Living with Purpose: Excellence and Divine Guidance

 

Summary

In reflecting on the experiences of everyday life, such as enjoying a meal with loved ones or crafting the perfect grilled cheese sandwich, we are reminded of the importance of doing everything with excellence and intention, as if for the Lord. This principle is echoed in scriptures like 2 Timothy 2:15 and Colossians 3:23, which urge us to work wholeheartedly, reflecting the God we serve. This mindset transforms mundane tasks into acts of worship and service, bringing joy and fulfillment.

The story of Jesus in the temple at age 12, as recounted in Luke 2:41-52, serves as a profound reminder of our mission and purpose. Even Mary and Joseph, chosen to be the earthly parents of the Messiah, experienced moments of human frailty, losing Jesus for three days. Yet, Jesus was exactly where He was meant to be, engaged in His divine mission. This narrative illustrates that God’s plans often unfold in unexpected ways, and His presence is constant, even when we feel lost or distant.

God’s relentless pursuit of us is akin to the stealthy presence of a magpie following a cat, always near, guiding and protecting us. Like Joseph in Genesis, who faced numerous trials yet remained faithful, we are called to trust in God’s unseen hand at work in our lives. Our mission, like Jesus’, is to be about our Father’s business, embracing the divine purpose He has set before us.

In our daily lives, we are encouraged to listen to the Spirit’s guidance, whether it’s in small acts of kindness or significant life decisions. God’s stealthy presence assures us that He is orchestrating events for His glory and our good. We are invited to step out in faith, knowing that God has prepared the way and is with us every step.

Key Takeaways:

1. Excellence in All Things: Whatever we do, we should do it with all our heart as if working for the Lord. This transforms even the simplest tasks into acts of worship, reflecting our commitment to God and His glory. [03:51]

2. Divine Presence in Human Frailty: The story of Jesus in the temple reminds us that even those chosen by God can experience moments of human frailty. Yet, God’s plans are always unfolding, and His presence is constant, guiding us back to our mission. [15:54]

3. God’s Relentless Pursuit: Like a stealthy magpie, God is always near, guiding and protecting us. His relentless pursuit ensures that we are never truly lost, even when we feel distant from Him. [11:16]

4. Trust in God’s Unseen Hand: Joseph’s story illustrates the importance of trusting in God’s unseen hand at work in our lives. Despite trials, God’s plans are for our good and His glory, and we are called to remain faithful. [12:53]

5. Embrace Your Divine Mission: We are each called to a divine mission, much like Jesus. By listening to the Spirit’s guidance and stepping out in faith, we fulfill our purpose and bring glory to God. [29:38]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:51] - The Perfect Grilled Cheese
- [05:36] - Serving with Joy
- [08:14] - Human Frailty and Divine Purpose
- [10:02] - God’s Stealthy Presence
- [11:16] - The Magpie and the Cat
- [12:53] - Joseph’s Faithful Journey
- [13:38] - Jesus in the Temple
- [15:54] - Mary and Joseph’s Search
- [17:02] - Jesus’ Mission Revealed
- [21:28] - Engaging with the Teachers
- [24:38] - Generational Work Ethic
- [26:32] - Jesus’ First Recorded Words
- [28:34] - Obedience and Mission
- [31:14] - God’s Stealthy Guidance
- [34:04] - Embracing Our Mission

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 2 Timothy 2:15
- Colossians 3:23
- Luke 2:41-52

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Observation Questions:

1. What does 2 Timothy 2:15 say about how we should approach our work and study? How does this relate to the idea of doing everything with excellence? [03:51]

2. In Colossians 3:23, what is the motivation given for working with all our heart? How does this change our perspective on everyday tasks? [03:51]

3. Describe the situation Mary and Joseph found themselves in when they lost Jesus for three days. What does this story reveal about their human frailty? [15:54]

4. How does the story of Joseph in Genesis illustrate the concept of trusting in God's unseen hand? What were some of the trials he faced? [12:53]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How might the principle of working as if for the Lord, as mentioned in Colossians 3:23, transform mundane tasks into acts of worship? [03:51]

2. What does the story of Jesus in the temple at age 12 teach us about divine presence and purpose, even in moments of human frailty? [15:54]

3. In what ways does the metaphor of God as a stealthy magpie illustrate His relentless pursuit and guidance in our lives? [11:16]

4. How can Joseph's story in Genesis encourage us to trust in God's plans, even when they seem hidden or delayed? [12:53]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent task you completed. How might approaching it with the mindset of working for the Lord have changed your attitude or the outcome? [03:51]

2. Have you ever experienced a moment of feeling lost or distant from God, similar to Mary and Joseph's search for Jesus? How did you find your way back to your mission or purpose? [15:54]

3. Can you identify a situation in your life where you felt God's stealthy presence guiding you, even when you weren't aware of it at the time? How did this realization impact your faith? [11:16]

4. Think of a trial you are currently facing. How can Joseph's faithfulness in adversity inspire you to trust in God's unseen hand at work in your life? [12:53]

5. What small acts of kindness or significant decisions have you felt prompted by the Spirit to undertake recently? How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [29:38]

