we are called by god- sent out

We Are Called by God: 

We Are Called by God

We Are Called by God: 

We Are Called by God What Does It Mean to Be Called? Our Work—Our Call Our Work—Our Service to God God’s Passion through Our Work What does this mean for us? Living God’s Call Moving from “Call” to response

Meaning of Call?: 

Meaning of Call? What common word means “to be called” Who are we? Workers who happen to be Christians? Or Christians disguised as workers? God calls : our offices  Kingdom outposts! Our “vocations”  harvest vehicles  expanding His Kingdom We make every activity strategic for Kingdom “Who does our work serve?” Self or God?

Our Work Our Call: 

Work Matters to God Work is the music that carries the lyrics of our witness beyond the mind of the unregenerate so that it touches their hearts 1 Corinthians 3:3 “You are the letter of Christ … written … on tablets of human hearts .” 2 Corinthians. 5:20 “ We are Christ’s ambassadors .” Our work will be evaluated by Heaven Perspective on Accountability Our Work Our Call

Work Matters to God: 

Work Matters to God Work is part of being created in God’s image God created and is sustaining the universe God gave humans the capacity to work creatively God gives skill, ability and knowledge for the work He calls us to do Work provides the opportunity To reflect His integrity, love and compassion, His competence and excellence Work gives specificity to the “good news,” the Gospel in overalls!

ISSUE: Stewardship of Gifts: 

ISSUE: Stewardship of Gifts 1 Corinthians 3:13-14 the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done . 14 If what has been built on the foundation survives, the builder will receive a reward. Who is our Foundation? Is it Jesus Christ? What materials have we used? gold, silver, precious stones or wood, hay, stubble? While the results of our work do not affect our eternal salvation they have eternal consequences

Our Work—Our Worship: 

Our Work—Our Worship Love takes us to a clearer understanding of God’s call and claim upon our lives Our homes, work places and offices become strategic ministries—outposts of the Kingdom Our professions are our harvest vehicles Where we celebrate God’s love, mercy and goodness

Celebrate!: 

Celebrate! 1 Timothy 1:12-14 Christ Jesus our Lord, … judged me faithful and appointed me to his service 1 John 3:1 See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 God … [ entrusted ] the message of reconciliation to us; we are ambassadors for Christ

He Called Us!: 

He Called Us! Philippians 2:13 God … is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure Matthew 28:18-20 All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. … 19 Therefore go and make disciples … I am with you always, to the end of the age

We Work for God! : 

We Work for God! Faith frees us from survival mode or cultural pressures Fellow workers, patients, students, etc. Not problems but hurting children of God They need to know Him This changes our ideas of success No longer competitive “Success is sharing the Gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God”

God’s Passion Redemption: 

God’s Passion  Redemption He created beings He loved, He talked with them “face to face.” The Fall blocked God’s original plan Christ’s Mission: restore fellowship God will yet live among us; we will see Him face to face God calls us, His people, to make this our “vocation”

What Does This Mean for Us?: 

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people… that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light We have a new identity God invites us from darkness into His marvelous light and gives us His new identity We have become a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a Holy nation, a people for God's own possession We have a new vocation, a new “calling”: What Does This Mean for Us?

Our “Call” Our New Vocation: 

Why did God call us out of darkness? To proclaim His excellencies—to make God look good! Our new identity gives us our new “calling” It includes all our activities in the home and at work We make strategic choices based on God’s passion, not our wants or needs Not picking and choosing; not prioritizing. We reach beyond trying to meet our spiritual and religious needs Our “Call”  Our New Vocation

Isaiah’s Call: 

Isaiah’s Call Isaiah 6:8 “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘ Whom shall I send ? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘ Here am I. Send me !’ ” Isaiah overheard God saying, "Who will go for us?" We hear “the voice of the Lord” asking “Who will go for us?” We respond, “send me.” God’s call comes from His love for all of His children What will be the testimony of our lives?

God’s Call : 

God’s Call God never promised to craft His calls to accommodate our temperaments and personal agendas God calls “Who will go? Who will join Me as I expand My Kingdom?” Responding to His call we discover, not what we can do, but what He can do! We join God in response to His love, not to gain His acceptance!

Consider Paul: 

Consider Paul Acts 20:24 If only I may … complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—… testifying to the gospel 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race God calls us To proclaim the gospel of God’s grace everywhere We chose to be obedient to the vision from heaven We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us. 2 Cor. 5:20

Moving from Angst to Ability: 

Moving from Angst to Ability Why am I with this person? Professionally, home or neighbor, casually What is he/she concerned about? What fear? What does Christianity say about this concern or fear? With what question can I open the conversation? Where would I like the conversation to go?

Questions and Openings: 

Questions and Openings Why with Professional Home-neighbor Casual Concerns-fears What offer Opening query Follow-up