The "Not Getting Picked" Test | The Master's Degree | Greg Ford

ICEBREAKER:

What is your favorite winter activity and why?

MESSAGE NOTES:

[Mark 3:7]

Jesus went out to the lake with his disciples, and a large crowd followed him. They came from all over…

[Mark 3:13-15]

Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him. 14 Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach, 15 giving them authority to cast out demons.

[Luke 6:12-13]

One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. 13 At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles.

We tend to confuse Significance and Purpose with Rank and Recognition

[II Corinthians 4:16]

…Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.

[Acts 1:12-15]

Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile. 13 When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the zealot), and Judas (son of James). 14 They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. 15 During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place,

[Acts 1:21-26]

So now we must choose a replacement for Judas from among the men who were with us the entire time we were traveling with the Lord Jesus—22 from the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus’ resurrection.” 23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they all prayed, “O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen 25 as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven.

3 Questions to Wrestle with…

1. Does this not fit because it’s not designed for me or does it not fit because I haven’t grown into it yet?

2. Am I taking my work too seriously or not seriously enough?

3. Where is my passion coming from? Am I driven more by the results of my work or by the nature of my work?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

QUESTION 1: Have you ever “not been picked”? What emotions do you remember feeling?

QUESTION 2: How do you practically de-link purpose and significance, with rank and recognition?

QUESTION 3: How does this question apply in real life?

“Does this not fit because its not designed for me, or does it not fit because I have not grown into it yet?”

One ChurchFebruary 1, 2023