God's Will - Finding Your Place - Auguast 9, 2009

Sunday School Lesson – Have You Found Your Place? – August 9, 2009

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “Finding and Following God’s Will.”

Our scripture is Exodus 35:30-36:1; Jeremiah 1:4-8; Colossians 3:16-17.

Most often believers equate doing the will of GOD in terms of a calling to some form of ministry in the church or a church related career. GOD calls every believer to full time Christian service. HE calls some to be factory workers, mechanics, doctors, lawyers, public servants, flipping burgers, teachers, bus drivers, police officers, pastors, missionaries, artist, writers, waitresses, waiters, busboys, garbage collectors, pilots, plumbers, builders, electricians, clerks, sports, business men/women and the list goes on.

In the Great Commission, JESUS admonishes believers to go into the entire world and spread the gospel of CHRIST. We are individuals and physically limit but collectively, believers are ubiquitous. Believers go into all parts of the world every day and come in contact with a host of people every day. Believers are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Believers are light and salt. They should let their lights shine and live their lives such that their lives will be savory so others will seek to know their source of strength, assurance and happiness they have. Believers need to obediently serve the LORD where they are and as HE provides the opportunity.

Let’s read Exodus 35:30-36:1:

³⁰ Moses then said to the Israelites: “Look, the Lord has appointed by name Bezalel (Beh ZAL eh el) son of Uri (yoo RIGH), son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.
³¹ He has filled him with God’s Spirit, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in every kind of craft
³² to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze,
³³ to cut gemstones for mounting, and to carve wood for work in every kind of artistic craft.
³⁴ He has also given both him and Oholiab (uh HOH lih ab) son of Ahisamach (uh HIZ uh mak), of the tribe of Dan, [the ability]^* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. to teach [others]^* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. .
³⁵ He has filled them with skill to do all the work of a gem cutter; a designer; an embroiderer in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen; and a weaver. They can do every kind of craft and design artistic designs.

Exodus 36:1:

¹ Bezalel (BENZ uh lehl), Oholiab (oh HOH lih ab), and all the skilled[1]wise of heart people are to work based on everything the Lord has commanded. The Lord has given them wisdom and understanding to know how to do all the work of constructing the sanctuary.” Lit

GOD had given special instructions to Moses for the construction of the tabernacle. The tabernacle was to be the place where GOD would reside when HE came to earth and it was to be constructed according to GOD’S plan.

GOD in turn called Bezalel and Oholiab to build the tabernacle. Since Bezalel is mentioned first, he was likely in charge of the project. Notice in verse 31that GOD first fully equipped Bezalel by filling him with HIS SPIRIT. Then GOD equipped him with the necessary abilities and skills to do the job.

Let’s fast forward to Pentecost. GOD sent the HOLY SPIRIT to indwell every believer to equip and empower them for service. As believers, we have all been filled with the HOLY SPIRIT and equipped to serve our LORD according to HIS plan and purpose. Even though we are fully equipped, we still have the right to choose. Bezalel and Oholiab built the tabernacle for GOD to come to earth to fellowship and guide HIS people. Because of the passion and obedience of CHRIST, all believers have the presence of GOD in their lives 24/7. HE has called, equipped and empowered all believers to serve HIM in an infinite number of ways.

As we continue to study our scripture, we see that GOD called a variety of people (craftsmen, designers and artists) to perform special tasks to accomplish HIS plan and purpose. Those HE called, He also called to teach, mentor and train others to learn these various crafts and skills. GOD calls and equips people with special talents, skills, passions, and gifts to serve HIM. The longer we serve HIM, using our God-given abilities, the more efficient, proficient and skilled we are in them. It is GOD’S desire for believers to glorify HIM in whatever their calling.

We see in this scripture that even though GOD had called Moses to be the leader of the Israelites, GOD called others to complete what HE had revealed to Moses. Moses delegated the construct to others, but GOD held him accountable to see that the job got done. When people are gifted to do a task, it often looks easy to others and they think we can do that. Then when we get the opportunity, we find it is not as easy as we thought.

Bezalel and Oholiab were called as laymen into ministry for GOD. In our next scripture, we will see the calling of the Prophet Jeremiah. Even though these are different ministries, they are all called, equipped and empowered by GOD to accomplish HIS plan and purpose.

Let’s read Jeremiah 1:4-8:

⁴ The word of the Lord came to me:
⁵ I chose you before I formed you in the womb;[1] Ps 139:13–16 I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations.
⁶ But I protested, “Oh no, Lord God! Look, I don’t know how to speak[2] Ex 4:10 since I am [only]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. a youth.”
⁷ Then the Lord said to me: Do not say: I am [only]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. a youth, for you will go to everyone I send you to and speak whatever I tell you.[3] Dt 18:18
8 Do not be afraid of anyone, for I will be with you to deliver you. [This is]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the Lord’s declaration.

