Empowered to Speak Truth and Build Community

Today’s gathering centered on the profound truth that God knows each of us intimately—before we even know ourselves. God’s call is not reserved for the extraordinary, but for ordinary people, just like Jeremiah, who was young and hesitant, and just like us. In a world often marked by injustice, apathy, and self-serving leaders, God continues to summon us to participate in a mission of love, justice, and compassion. This calling, or vocation, is not something we must fulfill by our own strength; rather, God promises to be with us, to empower us, and to give us the words and courage we need.

Reflecting on Jeremiah’s story, we see that God’s call can be intimidating. Jeremiah, like Moses before him, offered excuses—he was too young, not eloquent enough. Yet God was not deterred. God assured Jeremiah that he would not be alone, that God’s own words and presence would accompany him. This is a reminder that our own sense of inadequacy does not disqualify us from God’s work. Instead, God works through our weaknesses, using us as instruments to build, plant, and sometimes to uproot and tear down what is unjust or lifeless.

The prophetic task is not about predicting the future, but about making God’s intentions known and setting in motion the work of justice and renewal. Just as a gardener must both pull weeds and plant seeds, we are called to both challenge injustice and nurture new life. God’s creative power is at work in us, inviting us to speak truth, to build beloved community, and to plant seeds of hope—even when the world seems resistant or indifferent.

We are reminded that God consecrated us from the very beginning, forming us with purpose and love. Our voices, when surrendered to God, can sound the alarm against injustice and also facilitate peace. The key is to remain open-hearted, courageous, and willing to listen for God’s guidance. The question before us is: how much of our lives are we willing to surrender to God’s purposes? In a culture that prizes independence, faith calls us to a deeper dependence on God, trusting that God will use our gifts and walk with us every step of the way.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Call Is Rooted in Intimate Knowledge and Love Before we were born, God knew us and consecrated us for a purpose. This means our worth and calling are not based on our achievements or qualifications, but on God’s deep, abiding love and knowledge of who we are. Embracing this truth frees us from the need to prove ourselves and invites us to trust in God’s wisdom and timing. [34:51]
• 2. Prophetic Vocation Is Both Gift and Challenge Being called to speak and act for justice can be daunting, especially when we feel unqualified or afraid. Like Jeremiah, we may resist or doubt our abilities, but God’s call is persistent and accompanied by the promise of God’s presence and empowerment. Our task is to be faithful, not flawless, trusting that God will provide what we need. [24:27]
• 3. God’s Work Involves Both Uprooting and Planting The work of God in the world is not only about building up, but also about tearing down what is unjust or lifeless. This dual calling—to pluck up and to plant—requires discernment, courage, and a willingness to engage in both critique and creativity. In our lives and communities, we are invited to participate in God’s ongoing work of renewal. [27:31]
• 4. Our Voices Are Instruments of Both Alarm and Peace God empowers us to speak truth to power, to challenge structures of injustice, and also to facilitate healing and peace. This “both-and” calling means we must be attentive to when to sound the alarm and when to nurture reconciliation. Our words, guided by God, can catalyze transformation and foster beloved community. [36:13]
• 5. Surrendering to God’s Purposes Is a Lifelong Journey Faith invites us to continually surrender more of our lives to God—not just on Sundays, but every day. This surrender is not about losing ourselves, but about discovering our true vocation and potential in partnership with God. As we walk with God, we find the courage, gifts, and community we need to fulfill our calling and bless the world. [39:17]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:07] - Call to Worship: God Knows Us
• [02:42] - Opening Prayer: Building and Planting
• [03:17] - Song: Stand for What is Right
• [06:48] - Passing the Peace and Announcements
• [10:12] - Community Activities and Pub Theology
• [11:18] - Kids’ Video
• [18:46] - Scripture Reading: Healing on the Sabbath
• [20:12] - God Dignifies the Undervalued
• [22:24] - Jeremiah’s Call and Our Vocation
• [27:31] - Uprooting and Planting: God’s Work
• [34:51] - Consecrated from the Beginning
• [36:13] - Both-And: Alarm and Peace
• [39:17] - Surrendering to God’s Purposes
• [41:43] - Prayer of Yearning and Assurance
• [43:12] - Prayers for the Community
• [48:35] - Silent Prayer and Lord’s Prayer
• [49:46] - Offering and Dedication
• [52:15] - Closing Song: I’m Gonna Sing
• [53:51] - Benediction: Go in Peace

