Set List for 6/25&26

Rise and Sing - Fee
Living for You - Gateway Church
You'll Come - Brooke Fraser
Forever Reign - Jason Ingram & Reuben Morgan
From the Inside Out - Joel Houston

Crazy Love - Hawk Nelson

Our Calling and Identity in Christ

Romans 1:1 "Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God..."

This week we’re going to take a look at the second of three phrases Paul used to identify himself as he opened his letter to the church in Rome. As I stated last time, the significance of Paul’s opening words are that he is identifying himself to the readers, and by doing so in this fashion, he sums up 'who he is' by these phrases.

After referring to himself as a bondservant of Jesus Christ, Paul says he is “called to be an apostle...”

We are not all called to do the same thing, and there is no more or less important calling in The Church, or the "body" of Christ. However, we are all instructed to be certain of OUR CALLING, or as The Message Translation puts it, “God’s invitation to you, His choice of you.” (2 Peter 1:10) But let’s not get our ambitions or desires mixed up with God’s calling. Sometimes we WANT to be or do something that God has not called us to be. And, as Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa plainly puts it, “You can’t be any more than God has called you to be. And we often times get into trouble trying to do more than God has called us to do.” We are not responsible to God for any more or any less than what He has called us to. 

But why is it so important that you and I be certain of God’s calling? Why shouldn’t we just attend church, give faithfully, and serve where there’s a need? The way I'm challenged by this question is an important element behind Paul’s description of himself. Not his apostleship, but in his identity being firmly rooted in his calling.

The instruction found earlier in the first chapter of 2 Peter really give us insight to this:

“...Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One[Jesus] who invited us to God...don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others...But if anyone does not have [these qualities], he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.” (from verses 3-8)

Peter goes on to explain to us that for this reason, be certain of God's intent for you and you will be firmly rooted, you will not fail. (v.10) Essentially it's a stair step process with a successful life of following Christ being the top step. Each subsequent step is outlined as character, discipline, patience, love, etc. As we are shaped by these traits we can become certain of our calling. If we neglect the pursuit of these traits, it will be as if we've forgotten that the perfect blood of Jesus acts as perfect atonement for our sins.

Knowing our individual calling is a key to our personal spiritual development. And our resolve to become more like Christ is pivotal in reaching the world Jesus died for. Because when we build character, patience and love on top of basic faith in Jesus, we can be certain of God’s calling and firmly rooted in Christ. Only then can we exercise God’s calling, be used to reach the world, and really discover who we are in Christ.

So where are we on this proverbial stair step process? Are our lives marked by these characteristics? Are we on a steady path of building patience and character towards exercising God's best intention for us? Subsequently, do the people in our lives know that WE KNOW that we are forgiven and free from the snare of sin?

One of the most important lessons I learned in Bible College was to confront the truth in the Bible honestly. So when I'm directly challenged by the Bible's instruction I must honestly compare that to my life, and make no excuses. 

That is, if I really believe Jesus gave up his life so I could live.

-g

Are you a bondservant of Jesus?

I'm writing this blog to convey Biblical truth that will challenge my team of worship leaders, interns, musicians and sound techs as I am challenged by God's Word. If you don't fall into this category of people, but are encouraged by the blog, then great! Thanks for taking this journey with me. For this season I will blog my way through the book of Romans. May God lead my eyes to fall and settle on the words and concepts that will most appropriately lead and challenge my team for this season of life, in Jesus' name, Amen. Here we go-


Paul is writing this letter to the church in Rome, from the city of Corinth about 25 years after he saw Jesus on the road to Damascus. He was on his way to Jerusalem, with the intent to eventually go to Rome, which ultimately he did. The "in your face" biblical challenge starts out in verse one, chapter one. "Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God..." I'm stunned by this self description and I think it's worth considering. So let's do this in 3 parts, the first being the term, bondservant.


