Called to It

Welcome

Thank you for worshipping with us today. We are so glad you are here. My name is Keith and my wife, Maegan, and I have the incredible privilege of serving as the pastors of this amazing church.

I want to personally thank you for joining us today, we are so glad that you are with us. Please consider sharing this message if it encourages you and joining us if you are ever in the Orlando area.

Series Recap

Ephesians 4:1 NLT

1 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.

Last week we kicked off our series, Called. Our big idea is what we are called to do flows from who we are called to be. We are looking at the life of Paul and exploring principles that translate to our lives.

Scripture(s)

Acts 9:1–6 NLT

1 Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest. 2 He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains. 3 As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” 5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Saul goes to Straight Street and prays, fasts, & waits. Ananias is told by Jesus to go where Saul is and pray for him. Notice, Saul was called but it required community in order for it to be activated.

Acts 9:13–16 NLT

13 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! 14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.” 15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

Ananias prays for Paul, he regains his sight, is filled with the Holy Spirit and baptized. This was the beginning of an illustrious ministry career.

Fast forwarding about 30 years...

2 Timothy 4:6–8 NLT

6 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

Prayer

Paul was called and had an assignment to take the name of Jesus to Gentiles, kings, and Jews. Today I want to talk to us for a few minutes about focus and perseverance. I have entitled today’s thought, Called to It.

Lord, we thank you that we are called to live lives that bring you glory and honor. We ask that you speak to us today. Give us open eyes, open ears, and open hearts. In the name of Jesus. Amen!

Illustration

Calling is a confounding thing. We don’t want to miss it. We are afraid if we made a mistake what the consequence be. Maegan and I started watching a show about survivors of an airplane incident. Upon their return, they began to have these inner premonitions…callings. Each episode is filled with people trying to figure out what to do with their calling?

Transition

Maegan and I felt called to Orlando over 20 years ago. It took a long time to get here. The journey was filled with twists and turns but we made it. Over the year of living my life and walking alongside so many others, Calling isn't just about the destination, it is also the journey.

Observations

Paul had a calling. Paul was destined. However, it was a journey. The journey actually was apart of the calling.

How to Recognize Your Calling?

Paul was a man of conviction and passion. We see this in his drive to ensure the truth prevails. That was his motivation in persecution of the church. Calling is often connected to our passion and/or burden. When we see problems and opportunities and we lose sleep on how to resolve them, that could be an indication of calling.

Innovation is the bridge between outcomes and resources.

Calling is the bridge between gifts, talents, passion and opportunity.

Calling is when you discover the problem that you are the solution to.

When you have a pressing to be the bridge, that is an indication of calling.

Paul had a burden for truth but it was misguided. Jesus interrupts and redirects his giftings, passions in a manner to glorify him. In Paul’s case, in my case, it wasn’t a total rebirth, it was redirection to Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Understanding Assignments and Seasons

Paul’s ministry took him to Ephesus, Alta, Phillipi, Corinth, Galaticia, Macedonia, Antioch, the list literally goes on. Each place Paul went, substantial ministry was done. People were reached, churches were planted. However for many of these destinations, they weren’t on Paul’s itinerary. Paul knew he was called to go to Rome and somehow these other locations aided in that. Paul understood the significance of assignments. Paul knew his calling isn’t just the destination, it is also the journey.

My calling may not be the assignment but the assignment is a part of my calling. (Tent Maker)

My assignment does not define me, it develops me. (De’Nira had a math assignment to calculate Quarterback Percentages. Seemed pointless but it was developing the skills she needed for the next level)

To fully walk in my calling, I have to steward my assignments. (Karate Kid - paint the fence, wax the car)

The size of your assignment does not determine the significance of your impact

Zechariah 4:10 NLT

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” (The seven lamps* represent the eyes of the Lord that search all around the world.)

Don’t let your ambition outpace your assignment.

We often move around for promotion but God favors the planted.

