) from the Book of Acts. Tabitha was a disciple whose life and actions were a testament to the gospel. She served her community by making clothes for the poor and widows, and her life was so impactful that her death brought great mourning. However, through Peter, God demonstrated His power by resurrecting Tabitha, showing that our lives, when touched by Christ, can reflect His glory in profound ways.

We also discussed the importance of understanding our unique gifts and how they can be used to serve God's kingdom. Just as Tabitha used her skills in sewing to serve others, we are encouraged to discover and utilize our own gifts. This aligns with our upcoming series, which will help us explore our deeper motivations and how they relate to our calling.

Finally, we heard from Sherry about the Prayer Shawl Ministry, which provides comfort and support to those in need through handmade shawls. This ministry is a beautiful example of using one's gifts to serve others and reflect God's love.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Prayer and Community Support: We are encouraged to bring our burdens and the burdens of others to God in prayer. This act of communal prayer not only strengthens our faith but also unites us as a spiritual family. It reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles and that God is always present to hear our prayers. [11:34]
2. Living the Gospel Through Service: Tabitha's life exemplifies how we can share the gospel through our actions and service. Her dedication to making clothes for the poor and widows was a powerful testimony of her faith. This teaches us that our everyday actions, when done in love and service, can be a profound witness to the gospel. [29:47]
3. God's Power in Our Weakness: The resurrection of Tabitha by Peter demonstrates that God's power is made perfect in our weaknesses. It shows that even in our most vulnerable moments, God can work through us to display His glory. This encourages us to trust in God's strength rather than our own abilities. [37:52]
4. Unique Callings and Gifts: Each of us is created with unique gifts and callings. Understanding and embracing these gifts allows us to serve God more effectively. The upcoming series "Created and Called" will help us explore our deeper motivations and how they align with God's purpose for our lives. [43:09]
5. Community and Support: The Prayer Shawl Ministry is a beautiful example of how we can use our gifts to support and comfort others. By creating and praying over shawls, this ministry provides tangible expressions of God's love and care. It reminds us that small acts of kindness can have a significant impact on those around us. [45:25]
### [45:25]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[10:31] - Opening Prayer
[11:34] - Bringing Our Burdens to God
[13:01] - Upcoming Mission Trip to Guatemala
[13:59] - Kids Against Hunger Event
[15:16] - Trunk or Treat Announcement
[15:54] - New Series: Created and Called
[25:57] - Greeting and Sharing
[28:20] - Introduction to Tabitha's Story
[29:47] - Tabitha's Life as a Testimony
[32:23] - The Importance of Living the Gospel
[33:23] - Tabitha's Resurrection
[37:52] - God's Power in Our Weakness
[39:04] - Peter's Role in Tabitha's Resurrection
[42:05] - Our Unique Callings
[43:09] - Upcoming Series Details
[45:25] - Prayer Shawl Ministry
[50:17] - Personal Testimony and Comfort
[52:07] - Encouragement to Discover Our Callings
[53:40] - Closing Prayer
[60:04] - Final Blessing and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What specific actions did Tabitha (Dorcas) take to serve her community, and how did the community respond to her death? (Acts 9:36-39)
How did Peter respond when he was called to help Tabitha, and what was the outcome of his actions? (Acts 9:40-42)
According to 2 Corinthians 12:9, what does Paul say about God's power and our weaknesses?
How does 1 Peter 4:10 instruct believers to use their gifts?

Interpretation Questions

What does Tabitha's story teach us about the impact of using our gifts to serve others? How did her actions reflect the gospel? [29:47]
How can the resurrection of Tabitha by Peter be seen as a demonstration of God's power in our weaknesses? [37:52]
In what ways does the Prayer Shawl Ministry exemplify the use of unique gifts to serve and comfort others? [45:25]
How can understanding our unique gifts and motivations help us align with God's calling for our lives? [43:09]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you brought your burdens to God in prayer. How did it affect your faith and sense of community? [11:34]
Tabitha used her sewing skills to serve others. What unique gifts do you have, and how can you use them to serve God's kingdom? [29:47]
Think about a moment when you felt weak or inadequate. How did you experience God's strength in that situation? [37:52]
The upcoming series "Created and Called" aims to help us explore our deeper motivations. What steps can you take to better understand your own motivations and how they align with God's purpose for your life? [43:09]
The Prayer Shawl Ministry provides comfort through handmade shawls. What small acts of kindness can you perform this week to reflect God's love to those around you? [45:25]
How can you encourage and support others in your community who are discovering and using their unique gifts? [52:35]
Consider joining or starting a small group to explore your calling further. What are some potential benefits of being part of such a community? [52:07]

