CHASE YOUR CALLING
Capture the Wonder #7
Pastor Dennis Clanton
Woodland Church
Sunday, June 4, 2023
(Ephesians 1:5, NLT) “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.”
1. GOD CALLS ME TO SHARE HIS LOVE.
(Romans 10:13–15, NLT) “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
2. GOD CALLS ME TO BE A PEACEMAKER.
(2 Corinthians 5:18, CEV) “He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others.”
(John 20:21, NLT) “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.”
3. GOD EMPOWERS ME TO CHASE HIS CALLING.
“You’re going to meet an old man someday down the road – ten, thirty, fifty years from now – waiting there for you…That old man will be you. He’ll be the composite of everything you do, say, and think—today and tomorrow…His heart will be turning out what you’ve been putting into it. Every little thought, every deed goes into this old man.”
“Every day in every way you are becoming more and more like yourself. Amazing but true. You’re beginning to look more like yourself, think more like yourself, and talk more like yourself. You’re becoming yourself more and more.” – Dr. Richard Halverson, Former Chaplain, United States Senate.
(John 15:16, NLT) “You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.”
(Matthew 28:18–20, NLT) “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations … be sure of this: I am with you always …”
(Acts 1:8, NLT) “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
GROWTHWORK
1. PRAY THAT PEOPLE WILL SAY YES TO GOD’S INVITATION.
(1 Timothy 2:1,3-4, NLT) “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. … This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.”
2. GIVE TO HELP OTHERS GO.
(3 John 8, NCV) “We should help such people; when we do, we share in their work for the truth.”
3. LISTEN TO WHAT GOD HAS TO SAY TO ME.
(Isaiah 6:8, NLT) “Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”
(Psalm 67:2, LB) “Send us around the world with the news of your saving power and your eternal plan for all mankind.”
4. GO WHERE I CAN NOW.
(Luke 8:39, LB) “Go back to your family,” he told him, “and tell them what a wonderful thing God has done for you.” So he went all through the city telling everyone about Jesus’ mighty miracle.”