The Call to Duty
Matthew 28:19-20
Digging Deeper
Paul was called to duty by God throughout the book of Acts as he served the Lord Jesus Christ. At the end of the book of Acts, once Paul finally arrived in Rome as God had told him he would, even though Paul was imprisoned he continued to proclaim the Kingdom of God. Paul boldly taught about the Lord Jesus Christ without being hindered or restricted.
As Paul fulfilled the duty he had been called to, he had great confidence in God’s plan for him. Paul wrote in Philippians 1:12-14, “I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the Gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ. Most of the brothers have gained confidence in the Lord from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the word fearlessly.” Paul was able to see the good in his situation.
Finally, Paul fulfilled his duty as he spent this time in Rome writing letters to the churches and teaching and disciplining others who might eventually leave Rome and disperse throughout the Roman Empire. Paul had an evangelical opportunity and enormous Kingdom impact that he might not have had if he had not been faithful and completed the work God called him to do.
WHAT NOT TO MISS
Memorial Day
Memorial Day was first observed in May 1868.
In 1971, an act of Congress declared Memorial Day a federal holiday honoring all Americans who died while serving in the military.
Today Memorial Day is marked by parades, speeches, and ceremonies at military cemeteries and other sites across the country. It serves as a solemn reminder of the sacrifice made by the men and women who died in service to our country and a time to reflect on the true cost of freedom.
There is a duty that believers are called to. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8)
Yet, for some reason many of us feel the responsibility to do what we have been commanded to do falls to someone else.
God told Joshua to be strong and very courageous. (Joshua 1:7)
The book of Acts was a mandate that memorializes the call to duty for the apostles to get busy.
Heroes are why we have a Memorial Day.
Moses was called to duty as he led the Israelites out of slavery. He had miraculous encounters with God. Moses was faithful and obedient to God’s commands and was set apart as a true servant of God.
Esther was called to duty as she displayed courage and faith, risking her life as an advocate for the Jewish people. Through her bravery, wisdom, and reliance on God, she saved the Jewish community from extermination.
The apostles who walked with Christ were called to duty, as was the Apostle Paul.
Like brave heroes, we who are alive in Christ are also being “called to duty.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-20)
God is telling us to go save people from the pit of hell.
How and where are we supposed to do this?
We do this by living a Godly life.
We do this by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ everywhere. (Matthew 10:32)
Here is a road map for sharing the Gospel of Christ.
Where do you share your faith?
Everywhere you can when it is done decently and in order.
Anywhere when you can do it constructively and as an ambassador for Christ.
We are not going to be perfect, but we are working for a God of perfection, and we need to do our best when representing Him with a right heart.
When do you share your faith?
Your faith is being shared all the time.
People see how we act.
The Word of God tells us not to conform to the image of this world but to be transformed by renewing our mind. (Galatians 5:22-26)
How do we share our faith?
With confidence knowing that we are backed by the most powerful force in the universe. We may not see Him visibly but he is there. (Matthew 28:18)
As an ambassador of Jesus Christ, our behavior constrains us to behave decently and in order.
We must learn to elevate others above ourselves and to be concerned with their needs just as we are concerned with our own. (Mark 16:15)
Do you radiate the sensation that you are ready for service or battle?
As with brave heroes, none came into a situation planning to give the ultimate sacrifice of dying. Most believed they could beat the odds and still be of service to others.
Jesus is the only one who came to earth to die for our sins. As the true and living God, He arose on the third day and proclaimed that all power in heaven and earth had been given to Him.
How can we refuse to tell someone about that? How can we keep the Good News under wraps only for ourselves? Are you willing to sacrifice yourself like those we memorialize this weekend?
Are you willing to memorialize the sacrifice of Jesus Christ who gave His life so that you can live with God in heaven, and share the power in his resurrection?
One of Christ’s commandments that we should memorialize and follow is, “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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few and the opportunities are all around you.
You have been “Called to Duty,” Church.
LIFE APPLICATION
All of us have people who are heroes in our lives. It might be a family member who has served or is serving in the military, a teacher, a friend, a mentor, or a coach. This week thank God for these heroes and take an opportunity to reach out to them and let them know how much they mean to you. Think about the impact you have on the lives of others you come in contact with and how you can share the Gospel with them and bless them today as you are Christ’s ambassador.
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Describe a time when you completed a duty that served or had an impact on others.
Name some Bible heroes who were faithful and completed the duty that they were called by God to do.
What was Paul’s call to duty for God?
How would you describe Paul’s impact as he shared the Gospel during the book of Acts?
How can we, as the church, share the Gospel with neighbors and nations with maximum impact?
DAILY DEVOTIONAL BIBLE PASSAGES
Day 1: Calling-Isaiah 6:8; Matthew 11:28-30; 1 Corinthians 7:17-24
Day 2: Duty-1 Peter 4:10; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Romans 12:2
Day 3: Wisdom-Proverbs 27:9; Proverbs 2:6; James 3:17
Day 4: Courage-Isaiah 41:10; Matthew 10:28-31; Psalm 56:3-4
Day 5: Salvation-2 Timothy 4:18; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; Proverbs 18:10
PRAYER
Dear Lord, show me ways I can serve and care for others even if it causes a costly sacrifice for me. Let me demonstrate my faith in You, remembering that Jesus came and died for my sins, giving the ultimate sacrifice of His life, so that I might have eternal life. Let me share the Gospel with a world that is in darkness and does not know You.