The best and most concise definition I can find for the word bondservant is this: devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests. The origin of the word comes from early accounts in the Bible in both Genesis and Leviticus. (Genesis ch. 9 and 29. Leviticus ch. 25) On some accounts the term is used to describe a person who owes a debt they can not repay. In another account, the bondservant is free, yet freely chooses to serve his master. He forfeits his rights as a free man and submits to his master's authority. In either case it's an interesting way for the apostle Paul to describe himself in this the first sentence of his letter. 


Unlike letters we write today, authors would begin by identifying themselves. Interestingly Paul opts to focus on his calling, apostleship and servanthood to Jesus to describe the very depth and essence of who he is. He did not say Paul, formerly Saul of Tarsus, a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee, a descendant of the tribe of Benjamin, a citizen of Rome, raised in Jerusalem "at the feet of Gamaliel" - all of which titles would be accurate, impressive and would carry much weight in the eyes of his readers. But he first called himself a bondservant of Jesus Christ: as if to say, "ABOVE ALL ELSE, greater than any other credentials or identifications, I am a chosen slave to the will of my master, Jesus Christ to whom I am in debt that I can not repay." 


So what about you and me? In writing a letter would we ultimately describe ourselves in such a way? Is the fundamental basis of our identity encompassed as a bondservant of Jesus Christ? Or better yet, are we even challenged that it ought to be? 


In 1 Corinthians 11:1(NLT) Paul writes, "And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ." If we are to take the Bible's instructions as the absolute Word of God; the inspired instructions that are without flaw- see 2 Timothy 3:16-17,2 Peter 1:20-21, 1 Corinthians 2:13 - then let's conclude this thought by following the chain of logic:


1. The Bible is true, and It's instruction to us is perfect, and applicable.


2. Paul, under the inspiration of God, tells us to imitate him as he imitates Christ.


3. Paul considers his identity to be found in his relentless commitment to the will of God.


4. We too ought to consider ourselves as bondservants, in debt to a loving master, subject to His will. And this ought to identify us as deeply as our name, our fingerprints or our DNA. If it does not, then let's make it so. 


A simple prayer to kickstart this mindset:
Father, may my identity be found in You. Help me to relinquish my will to yours. I choose today to be a bondservant to Your will. May this fact dictate me decisions and demeanor today. Amen.


Next time we'll delve into the second of three descriptions Paul uses for himself, "called to be an apostle..." 


much love -g

Just Do It Series Set Lists

June 4/5
You Deserve - Hillsong
Let God Arise - Tomlin
God Is Alive - Fee
Blessed Be Your Name - Matt Redman/Meck
Our God - Tomlin
Love is Here - Tenth Avenue North

June 11/12
Our God Is Love - Hillsong
Your Love Never Fails - Jesus Culture
Mighty to Save - Laura Story/HIllsong
Kingdom - Kristian Stanfill
Revelation Song - Kari Jobe
Wondrous Cross- Redman/Tomlin
Amazing Grace - traditional
No One Higher/Stand - Fee

June 18/19
All to You - Lincoln Brewster
You Deserve - Hillsong
Grace - Steve Gompers
Freedom is Here - Hillsong
Beautiful Day - U2

Momentum Series Set Lists

Momentum Week 1:
Our God is Love
Your Name High
Jesus Paid is All
Salvation is Here
Freedom is Here
Offering: Awakening-Switchfoot

Momentum Week 2:
Run
God is Alive
Your Love Never Fails
All Because of Jesus
Yours Forever
Offering: Right now-Van Halen

Momentum Week 3:
The Time Has Come
Rise and Sing
Your Name High
Offering: Captivate Us-Watermark
Your Hold me Now
Revelation Song

Momentum Week 4:
Yours Forever
Salvation is Here
From the Inside Out
In Your City
Living for You
Offering: We Are One-Switchfoot

Momentum Week 5:
God is Alive
My Glorious
Lead me to the Cross
With Everything
Run
Offering: You Deserve - Hillsong