Faithful Calling: Embracing God's Purpose Amid Rejection
Summary
In exploring the notion of being called into faith, we reflect on how these calls are life-changing experiences, unique to each individual and context. The scriptures provide us with stories of prophets who were called into challenging ministries, often facing opposition and rejection. These stories are not just historical accounts but are relevant to our contemporary context, where the place of the church in society has dramatically changed over the past 60 years. The decline in Christian-centric society in Canada is evident, yet God continues to call us to hold Christ in our hearts and live out our faith in a society that largely rejects the Christian message.
Reflecting on the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Amos, we see a common theme: each was called to speak God's truth to a rebellious audience. Isaiah confronted a spiritually hollow society, Jeremiah called out covenant unfaithfulness, Ezekiel spoke to exiled Israelites, and Amos challenged complacency and social injustice. Despite facing rejection and persecution, these prophets remained faithful to their call. Their stories remind us that God's call is not about comfort but about obedience to something greater than ourselves.
In today's context, where Christianity is in decline, we are challenged to remain true to the fundamentals of our faith. The call is not to dilute our message for cultural relevance but to maintain integrity in our witness. Like the prophets, we may face rejection, but our faith and hope anchor us. The prophetic call teaches us that being called is to be known by God and sent with purpose. A strong faith begins when we hear God's voice, respond in trust, and continue walking even when the road is hard, knowing who has called us.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Nature of God's Call: God's call is unique to each individual and context, yet it is always life-changing. It requires us to step out in faith, often into challenging and uncomfortable situations, trusting that God equips us with the courage and character needed to fulfill our calling. [09:20]
2. Historical Context and Relevance: The stories of the prophets remind us that God's call transcends time and context. Despite the decline of Christianity in modern society, the call to live out our faith with integrity remains. We are challenged to remain true to the fundamentals of our faith, even when society rejects it. [09:20]
3. Facing Rejection with Faith: Like the prophets, we may face rejection and opposition when living out our faith. However, these challenges are opportunities to deepen our trust in God and remain faithful to our calling, knowing that our obedience is to something greater than ourselves. [09:20]
4. The Importance of Integrity: In a world that often values cultural relevance over truth, we are called to maintain integrity in our witness. Diluting our message for acceptance is not the answer; instead, we must hold fast to the core tenets of our faith and live them out authentically. [09:20]
5. Hope and Perseverance: The prophetic call reminds us that faith is not about comfort but about perseverance. Even when the road is hard, we continue walking in trust, knowing that we are known by God and sent with purpose. Our hope is anchored in the One who has called us. [09:20]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to the Call
- [01:30] - Context of Change
- [03:00] - Decline of Christianity in Society
- [05:00] - Personal Call Stories
- [09:20] - The Call of Isaiah
- [12:00] - Jeremiah's Mission
- [15:00] - Ezekiel's Visionary Approach
- [18:00] - Amos and Social Justice
- [21:00] - Common Themes Among Prophets
- [24:00] - Relevance to Today's Church
- [27:00] - Maintaining Integrity in Faith
- [30:00] - Hope and Perseverance in Faith
- [33:00] - Conclusion and Building Block for Today
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Isaiah 6:8-10 - Isaiah's call to a hardened people.
