Embracing Our Divine Purpose in Extraordinary Times
Summary
In a season of overwhelming busyness, I found myself yearning for solitude with God. This led me to a transformative four-day retreat in the woods, where I immersed myself in prayer and Scripture. During this time, I encountered Jeremiah 1:5, where God tells Jeremiah that He knew him before he was formed in the womb and had appointed him as a prophet. This revelation struck me deeply, prompting me to reflect on the purpose God has for each of us. Just as God created Jeremiah for a specific task, He has crafted each of us with intentionality and purpose, knowing the exact time and place we would inhabit.
This understanding challenges us to see beyond the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary calling God has placed on our lives. We are not meant to live mundane lives; rather, we are called to live by faith, trusting in God's promises and His Spirit within us. Hebrews 10:38 warns against shrinking back, urging us to live boldly and confidently in our faith. The story of the twelve spies in Exodus serves as a cautionary tale against relying on human logic over divine promise. Joshua and Caleb's faith in God's word led them to the Promised Land, while the others perished in the wilderness due to their unbelief.
Reflecting on the early church in Acts, we see a community united in purpose, sharing possessions, and living with boldness and awe. This model challenges us to reconsider our understanding of church, especially in light of recent global events. The pandemic has disrupted traditional church gatherings, prompting a reevaluation of what it means to be the church. This is an opportunity for renewal, to embrace a resilient and authentic expression of faith that transcends buildings and programs.
As we navigate this new landscape, we must resist the temptation to return to "normal." Instead, we are called to step into the presence of God, seeking His guidance and embracing the unique purpose He has for us in this time. We are made for this moment, and God desires to use us in extraordinary ways. Let us not shrink back but move forward with faith, trusting that God has equipped us for the journey ahead.
Key Takeaways:
1. Divine Purpose and Intentionality: God knew us before we were formed and has a specific purpose for our lives. This truth challenges us to live with intentionality, recognizing that we are crafted for a unique mission in this world. Embracing this purpose requires faith and a willingness to step into the extraordinary calling God has for us. [01:43]
2. Living Beyond the Ordinary: We are not destined for ordinary lives. The Holy Spirit within us empowers us to live boldly and with purpose. Our lives should reflect the presence of God, distinguishing us from those who do not have His Spirit. This calls for a radical re-evaluation of how we live and the impact we have on the world around us. [04:39]
3. Faith Over Logic: The story of the twelve spies reminds us to trust in God's promises rather than our own logic. Faith requires us to believe in what God has spoken, even when circumstances seem insurmountable. Like Joshua and Caleb, we are called to trust in God's word and move forward with confidence. [06:46]
4. Reimagining Church: The early church in Acts serves as a model of unity, generosity, and boldness. Recent global events have prompted a rethinking of what it means to be the church. This is an opportunity to embrace a more authentic and resilient expression of faith that transcends traditional structures. [11:00]
5. Embracing the Present Moment: We are made for this time, and God desires to use us in extraordinary ways. This requires us to step into His presence, seeking His guidance and embracing the unique purpose He has for us. Let us not shrink back but move forward with faith, trusting that God has equipped us for the journey ahead. [13:39]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:33] - A Transformative Retreat
[01:07] - Encountering Jeremiah 1:5
[01:43] - Understanding Divine Purpose
[02:16] - Created for This Time
[02:53] - Overcoming Self-Doubt
[03:25] - Embracing Our Unique Calling
[03:58] - Living Beyond Ordinary
[04:39] - The Indwelling Spirit
[05:23] - Faith and Boldness
[06:11] - The Twelve Spies' Lesson
[07:21] - The Promise of the Church
[08:21] - Reimagining Church Community
[09:25] - The Impact of Isolation
[11:00] - A New Opportunity for the Church
[13:39] - Embracing Our Present Calling
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Jeremiah 1:5
2. Hebrews 10:38
3. Ephesians 2:10
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Jeremiah 1:5 reveal about God's knowledge and purpose for Jeremiah before his birth? How does this relate to the sermon's message about divine purpose? [01:07]
2. In Hebrews 10:38, what is the warning given to those who "shrink back"? How does this relate to the sermon's call to live boldly in faith? [05:23]
3. How does the story of the twelve spies in Exodus illustrate the difference between faith and human logic? What was the outcome for those who relied on their own understanding? [06:11]
4. According to Ephesians 2:10, what are we created for, and how does this align with the sermon's emphasis on living with intentionality and purpose? [02:16]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the understanding that God knew us before we were formed challenge our perception of our life's purpose? What implications does this have for how we live our daily lives? [01:43]
2. What does it mean to live beyond the ordinary, as described in the sermon? How does the presence of the Holy Spirit empower us to live differently from those who do not have His Spirit? [04:39]
3. In what ways does the early church in Acts serve as a model for reimagining church today? How can recent global events prompt us to rethink our understanding of being the church? [07:21]
4. How can the story of Joshua and Caleb inspire us to trust in God's promises over our own logic? What does this teach us about the nature of faith? [06:46]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by busyness. How can you create space for solitude with God in your current season of life? [00:33]
2. What specific steps can you take to embrace the unique purpose God has for you in this time? How can you seek His guidance in discovering this purpose? [13:39]
3. Identify an area in your life where you may be "shrinking back" in faith. What practical actions can you take to live more boldly and confidently in your faith? [05:23]
4. How can you actively participate in creating a church community that reflects the unity, generosity, and boldness of the early church in Acts? What changes might this require in your current approach to church? [08:21]
5. Consider a situation where you relied on your own logic rather than trusting in God's promises. How can you cultivate a mindset of faith over logic in future decisions? [06:11]
6. In what ways can you re-evaluate your understanding of church in light of recent global events? How can you contribute to a more authentic and resilient expression of faith in your community? [11:00]
7. What is one specific way you can live beyond the ordinary this week, allowing the Holy Spirit to empower you to make a difference in the world around you? [04:39]
Devotional
Day 1: Crafted with Purpose
God's intentional design for each person is a profound truth that calls for reflection and action. Before we were even formed, God knew us and had a specific purpose for our lives. This understanding challenges us to live with intentionality, recognizing that we are crafted for a unique mission in this world. Embracing this purpose requires faith and a willingness to step into the extraordinary calling God has for us. We are not here by accident; our lives are part of a divine plan that is both personal and purposeful. [01:43]
"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." (Psalm 139:13-14, ESV)
Reflection: What specific talents or passions do you believe God has given you to fulfill your unique purpose in this world? How can you begin to use them more intentionally today?
