Embracing Our Extraordinary Calling in Faith
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we delve into the concepts of being extraordinary and exceptional, focusing on what it means to be extraordinary. While these words are often used interchangeably, they originally had distinct meanings. Extraordinary means to exceed expectations in a remarkable way, while exceptional can imply being outside the norm due to inconsistency or exemption from rules. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be extraordinary, reflecting God's image and living up to the high expectations set by our faith and the world around us.
Being extraordinary is not about living like everyone else, driven by emotions, desires, or societal norms. Instead, it means reflecting God's extraordinary nature, redeemed by Jesus, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. This calling is not a burden but an opportunity to live a life that stands out, even in our failures. When we fall short, we should own our mistakes, repent, and strive to make things right, demonstrating an extraordinary way of rebounding from failure.
The book of Judges illustrates this tension between ordinary and extraordinary living. Israel was meant to be a light to the Gentiles, a beacon of God's extraordinary nature. However, they often fell into a cycle of disobedience, disaster, and deliverance, failing to live up to their extraordinary calling. Gideon, one of the judges, exemplifies this struggle. Initially, he was less than ordinary, hiding in fear, but God saw his potential and called him to lead Israel to victory.
Gideon's story teaches us that fear can drive us into hiding and keep us from realizing our potential. Fear distorts the truth, undermines trust, and limits our vision. To overcome fear, we need courage that comes from faith—faith in God, who is with us and for us. This faith enables us to face our fears, take bold steps, and live extraordinary lives. Even when God's instructions seem illogical, obedience leads to extraordinary outcomes.
In Christ, we have everything we need to face our fears, fight our real enemies, and live free and extraordinary lives. This conviction can change the trajectory of our lives and have a ripple effect on our families and communities. Embracing this truth requires taking one step of obedience at a time, trusting that God is with us and for us.
### Key Takeaways
1. Extraordinary vs. Exceptional: Understanding the difference between being extraordinary and exceptional is crucial. Extraordinary means exceeding expectations in a remarkable way, while exceptional can imply being outside the norm due to inconsistency or exemption from rules. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be extraordinary, reflecting God's image and living up to the high expectations set by our faith and the world around us. [27:53]
2. Living Extraordinary Lives: Being extraordinary means not living like everyone else, driven by emotions, desires, or societal norms. Instead, it means reflecting God's extraordinary nature, redeemed by Jesus, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. This calling is not a burden but an opportunity to live a life that stands out, even in our failures. When we fall short, we should own our mistakes, repent, and strive to make things right, demonstrating an extraordinary way of rebounding from failure. [31:49]
3. The Cycle of Judges: The book of Judges illustrates the tension between ordinary and extraordinary living. Israel was meant to be a light to the Gentiles, a beacon of God's extraordinary nature. However, they often fell into a cycle of disobedience, disaster, and deliverance, failing to live up to their extraordinary calling. Gideon, one of the judges, exemplifies this struggle. Initially, he was less than ordinary, hiding in fear, but God saw his potential and called him to lead Israel to victory. [36:03]
4. Overcoming Fear: Fear can drive us into hiding and keep us from realizing our potential. Fear distorts the truth, undermines trust, and limits our vision. To overcome fear, we need courage that comes from faith—faith in God, who is with us and for us. This faith enables us to face our fears, take bold steps, and live extraordinary lives. Even when God's instructions seem illogical, obedience leads to extraordinary outcomes. [52:32]
5. Faith and Obedience: In Christ, we have everything we need to face our fears, fight our real enemies, and live free and extraordinary lives. This conviction can change the trajectory of our lives and have a ripple effect on our families and communities. Embracing this truth requires taking one step of obedience at a time, trusting that God is with us and for us. [01:20:07]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[27:53] - Extraordinary vs. Exceptional
[28:39] - The Expectation to be Extraordinary
[29:29] - Reflecting God's Image
[30:07] - The Weight of Expectations
[31:49] - Living Extraordinary Lives
[32:26] - The Holy Spirit's Role
[33:03] - Example and Advantage
[33:35] - God's Call to Holiness
[34:07] - Responsibility and Choice
[34:38] - Repentance and Restitution
[35:27] - The Book of Judges
[36:03] - The Cycle of Judges
[37:26] - Israel's Calling
[39:00] - Disobedience and Consequences
[52:32] - Overcoming Fear
[01:20:07] - Faith and Obedience