Sermon Clips

1. "When it comes to the gospel, sometimes we want to follow a really cookie-cutter method, and we end up being very bad at it. And we've been talking a lot about the gospel. We've been talking a lot about the gospel for a while. We started out last year going through the book of Mark, Mark is a very straightforward gospel. It is the truth of Jesus, what he came to do, and how he continues on doing that in the church. And then we moved to the book of Acts, which is a follow-up to these gospels of Jesus. It's what happened in the church when the Holy Spirit infused the church with power." [29:01] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "I end up avoiding something that should never be avoided when we're sharing the gospel, and that is that it is in me so deeply that everything about me can reflect it. That first and foremost, the good news is permeating my life. I know some people who begin their prayer time every morning just reflecting on the gospel, this good news that changes me first. Because then our lives show it. To live a life they can't ignore. Live a life undeniably touched by God." [32:23] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Tabitha was called a disciple. And we don't know if she knew Jesus when he was walking around on earth. But we do know that women followed Jesus. We know that they made robes for him and clothes. We know they were among the disciples. They weren't part of the Twelve, but they were there. Now, was she a disciple that followed Jesus? Or was she a disciple later, kind of like Paul? But she was a disciple. And she was well known. She lived a life in Jesus that reflected the gospel. And her whole life touched others. So much that widows were mourning over her. Tabitha lived a life that shined the gospel. And in her death, she also declared the gospel to everyone. Because she was chosen to show God's power of resurrection." [33:23] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We are all going to die. However, Tabitha's resurrection demonstrates that we are going to die. We are going to experience life again in Christ. Our soul is not going to die. We are united with him for eternity. We have this in common as disciples of Christ. Peter himself came to be with Tabitha and to express the power of Christ in every disciple. Because Christ said, I give you this power and more, as he left the earth and sent us his spirit." [39:04] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Peter demonstrates the power that every one of us receives when we open our heart to Jesus, when we receive the Holy Spirit. We are created with a unique calling, each of us, and we're commissioned to shine this call to the world. So how many of us, how many of our neighbors have no idea our worth in Christ, that we have more purpose than what we earn, the job we can get or not get, what we do, our relational status or our children? How many of those around us are longing to know they were created for more? They're called to more. How many of those around us long to be commissioned to his great work, to shine the gospel to our world?" [42:05] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "We're created and called to be on mission. We're created, and called to be on mission to be who we are on that mission. And that brings me to the upcoming series starting next week. This is a series called Created and Called, and it's coming up. We're gonna do it through the four weeks of October, and we're doing it in conjunction with a company that used to analyze motivations of people to talk about how they best lead their company. But my friend, Pastor Tim Yee, who was a pastor down in Carmel for a while, he is working for this company to bring this same concept to churches." [42:42] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "We are all called, in every way, to follow Christ. And to live out our call to Him. So I encourage you, again, to get involved in your life group, to reach out, possibly, to be in a new life group, or to take this assessment on your own. You can reach out to any one of us leaders to do that. And start thinking about what you might be created and called to do. We also have, I don't have it on the screen, but we have a great serve form, gracewaylife.org slash serve, that gives you an idea of things like prayer shawls and our hospitality team, of our building team and our kids and youth, and different ways you can live out your calling." [52:35] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Some of us are shy to talk about what you've done in our lives, but our lives can shine it forth with your spirit, God. We pray that we can be quiet enough to hear your voice. That we can live loudly to your glory. We pray that your resurrection truth would demonstrate itself in our lives, changing us, breaking any bondage, healing any sickness, restoring broken relationships like only you can, giving us forgiveness that can only come from you, to spread to those around us, giving us peace that passes understanding." [54:08] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "Songs we've sung today were such a keen reminder to me again of that affirmation that the cross was not meant for us to forget our problems our pain our suffering our hurt it was meant to be a symbol that Christ took those on himself that we can lay them down at his feet we are not alone in our pain our suffering our addiction our sins we're not alone and that there will be victory just as Christ resurrected we will be resurrected out of that into his glory with him and we do taste that in this song in this life there are times of of beauty especially when we're worshiping together like this when we get a glimpse of what eternity will be like when our hearts just want to keep worshiping but it pales in comparison it's like looking in a glass darkly Paul says so let's remember this blessing it comes from the Old Testament the Lord bless you and keep you in this life the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you the Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace go in grace and peace" [01:00:04] (77 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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