Embracing Our Unique Callings: Generosity and Purpose
Summary
### Summary
Welcome, everyone. Today, we gather in the house of the Lord to listen to God's voice, and I pray that His voice speaks quietly but clearly to each of you. Our focus today is on calling, passion, and purpose. Every one of us has a unique calling, a special 5% that only we can bring to this world. This is not just for pastors or church leaders but for everyone. The church must value the particular calling of each of its people. Millions of Christ followers across America are God's gift to a hurting nation. They are mechanics, doctors, tutors, and entrepreneurs, and their callings are just as important as those of ordained ministers.
To live out God's dream as ministers, we need to make three choices: be thankful, take risks, and freely give. Philippians 2 reminds us that it is God who works in us to will and act according to His good purpose. When I was a child, I struggled with attention deficit and often found myself in trouble. However, a school counselor once told me I had the gift of leadership, which changed my life. Recognizing and using our talents and gifts can give us a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Jesus sent out His disciples with specific instructions to heal the sick, raise the dead, and cleanse those with leprosy. Freely we have received, and freely we should give. We must recognize that God has given each of us a calling, a passion, and a purpose. Finding, developing, and using these gifts is what disciples do. However, there are barriers that stop us, such as living in a world of scarcity, which was even enhanced by the pandemic.
I had a personal experience where I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and was given two months to live. This experience made me realize the importance of life and the need to freely give. My mentor, Leighton Ford, lost his wife recently, yet he continues to lead retreats at the age of 92. It's not about age or health; it's about being willing to say, "God, you have given me this life. What do you want me to do?"
We live in a world that often holds on to scarcity and safety, but we are called to be thankful, take risks, and freely give. Historical events like the rise of parachurch ministries and the development of suburbs have domesticated the church, making it more inward-focused. The Seeker Sensitive Church movement also contributed to this inward focus, where the average person in the pew is not celebrated for their calling.
In the last days, perilous times will come, and people will be lovers of themselves and money. We must turn away from such people and focus on our calling, passion, and purpose. October 22, 2020, was a significant date for me as I faced a life-threatening illness. This experience taught me the importance of living generously and pouring out our lives for Christ.
We live in a world of scarcity, but Christ became poor so that we might become rich. We must pour out our lives for Christ, and in doing so, we will receive more. The pandemic has led us to hold on to our safety and resources, but God's economy is always about giving. With 90% of the resources for Christ residing in America, we must use them to make a significant impact on our culture.
Let us leave this place today and freely give in prayer, service, sacrifice, and love. Thank you, Lord, for this amazing day. Amen.
### Key Takeaways
1. Unique Calling for Everyone: Each of us has a unique calling, a special 5% that only we can bring to this world. This calling is not just for pastors or church leaders but for everyone. Recognizing and using our talents and gifts can give us a sense of purpose and fulfillment. [39:27]
2. Three Choices for Living Out God's Dream: To live out God's dream as ministers, we need to make three choices: be thankful, take risks, and freely give. These choices help us to discover and fulfill our unique callings. [40:23]
3. Overcoming Barriers to Giving: We live in a world of scarcity, which can stop us from freely giving. Historical events and societal changes have made the church more inward-focused. We must overcome these barriers by being thankful, taking risks, and freely giving. [53:01]
4. Living Generously: Pouring out our lives for Christ leads to receiving more. The pandemic has led us to hold on to our safety and resources, but God's economy is always about giving. We must live generously and use our resources to make a significant impact on our culture. [49:49]
5. Impact of Personal Experiences: Personal experiences, such as facing a life-threatening illness, can teach us the importance of living generously and fulfilling our calling. We must be willing to say, "God, you have given me this life. What do you want me to do?" [58:39]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[39:27] - Unique Calling for Everyone
[40:23] - Three Choices for Living Out God's Dream
[41:02] - Overcoming Barriers to Giving
[49:49] - Living Generously
[53:01] - Impact of Personal Experiences
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Philippians 2:12-13: "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."
2. Matthew 10:5-8: "These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: 'Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: "The kingdom of heaven has come near." Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.'"
