Embracing Our Divine Calling Through Action

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound concept of "The Calling" and how it shapes our identity, purpose, and destiny. The calling is not just an invitation but a divine summons that transforms our lives. We delved into the biblical understanding of calling, examining the Hebrew and Greek terms that convey this powerful concept. The calling is evident throughout the Bible, from God's call to Abraham to Jesus' call to His disciples. It is a call to action, a call to step out in faith and obedience.

We examined the story of the lepers in 2 Kings 7, who faced dire circumstances but chose to take action despite their bleak options. Their decision to move towards the Syrian camp, despite the risks, led to a miraculous provision from God. This story illustrates that our actions can activate God's miraculous intervention. Similarly, in John 2, we saw how Jesus' first miracle of turning water into wine required the servants to take action by filling the jars with water. This act of obedience prepared the way for the miracle, highlighting that action often precedes the miraculous.

The message emphasized that we are all called to action, not just to be passive recipients of God's grace. Our actions, though they do not cleanse us, prepare the way for God's work in our lives and the lives of others. We are reminded that God's blessings are not meant to be hoarded but shared. The call to action is a call to be active participants in God's kingdom work, to share the good news, and to make disciples of all nations.

Key Takeaways:

- The Nature of Calling: The calling is a divine summons that shapes our identity, purpose, and destiny. It is not just an invitation but a transformative call that requires action and obedience. Understanding our calling helps us answer fundamental questions about our existence and purpose. [03:05]

- Action Activates Miracles: The story of the lepers in 2 Kings 7 teaches us that taking action, even when options seem bleak, can activate God's miraculous intervention. Our faith must be accompanied by action, as faith without works is dead. [20:10]

- Obedience Prepares the Way: In John 2, the servants' obedience in filling the jars with water prepared the way for Jesus' miracle of turning water into wine. Our actions, though they do not transform, prepare the way for God's miraculous work in our lives. [36:04]

- Sharing God's Blessings: God's blessings are not meant to be hoarded but shared. When we experience God's provision and grace, we are called to share it with others, just as the lepers shared the good news of the abandoned Syrian camp. [28:13]

- Community and Action: We are called to action, but not alone. We are part of a community, and together we can accomplish God's work. Our actions, when done in obedience and community, pave the way for others to experience the cleansing and saving power of Jesus. [39:02]

Youtube Chapters:

[0:00] - Welcome
[01:41] - Introduction to The Calling
[03:05] - Understanding Biblical Calling
[04:31] - Examples of Calling in Scripture
[05:56] - Personal and Corporate Callings
[07:39] - The Story of the Lepers
[09:09] - The Call to Action
[10:34] - Western Christianity and Comfort
[11:47] - Action vs. Performance
[13:14] - God Meets Us in Obedience
[14:37] - The Lepers' Decision
[16:02] - The Siege and Famine
[18:39] - Choosing the Best of the Worst
[20:10] - Faith and Action
[21:40] - The Lepers' Journey
[22:52] - God's Miraculous Intervention
[24:19] - The Principle of Movement
[25:37] - The Lepers' Discovery
[26:52] - Sharing the Good News
[28:13] - God's Blessings Are Meant to Be Shared
[29:32] - The Wedding at Cana
[30:48] - Jesus' First Miracle
[32:06] - The Servants' Obedience
[33:57] - Action Precedes Miracles
[36:04] - The Miracle of Water into Wine
[37:25] - God's Timing and Method
[39:02] - Community and Action
[41:47] - The Leper's Purification Process
[43:14] - The Deeper Meaning of Water into Wine
[44:49] - Jesus' Blood and Cleansing
[45:59] - Obedience and Transformation
[47:26] - Partnering with Jesus
[48:55] - Taking Action in Our Lives
[50:10] - The Journey of Discover Life Church
[52:22] - The Impact of Obedience
[53:56] - A Call to Be a Light on a Hill
[54:26] - Invitation to Know Jesus
[55:35] - Encouragement to Take Action
[56:43] - Active Participation in God's Kingdom
[57:17] - Closing Prayer and Call to Action
[58:32] - Dismissal and Mission Field Reminder

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Calling

Bible Reading:
1. 2 Kings 7:3-9
2. John 2:1-11
3. Romans 8:29-30

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Observation Questions:

1. In 2 Kings 7:3-9, what decision did the lepers make when faced with their dire situation, and what was the outcome of their action? [07:39]