Day 2: Empowered to Live Boldly
The Holy Spirit within us empowers us to live boldly and with purpose, distinguishing us from those who do not have His Spirit. Our lives should reflect the presence of God, calling for a radical re-evaluation of how we live and the impact we have on the world around us. We are not destined for ordinary lives; instead, we are called to live beyond the ordinary, embracing the extraordinary life God has for us. This requires a deep trust in God's promises and a commitment to live out our faith with courage and conviction. [04:39]
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel the Holy Spirit is calling you to step out in boldness? What practical steps can you take to respond to this call today?
Day 3: Trusting Divine Promises
The story of the twelve spies serves as a powerful reminder to trust in God's promises rather than our own logic. Faith requires us to believe in what God has spoken, even when circumstances seem insurmountable. Like Joshua and Caleb, we are called to trust in God's word and move forward with confidence, knowing that His promises are true and reliable. This trust is not passive but active, requiring us to take steps of faith even when the path is unclear. [06:46]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: What is one promise from God that you find difficult to trust fully? How can you actively choose to trust Him in this area today?
Day 4: Reimagining Community
The early church in Acts serves as a model of unity, generosity, and boldness. Recent global events have prompted a rethinking of what it means to be the church, offering an opportunity to embrace a more authentic and resilient expression of faith that transcends traditional structures. This reimagining of community calls us to focus on the essence of being the church, which is not confined to buildings or programs but is about living out our faith in unity and love. [11:00]
"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles." (Acts 2:42-43, ESV)
Reflection: How can you contribute to building a more authentic and resilient church community in your context? What changes might you need to make in your approach to fellowship and service?
Day 5: Embracing the Present Calling
We are made for this time, and God desires to use us in extraordinary ways. This requires us to step into His presence, seeking His guidance and embracing the unique purpose He has for us. Let us not shrink back but move forward with faith, trusting that God has equipped us for the journey ahead. Embracing our present calling means being open to God's leading and being willing to act on His direction, even when it challenges our comfort zones. [13:39]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you sense God calling you to step out in faith? How can you begin to take action in this area today, trusting that God has equipped you for this moment?
Quotes
it really did and I got to this passage in Jeremiah chapter 1 the first day my Bible just kind of opened up to Jeremiah 1 and I when I got to verse 5 I was just blown away by it because it says some things that I had never heard before where God looks at Jeremiah and said before I created you I knew [00:00:47]
man remember the first time I read that I'm like wait before he made me he knew me and then he says to Jeremiah before you came out of your mother's womb I consecrated you and I determined that you would be a prophet to the nation's I appointed you a prophet before you came out of your mother's womb the reason why [00:01:14]
that's such a big deal is that I started thinking God is this true of me did you seriously know that you were gonna make me and that you have things for me to do like he made Jeremiah because he knew there were things that needed to be done on the earth that he was gonna need in 30, 40, 50 years so I'm gonna make this [00:01:43]
person for that task it's like in Ephesians 2 when he says we are his workmanship and we're created in Christ Jesus for good works which he determined beforehand that we should walk in them I remember when I first got that I'm going no way so God you knew what you were doing when you made me and you knew [00:02:00]
that there were things on the earth that need to get done and that's why you made me and you made me for those things this is such an important truth for us right now that means that God knew that you and I would be in Hong Kong right now during the time of the protest during the time of the pandemic and he says [00:02:36]
there's something you were supposed to do I made you for this time do you believe that about yourself because I'm telling you I started to forget these truths I started listening to what other people say about me and what I think about myself rather than what God says in his word about me that I'm not [00:02:55]
destined to this average life and just kind of survive this time just get through he goes no I made you for for something so special it's like when Moses was like whoa but I don't speak well and God says who made your mouth i made your mouth you think I messed up when I made your mouth [00:03:09]
we can all look at ourselves and think about all the things we can't do well and God says no I put you here at this time sometimes we have like this disconnect when we read the Bible we go oh it isn't the story of Esther so awesome where she goes I think I was made for such a time as this we go yeah [00:03:35]
Esther but then we don't believe it about ourselves we don't believe wait I was made for this time guys we have to believe these things Jesus did not die on the cross so that you and I could live ordinary lives he died so that my soul could be cleansed so that my body could become completely clean so that [00:03:58]
his Holy Spirit would enter into me and just like I wouldn't dare ever refer to Jesus as just an ordinary guy none of us would are you kidding me he was a man and somehow he was God all at once you can't call him ordinary but don't you understand that's what he's saying about us now like right now you're looking at [00:04:12]
a person who is not just a person somehow God is in me and there's a sense in which I am like God and man all at once his Spirit dwells inside of me it makes no sense then if my life resembles a person who does not have the Holy Spirit in them look at your life now is it ordinary you guys we have to be [00:04:52]
careful of this because in hebrews hebrews chapter 10 verse 38 it says my righteous one shall live by faith and listen to this if he shrinks back my soul has no pleasure in him oh I hate that phrase God says if he shrinks back my soul has no pleasure and [00:05:23]
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