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Message Notes
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. – Romans 8:28, NLT
After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. – Romans 8:30, MSG
I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called – his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. – Ephesians 1:18, NLT
My calling:
1. Is a gift.
God, by his grace through Christ, called you to become his people. – Galatians 1:6a, NCV
2. Is for God’s purpose.
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. – Ephesians 2:10, NLT
3. Doesn’t change because of sin.
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who gave me strength, because he trusted me and gave me this work of serving him. In the past I spoke against Christ and persecuted him and did all kinds of things to hurt him. But God showed me mercy, because I did not know what I was doing. – 1 Timothy 1:12-13, NCV
4. Is connected to others.
For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. – Ephesians 4:4, NLT
5. Is empowered by God.
I, a prisoner in the Lord, encourage you to live the kind of life which proves that God has called you. – Ephesians 4:1, GW
6. Is rewarded.
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:14, NIV
Study Guide:
The Bible is filled with the stories of God calling people, how they answered, and what God’s purpose was for them. We all have a calling, a purpose that God has for our lives. Your calling is not your job, which is temporary. Your calling is a permanent purpose that God gave you even before you were born. It is connected to others in the body of Christ. It is not something done by your own power, but through the skills, resources, and power that God gives you. Your calling will always glorify God. As we begin this series, we first discuss the truth that God has a calling for every person.
1. Read Jeremiah 1:5. How does knowing God has holy plans for you help you discard your own plans and turn your life over to Him?
2. You are deeply loved, so much so that God cared about you even before you were born. Going forward, how will you live life differently knowing God created you for a unique mission, one that only you can accomplish?
3. Paul persecuted the church – yet God chose him to become a champion of the faith, even to the point of writing most of the New Testament. How does the story of Paul challenge you to answer God’s call to service? Knowing that God never wastes what happens in our lives, what excites you most about God’s call in your life?
4. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:24. What difficult task are you facing in your life that seems impossible? How does knowing God will empower you to complete this task change your perspective on it? Share how a past challenge has nurtured you and developed your faith.
5. Read 1 Thessalonians 2:12. Where are you using your influence for the glory of God?
6. Your calling is connected to others. It cannot be fulfilled alone. How can you be more involved with your church family?
What areas of your life do you see as a hindrance to accomplishing your purpose? Pray 2 Thessalonians 1:11 over these areas, asking God to empower you to overcome them. Then step out in faith and let God work through you.
Memory Verse: For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. – Ephesians 2:10, NLT
