Uniquely Crafted for Divine Purpose and Service
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound truth that each of us is uniquely crafted by God for a divine purpose. This purpose is not just a passive existence but an active calling to serve and make a difference in the world. We began by reflecting on the uniqueness of our creation, much like the intricate technology of facial recognition that identifies us individually. This uniqueness is a testament to God's intentional design, reminding us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made for more than just ourselves.
We delved into the concept of God's will, which is multifaceted: His providential will, prescriptive will, and personal will. Understanding these aspects helps us align our lives with His divine plan. Tony Evans' insight on divine calling emphasizes that our life's direction and purpose are ordained by God to bring Him glory and expand His kingdom. This calling is not just about what we do but how we live, displaying God's kingdom for all to see.
Our salvation is intricately linked to our service. Ephesians 2:8-10 reminds us that we are saved by grace to serve by grace. We are God's handiwork, His masterpiece, created for good works prepared in advance for us. This means our lives are meant to be a testament to God's transformative power, much like the story of Joe, whose life was radically changed by grace.
We are called to be contributors, not consumers, in God's kingdom. Our lives are meant to make a difference, not just in our professions but in how we live out our faith daily. This requires a conscious effort to pursue God's will, resisting the natural drift away from holiness. As D.A. Carson noted, we don't drift toward godliness; it requires grace-driven effort.
Finally, we are gifted by God's grace, equipped with everything we need to fulfill His will. Our spiritual gifts, relational style, abilities, and passions are all part of God's design to guide us in our calling. Even our past experiences, good or bad, can be used by God to minister to others. Each of us has a unique role in the body of Christ, and it's our responsibility to discover and engage in that calling.
Key Takeaways:
1. Uniqueness in Creation: Just as facial recognition technology identifies us uniquely, God has created each of us with a distinct purpose. Our lives have divine meaning and value, crafted to fulfill God's will. Embracing this uniqueness is the first step in living out our calling. [36:03]
2. Understanding God's Will: God's will is multifaceted, including His providential, prescriptive, and personal will. Aligning with His will requires understanding these aspects and being willing to follow His guidance. Our divine calling is to bring glory to God and expand His kingdom. [38:47]
3. Saved to Serve: Our salvation is not just for personal benefit but for service. We are God's handiwork, created for good works prepared in advance. Our lives are meant to be a testament to God's transformative power, showcasing His grace to the world. [40:41]
4. Effort in Pursuing Holiness: We naturally drift away from God, so pursuing His will requires intentional, grace-driven effort. We must resist the world's pull and choose God's path, making daily decisions to align with His purpose. [47:39]
5. Gifted for a Purpose: God equips us with spiritual gifts, abilities, and passions to fulfill His will. Our past experiences, even the difficult ones, can be used to minister to others. Discovering and engaging in our unique calling is essential for living out God's plan. [56:16]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [26:51] - Introduction to Mission Partners
- [36:03] - Uniqueness in Creation
- [37:40] - Understanding God's Will
- [38:47] - Components of God's Will
- [40:41] - Saved to Serve
- [41:57] - Life as a Masterpiece
- [42:49] - Transformation Story of Joe
- [44:07] - Making a Difference
- [45:29] - Living with Purpose
- [46:34] - Pursuing God's Will
- [47:39] - Effort in Holiness
- [49:18] - Moving Upstream Spiritually
- [50:38] - Gifted by Grace
- [56:16] - Using Past Experiences
- [57:05] - Call to Serve
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 2:8-10
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
- Hebrews 13:20-21
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Ephesians 2:8-10 say about the relationship between grace and good works? How does this passage describe our identity in Christ? [40:41]
2. In the sermon, how is the concept of facial recognition technology used to illustrate our uniqueness in God's creation? [36:03]
3. What are the three components of God's will mentioned in the sermon, and how are they defined? [37:40]
4. How does the story of Joe illustrate the transformative power of grace in a believer's life? [42:49]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding that we are "God's handiwork" influence the way we view our purpose and actions in daily life? [40:41]
2. What might it mean for someone to live in God's "providential, prescriptive, and personal will"? How can these aspects of God's will guide a believer's decisions? [38:47]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our past experiences, even difficult ones, can be used by God for ministry? [56:16]