2. Jeremiah 1:4-10 - Jeremiah's call to confront covenant unfaithfulness.
3. Amos 5:21-24 - Amos's message against complacency and social injustice.
Observation Questions:
1. What were the specific challenges faced by Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Amos in their respective ministries? [09:20]
2. How did the societal context during the time of these prophets compare to the current societal context described in the sermon? [09:20]
3. What common theme did the prophets share in their messages, despite their different historical contexts? [09:20]
4. How did the sermon describe the change in the place of the church in Canadian society over the past 60 years? [09:20]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the notion of being called into faith as described in the sermon relate to the experiences of the prophets mentioned? [09:20]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the decline of Christianity in society mirrors the challenges faced by the prophets? [09:20]
3. What does the sermon imply about the importance of maintaining integrity in our faith, even when facing societal rejection? [09:20]
4. How does the sermon interpret the concept of hope and perseverance in the context of a prophetic call? [09:20]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to step out in faith. How did you respond, and what challenges did you face? [09:20]
2. In what ways can you maintain the integrity of your faith in a society that may not share your beliefs? [09:20]
3. How can you find courage to speak God's truth in your own life, even when facing opposition or rejection? [09:20]
4. What are some practical steps you can take to deepen your trust in God when encountering challenges in your faith journey? [09:20]
5. Identify an area in your life where you feel called to make a difference. How can you begin to act on that call this week? [09:20]
6. How can you ensure that your faith remains authentic and not just a ritualistic practice? [09:20]
7. Consider the role of hope in your life. How can you cultivate a hopeful outlook even when the road is difficult? [09:20]
Devotional
Day 1: The Transformative Power of God's Call
God's call is a profound and life-altering experience, unique to each person and their circumstances. It often requires stepping out in faith into challenging and uncomfortable situations. This call is not about personal comfort but about obedience to a higher purpose. Trusting that God equips us with the necessary courage and character, we are invited to embrace this call wholeheartedly. The stories of the prophets, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Amos, illustrate how they were called to speak God's truth to a rebellious audience, facing rejection and persecution. Yet, they remained faithful to their call, reminding us that God's call is about obedience to something greater than ourselves. [09:20]
Isaiah 6:8-9 (ESV): "And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me.' And he said, 'Go, and say to this people: Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.'"
Reflection: Think of a situation where you feel God is calling you to step out of your comfort zone. What steps can you take today to respond to this call with trust and obedience?
Day 2: The Timeless Relevance of God's Call
The stories of the prophets remind us that God's call transcends time and context. Despite the decline of Christianity in modern society, the call to live out our faith with integrity remains. We are challenged to remain true to the fundamentals of our faith, even when society rejects it. The prophets faced similar challenges, speaking God's truth to a society that often rejected their message. Yet, they remained steadfast, knowing that their call was not about cultural relevance but about faithfulness to God's truth. In today's context, we are invited to hold fast to our faith, trusting that God's call is as relevant now as it was then. [09:20]
Jeremiah 1:7-8 (ESV): "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.'"
Reflection: In what ways are you tempted to dilute your faith for cultural acceptance? How can you remain true to the core tenets of your faith today?
Day 3: Embracing Rejection with Faith
Like the prophets, we may face rejection and opposition when living out our faith. These challenges are opportunities to deepen our trust in God and remain faithful to our calling. The prophets' stories remind us that our obedience is to something greater than ourselves. Despite facing persecution, they continued to speak God's truth, knowing that their faithfulness was not dependent on societal acceptance. In our own lives, we are invited to embrace rejection with faith, trusting that God is with us and that our obedience is ultimately to Him. [09:20]
Ezekiel 2:6-7 (ESV): "And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions. Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house. And you shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you faced rejection for your faith. How can you use this experience to deepen your trust in God and remain faithful to your calling?
Day 4: Upholding Integrity in Our Witness
In a world that often values cultural relevance over truth, we are called to maintain integrity in our witness. Diluting our message for acceptance is not the answer; instead, we must hold fast to the core tenets of our faith and live them out authentically. The prophets' stories remind us that integrity in our witness is essential, even when it leads to rejection. We are invited to live out our faith with authenticity, trusting that God honors our commitment to His truth. [09:20]
Amos 5:14-15 (ESV): "Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you, as you have said. Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you struggle to maintain integrity in your witness. What practical steps can you take today to live out your faith authentically?
Day 5: Persevering in Hope and Faith
The prophetic call reminds us that faith is not about comfort but about perseverance. Even when the road is hard, we continue walking in trust, knowing that we are known by God and sent with purpose. Our hope is anchored in the One who has called us. The prophets' stories illustrate how they persevered in their calling, despite facing numerous challenges. In our own lives, we are invited to persevere in hope and faith, trusting that God is with us and that our obedience is ultimately to Him. [09:20]
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places."
