Listening, Releasing, and Responding to God's Call

 

Summary

This is the day the Lord has made, and we gather with grateful hearts, ready to worship, listen, and be shaped by God’s Spirit. As we lift our voices in praise, we join with the chorus of heaven, declaring the holiness and goodness of our God. We are reminded that God’s grace, love, and forgiveness are poured out on us, and that His presence is near in every circumstance of our lives. Our time together is not just about being filled, but about being transformed and sent out for God’s purposes.

Reflecting on my own journey, I recalled the commissioning that comes with graduation—the moment when we are sent out, equipped and called to serve. This is a picture of what it means to be the church: not a place of comfort or mere gathering, but a people who are listening, releasing, and responding to the Spirit’s call. Acts 13 gives us a glimpse of the church at Antioch, a community marked by worship, fasting, and a readiness to hear from God. They were a listening body, attentive to the Spirit’s voice, expecting God to speak and move among them.

But listening is only the beginning. The church at Antioch was also a releasing body. When the Spirit called Barnabas and Saul for a special work, the church responded by letting go, sending them out for the sake of the gospel. This willingness to release, to send, and to serve beyond the walls of comfort is at the heart of God’s mission. We are called not just to serve within, but to be released into our homes, workplaces, and communities, carrying the love and message of Jesus wherever we go.

Finally, the church at Antioch was a faith-filled, responsive body. They didn’t cling to their best and brightest for their own benefit, but trusted God’s leading, laying hands on Barnabas and Saul and sending them out. Their obedience rippled outward, impacting the world for Christ. The challenge for us is to be people who listen, who release, and who respond in faith—willing to say, “Here I am, Lord,” in every area of our lives. May we be attentive to the Spirit, open to new seasons of ministry, and obedient to God’s call, trusting that He will use us for His glory.

Key Takeaways

- Attentiveness to the Spirit is foundational for a vibrant life with God. The church at Antioch was marked by a posture of worship, fasting, and expectation, creating space to hear the Spirit’s voice. In a world full of noise and distraction, cultivating a listening heart is both a discipline and a gift, allowing us to discern God’s direction for our lives and community. Are we making room to truly hear what God is saying today? [35:01]

- The call to release is a call to trust. The church did not cling to its own comfort or resources, but willingly sent out Barnabas and Saul when the Spirit prompted. Releasing people, resources, or even our own plans can feel risky, but it is in this act of letting go that we participate in God’s greater mission. True faith is demonstrated not by what we keep, but by what we are willing to give away for the sake of the gospel. [41:10]

- Obedience often requires us to step into the unknown. The church at Antioch responded to the Spirit’s leading with action, not just intention. Faith-filled obedience means moving beyond what is familiar or comfortable, trusting that God’s purposes are bigger than our preferences. When we say “yes” to God’s call, even when it stretches us, we become part of His unfolding story in the world. [49:05]

- God’s mission is not confined to the church building. We are sent people, called to carry the presence and message of Jesus into every sphere of life—our homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, and beyond. The work of ministry is not reserved for a select few, but is the calling of every believer, empowered by the Spirit to shine and share Christ wherever we are placed. [44:30]

- Responding to God’s call is a daily posture, not a one-time event. Like Samuel, we are invited to say, “Here I am, Lord,” in the ordinary and the challenging moments alike. God desires fresh obedience and sensitivity to His voice, not just memories of past encounters. Each day brings new opportunities to listen, to release, and to respond, trusting that God will use our faithfulness for His glory. [58:07]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Opening Prayer and Worship
[03:10] - Joining in Heaven’s Worship
[06:30] - Thanksgiving for God’s Presence and Grace
[10:00] - Reflections on Community and Mission
[13:20] - Graduation Memories and Commissioning
[17:45] - The Church as a Sent People
[21:30] - Introduction to Acts 13
[24:34] - Reading Acts 13:1-3
[27:00] - The Church’s Mission: More Than Gathering
[30:15] - The Listening Church: Attentiveness to the Spirit
[35:01] - Personal Story: Learning to Listen
[38:40] - Are We Making Space to Hear God?
[41:10] - The Releasing Church: Letting Go for Mission
[44:30] - Sent into the World: Living on Mission
[49:05] - The Responsive Church: Faith-Filled Obedience
[53:30] - The Ripple Effect of Obedience
[56:45] - “Here I Am, Lord”: A Prayerful Response
[58:07] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