That said, being planted means knowing the best soil and timing. (Read Eccl 3) The Pharisees were planted in their ideology and missed Jesus. The Israelites had it easy from the standpoint that it was clear when God was leading them elsewhere. The cloud would life. What does the shifting cloud look like for us?

Open doors that allows you to enter rooms that God has designed and developed you to contribute to.

Answered prayers.

Peace even when there is the unknown.

Discomfort due to outgrowing your current placement. This isn’t emotional, it’s obedience. The biggest enemy of calling is comfort. Don’t sacrifice calling on the altar of comfort.

Discernment is understanding if it is The Spirit of God leading you or if it is your flesh driving you.

QUALITIES OF CALLING

Calling Costs and it’s Expensive. Paul was a man of influence. Commissioned by the High Priest to arrest Christ followers. He was a prodigy. Then, Christ calls him. Sets him apart. Put him on a different path. This path required him to let go of his status and influence.

Calling is expensive. When Maegan and I took a pay cut to follow our assignment into full time ministry, it was expensive. We downsized. We scaled back. It was uncomfortable but no one would ever know. Private pain often equals public calling.

God will use our discomfort to propel our calling. Paul’s previous friends now tried to kill him. Calling costs. But it is worth it. When you count the cost and are willing to pay it, you are called to it!

Calling Sustains. How did Paul endure? How did he not quit? When you are called to it, you can endure it. When it comes to MAJOR decisions, I do my best to ensure others are seeing it as well. I need allies, not opponents.

He was brutally persecuted

Tortured

Prison—

Whipped—5X (39 lash)

Drown—Stoned, Snake bitten—

Beaten and left for dead.

He was abandoned, betrayed, falsely accuse, wrongly imprisoned. How did he persevere when so many fell away? Paul didn’t survive because he was strong, He finished because he was called. He didn’t finish because he was competent, He finished because he was called.

Philippians 3:13–14 NLT

13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Ministry is Hard

This has been the hardest of ministry. Covid, racial and political tension, losing friends and family. People you thought you would grow old with walked away. There have been nights when I asked myself, why am I doing this? Why do I keep going?

Then the other side, the called side spoke up and said, “because you are called to it”. It is challenging but I am called to it. I am exhausted but I am called to it.

2 Corinthians 4:8–9 NLT

8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.

I am called to it. You are called to it. If God calls you to it, He will lead you through it.

Points

Paul was at the end of his life. He shares his wisdom of 30 years of serving Jesus with Timothy. I think it is safe to say, that someone’s parting words have significant weight.

Fight the Good Fight

When you are called to it, you will have to fight for it.

Paul had to fight for what God showed him and so do we. (Marriage, family, work)

Put on the whole armor of God

Finish Your Race

Stay in your lane. Don’t allow what another persons calling looks like make you despise yours.

Resist the temptation to run in someone else’s lane.

Paul didn’t try to be Peter, he could only be himself. It is ok to be inspired by others but we should not imitate them. It costs us energy and peace when I try to run another persons race.

Keep the Faith

Calling requires faith because sometimes your eyes and feelings won’t cooperate with your assignment.

Imagine if Paul quit when his circumstance didn’t make the promise.

Faith compels us to look beyond what we are seeing.

Closing

Seasons and Assignments

Over 20 years ago, Maegan and I was called to ministry. We knew it, but didn’t know what it would look like. We served with all of our hearts with no entitlement or expectations. We moved to Jacksonville. I worked at the school district and Maegan in the medical field. She went back to school…all while still having this calling. We start working at the church; me groups, her in resources. All while having this calling.

Calling isn’t about the destination, it is the journey.

When you are faithful with what God puts in your hands, you will be given the desires of your heart. USE WHAT IS IN YOUR HANDS.

If you want to see what God has shown you, show God you can be faithful with what He has given you.

The size of your assignment never determines the significance of your impact.

Response

You are called to make a difference. You are called to have impact. You are called to the family of God. What is your response?

Salvation?

Groups/Community?

Prayer