Reflection: Consider a challenge you are currently facing in your faith journey. How can you persevere in hope and trust, knowing that God has called you with purpose?
Quotes
"So continuing to explore the notion of being called into faith, what does that mean as part of our Constructing Christianity program? And last Sunday, we emphasized the notion of different calls happen to different people at different times in their lives. But the one thing they all have in common is that those calls should be life-changing experiences, life-changing moments." [00:04:30] (23 seconds)
"And our scriptures speak into that directly, different contexts, different times, different situations. But God called particular people into a ministry, a very challenging and different ministry, a prophetic ministry, and said it was not going to be easy, that it would be very challenging, but this is what God was calling them to do." [00:04:55] (28 seconds)
"Change is a big one. In the context of our times, thinking about the changes that have happened in the last 60 years, they are pretty dramatic in terms of the place of the church in Canadian society. And the degree to which people are hearing a call to Christ, a call to Christ in their lives." [00:06:00] (24 seconds)
"Okay, that's kind of rather sad and jarring a bit, but it's also an important context because God is still calling us, those who hold Christ in our hearts, we live in the context of our times. This is how we have to sort of think about our place, our faith in the place of the broader Canadian society, which has, by and large, rejected the Christian message and has turned to all kinds of other things that I've talked to you about in different sermons." [00:08:04] (37 seconds)
"Their sense of call is different in many ways. I mean, it's almost counter-cultural now to come to Christ in our society. And it does, it augments or it accentuates some of the elements of what a call is about. So again, like last Sunday, different calls, different contexts, but what's common about them? What's going on thematically about this?" [00:09:59] (28 seconds)
"And it's one thing that actually we have in common in our society today with those four prophets. So if we start with Isaiah, roughly 740 BCE, before Jesus, 740, so the oldest of the four prophets we're looking at, he was called to speak to a hardened people. Isaiah's ministry began in a time of pretty intense political instability and pretty intense spiritual decline in Judah." [00:10:41] (35 seconds)
"And though there was a semblance of kind of religious activity, it was very hollow. It was very hypocritical. And the leaders seemed like were more interested in political alliances, you know, than they were with genuine faithful fellowship in ministry to God. Doesn't that sound familiar to us today when so many religious leaders are more interested in the politics than they are in living a faith?" [00:11:16] (32 seconds)
"and Jeremiah was called by God in these circumstances and it really was those final years before the Babylonian Empire would crush the would would crush Judah at least and send folks into exile and the people at the time they were engaged in all kinds of idolatry there was serious and rampant injustice and again there was this kind of religious formalism but it it really wasn't truthful to the covenant that God had established with them" [00:13:47] (37 seconds)
"and he was particularly calling out those in the temple the monarchy the religious leaders of his time and he was calling them back to a covenant faithfulness and what was the response he got he got another rebellious audience who refused to listen to him he was in fact openly mocked and scorned he was persecuted he was shunned he was I guess the contemporary language be he was he encountered a cancel culture he was canceled and repudiated he was even imprisoned he was well tortured really certainly was treated very poorly and yet he remained faithful to his call" [00:14:47] (53 seconds)
"and in some ways these kind of things looked okay from the outside but really the society was rotten it was marked by serious social injustice corruption and a kind of complacency that was that was bordering on an almost a kind of nihilism a self -destruction a loathing not unlike our contemporary society in my view at all and he simply painted a picture to them of of an alternative one that is deeply grounded in in scripture again that word covenant comes back into strengthening an authentic relationship with God he was calling people back to a a kind of of religious ritualism that that was formative not self -serving a ritualism that enhanced and strengthened relationships with God rather than painted them over with this superficial in vain veneer" [00:25:41] (72 seconds)
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