Embracing Our Divine Calling as Believers

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Our Divine Calling

Every believer is called by God to live a life of holiness and service, just as Paul was called to be an apostle. This calling is not about achieving a status but about embodying the gospel in our daily lives. We are invited to reflect Christ's love and truth to those around us, living with the awareness that our lives are a testament to God's transformative grace. As we walk in holiness, love, and willingness to suffer for the sake of the gospel, we fulfill our divine purpose. [04:32]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: In what specific ways can you reflect Christ's love and truth in your daily interactions this week?

Day 2: Sent with Purpose

While Paul had a unique apostolic calling, the concept of being "sent" applies to all believers. We are all sent by God with a purpose, equipped with spiritual gifts to serve and build His kingdom. This understanding should inspire us to live with intentionality and purpose, recognizing that our lives are not our own but are meant to glorify God. As we embrace our roles as sent ones, we are empowered to make a difference in the world around us. [05:41]

John 20:21 (ESV): "Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.'"

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God is sending you to make an impact? How can you take a step towards fulfilling that purpose today?

Day 3: Discernment Against Deception

False apostles lead people away from Christ, often using titles and authority to deceive. It is crucial for believers to be discerning, ensuring that the messages they follow align with Scripture and point them to Christ, not away from Him. By grounding ourselves in the truth of God's word, we can recognize and resist false teachings, remaining steadfast in our faith and commitment to the gospel. [11:24]

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (ESV): "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper understanding of Scripture to better discern truth from deception in your spiritual journey?

Day 4: Utilizing Spiritual Gifts

Each believer is endowed with spiritual gifts, meant to be used for the edification of the church and the spread of the gospel. Recognizing and utilizing these gifts is crucial for fulfilling our calling and serving God effectively. As we discover and develop our spiritual gifts, we contribute to the growth and unity of the body of Christ, playing our part in His divine plan. [42:07]

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV): "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."

Reflection: What spiritual gifts do you believe God has given you, and how can you actively use them to serve your church and community this week?

Day 5: Representing Christ in All We Do

Our calling as believers is to be ambassadors for Christ, representing Him in every aspect of our lives. This involves sharing His love, truth, and grace with others, and living in a way that honors Him. As ambassadors, we are called to reflect the character of Christ, influencing the world around us with His message of hope and redemption. [41:19]

2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."

Reflection: In what ways can you be a more effective ambassador for Christ in your home, workplace, or community today?

Sermon Summary

In today's exploration of Romans 1:1 and Galatians 1:10-17, we delve into the profound calling of the Apostle Paul and its implications for us as believers. Paul introduces himself as a servant of Christ, called to be an apostle, and set apart for the gospel of God. This calling is not just a title but a divine appointment, a theme that resonates deeply with the calling of every believer. We must be cautious not to elevate Paul to an unattainable status, as doing so can hinder our understanding of our own calling. Paul’s life is a testament to the transformative power of God’s grace, and his calling is a reminder that God extends a similar call to all Christians, inviting us to walk in holiness, love, and willingness to suffer for the sake of the gospel.

The term "apostle" means "sent one," and while Paul had a unique apostolic calling, every believer is also sent by God with a holy purpose. We explored the three types of apostles: false apostles, the Twelve Apostles plus Paul, and those with apostolic ministries like Barnabas and James. False apostles mislead and draw people away from Christ, while true apostles, like Paul, are divinely appointed to declare God’s word. Today, while we do not have apostles like Paul, God still sends His people into the world to bear fruit and spread the gospel.

As believers, we are called to be ambassadors for Christ, sent into our homes, workplaces, and communities to share His love and truth. This calling is not about authority or superiority but about serving others and bringing glory to God. We are equipped with spiritual gifts and empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill our unique roles in God’s kingdom. Our lives should reflect the same dedication and sacrifice as Paul’s, as we follow Christ and bring His message to the world.

Key Takeaways

1. The Calling of Every Believer: Just as Paul was called to be an apostle, every believer is called by God to a life of holiness and service. This calling is not about achieving a status but about living out the gospel in our daily lives, reflecting Christ's love and truth to those around us. [04:32]
2. Understanding Apostleship: While Paul had a unique apostolic calling, the concept of being "sent" applies to all believers. We are all sent by God with a purpose, equipped with spiritual gifts to serve and build His kingdom. This understanding should inspire us to live with intentionality and purpose. [05:41]
3. The Danger of False Apostles: False apostles lead people away from Christ, often using titles and authority to deceive. We must be discerning, ensuring that the messages we follow align with Scripture and point us to Christ, not away from Him. [11:24]
4. The Role of Spiritual Gifts: Each believer is endowed with spiritual gifts, meant to be used for the edification of the church and the spread of the gospel. Recognizing and utilizing these gifts is crucial for fulfilling our calling and serving God effectively. [42:07]
5. Living as Ambassadors for Christ: Our calling as believers is to be ambassadors for Christ, representing Him in every aspect of our lives. This involves sharing His love, truth, and grace with others, and living in a way that honors Him. [41:19]
** [41:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction to Romans and Galatians
[00:43] - Paul's Divine Calling
[02:29] - Understanding Apostleship
[03:17] - The Danger of Exalting Paul
[04:32] - The Calling of Every Believer
[05:41] - Three Types of Apostles
[09:50] - The Role of Jesus as the Apostle
[11:24] - Identifying False Apostles
[14:32] - The Twelve Apostles and Paul
[16:52] - Paul's Unique Apostolic Authority
[21:11] - The Authority of Scripture
[26:02] - The Sending of All Believers
[32:04] - The Role of Pastors and Teachers
[41:19] - Living as Ambassadors for Christ
[44:02] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Romans 1:1
Galatians 1:10-17
Hebrews 3:1