Jeremiah’s call to ministry came about 626 BC, which was the 13^th year reign of Josiah, King of Judah. Judah was deteriorating, which Josiah realized. Judah had four (4) kings after Josiah. Judah’s fall to the Babylonians came were during the reigns of Jehoiakim and Zedekiah, both Josiah’s, son. These were very difficult times for the Jewish people and it was during these days that Jeremiah was trying to preach and serve GOD. GOD called Jeremiah to ministry but Jeremiah balked by telling GOD that he could not speak because he was a youth. Jeremiah was likely in his late teens or early twenties.

GOD taught Jeremiah a valuable lesson. When GOD calls HE also prepares, equips and empowers. Even though GOD knew that Judah would continue to deteriorate and fall to Babylon, HE still called Jeremiah to preach to the people. GOD never gives up on those HE loves but always gives everyone an opportunity to repent and change the course of their destiny. Jeremiah could also see where Judah was headed. GOD’S message through Jeremiah was a message of judgment unless you change. This brings to my mind, “Where is America headed?” Our nation was founded on Christian values and principles. But now we allow minority religions to dictate. 9/11 got our attention but how quickly we have forgotten and returned to our old ways. America is a Christian nation and we need to take a stand. Other religions are free to practice their religion but our government should not alter our freedom to express the Christian faith publicly in schools, ballgames, or as our faith leads. Are our national and state leaders governing – under the true GOD or according to the flesh?

Jeremiah questioned his calling and his ability. The LORD revealed to the Prophet Jeremiah that he was chosen and set apart before he was conceived and formed in the womb. His decision to serve the LORD was not a whim or his own decision but GOD had chosen him. Even though GOD had chosen Jeremiah, he had to choose to serve GOD, which he did. One of my favorite verses of scripture – Ephesians 1:4 - ⁴ for He chose[3]Rm 11:5–71 Co 1:26–311 Th 1:42 Th 2:131 Pt 1:1–2 us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.[4]3–14 In love[5] In His sight in love ; ; ; ; Vv. are 1 sentence in Gk. Or

GOD has a plan for every believer. All believers have the right to choose. The foreknowledge of GOD allows HIM to know how a person will choose. Many choices have consequences, both good and bad. Because of poor choices, believers may miss out on a blessing GOD had intended for them to receive. GOD’S plan and purpose will go forward as HE planned but without our involvement because of our choice. Believers never lose their salvation. They may lose the reward and blessing.

Jeremiah was uncertain and uptight about what lay ahead of him. GOD made it clear to Jeremiah that HE did not have to worry or be concerned because HE would prepare, equip and empower him for the task HE had called him to. Whether a believer is young or old, he/she should never balk at what GOD has asked him/her to do. GOD provides the strength, the ability and the opportunity to accomplish HIS plan and purpose. It will be a process of building trust and confidence with GOD; it is all about building the right relationship with GOD.

Let’s read Colossians 3: 16-17:

¹⁶ Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

The Apostle Paul urges the Christians in Colossi to keep the message of CHRIST in their hearts. When the message of CHRIST dwells in believers richly, it keeps believer’s minds focused upon the rich heritage of eternal salvation though CHRIST. Such an assurance is encouraging to believers, as well as, fellow believers. A heart that dwells upon CHRIST produces expressions of joy, wisdom, praises and singing. Such genuine expressions are contagious and influence others.

The Apostle Paul made it clear to the believers in Colossi, no matter what they do – whether they speak (word) or respond to a need (in deed), honor GOD. Paul admonished believers to reflect on what CHRIST had done for them and to share their spiritual knowledge with each other. CHRIST saved believers from certain eternal death because of their sins. CHRIST gave HIS life to pay the debt for sin so that all who believe in HIM are set free to obediently serve GOD out of hearts of gratitude. A grateful heart is a heart full of joy and the knowledge of the presence of GOD in his/her life. This is awesome.

The will of GOD is for believers to know that HE has equipped them with certain God-given abilities and gifts, called them to use those abilities and gifts and to honor HIM as they use these abilities and gifts to obediently serve HIM.

Do you know what GOD has called you to do? If not, pray and ask HIM to reveal it to you. Likely, you will see that you have been doing the will of the FATHER all along.

The three (3) main themes in our study are:

- Use Your God-given Abilities and gifts to serve GOD and others as HE leads.

- Open Yourself to a Divine Call. Keep in mind it is not your ability but GOD’S.

- Honor GOD in Whatever You Do. Stay focused upon HIM, let HIS Word dwell in you richly. Let the joy of the LORD spill over to others you encounter in life.

Blessings to all as you read and study.