Embracing Our Divine Call: Faithfulness in Every Role
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound theme of "Accepting the Call." We began by celebrating the beauty of marriage and recognizing it as a divine calling. Just as we are called to serve God, we are also called to be faithful spouses and parents. This calling extends to every aspect of our lives, including our roles in the church and community. We reflected on the story of Moses, who doubted his calling due to his stutter, and Peter, who was uneducated, yet both were mightily used by God. This teaches us that God’s call is not limited by our perceived inadequacies.
We also discussed the tragic story of two young men who lost their lives because they failed to heed God's call, emphasizing the urgency of responding to God's voice. The enemy's call leads to destruction, but God's call leads to life and abundance. We must be vigilant and responsive to God's call, as our time on earth is limited.
We examined the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, highlighting how Philip obeyed God's call without hesitation, even when it seemed insignificant. His obedience led to the spread of the Gospel in Ethiopia. Similarly, Ananias overcame his fear and obeyed God's call to minister to Saul, who became Paul, a pivotal figure in Christianity. Jonah's story reminded us that even when we resist God's call, His mercy and purpose prevail.
We concluded by recognizing that every soul is invaluable to God. Whether through teaching, preaching, or praying, we are called to be instruments of God's love and righteousness. Our testimonies, no matter how ordinary they seem, have the power to impact lives. We are encouraged to embrace our calling, knowing that God equips us and values every effort we make in His name.
### Key Takeaways
1. Marriage as a Divine Calling: Marriage is not just a social contract but a divine calling. Being faithful to our spouses and nurturing our families is our first ministry. This foundational calling shapes our ability to serve God effectively in other areas of life. [02:53]
2. God Uses Our Weaknesses: God often calls those who feel inadequate. Moses had a stutter, and Peter was uneducated, yet both were used powerfully by God. Our weaknesses can become the very platform through which God demonstrates His strength and glory. [04:46]
3. Urgency of Responding to God's Call: The tragic story of the young men who ignored God's call underscores the urgency of responding to Him. The enemy's call leads to destruction, but God's call leads to life. We must be vigilant and responsive, as our time on earth is limited. [06:28]
4. Obedience in Small Things: Philip's obedience to God's call to minister to one Ethiopian eunuch led to the spread of the Gospel in Ethiopia. Our obedience, even in seemingly small tasks, can have far-reaching impacts. God values our faithfulness in the little things. [09:13]
5. Every Soul is Invaluable: The story of the two drunk men who later became ushers in a church illustrates that every soul is invaluable to God. Our efforts, no matter how insignificant they seem, are precious to God. We are called to see and treat every person with the love and value that God does. [28:37]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:45] - Opening Worship and Praise
[02:16] - The Calling of Marriage
[02:53] - Serving God and Family
[03:28] - Youth Ministry and Community Service
[04:21] - Overcoming Inadequacies
[05:36] - The Urgency of God's Call
[06:28] - The Path of Life vs. Destruction
[07:21] - Instruments of God's Righteousness
[08:14] - The Story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
[09:13] - Obedience in Small Things
[12:20] - The Impact of One Soul
[13:36] - Ananias and Saul
[15:16] - Overcoming Fear in God's Call
[17:00] - Jonah's Reluctance and God's Mercy
[20:03] - You Cannot Escape God's Call
[24:01] - The Power of Testimonies
[28:37] - The Value of Every Soul
[34:09] - Embracing Our Calling
[34:55] - Closing Prayer and Anointing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Accepting the Call
#### Bible Reading
1. Exodus 3:1-12 - The Calling of Moses
2. Acts 8:26-31 - Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
3. Jonah 1:1-3 - Jonah Flees from the Lord
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Moses' initial reaction to God's call at the burning bush, and how did God respond to his concerns? (Exodus 3:1-12)
2. How did Philip respond to the Holy Spirit's instruction to approach the Ethiopian eunuch, and what was the outcome of his obedience? (Acts 8:26-31)
3. What did Jonah do when God called him to go to Nineveh, and what were the immediate consequences of his actions? (Jonah 1:1-3)
4. According to the sermon, what are some examples of how God uses our perceived weaknesses for His glory? [04:46]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God chose Moses, despite his stutter, to lead the Israelites out of Egypt? What does this tell us about God's criteria for choosing His servants? (Exodus 3:1-12)
2. In what ways did Philip's obedience in a seemingly small task lead to a significant impact? How does this story encourage us to be faithful in small things? (Acts 8:26-31)
3. What can we learn from Jonah's initial refusal to follow God's call and the subsequent events? How does this story illustrate God's mercy and persistence? (Jonah 1:1-3)
4. The sermon mentioned the urgency of responding to God's call. Why is it important to be vigilant and responsive to God's voice? [06:28]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. Have you ever felt inadequate for a task God called you to? How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [04:46]
2. Think about a time when you felt a nudge to do something small for God, like Philip did. Did you follow through? What was the result? [09:13]
3. Have you ever tried to avoid or run away from something you felt God was calling you to do, similar to Jonah? What happened, and what did you learn from that experience? [19:08]
4. The sermon emphasized the value of every soul. How can you start seeing and treating every person you encounter with the love and value that God does? [28:37]
5. In what ways can you be more responsive to God's call in your daily life, whether in your family, church, or community? [02:53]
6. Identify one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith. What practical steps can you take this week to move towards that calling? [34:09]
7. How can you use your personal testimony, no matter how ordinary it seems, to impact others and share God's love? [24:48]
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the theme of "Accepting the Call" and apply the lessons from the sermon to their own lives. Encourage open and honest discussion, and remind everyone that God's call is unique to each person, but equally important.
