Today we are looking at the 6th trait that a Spirit-Filled Disciple needs to have. That trait is discovering and living out our personal mission from God.
As we begin this post, I want you to consider a few things once said about successful people…
An expert said of Vince Lombardi: “He possesses minimal football knowledge, Lacks motivation.”
Louisa May Alcott, the author of Little Women, was encouraged to find work as a servant or seamstress by her family.
Beethoven handled the violin awkwardly, and his teacher called him hopeless as a composer.
A newspaper editor fired Walt Disney for lack of ideas; Walt Disney also went bankrupt before he built Disneyland.
Thomas Edison’s teachers said he was too stupid to learn anything.
Albert Einstein did not speak until he was four years old and didn’t read until he was seven. His teacher described him as “mentally slow, unsociable and adrift forever in his foolish dreams.”
Henry Ford failed and went broke five times before he finally succeeded.
Babe Ruth is considered by some sports historians to be the greatest athlete of all time and was famous for setting the home run record. He held that record for 34 years until Roger Maris hit 61 in 1961 and held the lifetime total home run record of 714 for 39 years until Hank Aaron broke it in 1974. But he held another record for 29 years. He had 1,330 career strikeouts - a record he held for 29 years until it was broken by none other than the great Mickey Mantle.
Winston Churchill failed sixth grade. He did not become Prime Minister of England until 66, only after a lifetime of defeats and setbacks. His greatest contributions came when he was a “senior citizen.”
Often in our lives, something significant is just in front of us. Something great that God designed you specifically to do, a mission just for you. As you spend time in God’s word, in prayer, serving the local church, worshipping in Freedom, and listening to the Holy Spirit, you begin to discover this mission.
I believe it is at this point that Satan comes at you the most. The moments right before you become the most effective for The Kingdom. It’s like a last-ditch effort to prevent you from stepping into your mission. And for many people, Satan is successful. He doesn’t mind if you worship in church, read your Bible, or hear from God. Just don’t put it into practice.
This morning I would like to take a look at a passage of scripture that I assume most of you are familiar with, explain its context, and talk about what it means to us. We are going to be looking at Psalms 23. Lets start with Psalms 23:1-3
Stopping there for a moment, we serve a God who knows and takes care of your needs. He is the one who gives you rest; He gives you strength. He leads you in the right way.
I’m glad I am following a shepherd I can trust this morning! Especially because this passage of scripture is about to flip and move away from the green grass and still waters.
Even when we are walking through struggles, God is walking right alongside us and guiding us. We have no reason to be afraid because God is with us. Then our Great Shepherds rod and staff comfort us. The staff was then used to guide the sheep where they needed to go.
What is the rod? It was essentially like a club used to defend the sheep from threats. And at times from themselves. If a sheep continued to wander off, it wouldn’t be uncommon for a shepherd to break the sheep’s leg and then carry the sheep.
This part of the passage is what I would like to spend most of my focus on today. This is part of the passage we go over very quickly and don’t think about.
If you were a traveler at this time, and you came to my door, there were several things I needed to do for you. First, I would provide oil for your head, and these would be similar to our essential oils today. They offered basic hygiene for travelers who were unable to bathe for days at a time. The oil would even have the ability to kill head lice. I would have to provide materials to cleanse your feet, and then I would provide a meal for you and your family.
These are all important ways that you would tell someone in this culture that you are welcome in my home.
As we would eat the meal, we would swap stories of our lives. Then, as the meal would come to a close, I would get up and approach you with my cup in hand. You would then hold up your cup in anticipation. If I filled your cup halfway, it was a polite way of saying, “ I have enjoyed our time, but it is time for you to go.”
However, if I filled it to the top, I would say, “I have enjoyed your company, and I would like you to spend the night. Then we will share another meal in the morning.”
God is not just preparing you a meal; He is preparing you for a feast, a mission designed specifically for you, at a table for two. But the catch is that this table will be in the presence of your enemies. He is not preparing your enemies a feast, just a feast for you. However, your enemies will be present at this feast.
Why? Because this meal, this feast, is not about actually eating. God provides you with everything you need to accomplish His will and your mission. The things surrounding you? They will be different for you, just like your mission is different. But they cannot stop you because God provides everything you need.
We have no need to fear because the oil symbolizes that He will meet our needs and take care of us, and the overflowing cup symbolizes that not only are we welcome to spend the night, He never wants us to leave His presence.
What Does This Look Like For Us?
Pre-School
· Believe God loves everyone and created them uniquely.
· Know that God has a plan for everyone.
· Know that Jesus makes it possible for us to live in heaven one day.
Elementary
· Disciples know God uniquely designed each person and has a plan for them, and seeks to support local and global missions.
· Disciples say yes to God’s instruction to share their faith, discover their purpose, and care for others. They develop an awareness, love, and appreciation for all people.
· Disciples understand that Jesus is the only way to heaven. They learn about God’s mission, purpose, and plans which involve their identity and gifts.
· Disciples seek opportunities to pray, give, and go so that others in their community and the world will know Jesus. They understand that God can call them to serve as ministers or missionaries.
Youth
· Disciples begin to develop a divine urgency to share the gospel with family and friends and lead someone to faith in Christ. They passionately and sacrificially support local and global missionary activity.
· Disciples boldly share their personal faith story and the good news of salvation with friends and family to make disciples.
· Disciples continue to deepen their understanding of God’s mission, purposes, and plans, which involve their identity, their unique gifts and abilities, and personal sacrifice.
· Disciples seek opportunities to pray, give, and go so that others in their community and the world will know Jesus.
· Disciples understand that their daily work is a divine placement for advancing the kingdom of God, and are always open to a specific call to new places of service.
Adult
· Disciples have a divine urgency to share the gospel wisely with others and lead someone to faith in Christ. They passionately and sacrificially support local and global missionary activity.
· Disciples enjoy fellowship in the local church and invite others to become a part of their community that values every person.
· Disciples are on God’s mission, having a shared sense of purpose with other believers and supporting each other in their individual calling.
· Disciples connect the gospel with seeking the common good for their communities, praying, and working for spiritual and social thriving.
· Disciples see their daily work as a divine placement for advancing the kingdom of God, and are always open to a specific call to new places of service.
Want to dive deeper into this study? Then check out the YouTube video from this sermon here.