Changing Your Calling

2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Series - Change; Did God cause COVID19? 2 wrong answers: 1) Yes, 2) No.

Yes? It’s wrong to say that God is striking us down with a virus from above! No? It’s wrong to say that God is there to comfort us, save us? God didn’t cause it, but he’s active through it.

We are forced to change - Hatchers, tomato plants, hoarding?

not forced in a coercive sense - our desires have been redirected to see healthier options, prioritize our time; garden, conversations;

Change? I hope we will be a different church when we return

Grab: God wants to not just change, but reverse your situations; God is not calling you to be stuck!!!

Summary: you are not called to be stuck in: 1) grief; 2) boredom; 3) cloudy

How do we get unstuck? The quick answer is in the Pentecost story:; the fill in the blank answer is the Holy Spirit;

not easy: no bulletin points; but the HS is the answer: Jesus compared to wind; (John 3)

depressed at home, to encouraging others

binge watching Netflix while feasting on popcorn; to feasting on the Word

the world out of control - seeing God’s control

Jesus said the HS is like the wind: can’t see it, where it comes from, where it’s going, but we can see what the Holy Spirit does. If you see these reversals: Don’t take the credit for the work of the HS.

We see these reversals in Peter.

1. Do you want to be stuck in grief or find joy (in pain, blessing)

grief - it exists, stays with us, but we don’t have to be stuck, like walking in

Peter: Tragedy to Resurrection to Pentecost - Judas known for betrayal; Peter known for denial;

Luke 24:52–53 NIV

Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

Joy – different from happiness: You will go through tragedy and trouble, but enjoy God for who God is.

do you want to stuck in grief or do you want to find joy? Come, Holy Spirit Come.

2. Do you want to be stuck in boredom, or do you want unpredictable blessings discipleship (redundant)

Typical life of a fisherman - settled, $ stable;

Compare to today - middle class job - won’t get you the McMansion, but it will get you financial stability. Also predictable. Secure.

Coronavirus boredom / predictability;

Matthew 4:19–20 NIV

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

Change Follow Jesus - leave the job - leave the routine. leave the security

Acts 2:4 NIV

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

No one expected to speak other languages;

love our techs and musicians

Blessings: not answer to requests; not things that make us happy; apostles consider themselves blessed when persecuted; blessings come from enjoying God.

Do you want to be stuck in boredom, or do you want to experience unpredictable blessings? Come, Holy Spirit, Come.

3. Do you want to build up or tear down with our words? (stuck in habit?)

I AM NOT THE EXAMPLE HERE!!!

Acts 2:14 NIV

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.

Do you want to tear people down with your words, or speak words of life? Come, Holy Spirit come!

God wants to not just change, but reverse; God is not calling you to be stuck!!! How do we get unstuck from grief; boredom, tearing down? Come Holy Spirit

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love.

Not a bullet point, a prayer.

the difference: Come, Holy Spirit, Come.

Can only be so practical with wind. With the Holy Spirit, It comes to you, be aware of it, ask