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### Bible Reading

- Acts 13:1-3
Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Acts 13:2, what were the believers in Antioch doing when the Holy Spirit spoke to them?
2. Who did the Holy Spirit specifically call and for what purpose?
3. What actions did the church take after hearing the Spirit’s instructions?
4. In the sermon, what are some ways the pastor described the church at Antioch’s posture toward God? ([35:01])

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### Interpretation Questions

1. What does it mean for a church to be a “listening body” as described in Acts 13 and the sermon? How is this different from just gathering together? ([35:01])
2. Why do you think the church at Antioch was willing to release Barnabas and Saul, even though they were valuable leaders? What does this say about their trust in God? ([41:10])
3. The pastor mentioned that obedience often means stepping into the unknown. Why is it sometimes hard to respond to God’s call, even when we sense it clearly? ([49:05])
4. The sermon talked about being “sent people.” What does it look like for every believer—not just pastors or missionaries—to live as someone sent by God? ([44:30])

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### Application Questions

1. The church at Antioch made space to listen to the Holy Spirit through worship, fasting, and prayer. What is one practical way you could create more space in your life to hear from God this week? ([35:01])
2. The pastor shared about letting go of comfort and routine to be on mission for Jesus. Is there something in your life—maybe a comfort, routine, or plan—that you sense God might be asking you to release? What would it look like to trust Him with that? ([41:10])
3. When was the last time you sensed God nudging you to do something outside your comfort zone? How did you respond? If you hesitated, what held you back? ([49:05])
4. The sermon emphasized that God’s mission is not confined to the church building. Where is one place—your home, workplace, school, or neighborhood—where you feel God might be sending you to show and share Jesus? ([44:30])
5. The pastor mentioned the story of Samuel and the prayer, “Here I am, Lord.” What would it look like for you to say “Here I am” to God in a specific area of your life right now? ([58:07])
6. Are there people in your life who have been “sent” to you—maybe someone who encouraged you or helped you grow in faith? How did their obedience impact you? ([49:05])
7. The sermon challenged us to fresh obedience, not just living off past experiences with God. What is one new step of faith or obedience you feel God is inviting you to take this week? ([58:07])

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Devotional

Day 1: Listening for the Holy Spirit’s Voice
The church at Antioch was marked by its attentiveness to the Holy Spirit, gathering in worship, fasting, and prayer with an expectation that God would speak. In a world filled with distractions and busyness, there is a gentle invitation to slow down, make space, and truly listen for God’s voice in our lives. The Spirit still speaks today—guiding, comforting, and calling us into God’s purposes. The question is not whether God is speaking, but whether we are listening, tuning our hearts to hear His gentle whisper and direction. [35:01]

Acts 13:1-2 (ESV)
Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Reflection: Where in your daily routine can you intentionally create space to listen for the Holy Spirit’s voice today?


Day 2: Releasing Others for God’s Mission
The church is not meant to be a place of comfort and consumption, but a community that releases people to serve and share Jesus beyond its walls. Just as the church at Antioch released Barnabas and Saul for the work God had called them to, we are called to let go of our comforts and routines, sending and supporting others—and ourselves—into the world as Christ’s ambassadors. This means being willing to step out, to let go, and to trust God as He calls us and others into new places of ministry and mission. [41:10]

Acts 13:2-3 (ESV)
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Reflection: Who in your life can you encourage, support, or release to serve God’s mission today—and what might it look like to let go of your own comfort to do so?


