Doubting does not disqualify you from your assignment.

Psalms 27:13 NIV

Worship Changes

1. Worship changes your standard.

Psalms 27:1-2 NIV

2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV

A high standard causes you to live by convictions not feelings.

Worship Changes

2. Worship changes your source.

Psalms 27:3-4 NIV

Galatians 5:16-17 NIV

The deepest level of worship is praising God in spite of the pain, thanking him though He seems distant.

Worship Changes

3. Worship changes your surroundings.

Psalms 27:5 NIV

Proverbs 13:20 MSG

Worship is the bridge between who you are and who you want to become.

Worship Changes

4. Worship changes your status.

Psalms 27:8-9 NIV

Hebrews 4:14-16 MSG

I get my confidence back when I rely on the Father of today more than my failure of yesterday.

James 1:2-4 ESV

Mark 9:14-27 ESV

“When in doubt, R.E.S.T. in God.”

RECOGNIZE / ENDURE / SPEAK / TRUST

1. RECOGNIZE

Mark 9:17 ESV

How we choose to recognize Jesus will determine how we approach Jesus.

2. ENDURE

Mark 9:18, 20-21 ESV

How we long for Jesus will determine how well we suffer.

Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV

3. SPEAK

Mark 9:22 ESV

How honest we choose to be will determine how effective our prayers will actually be.

Philippians 4:6 NLT

4. TRUST

Mark 9:23-24 ESV

How surrendered before Jesus we are, will determine the significance of our trust in him.

Mark 9:25-27 ESV

James 1:7-8 ESV

James 1:7-8 NLT

RECOGNIZE / ENDURE / SPEAK / TRUST

“When in doubt, R.E.S.T. in God."

Ephesians 4:1-6 ESV

1. Called to Hope

2. Called to the Body of Christ

3. Called to Spiritual Intensity

4. Called to be Ambassadors

Ephesians 4:1 EASY

Part of walking worthy of our calling is calling others to know God.

2 Corinthians 5:20 ESV

We are called to live a singular life: for Christ in all things.

Colossians 3:17 ESV

There is no sacred / secular split in our lives.

We are called to represent Christ by offering reconciliation with God.

2 Corinthians 5:20 ESV

We are called to stay faithful to the new life in Christ and encourage others to do the same.

John 8:31-32 ESV

“In the New Testament the term [ambassador] is used in a figurative sense. As the imprisoned representative of Christ at Rome Paul calls himself "an ambassador in chains"... and includes, with himself, all ministers of the gospel, as "ambassadors .... on behalf of Christ," commissioned by Him as their sovereign Lord, with the ministry of reconciling the world to God. The Bible contains no finer characterization of the exalted and spiritual nature of the minister's vocation as the representative of Jesus Christ, the King of kings, and Saviour of the world”

— Dwight M. Pratt ( Pastor and Hymn Writer 1852-1922)

Ephesians 4:1 ESV

Matthew 5:13-16 ESV

Mark 10:45 NIV

45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Ephesians 4:1-6 ESV

Today we’re going to focus on being Called to The Body of Christ.

Ephesians 4:4 ESV

The Lord has a specific place for us in the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:12-18 ESV

When we stay connected to the Body of Christ, God works in us and through us.

Ephesians 4:3 ESV

The body of Christ is a prophetic expression of what God has said.

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV

John 17:20-23 ESV

Let’s never fight against what God wants to say to the world through us.

So remember…

The Lord has a PLACE for you

The Lord wants to PERFORM a work in you.

The Lord wants to PROPHESY His word through you.

Ephesians 4:1-6 NIV

"Living Called"

- Called to HOPE

- Called to the BODY of CHRIST

- Called to SPIRITUAL INTENSITY

- Called to be AMBASSADORS

John 21:3-7, 12-14 NIV

What happened?

- From anxious to activated.

- From unknown to unstoppable.

1. No matter what keep going with those you trust.

John 21:3 NIV

A real relationship has faith, pain, tears, arguments, patience, trust and love.

2. When Jesus shows up, press in.

John 21:4-7 NIV

Craig Groeshcel, "Hope in the Dark"

"God's highest agenda is not our immediate happiness. God is more committed to our eternal joy, our spiritual growth and the condition of our hearts"

3. Take time to sit and listen to Jesus.

John 21:12-14 NIV

Pain in the moment and hope for the future, but sometimes pain yells while hope whispers.

Isaiah 45:3 NIV

“There is something about being in the right place, not just any place, with the right people, not just any people, doing the right thing, not just anything.”

– Kris Vallotton

Psalms 120:1 NIV

The Lord is my keeper.

Psalms 121:7 NIV

No power can block the fellowship between the Father and the spirit of God in you.

My eyes are on the Lord.

Psalms 123:1 NIV

Disorienting times lead us to divine dependence.

The Lord is on my side.

Psalms 124:1-4, 8 NIV

God specializes in timely detours.

I cannot be moved.

Psalms 125:1 NIV

Sometimes the most spiritual thing I can do is wait. The longer we wait the more we appreciate.

My mouth is filled with laughter.

Psalms 126:1-2 NIV

Romans 12:9-16 NIV

Reasons for a “Connection Inspection”

- Chaos Doubling

- Comparison Dividing

- Confidence Dissolving

- Connection Dying

How do we reconnect?

1. Refresh Simple Decency

Romans 12:9-10 NIV

How do we reconnect?

2. Refresh Daily Devotion

Romans 12:12 NIV

How do we reconnect?

3. Refresh Personal Deference

Romans 12:13-15 NIV

Paul's Deference List:

v. 13 Deference in Giving

v. 13 Deference in Hospitality

v. 14 Deference in Arguing

v. 15 Deference in Understanding

How do we reconnect?

4. Refresh Deliberate Agreement

Romans 12:16 NIV

Philippians 3:20-21 ESV

What is a citizen?

• An inhabitant of a city or town especially one entitled to the rights and privileges of a freeman.

• A member of a state.

• A native or naturalized person who owes allegiance to a government and is entitled to protection from it.

Colossians 3:1-2 ESV

Your allegiance is to God and His word above everything else.

Colossians 3:10-11 ESV

Your identity is rooted first in Christ not your race, culture or ethnicity.

Acts 17:26 ESV

Evolution and secularism leave room for the lies that have divided us racially and ethnically for generations. We must approach things Biblically.

As a Citizen of Heaven:

• You are not better because of your race, culture or ethnicity.

• You are not less because of your race, culture or ethnicity.

• You are a new creation in Christ.

- You are a child of God.

When considering race, culture or ethnicity from a Biblical perspective:

• Don’t denigrate

• Don’t elevate

• Appreciate

2 Corinthians 5:16-17 ESV

Matthew 12:46-50 ESV