4. How does the sermon challenge the idea of being a consumer in God's kingdom, and what does it mean to be a contributor instead? [44:07]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life. How have you seen God use your unique gifts and experiences to serve others? What steps can you take to further discover and engage in your calling? [50:38]
2. The sermon emphasizes the need for grace-driven effort in pursuing holiness. What are some practical ways you can resist the natural drift away from godliness in your daily life? [47:39]
3. Consider the story of Joe. How can you allow God's grace to transform areas of your life that need change? What specific actions can you take to serve others sacrificially this week? [42:49]
4. How can you align your career or daily activities with God's purpose for your life? Identify one area where you can make a difference for God's kingdom in your current context. [44:49]
5. Think about a past experience that was challenging. How might God be calling you to use that experience to minister to others? What steps can you take to begin this process? [56:16]
6. The sermon mentions the importance of not just being an airline pilot, engineer, or teacher, but using those roles to display Christ. How can you intentionally show Christ in your workplace or community? [44:49]
7. What is one specific way you can contribute to your church or community this month, rather than just consuming? How can you encourage others to do the same? [44:07]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Embracing Your Unique Divine Design
Each person is uniquely crafted by God, much like the intricate technology of facial recognition that identifies us individually. This uniqueness is a testament to God's intentional design, reminding us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made for more than just ourselves. Embracing this uniqueness is the first step in living out our calling. Recognizing that our lives have divine meaning and value, we are encouraged to explore and embrace the distinct purpose God has for each of us. This understanding propels us to live intentionally, knowing that our existence is not random but part of a grand design. [36:03]
"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." (Psalm 139:13-14, ESV)
Reflection: How can you celebrate and utilize your unique gifts and talents to serve others today?
Day 2: Aligning with God's Multifaceted Will
Understanding God's will involves recognizing its multifaceted nature: His providential, prescriptive, and personal will. Aligning with His will requires a willingness to follow His guidance and a commitment to bringing glory to God and expanding His kingdom. This alignment is not just about understanding what God wants us to do but also about how we live our lives in a way that reflects His kingdom. By seeking to understand these aspects of God's will, we can better align our actions and decisions with His divine plan, ensuring that our lives are a testament to His glory. [38:47]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take today to better align your daily decisions with God's will for your life?
Day 3: Serving as a Testament to God's Grace
Our salvation is intricately linked to our service. Ephesians 2:8-10 reminds us that we are saved by grace to serve by grace. We are God's handiwork, His masterpiece, created for good works prepared in advance for us. This means our lives are meant to be a testament to God's transformative power, showcasing His grace to the world. By living out our faith through service, we demonstrate the impact of God's grace in our lives and inspire others to seek His transformative power. [40:41]
"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: How can you actively serve others today in a way that reflects God's grace in your life?
Day 4: Pursuing Holiness with Intentional Effort
We naturally drift away from God, so pursuing His will requires intentional, grace-driven effort. We must resist the world's pull and choose God's path, making daily decisions to align with His purpose. This pursuit of holiness is not passive but requires a conscious effort to resist the natural drift away from godliness. By committing to this grace-driven effort, we can grow closer to God and live lives that reflect His holiness. [47:39]
"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:13, ESV)
Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to resist the drift away from godliness and pursue holiness?
Day 5: Discovering and Engaging in Your Unique Calling
God equips us with spiritual gifts, abilities, and passions to fulfill His will. Our past experiences, even the difficult ones, can be used to minister to others. Discovering and engaging in our unique calling is essential for living out God's plan. Each of us has a unique role in the body of Christ, and it's our responsibility to discover and engage in that calling. By understanding and utilizing our gifts, we can effectively contribute to God's kingdom and make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. [56:16]
"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching." (Romans 12:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take today to discover and engage in your unique calling within the body of Christ?
