Embracing Your Divine Calling and Purpose
Summary
The sermon revolves around the concept of calling and purpose, emphasizing that our calling is a holy pursuit, not just about avoiding sin but also about pursuing what God has intended for us. The pastor shares a personal anecdote about his own experience working in construction and how he realized that pursuing a side construction business would be unholy for him because it was not what God had called him to do. He then highlights the idea that God is not only our Savior but also our caller, painting a vivid picture of someone drowning in the pool of their sin and being saved by Jesus, who not only breathes life back into them but also immediately reveals the purpose and calling He has for their life.
The pastor also emphasizes the importance of using one's voice and influence to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and to ensure justice for those who are being oppressed. He believes that if God has given someone a voice and influence, it is for a reason and they should use it for the benefit of others. The pastor then transitions to the topic of calling, sharing personal experiences of significant calling moments in his own life. He asserts that calling is not just for pastors, but for everyone, and encourages the congregation to declare that they are saved and called by God.
The pastor shares a personal experience from when he was a youth pastor at a church in Missouri. He recalls attending a youth camp and feeling drawn to the speaker, desiring to travel and speak like him. However, he felt frustrated and unsure of his calling. On the fourth night of the camp, he repented and questioned his ambition and pride. The Holy Spirit spoke to him, affirming that the desire was from God, but the timing was off. Four years later, he launched his road ministry and has never looked back.
The pastor emphasizes the importance of being deeply rooted in a church community. He encourages the congregation to find their home and commit to it, as it is through this commitment that they will fulfill their purpose. The pastor also emphasizes the need to prepare for one's purpose. He challenges the notion of being a talker rather than a walker, stating that if one claims to be committed to their calling but does not actively prepare for it, they are not truly living out their purpose.
The pastor encourages the congregation to not be afraid of God showing them what they are supposed to do in life. He shares that sometimes it may require quitting a job and pursuing a new career, but emphasizes that wisdom is not lacking in those situations. The pastor also highlights the importance of the process and how it takes time to fulfill one's purpose. He prays for God to either resurrect the purpose already placed on their lives or to divinely place new purpose on them.
Key Takeaways:
- A calling is not just about avoiding sin but also about pursuing what God has intended for us. It is a holy pursuit that requires commitment and dedication. God is not only our Savior but also our caller, revealing the purpose and calling He has for our lives. ([12:45])
- Using one's voice and influence to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and to ensure justice for those who are being oppressed is a significant part of one's calling. If God has given someone a voice and influence, it is for a reason and they should use it for the benefit of others. ([24:30])
- The timing of one's calling is crucial. The pastor shares a personal experience where he felt a strong desire to travel and speak like a speaker at a youth camp. However, the Holy Spirit affirmed that the desire was from God, but the timing was off. This highlights the importance of patience and waiting for God's timing in fulfilling one's calling. ([36:50])
- Being deeply rooted in a church community is essential in fulfilling one's purpose. The pastor emphasizes the need to find a home and commit to it, as it is through this commitment that one can truly live out their purpose. ([48:20])
- The process of fulfilling one's purpose takes time and may require significant changes in one's life. However, the pastor emphasizes that wisdom is not lacking in these situations and encourages the congregation to trust in God's plan for their lives. ([59:10])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Proverbs 31:8 - "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute."
2. 2 Timothy 1:9 - "He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time."
3. Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Observation Questions:
1. What does Proverbs 31:8 suggest about our responsibility towards the less fortunate?
2. In 2 Timothy 1:9, what does it mean to be called to a holy life and how does it relate to God's purpose and grace?
3. How does Romans 8:28 describe the relationship between God's purpose and the good of those who love Him?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the call to speak up for the destitute in Proverbs 31:8 reflect God's heart for justice and mercy?
2. How does the grace given to us in Christ Jesus, as mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:9, empower us to live a holy life?
3. In Romans 8:28, how does God's purpose align with the good of those who love Him?
Application Questions:
1. Can you identify a situation in your community where you can speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, as suggested in Proverbs 31:8? What specific action can you take this week to address this?
2. Reflecting on 2 Timothy 1:9, what is one area in your life where you can live out God's call to a holy life? How can you demonstrate this in a tangible way in the coming days?
3. Considering Romans 8:28, can you think of a recent situation where you saw God working for your good? How can you respond to this in gratitude and trust in the coming week?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing the Holy Pursuit
God's calling is not merely about avoiding sin, but also about pursuing the divine purpose He has intended for each individual. This holy pursuit requires commitment and dedication. It is a journey of discovery, where God, as both Savior and caller, reveals the unique purpose and calling He has for each life. ([12:45])
1 Peter 2:9 - "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
Reflection: How can you actively pursue the holy calling God has placed on your life?
Day 2: The Power of Voice and Influence
God has bestowed upon some the gift of voice and influence, not for personal gain, but to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and to ensure justice for the oppressed. This is a significant part of one's calling and should be used for the benefit of others. ([24:30])
Proverbs 31:8-9 - "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."
Reflection: How can you use your voice and influence to advocate for justice and speak up for the voiceless?
Day 3: Patience in God's Timing
The timing of one's calling is crucial. It is important to be patient and wait for God's timing in fulfilling one's calling. Sometimes, the desire may be from God, but the timing may not be right. ([36:50])
Habakkuk 2:3 - "For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay."
Reflection: How can you cultivate patience as you wait for God's timing in fulfilling your calling?
Day 4: Rooted in Community
Being deeply rooted in a church community is essential in fulfilling one's purpose. It is through commitment to a spiritual home that one can truly live out their purpose. ([48:20])
Ephesians 2:19-20 - "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone."
Reflection: How can you deepen your commitment to your church community to better live out your purpose?
Day 5: Trusting in God's Plan
The process of fulfilling one's purpose takes time and may require significant changes in one's life. However, wisdom is not lacking in these situations. Trust in God's plan for your life. ([59:10])
Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Reflection: How can you trust in God's plan, even when it requires significant changes in your life?
Quotes
1. "Calling is not a Ministry thing, calling is an everybody thing." [24:18]
2. "If this isn't your home, do yourself a favor and go find your home. But if it is, plant yourself deep because you won't fulfill your purpose until you are planted." [49:33]
3. "If you say you are committed to your calling but you are not preparing, then I believe you're just a talker, you're really not a walker." [43:01]
4. "Son, when did I give you that desire? Well, I was 17, it was 12 years ago. God, you told me it's like you pointed at the stage, you told me I would do that. And he said, 'Son, the desire is from me, the timing's off, but the desire's right.'" [38:00]
5. "Don't be afraid this morning of the Lord showing you what you're supposed to do... it's a process." [53:21]
6. "Holiness is pursuing what God has for you and unholiness is going after something that God never intended for you to have." [25:41]
7. "Even something that's not inherently sinful can be Unholy in your life if it's not what God has assigned to your life." [26:21]
8. "God saved you on purpose so that he might give you an incredible purpose." [27:01]
9. "One of the common ways that God reveals calling and purpose is in the area of Desire sustained holy aspiration in a certain area over time that just will not go away. Very well may point to the will of God for your life."
10. "You have to pursue your purpose."
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