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Judges 6:11-16 (Gideon's Call)
2. Leviticus 20:7-8 (God's Call to Holiness)
3. Romans 8:31-32 (God is For Us)
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Gideon doing when the angel of the Lord appeared to him, and why was he doing it there? ([48:52])
2. How does the book of Judges describe the cycle that Israel repeatedly went through? ([39:53])
3. What does the term "extraordinary" mean according to the sermon, and how does it differ from "exceptional"? ([27:53])
4. What was the angel's initial greeting to Gideon, and how did Gideon respond? ([56:31])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God chose Gideon, who saw himself as the least in his family, to lead Israel? ([44:37])
2. How does fear impact our ability to trust God and others, according to the sermon? ([01:02:16])
3. What does it mean to live an extraordinary life as a follower of Jesus, based on the sermon? ([31:49])
4. How does the story of Gideon illustrate the importance of faith and obedience in overcoming fear? ([01:07:50])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when fear kept you from taking a bold step. How can you apply the lesson from Gideon's story to face your fears with faith? ([52:32])
2. The sermon mentioned that even in our failures, we should own our mistakes and strive to make things right. Can you think of a recent failure where you need to take responsibility and seek restitution? ([34:38])
3. How can you actively reflect God's extraordinary nature in your daily life, especially in situations where societal norms might push you to act otherwise? ([33:03])
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of taking one step of obedience at a time. What is one specific step of obedience you feel God is calling you to take this week? ([01:16:06])
5. Gideon needed signs to confirm God's presence and calling. What are some ways you can seek and recognize God's guidance in your life? ([01:17:23])
6. How can you encourage someone in your life who might be hiding in fear, just as the angel encouraged Gideon? ([58:46])
7. The sermon highlighted the ripple effect of living an extraordinary life. How can your actions today positively impact your family and community for generations to come? ([01:14:50])
Devotional
Day 1: Understanding Extraordinary vs. Exceptional
As followers of Jesus, we are called to be extraordinary, reflecting God's image and living up to the high expectations set by our faith and the world around us. The distinction between being extraordinary and exceptional is crucial. Extraordinary means exceeding expectations in a remarkable way, while exceptional can imply being outside the norm due to inconsistency or exemption from rules. This understanding helps us align our lives with the extraordinary nature of God, aiming to exceed expectations in our faith journey and daily actions. [27:53]
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 areas of your life can you strive to exceed expectations and reflect God's extraordinary nature today?
Day 2: Living Extraordinary Lives
Being extraordinary means not living like everyone else, driven by emotions, desires, or societal norms. Instead, it means reflecting God's extraordinary nature, redeemed by Jesus, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. This calling is not a burden but an opportunity to live a life that stands out, even in our failures. When we fall short, we should own our mistakes, repent, and strive to make things right, demonstrating an extraordinary way of rebounding from failure. [31:49]
Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: Think of a recent failure or mistake. How can you own it, repent, and make things right in an extraordinary way today?
Day 3: The Cycle of Judges
The book of Judges illustrates the tension between ordinary and extraordinary living. Israel was meant to be a light to the Gentiles, a beacon of God's extraordinary nature. However, they often fell into a cycle of disobedience, disaster, and deliverance, failing to live up to their extraordinary calling. Gideon, one of the judges, exemplifies this struggle. Initially, he was less than ordinary, hiding in fear, but God saw his potential and called him to lead Israel to victory. [36:03]
Judges 6:12-14 (ESV): "And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, 'The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.' And Gideon said to him, 'Please, my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.' And the Lord turned to him and said, 'Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?'"
Reflection: What potential does God see in you that fear is currently hiding? How can you take a step towards realizing that potential today?
Day 4: Overcoming Fear
Fear can drive us into hiding and keep us from realizing our potential. Fear distorts the truth, undermines trust, and limits our vision. To overcome fear, we need courage that comes from faith—faith in God, who is with us and for us. This faith enables us to face our fears, take bold steps, and live extraordinary lives. Even when God's instructions seem illogical, obedience leads to extraordinary outcomes. [52:32]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: Identify a fear that is currently holding you back. How can you take a bold step of faith to overcome it today?