3. 2 Corinthians 8:9: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Philippians 2:12-13, who is at work in us to will and act according to His good purpose? ([41:02])
2. What specific instructions did Jesus give to His disciples in Matthew 10:5-8? ([44:01])
3. How does 2 Corinthians 8:9 describe the sacrifice of Jesus Christ? ([47:08])
4. What are the three choices mentioned in the sermon that help us live out God's dream as ministers? ([40:23])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding that "God works in you to will and act according to His good purpose" (Philippians 2:12-13) change the way we view our personal calling and purpose? ([41:02])
2. In what ways can the instructions Jesus gave to His disciples in Matthew 10:5-8 be applied to our lives today? ([44:01])
3. What does it mean for us to live generously, as described in 2 Corinthians 8:9, in a world that often promotes scarcity and self-preservation? ([47:08])
4. Reflecting on the pastor's personal experience with acute myeloid leukemia, how can facing life-threatening situations impact our understanding of living generously and fulfilling our calling? ([58:39])
#### Application Questions
1. The sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing and using our unique gifts and talents. What is one specific talent or gift you believe God has given you, and how can you use it to serve others this week? ([43:15])
2. The pastor mentioned three choices: being thankful, taking risks, and freely giving. Which of these choices do you find most challenging, and what steps can you take to incorporate it more into your daily life? ([40:23])
3. Reflect on a time when you felt called to take a risk for God. What was the outcome, and how did it affect your faith and sense of purpose? ([40:23])
4. In what ways has the pandemic influenced your perspective on giving and generosity? How can you overcome the barriers of scarcity and safety to live more generously? ([49:49])
5. The sermon highlighted the impact of personal experiences on our calling. Can you share a personal experience that has shaped your understanding of your purpose and calling? How did it change your approach to life and ministry? ([58:39])
6. Considering the historical events mentioned in the sermon that have made the church more inward-focused, what practical steps can you take to ensure that your faith community celebrates and empowers the unique callings of its members? ([53:01])
7. How can you pour out your life for Christ in a way that aligns with the principle that "freely you have received; freely give"? Identify one specific action you can take this week to live out this principle. ([44:01])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Your Unique Calling
Each of us has a unique calling, a special 5% that only we can bring to this world. This calling is not just for pastors or church leaders but for everyone. Recognizing and using our talents and gifts can give us a sense of purpose and fulfillment. God has designed each person with a specific role in mind, and it is our responsibility to discover and live out that role. Whether you are a mechanic, doctor, tutor, or entrepreneur, your calling is just as important as that of an ordained minister. Embrace your unique calling and let it guide your actions and decisions.
Philippians 2:13 (ESV): "For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."
Reflection: What unique talents and gifts has God given you, and how can you use them to serve others today? [39:27]
Day 2: Making Choices to Live Out God's Dream
To live out God's dream as ministers, we need to make three choices: be thankful, take risks, and freely give. These choices help us to discover and fulfill our unique callings. Being thankful allows us to appreciate the blessings we have and recognize God's hand in our lives. Taking risks involves stepping out of our comfort zones and trusting God to guide us. Freely giving means sharing our time, resources, and love with others without expecting anything in return. By making these choices, we align ourselves with God's purpose and experience the joy of living out His dream.
Colossians 3:17 (ESV): "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Reflection: In what areas of your life can you take a risk for God today? How can you practice thankfulness and generosity in your daily routine? [40:23]
Day 3: Overcoming Barriers to Generosity
We live in a world of scarcity, which can stop us from freely giving. Historical events and societal changes have made the church more inward-focused. We must overcome these barriers by being thankful, taking risks, and freely giving. The pandemic has heightened our sense of scarcity and safety, but God's economy is always about giving. By recognizing and addressing these barriers, we can shift our focus outward and make a positive impact on our communities. Trust in God's provision and let go of the fear that holds you back from living generously.
2 Corinthians 9:8 (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."
Reflection: What barriers are preventing you from living generously? How can you trust God to provide for your needs as you give to others? [53:01]
Day 4: Living Generously in God's Economy
Pouring out our lives for Christ leads to receiving more. The pandemic has led us to hold on to our safety and resources, but God's economy is always about giving. We must live generously and use our resources to make a significant impact on our culture. When we give freely, we reflect God's love and provision to those around us. Living generously is not just about financial giving but also about sharing our time, talents, and love with others. Trust in God's promise that as we give, we will receive even more in return.
Luke 6:38 (ESV): "Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."
