Message Notes for June 23, 2024

Series: Gains and Losses

Title: God’s Calling

You don’t have to be somewhere else or someone else to matter and make a difference for Jesus. 

1 Corinthians 7: 17-24 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. 18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. 19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. 20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. 21 Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

Summary:

Serving God right where you are is your high calling.

Fellowship with Jesus is your divine calling and purpose.

1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

God’s providence is real.

Corinthians 7:17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. 

No matter where or what, secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.

1 Corinthians 7:35 I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.

Family/Group Study Notes for the week of June 23, 2024

Series: Gains and Losses

Title: God’s Calling

* In the place you are right now, what opportunities do you see for serving Jesus? How are you currently living those out? How do you feel limited in serving Jesus in your current position in life? Why? If your circumstances change – what would change in your serving? In what you hope would change, are you already serving in that capacity now?

* Read Luke 16: 10-13. What is Jesus saying in this passage? What does He want you to know? What is the challenge? How does this truth apply to our serving Jesus where we are?

* Read 1 Corinthians 7:17-24. How many times does Paul use the word “calling”? What does it mean to be called by God? What does Paul want the Christians in Corinth to understand about their calling and circumstances? What does Paul say is most important? How can fellowship with Christ and obedience to His way make any situation we are in be a place of calling, purpose and value? How has this played out in your life?

* Have you made any decisions to change or stay in a location or career because of your desire to serve Jesus? What did that look like? What impact did Jesus make through you? How have you made changes in your location or career for opportunistic reasons and felt you left a fruitful impact Jesus was making in your previous location or career? Explain!

* Pray for each other in your careers and callings. Pray for God to use you radically for others to know Him. Pray that your passion to fellowship and love Jesus more will grow.