Audio file of the full sermon. The music that plays during this sermon is by Christopher Grundy. The songs are called “Out on This Wire,” and “Stepping In.” The mission projects I talked about are the Redbird Mission, and Kids Against Hunger.
“Be You. Be God’s. Be the Church.”
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Now the word of the Lord came to me saying,
‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’
Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.’ But the Lord said to me,
‘Do not say, “I am only a boy”;
for you shall go to all to whom I send you,
and you shall speak whatever I command you.
Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you,says the Lord.’
Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the Lordsaid to me,
‘Now I have put my words in your mouth.
See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms,
to pluck up and to pull down,
to destroy and to overthrow,
to build and to plant.’
Excerpts from the sermon:
“Being called into God’s ministry is for all who claim Christ. Those who call themselves Christian are called to do more, to be more, to be transformed, to be a part of God’s work in this world. God is calling. God is speaking today. God is calling you to be you; to be who God created you to be. There are a lot of stories, a lot of descriptors people use to define themselves. All too often we define ourselves by who we’re not. ‘I’m not old enough. I’m not strong enough. I don’t speak well enough. I’m not educated. I’m not good enough. I’m not qualified. I’m not pretty enough. I’m not smart enough.’ It’s all lies. It’s all lies. But all too often we believe them. It’s so easy to believe the excuses, and say ‘No I can’t do it….’ But God is calling you to tune out the lies, and let go of all the obstacles, and to be who you were created to be.
“Allowing yourself to be God’s is hard sometimes. Being God’s means that there will be words you are called to speak that you don’t want to speak. There are places you are called to go that you don’t want to go. There’s forgiveness that you need to offer that you don’t want to offer. There is shame that you are called to let go, but for some reason you still cling to. There is a neighbor that needs a friend. There is a stranger that needs a hand. A young person that needs a mentor. It’s not always easy. And if you try to do it on your own, it will be impossible. Because this is God’s work.”
The Fat Pastor 