Embracing The Call Devotion

As we enter 2025, we are called to examine how we can better serve God's kingdom through love, discipleship, and compassionate action. This message explores the three core pillars that should guide our Christian walk: the Great Commandment, the Great Commission, and the Great Compassion.

What is the Great Commandment?

The foundation of our faith journey begins with loving God completely - with all our hearts, souls, and minds. This love for God naturally flows into loving others. When we truly love God, it transforms how we view and treat those around us.

The Great Commandment can be broken down into two parts:

How Do We Live Out the Great Commission?

Once we have the right foundation of love, we can effectively fulfill the Great Commission to "go and make disciples." This isn't about building monuments or legacies - it's about reaching lost souls with the gospel message.

Key aspects of the Great Commission include:

What Does Great Compassion Look Like in Action?
True love must be demonstrated through tangible acts of service and mercy. Great

Compassion means:
This compassion should be wise and discerning, not enabling destructive behaviors but truly helping others grow closer to Christ.


Life Application

As we embrace God's call in 2025, consider these questions:

Challenge yourself this week to:
Do a "heart check" - evaluate if you truly love God with all your heart, soul and mind
Do a "mission check" - assess if you're actively making disciples and sharing the gospel
Do a "compassion check" - examine how you're showing Christ's love through service

Remember - we can't effectively serve others or share the gospel without first having our hearts aligned with God's love. Let His love flow through you to impact those around you.

Day 1: The Foundation of Love
Devotional
Love is at the heart of everything we do as followers of Christ. It's not just any kind of love, but a deep, all-consuming love for God that transforms every aspect of our lives. When we truly love God with our whole being, it changes how we see the world and how we interact with others. This foundational love isn't just an emotion - it's a commitment that requires our entire heart, soul, and mind. Think about what it means to love God with everything you have. It means He becomes our first thought in the morning, our last thought at night, and the driving force behind every decision we make.

Bible Verse
"Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment." - Matthew 22:37-38

Reflection Question
What areas of your life might need to change to demonstrate a more complete love for God?

Quote 
Nothing we do or can be done or whatever we become is effective or can be considered Christ sent, Christ-centered, if it does not rest on the Great Commandment.

Prayer
Lord, help me to love You more deeply each day. Show me areas where I need to surrender more fully to Your love. Transform my heart so that loving You becomes as natural as breathing. Amen.

Day 2: Love in Action
Devotional
When we're filled with God's love, it naturally overflows to those around us. This isn't always easy - some people are difficult to love, and some situations test our patience. But God's love working through us makes the impossible possible. His love enables us to see others as He sees them, valuable and worthy of love, regardless of their actions or attitudes. This kind of love isn't based on feelings or circumstances; it's a choice we make because we've experienced God's unconditional love ourselves.

Bible Verse
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." - John 13:34-35

Reflection Question
Who in your life is difficult to love, and how might God's love help you view them differently?

Quote
You cannot love your neighbor truly if you do not have the love of God that saturate and emanate from every part of your soul.

Prayer
Father, fill me with Your supernatural love for others. Help me to love even those who are difficult to love. Let Your love flow through me to touch the lives of others. Amen.

Day 3: Called to Make Disciples
Devotional
Making disciples is a journey, not a destination. It requires patience, dedication, and a genuine investment in others' spiritual growth. Just as Jesus spent three and a half years teaching His disciples, we too must be willing to commit time and energy to help others grow in their faith. This isn't about quick fixes or surface-level changes; it's about deep, lasting transformation that comes through consistent teaching and modeling of Christ-like behavior.

Bible Verse
"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." - Matthew 28:19-20

Reflection Question
How are you currently involved in discipling others, and what steps could you take to be more intentional in this area?

Quote 
Making disciples is not a quick thing. Jesus, who is God himself, it took him three and a half years to teach men to be disciples.

Prayer
Lord, give me wisdom and patience in making disciples. Help me to be faithful in teaching and modeling Your ways to others. Use me to impact lives for Your kingdom. Amen.

Day 4: Living with Purpose
Devotional
Every believer has a unique role to play in God's kingdom. We're not called to be passive observers but active participants in God's mission. Each of us has been given specific gifts and abilities to contribute to the advancement of God's kingdom. Whether through teaching, serving, encouraging, or leading, every role is valuable and necessary. When we understand this truth, it transforms our perspective on service from obligation to opportunity.

Bible Verse
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." - Acts 1:8
Reflection Question
What unique gifts has God given you, and how are you using them to advance His kingdom?

Quote 
Everyone is valuable, everyone has a gift. Everyone has been tasked with something to do to advance the mission.

Prayer
Holy Spirit, help me discover and use the gifts You've given me. Show me how I can best serve Your kingdom and make a difference in others' lives. Amen.

Day 5: Walking Humbly with God
Devotional
True spirituality isn't just about what we know or what we do - it's about who we're becoming. God calls us to walk humbly with Him, pursuing justice and showing mercy in all our interactions. This requires a balance of strength and gentleness, conviction and compassion. It means being willing to stand for what's right while maintaining a humble spirit that acknowledges our own need for grace. This journey of faith isn't about perfection, but about progress and continuous growth in our relationship with God.