2. How did the servants' actions in John 2:1-11 prepare the way for Jesus' miracle at the wedding in Cana? [30:48]

3. According to Romans 8:29-30, what sequence of events does Paul describe for those whom God has called? How does this relate to the concept of "The Calling"? [03:05]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between action and faith, particularly in the context of the lepers' story and the miracle at Cana? [20:10]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the story of the lepers in 2 Kings 7 illustrate the idea that action can activate God's miraculous intervention? What does this suggest about the role of human initiative in experiencing God's provision? [24:19]

2. In what ways does the miracle of turning water into wine in John 2 symbolize a deeper spiritual truth about transformation and cleansing? How does this relate to the concept of Jesus' blood as a means of internal purification? [44:49]

3. The sermon emphasizes that God's blessings are not meant to be hoarded but shared. How does the lepers' decision to share the good news of the abandoned Syrian camp reflect this principle? [28:13]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of community in fulfilling our calling? How does this relate to the idea that we are not called to action alone? [39:02]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to take action in a difficult situation. How did your decision impact your faith journey, and what did you learn from the experience? [18:39]

2. The sermon highlights the importance of obedience in preparing the way for God's work. What is one area in your life where you feel called to take a step of obedience, even if the outcome is uncertain? [36:04]

3. Consider the blessings you have received in your life. How can you actively share these blessings with others in your community or church? What specific steps can you take this week to do so? [28:13]

4. The sermon discusses the tension between comfort and action in Western Christianity. How can you challenge yourself to move beyond comfort and engage more actively in God's kingdom work? [10:34]

5. Think about a person or group in your life who might benefit from hearing the good news of Jesus. How can you take action to share your faith with them in a meaningful way? [56:43]

6. Reflect on the concept of community and action. How can you collaborate with others in your church or small group to fulfill a shared calling or mission? What role can you play in this effort? [39:02]

7. The sermon encourages us to take action regardless of the season we are in. What is one action you can commit to this week that aligns with your calling, even if it feels challenging or inconvenient? [49:35]

Devotional

Day 1: The Divine Summons of Our Calling
The concept of "The Calling" is a profound and transformative divine summons that shapes our identity, purpose, and destiny. It is not merely an invitation but a call that requires action and obedience. Understanding our calling helps us answer fundamental questions about our existence and purpose. Throughout the Bible, we see examples of individuals who responded to God's call, such as Abraham and the disciples of Jesus. These stories illustrate that a calling is not passive; it demands a response that aligns with God's will and purpose for our lives. [03:05]

Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV): "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to align your actions with the calling God has placed on your life?

Day 2: Faith in Action Activates Miracles
The story of the lepers in 2 Kings 7 teaches us that taking action, even when options seem bleak, can activate God's miraculous intervention. The lepers faced dire circumstances but chose to move towards the Syrian camp despite the risks. Their decision led to a miraculous provision from God, illustrating that our actions can activate God's miraculous intervention. Similarly, our faith must be accompanied by action, as faith without works is dead. When we step out in faith, we open the door for God to work in ways we might not have imagined. [20:10]

James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel called to take a step of faith, even if the outcome is uncertain?

Day 3: Obedience Prepares the Way for Miracles
In John 2, the servants' obedience in filling the jars with water prepared the way for Jesus' miracle of turning water into wine. This act of obedience highlights that our actions, though they do not transform, prepare the way for God's miraculous work in our lives. Obedience is a crucial component of our faith journey, as it positions us to receive and witness God's power and provision. When we act in obedience, we demonstrate our trust in God's plan and timing, allowing Him to work through us in extraordinary ways. [36:04]

1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV): "And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'"

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where God is calling you to obedience, and how can you take a step towards that today?

Day 4: Sharing God's Blessings with Others
God's blessings are not meant to be hoarded but shared. When we experience God's provision and grace, we are called to share it with others, just as the lepers shared the good news of the abandoned Syrian camp. This principle reminds us that we are stewards of God's blessings, and our role is to extend His love and generosity to those around us. By sharing what we have received, we participate in God's kingdom work and become conduits of His grace and provision to others. [28:13]

2 Corinthians 9:8-9 (ESV): "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, 'He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.'"

Reflection: Who in your life can you bless today with the resources or gifts God has given you, and how will you do it?

Day 5: Community and Collective Action in God's Kingdom
We are called to action, but not alone. We are part of a community, and together we can accomplish God's work. Our actions, when done in obedience and community, pave the way for others to experience the cleansing and saving power of Jesus. The strength of community lies in its ability to support, encourage, and amplify the impact of individual actions. By working together, we can achieve more than we could alone, and our collective efforts can bring about significant change in the world around us. [39:02]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: How can you actively engage with your community to support and participate in God's work, and what specific role can you play in it today?

