Formed in Discernment: Calling
Notes
Transcript
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT
Ypsilanti Friend Church is launching their online campus this week! What is an online campus? It’s a virtual private Facebook community for those of us who want to join others in the adventure of life as God intends but not yet ready to go to a building or who are not part of a local church. It’s a place where friendships are made as we come together to support each other and learn to follow Jesus in everyday life.
What you can expect: We’ll begin with messages/teaching posted early each week. Our main gathering will take place on Thursday’s at 7 pm in the private FB page with hangouts happening throughout the week there also.
To join: email wendy@ypsifriends.org or if you’re watching our livestream, drop a note in the chat box that you’d like to be added to the group.
We hope to see you there!
Introduction: Calling
Introduction: Calling
What it’s been
For the religious - word not used often outside of religion
For the Special religious - pastors and missionaries
What it is today
Used more outside religious circles
Why am I here?
What can I contribute?
What’s my purpose
Primary Calling: Are You Ready to Follow?
Primary Calling: Are You Ready to Follow?
Jesus: To be in and with me
As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Leave It All Behind
Leave It All Behind
57-58 - SOMEONE
Extrovert, enthusiastic
Early adopter
What’s this new thing? I’m in!
I'm ready to follow you...anywhere you lead, I'm ready to go - I’m your new best friend!
Jesus: Ok, but know this: You will be leaving everything behind - house, stable income, etc.
The demands of the kingdom are more urgent.
Kingdom Participation First
Kingdom Participation First
59-60 - Let me bury my dad.
Dad wasn't dead yet. Saying he wanted to stay home until his father died.
Proper burial was most important for the Jews. To leave a father unburied was something scandalous to a Jew.
The duty of burial took precedence over any other religious responsibility including studying the law.
Oh, and what’s not said: I’ll have my inheritance to live off of while I’m with you.
JESUS
My kingdom doesn’t wait. So, leave the dead to bury their own dead. If it's a choice between the kingdom and something else, choose the kingdom.
And someone’s enthusiasm disappears.
Someone doesn’t quite get the picture of all this means
Everyone’s calling: Be a disciple of Jesus, growing, making other disciples by carrying him where I am on the mission field he has put around me.
All God's people are called to be missionaries - Mark 16:15; Jn 20:21; Acts 1:8
To recognize and get on board with whatever God is doing in the midst of everyday life.
Where is life being born and choose it.
This is what it means to participate in the kingdom of God
Once we have been given the vision of it, don’t look back, deny or delay our calling in it but move forward in it whether or not success is guaranteed.
60 - Because This calling is about life not death. Life is urgent. Announce God's Kingdom that is bringing life.
Like we see in Luke 9:1-6.
Secondary Calling
Secondary Calling
And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.
Called Together: Disciples
Called Together: Disciples
Sent
Sent
In 2’s to do 2 things
Share the Kingdom
Heal
Mission Specific Travel Instructions
Mission Specific Travel Instructions
Not universal - later told to take gear
Travel light
Setup a hub
Not Welcome? Move on
Discerning Calling
Discerning Calling
Ignatius of Loyola: discernment is finding God in all things in order that we might love and serve God in all.
What needs to die in me for God’s will to come from my life?
Get unstuck from old paradigms and systems (no such thing as stepping on toes).
SECONDARY
How You and I are uniquely gifted to do specific good works. Where in this world am I most fruitful and impactful and how?