Devotional
Day 1: Marriage as a Divine Calling
Marriage is not just a social contract but a divine calling. Being faithful to our spouses and nurturing our families is our first ministry. This foundational calling shapes our ability to serve God effectively in other areas of life. Marriage is a reflection of God's covenant with His people, and it requires commitment, love, and sacrifice. When we honor our marriage, we honor God and set a strong foundation for our spiritual and communal lives.
In our daily lives, we must remember that our first ministry is to our family. This means prioritizing our spouse and children, nurturing them with love, and guiding them in faith. By doing so, we create a home that reflects God's love and serves as a testimony to others. [02:53]
Ephesians 5:25-28 (ESV): "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself."
Reflection: How can you prioritize your spouse and family today to reflect God's love and commitment in your home?
Day 2: God Uses Our Weaknesses
God often calls those who feel inadequate. Moses had a stutter, and Peter was uneducated, yet both were used powerfully by God. Our weaknesses can become the very platform through which God demonstrates His strength and glory. When we feel insufficient, it is an opportunity for God to show His sufficiency.
God's call is not limited by our perceived inadequacies. Instead, He delights in using our weaknesses to accomplish His purposes. This reminds us that it is not about our abilities but about our availability and willingness to be used by God. [04:46]
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 area of weakness in your life that you can surrender to God today, trusting Him to use it for His glory?
Day 3: Urgency of Responding to God's Call
The tragic story of the young men who ignored God's call underscores the urgency of responding to Him. The enemy's call leads to destruction, but God's call leads to life. We must be vigilant and responsive, as our time on earth is limited. Ignoring God's call can have dire consequences, not just for us but for those around us.
Responding to God's call requires attentiveness and a willingness to act promptly. It is a matter of life and death, both spiritually and sometimes physically. We must prioritize God's voice above all else and respond with urgency and obedience. [06:28]
Hebrews 3:15 (ESV): "As it is said, 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.'"
Reflection: Is there a specific area in your life where you have been ignoring God's call? How can you respond to Him today with urgency and obedience?
Day 4: Obedience in Small Things
Philip's obedience to God's call to minister to one Ethiopian eunuch led to the spread of the Gospel in Ethiopia. Our obedience, even in seemingly small tasks, can have far-reaching impacts. God values our faithfulness in the little things.
Often, we may feel that small acts of obedience are insignificant, but God sees and values every act of faithfulness. These small acts can lead to significant outcomes that we may not even realize. Our role is to trust and obey, leaving the results to God. [09:13]
Luke 16:10 (ESV): "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much."
Reflection: What small act of obedience can you commit to today, trusting that God will use it for His greater purpose?
Day 5: Every Soul is Invaluable
The story of the two drunk men who later became ushers in a church illustrates that every soul is invaluable to God. Our efforts, no matter how insignificant they seem, are precious to God. We are called to see and treat every person with the love and value that God does.
Every individual has worth in God's eyes, and our mission is to reach out with His love and grace. No one is beyond redemption, and our testimonies and actions can have a profound impact on others. We must never underestimate the value of a single soul. [28:37]
Matthew 18:12-14 (ESV): "What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish."
