Living Out Our Vocation in Christ's Kingdom

Devotional

Day 1: Vocation as an Expression of Faith

Our vocations are not merely jobs or careers; they are profound expressions of our faith and a means to serve others. The doctrine of vocation, deeply intertwined with the gospel, challenges us to view our work as a calling from God. This perspective shifts our focus from seeking personal fulfillment to serving our neighbors with the gifts God has given us. By understanding our work as a divine calling, we align our daily tasks with God's greater purpose, allowing us to live out our faith in tangible ways. [01:01]

Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."

Reflection: How can you reframe your daily work as a service to others and an expression of your faith today?

Day 2: Navigating Dual Citizenship

As Christians, we hold dual citizenship in the kingdoms of this world and the Kingdom of Christ. While God operates in both realms, He does so differently, calling us to engage with the world through both providence and saving grace. This understanding helps us balance our responsibilities in the secular world with our spiritual commitments, allowing us to be faithful stewards of both. By recognizing the distinct roles of church and state, we can navigate our lives with wisdom and discernment, honoring God in all aspects of our citizenship. [11:06]

Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV): "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."

Reflection: In what ways can you honor your heavenly citizenship while fulfilling your earthly responsibilities this week?

Day 3: Law and Gospel Distinction

Understanding the distinction between law and gospel is crucial for a healthy faith. The law commands us, setting a standard for righteous living, while the gospel announces what God has done for us in Christ, offering grace and redemption. Confusing these can lead to a distorted understanding of our mission and identity. By keeping these distinct, we can fully appreciate the grace of the gospel and the guidance of the law, allowing us to live out our faith with clarity and purpose. [19:04]

Galatians 3:24-25 (ESV): "So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian."

Reflection: How can you ensure that you are living in the freedom of the gospel while still honoring the guidance of the law in your daily life?

Day 4: Common Grace and Cooperation

Common grace allows for cooperation with non-believers in various vocations, but it is the gospel that brings true redemption and transformation. This distinction reminds us that while we can work alongside others for the common good, our ultimate hope and transformation come from the gospel. By recognizing the role of common grace, we can engage with the world in meaningful ways, building bridges and fostering understanding, while always pointing to the deeper hope found in Christ. [28:56]

Matthew 5:45 (ESV): "For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."

Reflection: How can you engage with those who do not share your faith in a way that reflects God's common grace and points to the hope of the gospel?

Day 5: The Church as a Re-Salinization Plant

The church is both a people and a place, serving as a re-salinization plant that equips believers to be salt and light in the world. This dual identity challenges us to engage with our communities and workplaces as faithful representatives of Christ. By being part of a church community, we are strengthened and equipped to live out our faith in the world, bringing the light of Christ into every corner of our lives. [31:16]

Matthew 5:13-14 (ESV): "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden."

Reflection: In what ways can you be salt and light in your community this week, reflecting the love and truth of Christ?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound topic of vocation, a concept deeply rooted in the Reformation and its impact on culture. The doctrine of vocation is not isolated from other theological doctrines, especially the gospel. We began by reflecting on historical shifts in worldview, from a vertical, God-centered perspective to a more horizontal, self-centered one. This shift has led to a culture where transcendence is often sought within ourselves rather than from a God who exists outside of time and history.

We examined the distinction between the kingdoms of this world and the Kingdom of Christ. The Reformers emphasized that while God operates in both realms, He does so differently. The church and state are distinct entities, each with its own role under God's providence and saving grace. This understanding helps us navigate our dual citizenship as Christians, balancing our responsibilities in the secular world with our spiritual commitments.

Another key distinction is between law and gospel. The law commands us, while the gospel announces what God has done for us in Christ. Confusing these can lead to a distorted understanding of our faith and mission. The Great Commandment and the Great Commission are both imperatives, but they are grounded in the indicatives of God's creation and Christ's authority.

We also discussed the difference between common grace and saving grace. Common grace allows for cooperation with non-believers in various vocations, but it is the gospel that brings true redemption and transformation. The church, as both a people and a place, plays a crucial role in this dynamic, serving as a re-salinization plant that equips believers to be salt and light in the world.

Finally, we are reminded that our work and vocations are not about building the Kingdom of Christ, which is a gift from God, but about serving our neighbors with the gifts God has given us. Our calling is to be faithfully present, living out the gospel in tangible ways in our everyday lives.

Key Takeaways

1. The doctrine of vocation is deeply intertwined with the gospel, emphasizing that our callings in the world are not separate from our faith but are expressions of it. This understanding challenges us to view our work as a means of serving others rather than merely a pursuit of personal fulfillment. [01:01]
2. The distinction between the kingdoms of this world and the Kingdom of Christ helps us navigate our dual citizenship. While God operates in both realms, He does so differently, calling us to engage with the world through both providence and saving grace. [11:06]
3. Understanding the difference between law and gospel is crucial for a healthy faith. The law commands us, while the gospel announces what God has done for us in Christ. Confusing these can lead to a distorted understanding of our mission and identity. [19:04]
4. Common grace allows for cooperation with non-believers in various vocations, but it is the gospel that brings true redemption. This distinction reminds us that while we can work alongside others for the common good, our ultimate hope and transformation come from the gospel. [28:56]
5. The church is both a people and a place, serving as a re-salinization plant that equips believers to be salt and light in the world. This dual identity challenges us to engage with our communities and workplaces as faithful representatives of Christ. [31:16]
** [31:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:24] - Introduction to Vocation
[01:01] - The Reformation and Vocation
[01:30] - Historical Perspectives
[02:34] - Shifts in Worldview
[04:22] - Transcendence and Modern Culture
[06:37] - The Need for a Transcendent God
[08:25] - Working for the Weekend
[10:08] - The Great Commandment and Great Commission
[11:06] - Kingdoms of the World vs. Kingdom of Christ
[19:04] - Law and Gospel Distinction
[25:10] - Vocation and Service
[28:56] - Common Grace vs. Saving Grace
[31:16] - Church as People and Place
[38:52] - Faithful Presence in the World
[42:03] - Encouragement and Conclusion

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Vocation and the Gospel

Bible Reading:

Matthew 22:37-39 - "Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’"
Matthew 28:18-20 - "Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’"
Luke 12:32 - "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom."