Quotes

1) "The concept of The Calling in the Bible is rich in multifaceted. It is deeply embedded in the narrative of God's relationship with humanity. The calling transcends a mere invitation or a task, and it signifies a divine summon that shapes identity, purpose, and destiny. And if we're being honest with each other, all of us in this room have had questions about identity, purpose, or destiny, or all three of them. At some point in their life, if it's not right now, you've wondered, what in the world was I built for? Why was I put on this earth? What am I going to do? There's got to be more to life than this. And the reality is, when we get to our calling, those three questions are answered, our identity, our purpose, and our destiny." [03:05] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "In the Western church, we've created a machine where it's all about our comfort. We go to church on Sunday because we get free things. Churches have t-shirt cannons and free coffee and all of the great things that people want when they go to an event. However, when they show up at church, they're expecting the same thing. So when we say it's the call to action, the Western culture would assume that their call to action would be to wake up a little bit earlier on Sunday morning. Get to church, get out before football starts, right? So it's this watered down Christianity. We show up to church and we think that we've done everything that Jesus has asked us to do." [10:34] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "When we take action, God meets us in our obedience and does more than we could ever imagine. Okay. So, so let's start with the leper. Now, we read the scripture, but to understand it, we have to understand some other things. Okay. In this time as lepers, they were outcasts, right? They were contagious. No one wanted to catch leprosy. And so what happened when somebody showed signs of leprosy, they were cast out of the city gates and they were forced to live on the land alone or in a leper camp. They weren't just seeing this physically unclean either, but they were also seeing the ceremonially unclean. Nobody wanted to be around them. And there, and it was a fear. So they were forced out of society and they, they lived alone." [13:14] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "They said that one thing is for sure. If we sit here, we're dead, which actually ties directly to James verses 2, or verse 2, or James 2 verse 17. So also by faith itself, it does not have works. If it does not have works, it's dead. This is very literally true for these guys. They could sit around all day and say, oh, we're dead. We're dead. We're dead. We're dead. We're dead. We're dead. I think that if we go to this camp, the Syrians are going to have mercy on us. I believe that when we get there, the Syrians are going to give us food. I believe with everything inside of me that these Syrians are actually good people that are misunderstood. And what's going to happen is when we get there, they're going to greet us with a cup of water and fill in the blank, a steak, a burger, let's do something, not red meat, chicken. They can believe that all they want, but if they do that, they're just going to die believing." [20:10] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "When we move, God moves. We have to understand this. Our action activates God's miraculous intervention, because the story continues. We didn't read all of it because it is a lot. It's funny, though. So here, here's what happens, okay? They sneak up on the camp. hearts are beating. I don't know what's going to happen. They're going to die. And most likely, these lepers didn't know each other. They just became friends because they had a similar skin condition. And so they're, they're, they're going to die. And then I'm sure one of them might be thinking, like, like, if they come at me, like, I'm throwing him in front. Like, you guys know the thing, like, if you're in the woods and you're being chased by the bear, you don't have to be faster than the bear. I just got to be faster than Pastor Eric." [24:19] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "Water into wine is a weird miracle. Like when you have read the whole Bible and you look at everything, that one stands out. And I think like early on in my life, I thought like, oh yeah, water into wine is a good first miracle. Like what I said earlier, everybody's on board with it. Nobody's getting angry at water into wine. Even if you don't see the miracle happen and believe that he's the Messiah, you still got one. Everybody's happy with that. But we read all throughout the Bible, the lame are healed, the deaf see, demons are cast out, thousands are fed. He walks on water, food is multiplying. He helped a bad fisherman look like a good fisherman. But this one's weird. Water into wine. I think that there's more than meets the eye here." [43:14] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "Our actions do prepare us for what only Jesus can do. Like the water transformed into wine, Jesus' blood cleanses us from within. So maybe somebody walked through the doors and metaphorically inside their water, but when the day is over, they're transformed from the inside. And it makes us whole. And I want to say that we're not just a church that says, I'm not going to do this. Nobody says this stuff because we need something to get done. As I stand here right now, our pastors are in the air over the ocean flying into Fiji to put on a men's conference and a women's conference where they're going to see hundreds, maybe thousands of people come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior." [48:16] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

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