Called

dropped below 50% - church attendance

Systematic theology

Re-member the church

John 7:37–39 ESV

37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Acts 2:37–39 ESV

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

Don’t take the Lord’s name in vain...

Other calls you might receive or have followed...

Protect your country - George W. Bush -

There’s no bigger task than protecting the homeland of your country. - George W. Bush

The environment is no one’s property to destroy; it’s everyone’s responsibility to protect. - Mohith Agadi

Away, away from men and towns, to the wild woods and the downs, - to the silent wilderness, where the soul need not repress its music. - Percy Bysshe Shelley

Be free

Called to be Christ’s inheritance. So praise

Romans 8:28–29 ESV

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

1 Peter 2:9–10 ESV

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

You have no legacy besides what you make of yourself. vs.

We aren’t living out our own legacy solely. We are headed to heaven to show off Christ’s victory.

“I have to create a legacy” vs. “I get to proclaim what Christ has done”

I know I am resting in praising Jesus when...

Enjoying communion with Jesus even in the midst of disappointments and storms.

Experiencing a lack of anxiety in my body

Not doing for others what they can and should do for themselves

Less and less triggered when things go awry

Enjoying a deep sense of knowing I have nothing to gain and nothing to lose - I want only God’s will.

Experiencing deep contentment in caring for the people God has entrusted to me

Receiving God’s gift of limits rather than fighting, ignoring or denying them.

Discerning and embracing the season in which God has placed me

Called to reflect Christ’s victory. So be holy

Ephesians 4:1–6 ESV

1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Express yourself -

Conformity is the enemy of freedom and the jail of growth. - JFK

Be repentant and set apart - Living in the tension of unity and accountability

Different cultures have different strengths

Unity does not mean uniformity. Accountability to God does not mean self-righteousness.

You reap what you sow. You reap more than you sow. You reap in a different season than you sow.

Called to share Christ’s life. So suffer

2 Timothy 1:8–10 ESV

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

1 Peter 4:1–5 ESV

1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

Do hard things?

When you live not for this life but for the one to come, people won’t understand and will malign you.

What is your purpose in life?

Pray