Small Group Bible Study Guide: God’s Call, Our Surrender

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Bible Reading

Jeremiah 1:4-10 (ESV)
> Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
> “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
> and before you were born I consecrated you;
> I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
> Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.”
> But the Lord said to me,
> “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’;
> for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,
> and whatever I command you, you shall speak.
> Do not be afraid of them,
> for I am with you to deliver you,
> declares the Lord.”
> Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me,
> “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
> See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms,
> to pluck up and to break down,
> to destroy and to overthrow,
> to build and to plant.”

Luke 13:10-17 (ESV)
> Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.” And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” As he said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame, and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.

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Observation Questions

1. According to Jeremiah 1:4-10, what reasons does Jeremiah give for feeling unqualified, and how does God respond to his concerns?
2. In the story of Jesus healing the woman on the Sabbath (Luke 13:10-17), what is the reaction of the synagogue leader, and how does Jesus challenge his perspective?
3. The sermon mentions that God’s call to Jeremiah included both “plucking up and pulling down” as well as “building and planting.” What do these actions represent in Jeremiah’s calling? [[27:31]]
4. The sermon says God “consecrated us from the very beginning, forming us with purpose and love.” What does it mean to be consecrated, based on the sermon and Jeremiah’s story? [[34:51]]

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Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon describes Jeremiah as hesitant and full of excuses, yet God insists on using him. What does this suggest about the kind of people God calls and uses? [[24:27]]
2. Jesus’ healing on the Sabbath was met with criticism from religious leaders. What does this story reveal about God’s priorities compared to human traditions or rules? [[19:28]]
3. The sermon says the prophetic task is not about predicting the future, but about making God’s intentions known and setting in motion the work of justice and renewal. How might this understanding of “prophetic” shape the way we think about our own calling? [[27:06]]
4. The sermon asks, “How much of our lives are we willing to surrender to God?” Why might surrendering to God’s purposes feel risky or counter-cultural in today’s world? [[39:17]]

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Application Questions

1. Jeremiah felt too young and unqualified, but God promised to be with him and give him the words to say. Have you ever felt unqualified or hesitant to do something you sensed God was calling you to do? What happened, and what might help you trust God more in those moments? [[24:27]]
2. The sermon talks about God’s work involving both “uprooting” what is unjust and “planting” seeds of hope. In your own life or community, is there something that needs to be uprooted or challenged? Is there something new that needs to be planted? [[27:31]]
3. Jesus chose to heal on the Sabbath, even though it upset the religious leaders. Are there times when following God’s call might mean going against what is comfortable or expected? Can you think of a situation where you had to choose between compassion and tradition? [[19:28]]
4. The sermon says our voices can be “instruments of both alarm and peace.” Is there a situation right now where you feel called to speak up for justice, or to help bring peace? What would it look like to do that with God’s help? [[36:13]]
5. The sermon asks, “How much of our lives are we willing to surrender to God?” What is one area of your life where you sense God inviting you to trust or surrender more deeply? What might be holding you back? [[39:17]]
6. The sermon reminds us that God’s call is rooted in love and intimate knowledge of us—not our achievements. How does this truth challenge the way you see yourself and your worth? [[34:51]]
7. The sermon says faith is a lifelong journey of surrender, not just something for Sundays. What is one practical way you can live out your calling or vocation this week, in your family, work, or neighborhood? [[39:17]]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for courage to respond to God’s call, for open hearts to listen, and for strength to both challenge injustice and plant seeds of hope in their daily lives.