Controlling the Narrative – Purpose, Calling, Work

In part three of Pastor Danny’s series about “Controlling the Narrative” he examines our purpose, our calling and how that relates to our work (or vocation).

Here are the notes for this message.  If you want there’s a PDF document that you can download for yourself too.

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Controlling the Narrative of our Purpose, Calling, and Work

 

Bible Text:

Romans 12:2-6 … that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.   3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them… 

 

The will of God for all of us is to surrender and embrace his call. But how that is walked out is individual. Each of us is to “discern what is the will of God”.

 

What motivates us to do what we do often stems from false narratives.

 

We need to control the narrative in the areas of purpose, calling, and work.

 

1. Deep Need For Purpose

• verse 3 “according to the measure of faith that God has assigned”

The big three answers to purpose:

 

• Eastern: impersonal nothingness, freedom is not freedom to be an individual but from individual

the purpose is an illusion – you need to detach from yourself

 

• Atheists, agnostics, naturalists: the purpose is up to us create and achieve

something you have to figure out on your own

 

• Biblical: an infinite personal God who created us in his image and calls us into a relationship with himself a personal God created us to be who we are and what we are to be

 

Created with and for purpose

We are fearfully and wonderfully made. We are created in Christ Jesus for good works. We are unique, autonomous, individually defined by our creator. We are originals. There has never been someone completely like you nor will there be another you. He has put so much detail in our design that even our fingerprints are unique. God shows up in creation and he is stooping over the dust and then breathes the life of breath into us and man becomes a living soul. We become self aware and we are infused with deep longing for purpose and meaning.

 

What times in your life have you felt the ache deep in your soul for your life to make a difference?

 

1. Dedication to Calling

We “do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us”

 

2 Timothy 1:9 “who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began”

 

There is no calling unless there is a caller. Answering the call of our creator is the ultimate “why” for living.

 

Calling costs you something

• Luke 14:34  “Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? 35 It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let – merchants would cut the salt and replace it with something else…the salt was deluded
• Jesus is using salt as analogy of one’s commitment being deluded
• One’s commitment to their calling can get water down or deluded. In different seasons we may be prompted to once again come to the cross the cross surrender to His call on our lives

 

What season of life are you in? Are you in a transitional season?

How might you surrender afresh to the call of God upon your life?

 

• Duty to Work

 

“Let us use them” is followed by the list of the seven “motivational gifts.

 

If there is not a caller there is no call…only work

 

One’s choice of job or career needs to spring from a sense of calling.

 

Fallen world frustrations impact all of us in the area of our work

– Genesis 3:17 “…cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; 18 thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.

19 By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread…”

– to find work that perfectly fits our callings is not a right, but a blessing

– in almost every case there are unpleasant aspects of work we do not enjoy

 

Three reminders:

1. In our work, no matter how menial it may seem, we need to be reminded that we are chosen, gifted and special.
2. In our work, we often need to stretch our faith to go to higher levels.
3. In our work, we need to resist the fear that can hinder us from growing in the exercise of our gifts. – 2 Timothy 1:6, 7

 

How have you experienced the unpleasant aspects of your work?

Have you had major changes in your employment based on what you sense God is calling you to?

Have there been false narratives about yourself that you have had to counter in the areas of your gifting and employment?

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