Job Search

January 22, 2017

Stetson Memorial UMC

Sermon Series:

 “Becoming You…”

“Called”

Adapted from Marcia McPhee’

“Who Are You?” Sermon Series

Psalm 27:1,4-8 NIV

Isaiah 6:8 TLB

Matthew 4:18-22 TLB

1 Cor. 1:1-2 NIV Bible

“Job Search…”

Prayer that God’s Word is heard through me or in-spite of me…

Please stand for the reading of the Gospel St. Matthew, chapter 4, verses 18-22. Listen to the Word of God, His Love Letter to His beloved, you and I…

Matthew 4:18-22Living Bible (TLB)

18 One day as he (Jesus) was walking along the beach beside the Lake of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—out in a boat fishing with a net, for they were commercial fishermen.

19 Jesus called out, “Come along with me and I will show you how to fish for the souls of men!” 20 And they left their nets at once and went with him.

21 A little farther up the beach he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, mending their nets; and he called to them to come too. 22 At once they stopped their work and, leaving their father behind, went with him.

When we begin a conversation with someone we don’t know, it usually begins as this:

“Hi, I’m Ruth. I don’t think I have met you before”

“Good to meet you, I’m John”

“Good to meet you too John. What do you do?”

“I’m a…”

It seems in our culture we really are what we do. But our vocation doesn’t define who we are…it’s not equivalent to who we are. For instance, how would you introduce yourself in relationship to the church? What are you in relationship to God and his call He has fashioned just for you…one on one else can fill? Who are you within God’s grand design for the world?

God’s promises and truths, can be very hard to understand if we don’t realize who we are in Christ Jesus. Who are we really…how does God equip us…what are we supposed to do…? We have begun to look at who we are in Christ…we have begun a deep journey into these questions and more. I truly believe that we all want to become the “you” God wants us to be. Let’s see what transformation happens as we become who God says we are and not who the world thinks we are. 

On our journey, we have discovered one fact…you and I are God’s beloved. You and I are cherished, favored, and loved by God. Even in this world of rejection and exclusiveness, there is One who never reject us…flaws and all…no matter how far we may fall. We have gone to the river with Jesus and remembered our baptism and the promise found there. How are you and I doing living the life of abundance of grace and acceptance?

We talked about the different names that we go by, how we are identified.

We are the beloved of God…if we choose to accept and believe… We also are honored by bearing Jesus Christ’s name when we call ourselves “Christ”ians…what a thought that is… But as I asked before, “who are you…who am I” in the grand scheme of things within God’s plan? Do we really want to know what it is or would we rather not have to step out of the boat onto the waves of darkness and despair around us outside our sanctuary’s door…?

Did you know that 80% of the ministry of the church is done by 205 of its people? The reason may be that many of that 80% don’t realize who they are as disciples of Jesus Christ. They don’t know what they are called to do. They know their “vocation” but do not know their “ministry” in Christ Jesus.

How many of you have seen this scenario before?

1.  Someone discovers a spiritual gifts inventory and everyone gets excited.

2.  People take the gifts test and discover their gifts from God.

3.  There is great excitement and celebration.

4.  No one translates it to them in real-world applications.

5.  Nothing happens.

6.  Time passes and the gifts inventory is a memory…a thing of the past.

7.  Repeat step 1…

Just knowing your gifts doesn’t help you discover who you are. It largely doesn’t answer “what do I do?” Don’t get me wrong…it is a valuable tool…but it needs to be followed through of sorts…it needs to be explained in a way that helps the person put it into context of their life.

Who Are You? God has called you and I not just by name but for a purpose. When we find, and claim our own vocation…find, claim and walk in our purpose…it fulfills us and makes a difference in the world around us…we are freed from the bonds of what others expect of us or claims “for” us. It will no longer matter what others think or say because you are on target with the calling you have in your life…and when you find it…beloved don’t let anyone else talk you out of it…don’t let anyone tell you that you are wrong…don’t let anyone else make you question if you heard God right…don’t let them steal your joy…you are in the will of God and He is ever so proud of His beloved child…

In the Matthew I read this morning, Jesus called these fishermen into a new vocation. Instead of fishing for fish He called them to fish for men…to learn from Him so that they would be able to continue Jesus’ ministry…yet, at this point, they didn’t realize just what they are being called to do… When they heard what, their purpose was…when it was explained to them in simple form…I will make you fishers of men…they immediately followed. It is hard sometimes to immediately follow…you have had a life and now you are being asked to change it…share one of my hard times…

Within that call…there also may be other callings…dual call…or many sub-calls so to speak… But the main focus is this…God calls us… Discipleship comes in many forms…some of them are pretty surprising. WE are called in many ways…let me share a few from scripture with you…

A Holy People

1 Corinthians 1:1-2New International Version (NIV)

1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,

2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:

Called by God

Joshua 1:9

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Called of Jesus Christ to separation, obedience and ministry

Jude 1-2

"To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you."

1 Corinthians 1:1-2

"Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God...  to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord...."

Called to walk a narrow way with Him and obey Him

Matthew 7:13-15

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." 

Called to see Jesus as the source of our wisdom and power

1 Corinthians 1:23-24

"...we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."

But few respond to His call with true faith

Matthew 20:12, 22:14

"... many are called, but few chosen.”

 Luke 8:11-15

“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience."

Only by His grace can anyone win the prize

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.”

This is only a few…I challenge you to look in God’s word and find the many ways we are called by God and when we are called we are equipped by Him. It is not of our own power but in the power and calling of the Spirit and against that no one can fight against. God has a plan and a purpose for everyone and everything that is created. We need to encourage others and not bring them down. We need to step out in faith…into the calling God has placed on our lives…no matter what season we are in…and yes…God even call’s us in our “twilight” season of life.

Who are you? Where has your “Job Search” …your seeking God’s purpose for your life brought you? To a Red Sea event, desert experience or are you following the Master builder of your life? Are you going by the worlds standards of what is important or are you working on Kingdom time, in the Kingdom place you were created for? Are you will to become the you that God wants you to be? Are you ready to walk in your calling from God? Growing is hard but there is great reward in the kingdom as we become us…become you…become me…become the church…become … Perhaps as we release ourselves from the bondage of recognition of the world and lived for the approval of God, maybe…just maybe there would be more saving and more doing in and for the Kingdom of God…what do you think?

Amen