Made For This: Real Response
One more look at our core values:
Scriptural Authority:
We won't stop short of Biblical responsibility, and we will not push past Biblical authority
We are committed to Excellence
We are trying to keep good from standing in the way of great.
Culture of honor:
Simply put, we want to believe the best, speak the best, and leave people better than we found them
Team:
I'm not here because we have nothing better to do - we KNOW that God get's more glory when we all get involved
Generosity:
We are here to serve. We are generous with our talents, our finances, and our time.
Authenticity:
Be real with God, be real with each other. We aren't here to impress, we are here to serve.
Today, we are going back into the last installment of our series: MADE FOR THIS
We have said that we were made for:
Real Devotion
Real Community
Today: Real Response
Genesis 2: 15-20
15 Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
18 And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” 19 Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.
From the very beginning mankind was given an assignment
Adam had things to do
Adam had things that he was specifically told not to do.
Ultimately, Adam did what he was told not to do
He (and we) paid the consequences!
The blessing of boundaries!
Clearly defined parameters aren’t limitations if you understand their purpose.
We must understand the freedom that parameters provides.
It narrows my focus
It allows me to focus my energy
It gives me the ability to "stay in my lane"
In 1 Samuel 3, God speaks to Samuel for the very first time -
3 Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation. 2 And it came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place, and when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see, 3 and before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the Lord where the ark of God was, and while Samuel was lying down, 4 that the Lord called Samuel. And he answered, “Here I am!” 5 So he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.”
And he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” And he went and lay down.
6 Then the Lord called yet again, “Samuel!”
So Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” He answered, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” 7 (Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor was the word of the Lord yet revealed to him.)
8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. So he arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you did call me.”
Then Eli perceived that the Lord had called the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.”
At this point God began to unfold the plan of Samuel's life
Samuel goes on to be one of the most influential people of his time, he selected kings, and was a spokesman for God to the people of his nation.
It all starts right here in this conversation!
- What if -
God began speaking to you today about something that was life altering?
God did a work so great in your heart today that it changed eternity?
That potential is in every single gathering that we have!
Guess what!? -
You were made to hear and to respond to the voice of God
You were made to walk in obedience to what the Spirit is saying to you!
Let's look at young Samuel as he learned how to respond to the word of God over his life:
Samuel pays attention
Even before Samuel knew exactly what was happening, he knew that something was happening!
Events that you assume nothing of: pay attention, God might be at work in your life!
I had always assumed that God didn't really speak to people - until I started listening for it!
Samuel processes his experience
Eli helps him understand what is going on in his life
You need some people in your life that will help you process:
The word of God
The will of God
That's why you need a micro-church!
Samuel responds
God knows your heart, but as a self test:
You are only as Spiritually responsible as you are Spiritually responsive
IF... Irresponsibility is mishandling something that matters,
The most irresponsible thing we could do is to not respond to the Word and Spirit of God
Samuel responds faithfully over the course of his life to the Word and to the will of God
Samuel was made to respond to the call of God AND SO WERE YOU!
You have the choice to ignore it, but you were made to walk in it!