Day 5: Faith and Obedience
In Christ, we have everything we need to face our fears, fight our real enemies, and live free and extraordinary lives. This conviction can change the trajectory of our lives and have a ripple effect on our families and communities. Embracing this truth requires taking one step of obedience at a time, trusting that God is with us and for us. [01:20:07]
James 1:22-25 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
Reflection: What is one specific step of obedience you can take today to align your life more closely with God's extraordinary calling?
Quotes
1. "If you're a follower of Jesus, or if you're a child of God, and I think most of us would say, oh, I'm a child of God, even if you're not a follower of Jesus, then you're expected to reach for extraordinary. I know that's a lot to put on you right now, okay? But it's like if you consider yourself, oh, I believe there's a God and we're created in God's image, I'm a child of God, then there's an expectation that you should be extraordinary." [29:29] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We should be extraordinary. Now, if you think that's a lot to put on somebody, I mean, you come into church today, you're looking for some help, you look for some hope. Some people, you come in here, you're dragging and whatever you're having to deal with, you feel like you're just crushed by the weight. And the first thing that comes out of my mouth is, you're supposed to be extraordinary." [30:43] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If you're a follower of Jesus, listen, by all means we should be extraordinary because look, we are created to reflect God. And of course he's extraordinary. We've been redeemed by Jesus. Redeemed means, we've been bought back or we've been purchased or we've been brought back, right? And so the life of Jesus, I mean, not only did he come to point us in the direction of God and give us an example of what it looks like to be extraordinary and give us the instructions, he with his very life purchased us to bring us back to a starting point where we can now go be extraordinary." [31:49] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We are the dwelling place of God. It's no longer going to buildings like this to find him. You should be walking up to people who are followers of Jesus and finding the presence of God. The center of his activity is not in buildings, not in temples, it's in us. And so with all of that, we should be extraordinary. That means you can't live like everybody else. Being driven by your emotions that can get the best of you. Driven by your appetites and desires and wants which can overtake you." [32:26] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Even if we fall short, you know, even if you mess up royally, you make a mess of things, you hurt someone, you say things you regret, you behave in a way that you're not proud of, even when you fail and fall short, don't give an excuse. That's not what we do. That's not what extraordinary people do. They don't start placing blame on everybody else. They don't try to, you know, argue their way out of it. They just own it and they repent. They confess and say, that was on me. That was terrible." [34:38] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Fear will drive you into hiding, and it will keep you isolated, and it will fool you into seeking false security. In other words, you can be in a room like this with a lot of friends, and nobody really knows you because you're isolating, and you're hiding, and the false security you have is that I've got a community of faiths. I joined a small group, but the truth is you are not going to stick your head up enough, and you are not going to lift your voice up enough for people to really know what you think about yourself." [53:44] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Fear is natural, and fear might ensure your survival. It might ensure that you keep your reputation. It might ensure that you keep your job. It might ensure that you keep the marriage kind of together. It might ensure, fear might ensure your survival. It will impede your success. Like, you may piece it together and keep it together, but it will not be a successful family, marriage, job, right? Because your success in life, in every area of life, how you manage your money, how you manage your relationships, every area of your life, your success is largely determined on how you manage your fears." [55:03] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Fear feeds on your failures. It fuels your insecurities. It limits your vision and your ability to see yourself, your opportunities or the situation before you, or even God, right? And it prevents you from reaching your potential, fulfilling your purpose. It'll keep you from being or doing anything extraordinary. Fear is what will cause you to look around to try to blend in. Listen, before you face your foes, you need courage to face your fears and insecurities." [01:05:04] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "When you trust and obey God even when what God asks you to do is illogical. You see, there's a lot of people say I believe in Jesus until Jesus tells you to do something that makes no sense and most of what Jesus told us to do makes no sense when somebody hurts you I want you to forgive them that makes no sense well what's your options to do like everybody else to be ordinary right when somebody abuses you whenever they are disloyal to you whenever they do all this kind of stuff what do you do kick them to the curb and ruin their reputation and post it on social media that's what you do and that is so ordinary." [01:13:27] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "In Christ we have everything we need to do everything we need to face our fears to fight the foes not the people but the real enemy of all the stuff that's going on around us and in us to live free and to be extraordinary can I tell you if you can embrace this today this one idea if you were convinced like the little kid standing up to the bully next to their dad if you were convinced of this it would change the trajectory of your life it would change how you approach your consequences and the situation and how you face it would change the trajectory of your life." [01:22:02] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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