Observation Questions:

What are the two greatest commandments according to Jesus in Matthew 22:37-39, and how do they relate to our daily lives?
In Matthew 28:18-20, what does Jesus say about His authority, and how does this authority impact the Great Commission?
How does the sermon describe the distinction between the kingdoms of this world and the Kingdom of Christ? [11:06]
What role does the church play as both a people and a place according to the sermon? [31:16]

Interpretation Questions:

How does the distinction between law and gospel help Christians understand their mission and identity? [19:04]
What does it mean to have dual citizenship as Christians, and how should this affect our engagement with the world? [11:06]
How does the concept of common grace allow Christians to work alongside non-believers, and what is the ultimate hope for transformation? [28:56]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that our work and vocations are expressions of our faith? [25:10]

Application Questions:

Reflect on your current vocation or daily activities. How can you view them as a means of serving others rather than just personal fulfillment? [25:10]
How can you balance your responsibilities in the secular world with your spiritual commitments as a Christian? [11:06]
Think of a situation where you might have confused the law with the gospel. How can you ensure that you maintain a clear distinction in your understanding and practice? [19:04]
Identify a non-believer in your workplace or community. How can you cooperate with them for the common good while also being a witness to the gospel? [28:56]
Consider your role in the church as both a people and a place. How can you contribute to your church community to help it be a "re-salinization plant"? [31:16]
How can you be faithfully present in your workplace or community, living out the gospel in tangible ways? [38:52]
Reflect on the idea that the Kingdom of Christ is a gift from God. How does this perspective change the way you approach your daily tasks and interactions? [42:03]

Sermon Clips

The doctrine of vocation wasn’t separate from all of the other doctrines, particularly the recovery of the gospel itself, as we’ll see in the moments we have before us. [00:01:18]

The map of the world that everyone had grown up with was gone and now it was horizontal plains. A very accurate map, but reflected a flat horizontal view of reality, instead of looking up, you were looking out, and looking at a map like this, one would never see the world again in quite the same way. [00:02:34]

The sense of a genuinely transcendent God, who is other than us, but yet in whom we live and move and have our being, who doesn’t depend on us, but we depend on Him, is something that we desperately need to recover in our day. [00:06:49]

The first distinction is that between the kingdoms of this world and the Kingdom of Christ. Now, it’s a distinction, not a separation. They’re not the same thing. In the Roman Catholic Church, the medieval church, the church was seen as over the state, and all other spheres and callings. [00:10:56]

The law gives us an agenda, something to do. The gospel gives us an announcement of what God has done for us in Christ. If we get those two confused, the Reformers said, it’s all over. Charles Spurgeon once said there are three ways to wholly corrupt God’s Word. [00:19:46]

Common grace is wonderful. Common grace is spectacular. In fact, against the Protestant radicals, who railed against all secular learning and culture, Calvin exhorted “But if the Lord has willed that we be helped in physics, dialectic, mathematics and other like disciplines by the work and ministry – listen to that, by the work and ministry of the ungodly. [00:27:40]

But common grace isn’t saving grace, is it? Common grace does not redeem, common grace does not reconcile sinners to God. You can have some reasonable order, some degree of justice in a fallen world by people who take their calling seriously. [00:29:00]

The church is the re-salinization plant. You say, “I don’t want to be a Sunday Christian.” Well, if you’re not a Sunday Christian, you won’t be a Monday Christian either. You see, we have to come to church, like we go to the mall – well, I don’t really mean that. [00:31:52]

We come to church to remember we aren’t what we do. We are what God has done to us. Then we go out on Monday to do for others. Actual concrete neighbors. Not neighbor with a capital N as an abstract idea, or the world, you know “Think globally, act locally.” [00:33:19]

Instead of more soldiers in the culture wars, we need more salty Christians, who go to work on Monday and love and serve their neighbors. Who know the gospel well enough to be able to communicate it and in the light of that gospel to show the love of Christ in ways that people have never seen before. [00:37:47]

We have to remember, folks, that at the end of the day, you know, there’s a legitimate place for work. But only after we have been served by God and His work in Christ. There’s a legitimate place for building things, but the one thing we do not build – we build all sorts of kingdoms in this world – but one thing we do not build is the Kingdom of Christ. [00:40:48]

There is a gospel to proclaim, and there are neighbors to serve, and “Since we are receiving a kingdom,” as the writer of the Hebrew says, “receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us worship God with reverence and awe. For He is a consuming fire. [00:43:51]

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Living Out Our Vocation in Christ's Kingdom

Devotional

Day 1: Vocation as an Expression of Faith

Day 2: Navigating Dual Citizenship

Day 3: Law and Gospel Distinction

Day 4: Common Grace and Cooperation

Day 5: The Church as a Re-Salinization Plant

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Living Out Our Vocation in Christ's Kingdom

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