Daily Devotions based the Sermon from January 17, 2021
Full Sunday message: CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL
THIS WEEK: A Mission-Minded Person Is Clear in Their Calling!
Over the last couple of weeks a thought has been percolating in my mind.
The thought is from a podcast discussing a book called The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek. The discussion was focused on the difference between a finite game and infinite game. A finite game has a set of boundaries and rules and an ending point. The goal: Play the game and win the game by the rules that are set. An infinite game doesn’t always have clear rules and has no end. The goal: Stay in the game and when you are done playing, pass it off to those that will continue and play even better.
Jesus has calls us to an infinite game: making disciples. The “game” didn’t stop when he ascended into heaven. Rather he spent the three plus years with his disciples training and equipping them to continue the “game” of spreading the gospel and making disciples. The movement didn’t stop with Jesus because those he called, understood they were called to carry on his mission of making disciples.
Matthew 28:18-20 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
How did they do? They took the Gospel message to the Mediterranean world as far west as Spain and as far east as India. The twelve that Jesus sent had 1000’s more disciples when they all went to heaven. The “game” continued…and continues.
God has called each of us to this infinite game of finding the spiritually lost, sharing the Gospel, and discipling them to follow Jesus as well.
But maybe we have forgotten. Maybe we see the game is winning when we just get to church or watch church. Maybe the win is being part of a small group or Bible study group. Maybe the win is 10 minutes of personal devotional time. These are all wins. But we’re forgetting the larger game.
The win isn’t just you ending up in heaven…A win for sure…the win is a) God using you and the power of the Gospel to bring others to heaven with you and b) you being part of passing the “game” off to another generation so they can do it even better and expand God’s kingdom even more.
Consider these two questions.
- Who has God put around you or in your life that he is calling you to invite them to follow Jesus? Start noticing today the people God allows you to connect with. Perhaps these people are the reason God has called you to follow him…to invite them to follow Jesus as well.
- Consider the church you attend. Is the “win” in your mind preserving what is familiar and comfortable for you? Or are you working to carry out the calling of Jesus and do all you can to pass it off to the next generation so they can make an even bigger impact for Jesus than you have?
You have been called for a purpose…to play the “infinite game” of making disciples in this generation, so the “game” continues and disciples are made until the day Jesus returns!
Apply: Spend some time today reflecting on the above questions. Are you playing a finite or infinite game with the calling Jesus has given to you?
Prayer: Jesus thank you for finding me, calling me to follow, and entrusting me to find others and invite them to follow. Help me do better the task for which you have called me! AMEN!
Passage and Prayer for the Ministry of Cross & Crown
Friday – James 1:5 “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”
Prayer: Guide us in all of our prayers, preparations, conversation and implementations. We trust You are the builder of our house; we are simply Your workers. Thank you for all you are doing in our midst. Open our eyes to see your heart for this place.
Saturday – Psalm 100:4-5 3 “Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.”
Prayer: God, help us remember that You have been faithful in all past generations and You will continue to be faithful in our generation. We give You thanks and praise for all You have done! We offer our lives as living sacrifices to serve You and Your people.