Embracing Our Divine Calling in the New Year
Summary
In Jeremiah chapter 1, we find a profound message about our calling and purpose in life. As we stand on the brink of a new year, it's a time for both reflection and dedication. Reflecting on the past year, we recognize the ways God has shaped us, and as we look forward, we consider the resolutions and aspirations we hold for the future. Yet, amidst these reflections and plans, we must remember that God has called us to a life meant for more—a life that transcends the temporary pursuits of this world.
Jeremiah's calling serves as a powerful reminder of this truth. God called Jeremiah to be a prophet, a role that required him to speak difficult truths to an unrepentant nation. Despite his youth and feelings of inadequacy, God assured Jeremiah that He knew him intimately and had equipped him for this purpose. This calling is not just for Jeremiah but for each of us. We are called to know God, be transformed by Him, and make Him known to others.
In our pursuit of this higher calling, we must guard against the distractions and temptations that can lead us astray. The world offers many things that promise fulfillment—accomplishments, possessions, and the approval of others—but these are fleeting. True satisfaction comes from living out the purpose God has for us, which is rooted in a relationship with Him.
God knows those He calls, justifies their weaknesses, and equips them for the task at hand. Our inadequacies are not obstacles but opportunities for God to demonstrate His strength and grace. As we step into this new year, let us embrace the abundant life God offers, trusting in His power and provision to fulfill the calling He has placed on our lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. God Knows Us Intimately: Before God calls us to any task, He assures us of His deep knowledge and love for us. This relationship is foundational to our calling, as it invites us to know Him in return. Our chief aim should be to cultivate a relationship with God, understanding that He knows us better than we know ourselves. [41:28]
2. God Justifies Our Weaknesses: When faced with our calling, we often confront our inadequacies. However, God justifies those He calls, turning our weaknesses into strengths. We must rely on His strength rather than our own, recognizing that His power is made perfect in our weakness. [47:49]
3. God Equips Us for Our Calling: God provides the necessary tools and resources to accomplish the tasks He sets before us. Just as He gave Jeremiah His words, He equips us with His Word and Spirit to guide and empower us. Our role is to trust in His provision and step out in faith. [52:56]
4. The Danger of Distraction: The world offers many distractions that can lead us away from our true purpose. We must remain focused on our calling to know God and make Him known, resisting the temptation to seek fulfillment in temporary pursuits. [37:51]
5. The Eternal Perspective: In light of eternity, we must evaluate what truly matters. Our lives are meant for more than the fleeting pleasures of this world. We are called to invest in the eternal, living out our purpose with the knowledge that only what is done for Christ will last. [39:07]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Introduction and Reflection
[03:15] - The Call to a Greater Life
[06:30] - Distractions and Temptations
[09:45] - Jeremiah's Calling
[12:00] - God Knows Us Intimately
[15:20] - God Justifies Our Weaknesses
[18:40] - God Equips Us for Our Calling
[22:00] - The Danger of Distraction
[25:15] - The Eternal Perspective
[28:30] - Responding to God's Call
[31:45] - Invitation to Know God
[35:00] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
[38:15] - Announcements and Farewell
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Jeremiah 1:4-10
- John 10:10
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Observation Questions:
1. What specific task did God call Jeremiah to, and how did Jeremiah initially respond to this calling? [46:56]
2. According to the sermon, what are some of the distractions and temptations that can lead us away from our true purpose? [36:55]
3. How does the sermon describe the difference between knowing about God and truly knowing God? [42:52]
4. What does the sermon say about how God equips those He calls? [52:56]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God’s knowledge of us is foundational to our calling? How does this understanding impact our relationship with Him? [41:28]
2. How does the sermon explain the concept of God justifying our weaknesses? What does this mean for how we view our own inadequacies? [47:49]
3. The sermon mentions the danger of distractions. How might these distractions manifest in a believer's life, and what are the potential consequences? [37:51]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the eternal perspective and its importance in evaluating what truly matters in life? [39:07]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there specific distractions or temptations that have been pulling you away from your calling? How can you address these distractions this week? [36:55]
2. Consider a time when you felt inadequate for a task God called you to. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Jeremiah’s story about relying on God’s strength? [47:49]
3. How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with God, moving beyond just knowing about Him to truly knowing Him? What practical steps can you take this week to deepen this relationship? [42:52]
4. In what ways can you remind yourself of the eternal perspective in your daily life? How might this change the way you set goals or make decisions? [39:07]
5. Think about a specific area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith. What resources or support do you need to trust in His provision and take that step? [52:56]
6. How can you use your unique gifts and experiences to make God known to others? Identify one person or group you can reach out to this week.
7. Reflect on the statement, "Only what's done for Christ will last." How does this perspective influence your priorities and actions? What changes might you need to make to align more closely with this truth? [39:07]
Devotional
Day 1: God’s Intimate Knowledge of Us
God knows us deeply and personally, even before we are aware of our own potential. This profound truth is foundational to understanding our calling. In Jeremiah 1, God assures Jeremiah that He knew him before he was formed in the womb, highlighting the intimate relationship God desires with each of us. This knowledge is not just factual but relational, inviting us to respond by seeking to know God in return. Our primary aim should be to cultivate this relationship, trusting that God’s understanding of us surpasses our own self-awareness. As we embark on this journey, we are reminded that our identity and purpose are rooted in being known and loved by God. [41:28]
Jeremiah 1:5 (ESV): "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."
Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your relationship with God this week, acknowledging His intimate knowledge of you?
Day 2: God’s Strength in Our Weaknesses
When God calls us, we often feel inadequate, focusing on our limitations rather than His power. Jeremiah experienced this when he was called to be a prophet, feeling too young and unqualified. However, God reassures us that our weaknesses are not obstacles but opportunities for His strength to be displayed. He justifies those He calls, transforming our inadequacies into strengths through His grace. This truth invites us to rely on God’s strength rather than our own, recognizing that His power is made perfect in our weakness. As we confront our fears and doubts, we are encouraged to trust in God’s ability to work through us, regardless of our perceived shortcomings. [47:49]
2 Corinthians 12:9 (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."
Reflection: Identify a personal weakness you struggle with. How can you invite God to demonstrate His strength in this area today?
Day 3: Equipped for Our Calling
God does not call us to a task without providing the necessary tools and resources to accomplish it. Just as He gave Jeremiah His words, He equips us with His Word and Spirit to guide and empower us. This equipping is not just about skills or abilities but involves a deep reliance on God’s provision and guidance. Our role is to trust in His provision and step out in faith, knowing that He has already prepared us for the work ahead. As we embrace our calling, we are encouraged to seek God’s wisdom and strength, confident that He will supply all we need to fulfill His purposes. [52:56]
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Reflection: What specific resources or guidance do you need from God to fulfill your calling? How can you actively seek His provision this week?
Day 4: Resisting Distractions
In our pursuit of God’s calling, the world offers many distractions that can lead us astray. These distractions often promise fulfillment through accomplishments, possessions, or the approval of others, but they are fleeting. True satisfaction comes from living out the purpose God has for us, which is rooted in a relationship with Him. We must remain focused on our calling to know God and make Him known, resisting the temptation to seek fulfillment in temporary pursuits. By prioritizing our relationship with God, we can discern what truly matters and avoid the pitfalls of distraction. [37:51]
Colossians 3:2 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Reflection: What distractions are currently hindering your focus on God’s calling? How can you intentionally refocus your priorities this week?
Day 5: Living with an Eternal Perspective
In light of eternity, we are called to evaluate what truly matters in our lives. Our existence is meant for more than the fleeting pleasures of this world; we are called to invest in the eternal. This perspective challenges us to live out our purpose with the knowledge that only what is done for Christ will last. By focusing on eternal values, we can align our lives with God’s purposes, making a lasting impact for His kingdom. As we reflect on our priorities, we are encouraged to consider how our actions and decisions align with God’s eternal perspective. [39:07]
2 Corinthians 4:18 (ESV): "As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from temporary pursuits to eternal values in your daily life? What changes can you make to invest in what truly matters?
Quotes
Knowing him, seeking after him. But you know what? Just simply knowing theology and knowing stories about God, but not having a relationship with him is like this. It's like wearing a jersey of your favorite team, but never playing in the game. You know, one thing, I always laugh about, I'm a big college football fan, and this is a great time for all my college football fans going into the new year. [00:44:21] (22 seconds)
Knowing about God but not knowing him is just sitting on the sidelines. You see, maybe many of you have gotten very comfortable and confident in looking the part of a follower of Jesus and looking like you know him and knowing the things to say, but you do not know him. So the greatest fear I believe we should have in our life to those that don't know Jesus is the day where we pass and we're standing before the Father and he says, depart from me. [00:45:43] (30 seconds)
But I think another truth or hard idea that many of us have our hard time with this is that we tend too often to use our own weaknesses to reject what God's calling us to do. And we have the audacity to call it humility. You know, in many engaged couples, for example, I always encourage them to take our Before You Say I Do class. It's a premarital class that we take. [00:49:56] (26 seconds)
We cannot sit in our own weaknesses as a justification for not stepping in to what God is calling us to do. Check out what Warren Wiersbe says. He says, it's one thing for us to know our own weaknesses, but it's quite something else for us to say that our weaknesses prevents God from getting anything done. Instead of being evidence for humility, this attitude reeks of pride. [00:51:04] (23 seconds)
God knows those he calls. He also justifies those he calls. And finally, we see this truth is that God equips. He equips those he calls. What does this mean? It's saying that he will give you the necessary things and tools to accomplish what he's calling you to accomplish. Maybe in this situation, God gave Jeremiah his words. He said, It is my words that are in your mouth to share and to proclaim, not of your own. [00:52:56] (31 seconds)
See, he set us free. He sent his son to die. For you. And these words is what he's given us. So he's equipped you with his word and his Holy Spirit to convict us of our sin, to guide us, prompt us. So in his knowledge, he calls. In his power, he saves. His word and spirit equips us. It's just time to go and get it. [00:54:41] (30 seconds)
So simply put, in order to seek a life that's meant for more, we have to know God, stop pretending, realize that God knows everything about you. He knows the sin in your life. Maybe for you, you've struggled with inviting Jesus into your life because maybe you're afraid of what he'll find. Maybe you've bought into the lie as, if only God knew the decisions I would make, maybe he wouldn't have sent Jesus to die for me. [00:55:47] (30 seconds)
See, the thing is, that thing you're thinking of, the darkest part of your heart, is the exact reason why he sent his son, to pay for that. See, one of my favorite chapters in the Bible is Romans chapter 8, because it says, nothing can separate us from the love of God. It says, those that are in Christ, there is therefore now, no condemnation. So my challenge to you is to know God. [00:56:37] (31 seconds)
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