Sermon Tone Analysis

ATTENTION

During the 2007-2008 NFL regular season, New England Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady set the record for most touchdown passes in a regular season, paving the way for his winning the MVP award.

At the age of 30, he has already won three Super Bowls—an accomplishment that sets him apart as one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game.

In 2005, Tom Brady was interviewed by 60 Minutes journalist Steve Kroft.

Despite the fame and career accomplishments he had achieved already, Brady told Kroft that it felt like something was still lacking in his life:

Why do I have three Super Bowl rings and still think there's something greater out there for me?

I mean, maybe a lot of people would say, 'Hey man, this is what [it's all about].'

I reached my goal, my dream, my life.

Me?

I think, 'It's got to be more than this.'

I mean this isn't—this can't be—all it's cracked up to be."

Kroft pressed Brady as to what the right answer was, and Brady added:

What's the answer?

I wish I knew… I love playing football, and I love being quarterback for this team.

But at the same time, I think there are a lot of other parts about me that I'm trying to find.

Do you ever feel that way?

Yes, I do know who I’m talking to this morning.

I know that most of you would claim to be born again.

I know that many of you would say, and really believe that you are attempting at least to obey God’s will for your life.

But I would also say that there are many of us that haven’t found that holy “sweet spot” yet.

We either don’t know the will of God for our lives or we do know it, and we’re even living it, but we’re not very satisfied with it.

We look at our lives and maybe even our calling and say, “Is this it? . . .

I mean this isn’t—this can’t be—all its cracked up to be!”

You see, its one thing to do the will of God and its quite another to like it.

It’s one thing to answer the call of God on your life and quite another to be contented with it.

So let me ask you, this morning: Are you content with where God has you?

Are you content with His calling on your life?

NEED

If you are discontent, this morning, I can tell you some actions you’re probably taking.

People reveal their discontent by choosing relief over responsibility.

They grow unhappy with the place God calls them to serve, so they bail out on the nursery; they run from the youth ministry; or they drop out of the Choir.

Instead of really dealing with the issue and overcoming their contentment challenge, they just walk away.

They choose relief over responsibility.

Others pursue change without strategy.

They look at their lives and judge themselves to have a need in this area or that area.

For instance, a woman looks at her marriage to her husband and aches for the emotional intimacy that ought to be in a marriage, and, instead of waiting on God, pursues a divorce never realizing that her presence in the middle of that cold marriage may have been part of God’s plan for her life at that very minute.

You see, in her pain she pursues a plan without a strategy, or at least without a godly strategy

You may find yourself right there this morning.

You know that many of the actions that you are taking really aren’t coming from the right place.

You know you are reacting to life.

You might be bitter over some hurt and its putting a wedge between you and others; You might be trying to escape some unbearable pain in your life through drugs or alcohol; You might be running from a job that, through boredom, or difficulty is an absolute misery to you.

If that’s true here’s what you need to see this morning.

When it comes to the calling of God in your life, you can be content right where you are!

You say, “Sounds real good, Rusty, but you got some selling to do if you want me to buy it.”

Ok.

Let me give you some principles that can bring contentment into your life.

BACKGROUND:

Paul, writing to the Corinthians about various questions they had about the Christian life deals with some very crucial issues.

In the middle of his discussion, we find this paragraph we look at today.

It’s found in 1 Cor.

7 beginning in v 17

But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk.

And so I ordain in all the churches.

18 Was anyone called while circumcised?

Let him not become uncircumcised.

Was anyone called while uncircumcised?

Let him not be circumcised.

19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.

20 Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called.

21 Were you called while a slave?

Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it.

22 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman.

Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave.

23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.

24 Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.

Here we can find three principles that govern your contentment with God’s calling on your life.

In the first place, you can be content with God’s call when you make

DIV 1: PURPOSE PARAMOUNT

EXPLANATION

In chapter 7 of 1 Cor., Paul tells this divided church that they must not try to escape from the circumstances in which they find themselves.

He says, “Hey, if you got saved when you were married, stay married; if you came to Christ as a circumcised Jew, stay a circumcised Jew; if you came to Christ even as a slave, don’t be so caught up in gaining your freedom that you let that rule your life.

No matter what your circumstances, understand this: God’s purpose for you overrides the circumstances you find yourself in.

You can serve God right where you are!”

One commentator writes:

What do uncircumcision and circumcision, slavery and freedom, have to do with marriage, divorce, and celibacy?

They illustrate the divine principle that no earthly status, such as one’s racial heritage or social standing, is incompatible with the Christian’s calling by God (Dawes 1990: 697).

Those who were circumcised when God called them do not advance their spiritual condition by undergoing an operation to restore their foreskin, nor do those who were uncircumcised when God called them enhance their standing with God by undergoing circumcision.

Slaves are no less accepted by God than are free persons.

Both belong to Christ, and their social status has no spiritual significance.

Whether a Christian is circumcised or uncircumcised, slave or free, married or single is inconsequential to God.

One condition is not bad and the other good, nor is one condition less good and the other better.

No condition presents an obstacle to living the Christian life, since a Christian is now defined by God’s call (1:9) and nothing else.

God’s purpose overrides your circumstances.

Your lot in life can’t stop Him from using you and being used by God is more important than having your circumstances altered.

But something is implied in this passage that goes even further.

You see, not only does God’s purpose override my circumstances, His purpose actually involves my circumstances.

That’s right!

God doesn’t save us and call us then realize that we’re single, or divorced, or in poor health, or without wealth.

No, God calls us in the middle of our circumstances so that He can use our circumstances for His glory.

If you are a believer, He saved you right where you are and He wants to use you right where you are.

If you’re a teacher, He wants to use that; if you’re a janitor, He wants to use that; if you sell cars, He wants to use that; if you’re a doctor, He wants to use that; even if you’re a lawyer, He wants to use that.

God’s purpose involves your circumstances, SO . . .

if you are discontented because of your circumstances, you can learn to be content when you realize that the very circumstances you find yourself in are a part of God’s call on your life and His purpose for you!

ARGUMENT

“Now just a minute, preacher,” you might be saying.

How can God possibly use my circumstances?

The circumstances of my life are just too painful.

I have been hurt so badly I could never heal, or forgive.

You don’t know the pain I’ve been through.

How could this pain possibly be a part of God’s call on my life?