Serving God’s Purpose In Our Generation
Key Takeaways
Greatness, in the biblical framework, is defined by service rather than power or achievement.
God has purposes that move through history, and believers are called as covenant partners to participate in those purposes.
Living faithfully in one's own generation requires reading the signs of the times through the lens of the kingdom, not only through the lens of politics, culture, or personal identity.
Death is not an ending to be feared or a reality to be disguised. It is a rest after faithful service, with the expectation of waking in God's presence.
Every generation faces its own extraordinary challenges and the call to serve God's purposes is as urgent now as it has ever been.
Study Questions
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What do you think it means in practical terms to serve God's purpose rather than simply serving your own ambitions or even the needs of those around you?
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Os Guinness made the point that Christians should interpret current events first from the standpoint of the kingdom of God and only secondarily from political or national identity. Do you find this reordering of priorities in practice difficult? What makes it so challenging?
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The you-only-live-once (YOLO) philosophy and the Epicurean 'eat, drink, and be merry' mindset both reflect a life lived without transcendent purpose. In what ways do you see these attitudes subtly influencing even people of faith, and how should the church respond?
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Paul's euphemism 'fell asleep' for death is described not as disguising death but as transforming it. How does the early Christian practice of saying 'goodnight, brother' or 'goodnight, sister' at funerals challenge the way modern culture (and even some modern churches) tend to speak about and grieve death?
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Os describes David as one who 'served' despite being the most powerful king in Israel's history. In what ways does the concept of servant leadership challenge or reshape how you understand your own role in your family, workplace, or community?
Seeking God’s Face Devotional
This year, we’ll be using the devotional “Seeking God’s Face” for our personal daily discipleship.
This Week’s Liturgy
Call to worship
Psalm 40:1-3a
Leader: I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
All: He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.
Confession of FAITH
New City Catechism Q & A #36
Q: What do we believe about the Holy Spirit?
A: That he is God, coeternal with the Father and the Son, and that God grants him irrevocably to all who believe.
Confession of sin
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Acts 13:38-39
Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.
This Week’s Playlist
Looking Ahead
Next week, we resume our sermon series in the Gospel of John on Sunday at 8, 9:30, & 11:15 a.m.