Observation Questions:

How does Paul introduce himself in Romans 1:1, and what significance does each part of his introduction hold? [02:29]
In Galatians 1:10-17, what does Paul emphasize about the source of his gospel message? [01:02]
What are the three types of apostles mentioned in the sermon, and how are they differentiated? [05:41]
According to Hebrews 3:1, how is Jesus described in relation to apostleship, and what does this imply about His role? [08:27]

Interpretation Questions:

What does it mean for believers to be "sent ones" like Paul, and how does this shape our understanding of our own calling? [05:22]
How can the presence of false apostles today impact the church, and what measures can believers take to discern true from false teachings? [11:24]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that every believer's calling is as holy and solemn as that of the Apostle Paul? [37:45]
How does the concept of being an ambassador for Christ challenge the way believers live out their faith in daily life? [41:19]

Application Questions:

Reflect on your own life. How do you perceive your calling as a believer, and in what ways can you live it out more intentionally this week? [05:22]
Identify a situation where you might have encountered false teachings. How did you respond, and what steps can you take to ensure you are aligned with Scripture in the future? [11:24]
Consider the spiritual gifts you believe you have been given. How can you use these gifts to serve your church and community more effectively? [42:07]
Think about your role as an ambassador for Christ. What specific actions can you take to represent Christ in your workplace or community this week? [41:19]
How can you cultivate a willingness to suffer for the sake of the gospel, as Paul did, in your own life? What might this look like practically? [04:51]
Reflect on a time when you felt directly sent by God to accomplish something. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [28:04]
How can you encourage and support others in your small group to recognize and fulfill their own callings as "sent ones" from God? [26:02]

Sermon Clips

Paul introduces himself in three ways he says first of all he's a servant or a slave of Christ as we saw last week then he says that he is cold as an apostle and lastly he says that he was set apart for the gospel of God this morning we'll look at that second phrase that he was called to be an apostle [00:02:26]

there is a tendency to exalt the Apostle Paul above and beyond human beings and so I've heard many times things like well that was the Apostle Paul or well that was him or as though he had a special amount of Grace for his own life or for his sins of calling to God or anything like that [00:03:08]

the Bible is very serious and solemn when it speaks to us that we must be followers or imitators or be like the Apostle Paul although he had a specific calling God extends a call to all Christians solemnly and fearfully we receive a call from God a road to walk a Holiness the same kind of Holiness that the Apostle Paul was called to [00:04:24]

every true Christian in a smaller way is also a send one from God the child of God with the most holy purpose into this world directly ordered by God and so this morning I want to look at this word Apostle when Paul says an apostle called to be an apostle what it means so I will first discuss that there are three kinds of Apostles [00:05:24]

the word Apostle means simply the send one the one who was sent that is the one who ascend from Jesus Christ and I think when we hear the word Apostle we think immediately New Testament The Twelve Apostles and Paul and then we think about those words but if you think about it Isaiah 6 the passage we read today is also an Apostolic calling to some sense [00:06:02]

the prophets in the Old Testament were the forerunners of the Apostles in the New Testament the ones that God sent from his throne calling them to himself and then send them out into the world and say bring my message into the world and so the prophets of the Old Testament were in a sense Apostles from God [00:07:46]

the Apostle goes back to the right hand side of the throne on high and what does he do he sends forth his servants as Apostles send ones from Christ into the world to declare the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ you see that in the Old Testament we see the god of Israel Yahweh sending forth His prophets now Christ is going to heaven he sends forth his Apostles into the world [00:09:13]

there are first of all the 12 apostles and we'll add plus Paul and this is how we usually find the word Apostle in the New Testament Acts chapter 1 verse 1 and 2 says is in the first book o Theophilus I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day when he was taken up after he had given commands to The Holy Spirits to the apostles whom he had chosen [00:13:54]

Paul was sent through a vision a direct meeting of Jesus Christ he heard the actual voice of Jesus which gave him Apostolic Authority he said in Galatians 1 12 I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ somebody comes to me and says Jesus Christ came to me and gave me a revelation of himself and I need to tell you this I say I'm sorry brother I'll read the word [00:30:37]

Believers today we receive through the Holy Spirit the testimony of scripture he moves in our heart but it's always subject to the scriptures of God this is the holy living breathing alive word of God Paul received the gospel from direct Revelation which meant he had an authority that none of us have if you hear me say something that is not in agreement with the Apostle Paul [00:31:14]

God's ministers today are directly send from God through the Holy Spirit but it's not as a revelation of Jesus Christ we don't meet Jesus in our bodies on Earth however it is through an inner calling of God if a person has a has a calling to preach it's the Holy Spirit who urges that person and if he says I'm not going to preach God will force that man to preach [00:32:01]

Paul was called to be an apostle to teach the churches the infallible word of God so we can fulfill the will of God in our lives so we can be prepared and be sent out into the world to bring the love of Christ into our homes into our neighborhoods into our cities into our country even until the end of the world bringing forth the Gospel of Jesus Christ [00:43:48]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?

Embracing Our Divine Calling as Believers

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Our Divine Calling

Day 2: Sent with Purpose

Day 3: Discernment Against Deception

Day 4: Utilizing Spiritual Gifts

Day 5: Representing Christ in All We Do

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Embracing Our Divine Calling as Believers

Share