Sermon Series: Rekindling the Flame
Overview: When God called Moses through a burning bush, he had a strong direction, purpose and passion for his life. How about you? What is your call story? When and how did you discover God’s purpose for your life? Periodically, we need to return to our own burning bush to remember our purpose by rekindling the flame.
September 13 • Abraham’s Call: Go with Blind Faith
Genesis 12:1–5; Proverbs 3:1–6; Mark 1:16–21
Abraham has a unique call. It isn’t specific. It doesn’t have a goal. He’s not exactly sure where he is headed. He just knows he must leave where he is now and venture out with blind faith that God is leading the way. Is that your call story? A sense that you must leave, but not sure what lies ahead? Rekindle that flame.
September 20 • Gideon: Fake It Til You Make It
Judges 6:11–16; 7:1–8; Luke 5:1–11
Gideon had so many strikes against him. He was the smallest person from the smallest tribe of Israel with the smallest army. He felt like a poser. But he knew that God called him for such a time like this and so he had to fake it until he made it. Perhaps when you got that new promotion or became a parent or volunteered for a ministry you had no idea what you were doing. You are not alone. Many feel inadequate at first. Rekindle that flame.
September 27 • Jeremiah: But You Have No Experience
Jeremiah 1:1–10; 1 Timothy 4:11–16
When Jeremiah was called by God to be a prophet, his first response was that he was too young. No one will take me seriously. I don’t have the experience. Paul’s friend, Timothy, felt the same. Perhaps you did, too, when you started. But you knew that God had called you, equipped you and was with you. Rekindle that flame.
October 4 • Elisha: Burning Bridges
1 Kings 19:19–21; Luke 9:57–62
Before Elisha followed the prophet Elijah, he slaughtered all of his oxen, burned his plows and provided a feast for the village. In other words, he burned all of his bridges, there was no going back, there was only one way—and that was forward. Is this your call story? Did you have to make a decision to be all in so you had no distraction? Rekindle that flame.
October 11 • Mary: But I’m a Nobody
Luke 1:26–38
When the angel visited Mary to announce that she would be the mother of the Messiah, her first response was, “Who am I? I’m a nobody!” Perhaps you didn’t come from the right family or go to the right college or have the right experiences. Perhaps when that call came, you also felt like God had made a mistake. I’m a nobody. Rekindle that flame.
October 18 • Paul: Heading in the Wrong Direction
Acts 9:1ff
Paul was heading in the wrong direction fast when God knocked him down on the road to Damascus. Persecuting Christians with hate in his heart, God had to knock him down and turn him around in a completely different direction. Is this your call story? You were heading in the wrong direction fast until God got your attention and set you on the correct path? Rekindle that flame.
October 25 • Isaiah’s Call: It’s Going to be Hard!
Isaiah 6:1ff
On this Reformation Sunday, we are going to see how Luther’s call story mirrored Isaiah’s. Both had a dramatic encounter with God, both thought that they were too sinful, and both were told that this call was going to be incredibly hard. Sound familiar? Is this your call story? Rekindle the flame.