6. Consider your current work or responsibilities. How can you intentionally align them with your divine mission, as Jesus did in the temple? [17:02]

7. Identify one area in your life where you struggle to trust God's timing or plan. What steps can you take to surrender this to Him and embrace His guidance? [32:23]

Devotional

Day 1: Excellence as Worship
In the everyday tasks of life, whether it's preparing a meal or completing a work assignment, the call to excellence is a reflection of our devotion to God. By doing everything with intention and wholeheartedness, we transform mundane activities into acts of worship. This mindset aligns with the teachings of 2 Timothy 2:15 and Colossians 3:23, which encourage us to work as if for the Lord. When we approach our responsibilities with this perspective, we find joy and fulfillment, knowing that our efforts honor God. [03:51]

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going." (Ecclesiastes 9:10, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a routine task you often rush through. How can you approach it with excellence and intention today, as an act of worship?


Day 2: Divine Presence in Our Weakness
The story of Jesus in the temple at age 12, as recounted in Luke 2:41-52, highlights the reality of human frailty, even among those chosen by God. Mary and Joseph, despite their unique roles, experienced the anxiety of losing Jesus. Yet, Jesus was fulfilling His divine mission, reminding us that God's plans often unfold in unexpected ways. His presence is constant, guiding us back to our purpose, even when we feel lost or distant. This narrative encourages us to trust in God's unwavering presence in our lives. [15:54]

"For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, 'Fear not, I am the one who helps you.'" (Isaiah 41:13, ESV)

Reflection: Recall a time when you felt distant from God. How did you experience His presence guiding you back to your purpose?


Day 3: God's Relentless Pursuit
God's pursuit of us is likened to a magpie stealthily following a cat, always near and protective. This imagery illustrates God's relentless love and guidance, ensuring we are never truly lost. Even when we feel distant, His presence is constant, guiding us back to our mission. This understanding calls us to trust in His guidance and embrace the assurance that He is always near, orchestrating events for His glory and our good. [11:16]

"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." (Zephaniah 3:17, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a situation where you felt lost or distant from God. How can you recognize His presence and guidance in that situation today?


Day 4: Trusting in God's Unseen Hand
Joseph's story in Genesis exemplifies the importance of trusting in God's unseen hand at work in our lives. Despite facing numerous trials, Joseph remained faithful, trusting that God's plans were for his good and God's glory. This narrative encourages us to remain faithful, even in the face of adversity, trusting that God is orchestrating events for our benefit. Our faithfulness in trials reflects our trust in God's greater plan. [12:53]

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a current challenge you are facing. How can you trust in God's unseen hand and remain faithful in this situation?


Day 5: Embracing Your Divine Mission
Each of us is called to a divine mission, much like Jesus. By listening to the Spirit's guidance and stepping out in faith, we fulfill our purpose and bring glory to God. This involves being attentive to the Spirit's leading in both small acts of kindness and significant life decisions. Embracing our divine mission requires faith and trust in God's preparation and presence with us every step of the way. [29:38]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you sense God's calling? How can you step out in faith to embrace this divine mission today?

Quotes



But the reason why I like this scripture is it reminds me that even though Mary and Joseph were chosen by God to be the parents of the Messiah, they were still human, just like you and I. And in this story, we find that they misplaced Jesus, not for an hour, not for two hours, but for three whole days. [00:07:15] (27 seconds)


But God's love is relentless. We know the song that he said, he's running after, he's running after me. He is coming for you and I. When we are far away, when we think that we are on our own, Jesus is relentless in following us. His spirit is working in our life to make us kind of pay attention. [00:09:03] (22 seconds)


God is sometimes like that. He is right on our tail, and we know that there's somebody following us. We know that there's somebody there, and we turn around to look, and it's not exactly what we expected. We expected God to be right there in our face, but he's right there, right behind us, making sure all is well. [00:11:16] (19 seconds)


And yet, he kept moving in the right direction. God was with him all the time. But the whole time, God was there working in all of the different parts. He was there all the time. And as you look at that story, we know at the end, he said, all of those things worked for the glory of God. [00:12:23] (24 seconds)


And Jesus said, why were you searching for me? Didn't you know I would be in my father's house? But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them. was obedient to them but his mother treasured all of these things in her heart. [00:16:51] (20 seconds)


They found him and he was engaged in his mission when they found him. His mission, if you choose to accept it, he had accepted. It was indwelt in him. And when he got there and he started listening to all of the religious leaders, those who were a little higher up than those that were in his community, he is listening and he is observing. [00:19:33] (22 seconds)


Follow the example of my son. I am stealthy. You don't have to worry about anything. I have got your back. I have been working in the lives of those people in anticipation for you to do what it is I'm calling you to do. Just rely on it. God's stealthiness. [00:33:45] (18 seconds)


And Lord, let us stand proud and let you be seen in all that we do. May people know where to find us, that we would be about our father's business. We ask this in your precious name. Amen. Amen. And as pastor is coming, just little things that we can do. [00:34:55] (22 seconds)


It could be that simple for somebody to say to you, why would you spend your only day off at church before you start something new? Because God has a place and he has a mission for it. So do it and speak of it when you can. [00:35:37] (15 seconds)


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Transcript
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