Reflection: Who is one person in your life that you can reach out to today with God's love, showing them that they are invaluable to Him?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. The path that the Lord leads us to, the calling over here, leads to life and life more abundant. Sometimes we don't always answer. And I weep. I wept. Because I was like, wow. We don't have time to play around, church. they tell us that we should keep quiet. I'm not even going to get into the Olympics. We're not going to talk about that. That's a whole other sermon, pastor. I'll let pastor preach that one maybe. So if the devil's loudly calling, shouldn't the church be calling as well?" [06:28] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "There's somebody praying right now. Somebody that you are going to come into contact with. Someone that the Lord is going to use you to speak to. Because the call, the call that we have, the call that we have is to join in the call that the Lord has to the rest of the world. And I know we have so much fun. We love hanging. We love hanging out with each other. We love doing events. We love doing functions as a church. But there's a community out there that's in pain, that's hurting. Needs to see the love of Jesus Christ." [16:23] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Every time somebody comes up to me and talks to me, I'm like, wow, Lord, thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Lord, that you count me worthy to serve your kingdom, that you count me as a worthy ambassador, that someone's going to come to me, and ask about the word. And some of us say, well, well, well, I didn't go to school. Guess what? Just like that boy had five loaves and three fishes, and they were trying to feed 5,000 people, Jesus was like, what do you got? What do you got? Bring it to me. Just bring him what you got. Bring to the conversation what you have." [24:01] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Our testimonies have power. And some of you guys are like, oh, my God. Like, well, I don't know. I grew up in church, and this guy, he, you know, this guy did all this, and he did that, and he has such a powerful testimony to me. I just, Pastor Aubrey, I just grew up in church. I've never had a parking ticket. That's a testimony, y'all. What? Praise God. Thank you, Jesus. That's great. Man, you grew up in church. You stuck with the faith. You're still in the truth. You're still serving God. That's an amazing testimony. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. That's great." [25:18] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Church, we're called to serve the king. Every single soul you come into contact with is invaluable. God loves him just as much as he loves you. So this week, this week, church, just be mindful of that. Be mindful that God is calling you." [34:09] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "How many know that you're called? Who's called in the house? We're all called by God. Not only, watch this, watch this. Not only are we called to serve God, we're called to marriage as well. Amen? That's a calling, Brother Lance. That's a real calling. To be faithful to your wife. That is the first ministry of every single man. Our first ministry is our wives. That's the first ministry. Then children. Amen? That is a calling as well from God. But every single one of us, every single one of us are called to serve Christ in one form or fashion." [02:16] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The person that came here yesterday and cooked all those pizzas and brought them in here, that was a calling. The brother that helped me blow the parking lot free of all the water balloons we threw at each other yesterday, that was a calling. We're all called today. We do some form of ministry for the Lord. So I know some of you guys didn't raise your hand. That's okay. When Moses was called at the burning bush, he had a stuttering problem. He didn't think he was called either. But the Lord called him." [04:21] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Philip accepted the call, went where he was called, and did something. And it was only one person that he was called to. And later on in the chapter, it says that when the Ethiopian eunuch came up out of the water, that Philip was just gone. He just disappeared. Praise God. I wish we could do that now, Pastor. We could just, like, all right, y'all, I'm going. I'm going to Ethiopia tomorrow. Boom, and I'm there. Teleport. Yeah, praise God. That'll be nice. God says we have cars and stuff now for that. But he just disappeared. We don't know where he went." [12:20] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Philip opened the Ethiopian eunuch's eyes by teaching. Ananias did it by praying. The scales fall off Paul's eyes. Jonah did it by preaching. But whether by teaching, preaching, or praying, it's all vocal. It's us bringing to life the word of God wherever we're at. So many times we say, well, just come to my church. Come to my church. I'll share you the Facebook link. Come to my church. I'll give you the pastor's number. What about your number? They might not want to come to church until they see the church in you." [31:55] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Sometimes the fear of failing keeps us from stepping out to what the Lord has called us to do. Sometimes we say, oh, it's too late for me. I'm too old. God does not see any of that. God will use you. There's no retirement in the kingdom. I know a group that used to come and volunteer in the prison over at Avon Park. We called them the Maranatha Boys. The oldest one was 93. He came in every single week at 93 years old. Huh? 93? And y'all are complaining because you're 35 and your back hurt? Come on now. Come on, y'all. We're never too old to accept the call of Christ." [33:26] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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