Reflection: How can you live more generously today, not just with your finances but with your time and talents as well? [49:49]
Day 5: Learning from Personal Experiences
Personal experiences, such as facing a life-threatening illness, can teach us the importance of living generously and fulfilling our calling. We must be willing to say, "God, you have given me this life. What do you want me to do?" These experiences often bring clarity and a renewed sense of purpose. They remind us of the brevity of life and the importance of using our time wisely. Reflect on your own experiences and consider how they have shaped your understanding of God's calling for your life. Let these lessons guide you in living a life of purpose and generosity.
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Reflect on a challenging experience in your life. How did it shape your understanding of God's calling for you? How can you use this experience to live more purposefully and generously? [58:39]
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We live in a world of scarcity. And it's highlighted by the pandemic where we have this fear in Christ. Christ became poor so that we might become rich. It says in 2 Corinthians 8:9, for we know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though he was rich yet for the sake he became for our sake he became poor so that through his poverty we might become rich." [47:08]
2. "If I'm afraid, if I live in a world of scarcity, if I'm afraid, I want to hold on to everything. If I don't, I have money, I don't, I give less because I don't want to run out. And if I have time, I guard it with my time. I can't really volunteer, you know, at the soccer camp. If I'm guarded, if I'm rejecting, I become a people pleaser and dying and I won't leave, you know, I don't, I don't want to leave anything anybody because I want to spend it all. It creates a very small life when we live like that. A very self-centered, I want to keep myself, my good life, build my fence, enjoy my life." [48:38]
3. "When you pour out your life for Christ, you get back more. When you get back more, live generously. Resurrection life is what God calls us to. The economy that we live in is a broken world and we hang on to everything. God's economy is always give. This pandemic that we had, the isolation was not a good thing because it led us to this sense of being closed fist. I have to hold on to my stuff. I have to hold on to my safety." [49:49]
4. "90% of all the resources for Christ in the world reside in America. 90% of the church buildings, 90% of the budgets, 90% of the seminaries, 90% of everything for Christ resides in America. And we're almost making no penetration. We're not making no penetration into our culture with all those resources. God give us the eyes that Nehemiah talked about in Nehemiah 1 that we might see the city and not drive by it." [51:00]
5. "When you hear that you have a gift, when you hear that you have a calling and it's called out and recognized, it makes us feel fulfilled. That changed my life that moment. Using our talents and our gifts can give us a sense of purpose and fulfillment like you can't even believe. It can make us feel like we're making a positive impact on the world. Your calling and your gifts for God's purpose. That God is at work in you to will according to his good pleasure." [43:15]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Every one of us has a calling. We like to say that there's this five percent that you have that nobody else in the world has. And there's ten percent that is a part of you that a few people have but not everybody and there's eighty-five percent of what we do in life basically we just have to do. It's just our life. It's the mundane things of life. But there's this 5% that only you can bring to this world. That's what the Bible teaches. That's what God tells us." [39:27]
2. "Sitting in the pews across America today, this morning, are literally millions of Christ followers who are God's gift to a person. It's a hurting nation. They are mechanics. They are doctors. They are tutors. They are entrepreneurs. And all of those people, many of them, whose hearts break for the homeless, the unhoused, the hungry, the addicted, 98% of America's Christ followers, get this, 98% of America's Christ followers are not ordained ministers. But their callings to ministry are just as important of any of us who are ordained." [40:23]
3. "To live out God's dream as ministers, we need to make three choices: be thankful, take risks, and freely give. Philippians 2 reminds us that it is God who works in us to will and act according to His good purpose." [41:02]
4. "We live in a world that is about scarcity. And so we hold on and we drive by. Or secondly, we live in a world that's been domesticated. And so I want to tell you that one of the barriers to us freely giving is really something that's happened to us historically." [53:01]
5. "October 22nd, 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, I got a call from my doctor to come to the emergency room and was told that I had two months to live. I had acute myeloid leukemia. And unless there was a miracle, unless there was someone who would give me their stem cells, unless I could survive the chemo and the radiation, I would die. I stand here today very thankful." [58:39]
6. "We live in a world of scarcity, but Christ became poor so that we might become rich. We must pour out our lives for Christ, and in doing so, we will receive more. The pandemic has led us to hold on to our safety and resources, but God's economy is always about giving." [49:49]
7. "We live in a world of scarcity, but we're called to thankfulness. We've created a world that's domesticated all those dates, but we're called to risk. We're called to a life of giving based on our calling, our passion, and our purpose." [01:01:35]
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