7/16/2018 “The Lord said to Samuel, ‘Listen to all that the people are saying to you. It is not your they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. Now listen to them, but warn them solemnly and let them know what the King will reign over them will do.” (1 Samuel 8:7, 9) “And Samuel said to Saul, ‘You have acted foolishly. You have not kept the commandments the Lord your God gave you. If you had, he would’ve established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now you kingdom will not endure as the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s commands.’” (1 Samuel 13:13-14) 1
7/16/2018 1 Samuel 16: 1-13 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about, he will kill me.” The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?” Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord has not chosen this one either.” 1 Samuel 16: 1-13 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord has not chosen this one either.” Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these. “So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah. God called an ordinary shepherd boy into an extraordinary mission that changed the world! What extraordinary mission is God calling you to today? 2
7/16/2018 Expectantly Listen For God’s Calling “For I know the plans I have for you, ‘declares the Lord,’ plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11) Expectantly Listen For God’s Calling “Aslan is a lion –the Lion, the Great Lion.” “Ooh” said Susan. “I’d thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”… “Safe?” said Mr. Beaver… “Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.” (C.S. Lewis in “The Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe”) Expectantly Listen For God’s Calling How do you understand God’s calling? 1. Seek God • James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” 3
7/16/2018 Expectantly Listen For God’s Calling How do you understand God’s calling? 1. Seek God • James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” 2. Know Yourself (SHAPE) • Spiritual Gifts > Heart > Abilities > Personality > Experiences Expectantly Listen For God’s Calling How do you understand God’s calling? 1. Seek God James 1:5 • “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” 2. Know Yourself (SHAPE) • Spiritual Gifts > Heart > Abilities > Personality > Experiences 3. Ask Others • Proverbs 15:22, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Expectantly Listen For God’s Calling How do you understand God’s calling? • Are you living out God’s calling for your life today? • Are you trying to figure out what God’s is for your life? Is God calling you to something big and you don’t know what to do? • 4
7/16/2018 Relentlessly Pursue God’s Calling God took David on a journey of becoming King before putting on the crown. 1. Playing the harp for Saul 2. Killing Goliath 3. Running from Saul 4. David’s mighty men Relentlessly Pursue God’s Calling How do you pursue God’s calling? 1. Focus on YOUR walk with Christ (Grow Toward Your Source of Strength) Relentlessly Pursue God’s Calling How do you pursue God’s calling? 1. Focus on YOUR walk with Christ (Grow Toward Your Source of Strength) 2. Preparation & Training (School) 5
7/16/2018 Relentlessly Pursue God’s Calling How do you pursue God’s calling? 1. Focus on YOUR walk with Christ (Grow Toward Your Source of Strength) 2. Preparation & Training (School) 3. Practical Experience (Work or Service) Relentlessly Pursue God’s Calling How do you pursue God’s calling? 1. Focus on YOUR walk with Christ (Grow Toward Your Source of Strength) 2. Preparation & Training (School) 3. Practical Experience (Work or Service) 4. Connect With Others (Watch Others) Relentlessly Pursue God’s Calling What do you need to do to relentlessly pursue God’s calling ? 6
7/16/2018 Relentlessly Pursue God’s Calling What do you need to do to relentlessly pursue God’s calling ? “Waiting is the hardest part of trusting God” (Rick Warren) Relentlessly Pursue God’s Calling What do you need to do to relentlessly pursue God’s calling ? “Waiting is the hardest part of trusting God” (Rick Warren) “When the set time had fully come, God sent his son” (Galatians 4:4) Patiently Wait on God’s Calling Why does God sometimes make us wait to fulfill his calling? 1. God is arranging circumstances 2. God is purifying our motives 3. God is teaching us to fully rely on him “The Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts him” (Psalm 32:10) 7
7/16/2018 Patiently Wait on God’s Calling Why does God sometimes make us wait to fulfill his calling? 4. God is protecting us from unseen dangers 5. God is preparing us to impact others 6. God is building the spiritual fruit of patience in us. Patiently Wait on God’s Calling • “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him” (Psalm 37:7) The Lord is good to those who wait on him. (Lamentations 3:25) • • “Those who put their hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 41:31) • “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:14) If You Are Trying To Discover You Calling… 1. Expectantly Listen For God’s Calling • Seek God to tell you his plan for your future • Understand your SHAPE (Know Yourself) • Ask others to give you their insights 8
7/16/2018 If You Know Your Calling And Are Trying To Figure Out What To Do Next… 2. Relentlessly Pursue God’s Calling • Become a king before putting on the crown • Focus on your walk with Jesus • Pursue the preparation and training needed to fulfill your calling. If You Know Your Calling And Are Trying To Figure Out What To Do Next… 2. Relentlessly Pursue God’s Calling • Seek out the practical experience needed to fulfill your calling Connect with people who are already experienced • in calling If you know your calling, you are leaning into your calling, and you are looking to God to open doors… 3. Patiently Wait on God’s Calling • Trust God to fulfill his perfect plan for your life in his perfect timing • God is preparing you to fulfill the big dreams he has for you 9
7/16/2018 If you know your calling, you are leaning into your calling, and you are looking to God to open doors… 3. Patiently Wait on God’s Calling • Stay faithful to him by following him one day at a time • Let Jesus handle the future. Be ready to jump into the game! 10
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