Quotes
"To be made for more means that God has created you uniquely for his purposes. That means your life has divine meaning. It has purpose. It has value. And not one of us is here by accident. And all of us have been fearfully and wonderfully made for something greater than ourselves. And that is the will of God." [00:37:40] (22 seconds)
"For it is by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of yourself. It is the gift of God, not by work, so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork. Some translations say workmanship. We are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do. This passage reminds us that our salvation and our missional purpose, the reason that God has called us to live, is tied together in grace." [00:40:41] (30 seconds)
"It emphatically means that on the day that you put your faith in him and you trusted Christ your Savior, God put forth his powerful and created effort to make you a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5 .17 says, If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. Brand new. The old is gone. Behold, all things become new. And in this passage, what we learn is that once we're made a new creation, he calls us to become this masterpiece, this piece of art that's put on display for everyone to see because your life is intended to point people to Jesus." [00:41:57] (40 seconds)
"Everyone saw the transformation in Joe's life. Well, one day, the the director of the mission was given an evangelistic message. And this guy hears it. And he comes running to the altar. And he lays in the altar. And he's literally screaming and wailing and crying at the same time. Lord, forgive me. Make me like Joe. Lord, forgive me. Make me like Joe. To which the director was kind of confused. He knelt down. He goes, don't you mean make me like Jesus? And he says, is he anything like Joe? Why? Because Joe was saved by grace. And he served God by grace." [00:43:49] (40 seconds)
"I believe what this means is that God created us to be contributors, not consumers, givers, not takers. I think that we were created with the purpose of making a difference. It doesn't matter how long you live, but how you live. It's not the duration of your life that matters. It's the donation of your life that matters. But the problem is too many of us are living without a sense of God's purpose because we've learned to live independently." [00:45:29] (26 seconds)
"And to me it fit right into what we're talking about today because in order to plug into God's will and discover God's will and live God's will, it requires a daily minute by minute decision to say, God, I want your will. Not mine. It's my will. We talked about this last week. We come to this fork in the road many, many times a day that we can do what we want to do or what someone else wants to do or we can do what God wants us to do. And every time we hit that crossroad, it determines whether or not we're going to participate in God's will or just live in his permissive will." [00:46:34] (33 seconds)
"People don't drift toward holiness. Apart from grace-driven effort, people don't gravitate toward godliness, prayer, obedience to scripture, faith, and delight in the Lord. We drift toward compromise, and we call it tolerance. We drift toward disobedience and call it freedom. We drift toward superstition and call it faith. We cherish the indiscipline of lost self-control and call it relaxation. We slouch towards prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking that we have escaped legalism. We slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves that we have been liberated. That's powerful." [00:47:39] (43 seconds)
"It requires effort to move upstream against the flow, against the current. Spiritually speaking, as it relates to God's will in our life, nothing is required to drift downstream toward the world. But great grace-given effort is required if we're going to move upstream towards God and his word and his will. It requires your effort. It requires your surrender. What that means, it means day by day, minute by minute, we have to decide if we truly want to experience and live in God's will, or if we're just content going with the flow." [00:49:18] (43 seconds)
"But here's what you want. You can't miss this. Make no mistake. From the very beginning, God said, those who put their faith in me, I have a plan for them, and that is I want to use their life to be put on display for others to see and experience God. So, you were saved for God's service. You were determined to make a difference. And then finally, you were gifted by God's grace. Now, in the next two weeks, I'm going to go into much greater detail about this. So today, I just want to kind of overview." [00:50:38] (35 seconds)
"How God has wired you and what he's allowed to occur in your life define and guide your calling, not just the good things, but even some difficult things. There was a woman that used to be a member of our church. She's, since moved on, but when she was very young, she had an abortion. Once she repented and got right with God, and she realized what it was, she spent the rest of her life running a ministry that ministered to women who found themselves in a very similar situation, trying to help them to rescue those children and to rescue those families." [00:56:16] (43 seconds)
"Because every one of you, including myself, if you have come to know Christ as your savior, he has a calling on your life to serve him. And your job is to find it, plug into it, and then allow God to work in and through you in an amazing way, immeasurably more than you can ever ask or imagine. And with that said, let me just say this. You can say, God, I want to know it and I want to start doing it. Or you can say, you know what, God, let's let someone else do it." [00:57:05] (40 seconds)
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