Last time: Conviction can be cultivated
Stories so far…
life group jumping in and coming back for 6pm tear-down
33-year-old mom who didn’t realize they’re doing a dream already
friend: “We came to this church because it’s real and not weird… And I didn’t grow up going to church. I think I can help others feel comfortable who aren’t used to church, too.”
Talked to someone this week in their 60’s, “I think I know what I’m supposed to do… where I’m supposed to serve… but I’m afraid.”
Many of us are afraid…
afraid of failing
afraid of commitment
afraid of missing out on something else
afraid my thing isn’t cool enough
Be where you are.
Preparing
Taking a leap
Conviction can be cultivated. And the more passion you develop… the more clarity you get that this could be a mission from God that motivates me and matters to someone else. (It doesn’t have to be the last project I do… it probably won’t be… but it’s the next.)
This week: Favor—don’t leave home without it
Every great project begins with a blessing.
You need someone’s blessing.
Don’t be mad about that. It’s life.
You are who you are… you are where you are. Don’t resent it. Work with it.
not “I’m just…”
significance of every role
Nehemiah, “I was cupbearer to the king”
God wants to take you from here to somewhere else. Be where you are. And serve the people in authority.
Millennials: Entitlement generation? Perhaps? But it’s not just Millennials. We’re all entitled.
Anyone who is alive at this time of incredible technological advancement. We have access to everything. We can create our own platforms, brands, and companies in a day.
We all have a built-in resistance to authority.
GARDEN
rebelled in our origin
tend to want to rebel still
God wants us to live under HIS authority so he puts other authorities in front of us to teach us
YOU NEED THE FAVOR OF SOMEONE.
You might get the idea of authority, but it seems limiting. “What if they tell me ‘no?’” But it’s how God designed the universe.
It’s not just now that you’ll need authority. You always will. Even if you start the next great Killer App… you will have a board of directors and investors that you’ll answer to. You will never be free of authority. It’s part of life.
Don’t hate it. Don’t resist it. Work with it.
Ex: Hilary—moving to OC
Ex: Kenton—supporting our journey
You honor God when you when you honor authority.
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted Romans 13:1-2
Illust: Asked younger leader to speak to small group of Jr High kids
“God has called me to speak to large audiences.”
really?
who’s listening?
thinks they are called to do what I’m doing so I should let them
don’t realized I started speaking to high school kids in a home
college students in a dorm
singles ministry at saddleback
women’s networking events in tacoma
then 100 adults in the chapel at Irvine
then HB
…and I prepared just as much where there were 100 people in one service as I do when I’m going to speak at auditorium of 3,000.
At every stage I’m under someone’s authority, and I’ve been invited…
Yes, vision
…but I’m not entitled to anything
My influence expands as my favor increases…
pray for it
work with excellence in each season, with each opportunity
Favor comes from God and through kings
Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.
I was cupbearer to the king. Nehemiah 1:11b
Whose favor do you need?
Are you praying for it?
Are you serving that leader like crazy?
even if you think they’re missing it
even if you think they’re not a good enough leader
even if they are corrupt
Artaxerxes was not a nice guy… very tough king
But Nehemiah believed…
The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. Proverbs 21:1 (NKJV)
Only God can change hearts
And…
There is a role our work and effort plays
Nehemiah was a man under authority… and he crushed it for his boss.
I had not been sad in his presence before, so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad… (2:1b-2a)
No bad days
not high maintenance
not the boy who cried wolf
not the girl who cried daily
Working hard while waiting
5-6 months until Nehemiah had this conversation
Win while you wait.
Waiting is not wasted time.
serving… impressing… learning
Then, his moment of opportunity,
The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king… (2:4-5a)
Pray and be prepared
Pray and don’t plan
vs
Plan and don’t pray
It’s both
If Nehemiah had only prayed and not planned, he wouldn’t have been ready to answer the king. Missed opportunity
But this verse bring sup a very important question…
Question: What do you want?
What could it look like?
If God gives you favor, what might happen?
If your dream becomes reality, what will be the result?
Be bold enough to say it. Write it down.
a raise
a new role
more influence
serving in a new way
trust of someone
Outline what you need to get there.
Ex: Moms Need Moms
“We want to connect young moms who need support and community”
Hil: vision to connect moms
but three years until God brought a team together that’s doing it
Ex: Young Adults
“I want to see a safe place where young adults can connect and grow together”
Question: Are you so committed to the vision that you don’t care who gets the credit?
What do you want?
Is it an effort that’s through you but FOR someone else?
or is it really just for you?
Some of you are discontent and complaining about your life, but you don’t even know what you want. How can anyone help you if you don’t even know?
Don’t chase after fame or money. They won’t satisfy you.
Don’t just want to be important.
Who are you serving? What’s the outcome you want for THEM?
You have a mission from God that motivates you and matters to someone else.
Whatever you do needs to be in service others or you won’t be happy.
Others can be…
family
neighbors
customers you’ll never meet in person
students
professionals
poor and marginalized
We’ve considered what breaks our heart
We’ve identified with the people
We’ve prayed and fasted
We’ve worked hard and been great your job
We’ve preparing and planning for favor
…and now… we trust God with the timing
Don’t complain because you work for someone and aren’t happy about it.
Work with excellence, learn everything you can, make your leaders look great… until you get good and clear about your own mission. Then… if you do that… watch and see if your leaders don’t bend over backwards to help you be successful.
Question: What is it your leader wants?
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Are you delivering that?
Because helping them do their dream might be the path to you doing yours.
Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Ephesians 6:7 (NLT)
Remember… doing your dream… or your mission from God… or your project you’re passionate about… it doesn’t mean working for yourself. You’ll always answer to someone.
After all… this work is not about you.
It’s a mission from God that motivates you and matters to someone else. It’s for others. Others will always be involved.
Who’s favor do you need?
Who’s blessing do you need?
Are you praying for it?
“Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.”—St. Augustine
Are you working with excellence now so that you’re ready when God gives you favor?
And… do you know what you want when the king turns to you asks?
Nehemiah prayed and worked with excellence….
and He found favor with God and a king.
Then, even though he was comfy, lived in luxury, and was respected… he left the palace of Persia
When the calling is clear, walk away from the castle.
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what do you want? you want to be well?
made excuses for circumstances… “I can’t, i’m stuck, no one helps me..”
Jesus heals
Good news: You don’t have earn favor with Jesus.
Gospel: You are forgiven. Can’t earn God’s grace.
This is not about earning something with God.
This is about advancing a mission…
Starting a ministry…
Helping a cause…
Pray to God for favor
Work with excellence
…and have the courage know what you want and go after it!