Bible Verse
"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." - Micah 6:8

Reflection Question
In what ways can you demonstrate justice, mercy, and humility in your daily interactions with others?
Quote 
We need to move from being hearers to doers.

Prayer
God, teach me to walk humbly with You. Help me to act justly and love mercy in all my ways. Transform me to be more like Jesus each day. Amen.

Day 6: Embracing God's Love
Reading: 1 John 4:7-21
Devotional: As we begin this journey, let's focus on the foundation of our faith - God's love. The sermon emphasized loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind. This passage reminds us that God is love, and His love for us enables us to love others. Reflect on how God's love has transformed your life. How can you demonstrate this love more fully to those around you? Remember, our ability to love others is directly tied to our understanding and acceptance of God's love for us. Today, make a conscious effort to see others through God's eyes of love, even those who may be difficult to love.

Day 7: The Great Commission - Our Call to Action
Reading: Matthew 28:16-20
Devotional: Jesus' final command to His disciples is our marching orders as well. The sermon highlighted our mission to "go and make disciples." This isn't just about conversion, but about teaching others to follow Jesus in every aspect of life. Consider your sphere of influence - your family, workplace, neighborhood. How can you be more intentional about sharing the gospel and mentoring others in their faith journey? Remember, this command comes with a promise - Jesus is with us always. As you go about your day, be aware of His presence and ask for opportunities to share His love and truth with others.

Day 8: Compassion in Action
Reading: Micah 6:6-8
Devotional: The sermon touched on the "great compassion" as an essential part of our faith. This passage in Micah beautifully summarizes what God requires of us - to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with Him. Reflect on each of these aspects. How can you promote justice in your community? In what ways can you show kindness today? How can you cultivate a spirit of humility in your walk with God? Remember, our faith is not just about personal piety, but about actively engaging with the world around us in a way that reflects God's heart. Today, look for at least one tangible way to show compassion to someone in need.

Day 9: Unity in the Body of Christ
Reading: Ephesians 4:1-16
Devotional: The sermon emphasized the importance of love within the church community. This passage from Ephesians expands on that theme, calling us to unity and maturity in the faith. Paul urges us to bear with one another in love, recognizing that we are all part of one body. Reflect on your relationships within your church community. Are there any areas where you need to extend more grace or patience? How can you use your gifts to build up the body of Christ? Remember, our unity is a powerful witness to the world of God's transforming love. Today, reach out to someone in your church family - perhaps someone you don't know well - and offer a word of encouragement.

Day 10: Perseverance in Faith
Reading: Hebrews 12:1-3
Devotional: As we conclude this week's devotional, let's focus on running the race set before us. The sermon touched on the challenges of discipleship and the need for perseverance. This passage encourages us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Reflect on the "cloud of witnesses" in your own life - those who have inspired and encouraged your faith journey. What weights or sins might be hindering your race? How can you more intentionally focus on Jesus amidst life's distractions? Remember, Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him - our salvation. Let that motivate you to press on, even when the path is difficult. Today, take some time to thank God for His sustaining grace and recommit yourself to running your race with endurance.

Small Group Guide: Embracing the Call

Key Takeaways:
1. The sermon focuses on three main points: The Great Commandment, The Great Commission, and The Great Compassion.
2. Love for God and others is the foundation for effective ministry and discipleship.
3. We are called to make disciples, not just build big churches or personal legacies.
4. Genuine love for God and others should lead to tangible acts of service and compassion.
5. The church's mission is to reach, teach, and serve.

Discussion Questions:

1. Pastor Jenkins emphasizes loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind. How can we practically demonstrate this love in our daily lives?

2. The sermon mentions the importance of loving others, even when it's difficult. Share an experience where you struggled to love someone and how you overcame it.

3. How does understanding the Great Commandment (loving God and others) impact our approach to fulfilling the Great Commission?

4. Pastor Jenkins talks about not building personal legacies but focusing on making disciples. How might this perspective change the way we serve in the church?

5. What are some practical ways we can show compassion and "love in action" in our community?

6. The sermon mentions a "heart check," "mission check," and "compassion check." How would you evaluate yourself in these three areas?

7. How can we balance showing compassion with being wise stewards of our resources?

8. Pastor Jenkins emphasizes the importance of confronting "spiritual giants." What are some spiritual giants you face in your life, and how can you confront them?

Practical Applications:

1. This week, intentionally perform one act of kindness for someone who is difficult to love.

2. Reflect on your current service in the church. Are you serving out of love for God and others, or for personal recognition? Make any necessary adjustments.

3. Identify one person in your life who needs to hear the gospel. Pray for an opportunity to share with them this week.

4. Create a personal "mission statement" that aligns with the church's mission to reach, teach, and serve.

5. Set aside time each day this week to pray for a deeper love for God and others.

6. Look for opportunities to mentor or disciple someone younger in the faith.

7. Evaluate your current commitments. Are they aligned with making disciples and showing Christ's love? If not, consider how you might realign your priorities.

8. As a group, brainstorm and plan a compassion project that serves your local community.