Day 3: Responding with Faith and Obedience
The church at Antioch not only listened and released, but responded with faith-filled obedience to God’s call, even when it meant sending out their best. Obedience to the Spirit’s leading often requires courage and trust, especially when it challenges our preferences or comfort zones. When we respond to God’s nudges—whether to serve, to give, to reach out, or to go—He uses our faithfulness to accomplish His purposes, often in ways that ripple far beyond what we can see. [49:05]

Acts 13:3 (ESV)
Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Reflection: What is one area where you sense God nudging you to step out in faith and obedience today, even if it feels uncomfortable?


Day 4: Saying “Here I Am” to God’s Call
Like young Samuel, who responded to God’s voice with “Here I am, Lord,” we are invited to make ourselves available to God in every area of our lives. Whether it’s with a challenging neighbor, a difficult family member, or a new opportunity, God calls us to be present and willing, trusting that He will use us as we are. This posture of availability opens us to new seasons of ministry and service, allowing God to work through us wherever He leads. [58:07]

1 Samuel 3:8-10 (ESV)
And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”

Reflection: In what specific situation or relationship can you say, “Here I am, Lord,” and make yourself available to God’s leading today?


Day 5: Living as a Sent People
The church is not a country club or a place to simply consume, but a community of people who belong, are known, are filled with the Spirit, and are sent out to share the gospel. Each of us is uniquely called and equipped to serve both inside and outside the church, showing and sharing the goodness of God in our homes, workplaces, and neighborhoods. As we live as a sent people, we reflect the heart and purpose of Jesus, bringing His love and hope to the world around us. [26:15]

Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Reflection: Where is God sending you this week—to whom, and in what way, can you show and share the goodness of Jesus?

Quotes



The church that sends is the church that reflects the heart of Jesus. The church that sends, that releases, that goes, that serves, that does all in Jesus's name—if that is the church, that's the people, that's the body of Christ that reflects the heart, the love, and the purpose of Jesus. [00:35:02] (27 seconds)


The believers in Acts chapter 13 at the church of Antioch, they were worshiping, they were fasting, they were praying, and we find that this was a church who is fixing their eyes and their hearts on Christ, and in doing so the Holy Spirit spoke to them. [00:39:31] (20 seconds)


The Spirit of God spoke to this church, and what I find fascinating is that the people of the church heard the Spirit of God. They were a listening body. They were people who were anticipating the Lord's saying something. [00:40:00] (23 seconds)


I would submit to us today that God is still speaking, that God is in the speaking business as he was in Antioch and as he is in 2025, that God wants to speak to our lives, to our stories, to our circumstances, to how he has created us and wired us and called us. That God is speaking—the question becomes, are we listening? [00:42:04] (43 seconds)


Are we tuned in? Are we giving space to hear the Holy Spirit's leading and guidance in our lives? We see the church at Antioch in Acts chapter 13, they were a listening body. They showed up waiting and anticipating for the Lord to say something, to do something, and to work among them. [00:42:47] (31 seconds)


Are you willing to let go of comforts and routine to be a person or to be a family on mission for Jesus? Are you willing to let go of comfort and routine to be a people, to be a person, or to be a family on mission for the sake of Jesus in the world around you, whether that be across the street or across town? [00:49:05] (30 seconds)


What we see in Acts chapter 13 is this church, these people who are listening to the Spirit and are obedient and responsive to his call, and what began at a little church in Antioch rippled into this worldwide impact where people were hearing about Jesus for the first time. [00:52:47] (33 seconds)


Are you experiencing the responsiveness to the calls and the invitations of God in your life? Are you responsive and obedient to his calling you to reach out, to serve? Are you following what he is mapping out for you in your life, or is it, Lord, I'm comfortable here, I don't want to, that's challenging? [00:53:55] (38 seconds)


When the church at Antioch listened for and to the Holy Spirit, when they released their people for the work of ministry, then they were responsive and obedient to God's call in their lives—good things happened. [00:54:47] (19 seconds)


If there is desire and passion, if there are ideas of ministry, of serving in your mind and swirling in your heart, the challenge for all of us is to say, here I am, Lord. Here I am with that pesky neighbor, here I am with these challenging children, here I am at school, in my job, here I am with my family members, here I am—fill in the blank. [00:56:51] (41 seconds)


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