Week 3 Living on Mission: A call for every believer
But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.Acts 20:24
Paul was a man on a mission. He lived his life confident of the calling and the ministry he had received from the Lord Jesus himself. The verse above almost seems to be his mission statement. He was ready to finish his life testifying to the gospel of grace wherever he went, whether traveling between cites, in prison, or standing before a king.
This week, we will consider what it means that every believer has a call to ministry. Pray that God will reveal or reinforce your call this week and that he may do the same for many others.
Day 15: Monday – Seeking your mission
And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you. Acts 26:15-17
God allowed Paul to know his divine calling.
- Key Thought: I am saved to be sent.
- Prayer Focus: That God would give me clarity in my calling.
Day 16: Tuesday – Remembering your testimony
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:15-16
Paul remembered his past not with shame, but as a backdrop for God’s mercy.
- Key Thought: My story reveals God’s mercy.
- Prayer Focus: That God will allow my story to reveal his glory!
Day 17: Wednesday – Knowing your “who”
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. Acts 9:15.
Paul knew exactly who he was sent to: the Gentiles.
- Key Thought: My calling involves specific people.
- Prayer Focus: That God would reveal my “who.”
Day 18: Thursday – Compelled by love
For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died. 2 Corinthians 5:14.
The love of Christ fueled Paul’s ministry—may it fuel ours too!
- Key Thought: Love is the fuel for mission.
- Prayer Focus: That I would be continually filled and motivated by Christ’s love.
Day 19: Friday – Living sacrificially
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2
We are to offer ourselves as living sacrifices—this is worship.
- Key Thought: Sacrifice is part of the mission.
- Prayer Focus: That I could let go of what distracts me from God’s call.
Day 20: Saturday – Making it heard
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? Romans 10:14
People can’t believe unless they hear—and they can’t hear unless someone tells them.
- Key Thought: I have a message to share.
- Prayer Focus: That every man woman and child would have multiple opportunities to hear and respond to the gospel.
Day 21: Sunday
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” Psalm 122:1
Gathering together for worship is a joyful privilege.
- Key Thought: I can be excited to go and worship the lord!
- Prayer Focus: That God would prepare my heart for worshiping him today!