Bible Studies for Life for November 30: My ongoing mission

Have you noticed how everything God does is according to a plan? Creation followed a plan. God’s work among the Hebrews followed a plan. And the plan of salvation was its ultimate goal.

In this week’s reading, Paul talks about his own part in God’s plan. His calling, he says, was to preach salvation to the Gentiles, and his ambition was “to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that (he) would not be building on someone else’s foundation” (v. 20).

God is a God of order, who likes to do things according to plan, in their right time. Even more, God likes to include us in those plans. As Paul says, “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).

As amazing as it may seem, God knew each of us would accept his call to salvation. So he already had drawn up our part in his plans. Our challenge as Christians is to discover the part God has assigned us.

Fortunately, the challenge isn’t an impossible one. We have only three callings to fulfill, and two of them are general callings to all Christians. All of us were made to worship and to share our faith. The only purpose unique to each of us is the calling to use our gifts, and even that calling can be obeyed without difficulty. Let’s take a look at each of these callings.

We were made for God

Our first purpose as Christians is obvious. God made all creation for himself. More to the point, everyone called by his name was created for his glory (Isaiah 43:7). Especially when we realize the magnitude of his love for us, that he would sacrifice his own son for us, we must respond with awe.

God is good, and God is holy. He is worthy of our devotion. Our greatest calling, then, is to worship God. As Paul writes in his letter to the Romans, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and sing praises to him, all you peoples” (15:11). Every time we gather in worship or sit down to study God’s word and pray, we are fulfilling our calling to glorify God. And as small as it may seem, according to Jesus, it is one of the most important things we could do. If we were silent, the very rocks would cry out.

We are called to serve him

There is one calling to serve, but it is met in two ways. First, each of us has a specific calling to use our gifts for God’s glory. And second, we must all obey a general calling to tell others about the hope we have in Christ.

Serving God with our gifts

God created man to have dominion over his creation. But throughout the ages, he has called out different people to accomplish specific tasks. So, Noah built an ark. Joseph led the Israelites into Egypt. Then Moses led them out of slavery and into the Promised Land. Missionaries and martyrs and ordinary people all have been used by God to achieve his purposes.

Each of these people was presented an opportunity, an invitation if you will, to use their gifts for God. In the same way, God extends an invitation to us. Sometimes the invitation is a burning bush, so obvious it can’t be ignored. Other times, it comes as small, simple activities that lead us into God’s will without us realizing he is at work.

The calling to serve God with our gifts is a unique calling. Each of us receives a different assignment, one that sets us apart, because each of us was made for a different purpose. As Paul says, “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Ephesians 4:11-12).

And just as each of the disciples received a different calling, whether to minister to the Jews or the Gentiles, in the world or in the church, we each have a different place of service. Sometimes it will look “churchy,” but many times it won’t. Sometimes the calling will seem important, while other times it won’t. God knows the people who need to be reached in this world, and he has distributed gifts that will reach all people everywhere. What He wants is for us to be decidedly Christian wherever we are. The call is to use our gifts. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Serving God by sharing our story

The call to share God’s love doesn’t require a special gift. It only requires a heart overflowing with thanks for everything God’s done for us. This is a calling that applies to everyone who is in relationship with God, and it is nothing more than storytelling. But don’t be misled by the simplicity of the medium. The call to share our story is a real calling.

•    Every story needs to be told. While the calling to share the story of God’s work in our lives is a universal calling, each of us has a unique story. That’s what makes it so effective. Each time we tell our story, a seed is planted in someone’s heart. As God leads, this person may hear many stories about how God works, and hope will begin to spring up in his or her heart. Out of hope, faith will grow that will lead to salvation or spiritual growth.
•    We are commanded to share. Isn’t it odd? As natural as it is to tell stories, we shy away from telling about the difference God has made in our lives. Not wanting to share our story has many roots. We may feel our story is too insignificant or dull. We may fear rejection. Or we may fear messing it up. We need to realize there’s no way to mess up God’s work if we do it for God’s glory. All we have to do is share, and God will do the rest. Furthermore, we will be rewarded for obeying. Jesus says, “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven” (Matthew 10:32).

Discussion questions
•    Do you know what your part is in God’s plan?
•    Why does God call some people to serve outside the church?
•    Share a story about something God has done in your life.