“God’s vision (calling) for you is solid, invincible, and has been in place for a long time. It is unstoppable. Only arrogance or ignorance would attempt to displace it. And yet we do. We presume to design what we will become in Him. We chase our fantasies over His chosen vision. We forecast and fashion our lives in our own image. We reengineer ourselves for cultural acceptability.”

Practical Theology: Calling “I, therefore, a prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called…”

Positional Theology (1-3): Calling us to Himself -blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ -chose us in Him before the foundation of the world -predestined us to adoption as sons through Christ -in Him we have redemption -He has made know the mystery of His will -in Him we have obtained an inheritance -in Him we were sealed in the Holy Spirit -and on and on and on……….

Practical Theology (4-5): Calling us to a mission -don’t walk in the futility of your mind -be imitators of God and walk in love -walk as children of light -don’t walk as unwise men, but walk as wise -be filled and controlled by the Spirit -marriage, parenting, and work -the realities of fighting spiritual forces of darkness

Practical Theology: Calling Whose am I? Allegiance Who am I? Design What has my life prepared me for? Preparation Why do I desire this? Passion Where is the Lord sending me? Focus When will this happen? Timing What do I need to get it done? Execution

Practical Theology: Attitude “…with all humility, and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love….”

Cultural Gentleness

Praytes: mildness of disposition Biblical Gentleness Praytes: mildness of disposition

“low self regard and sense of Cultural Humility “low self regard and sense of unworthiness”

Biblical Humility Have this attitude in yourselves that was also in Christ Jesus, who although He existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped…and being found in appearance as a man He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death

Practical Theology: Attitude “…being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” diligent- an exertion; an endeavor preserve- to protect carefully

It’s time to kiss the middle ground good bye! Practical Theology: Allegiance “There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.” It’s time to kiss the middle ground good bye!

Practical Theology: Calling, Attitude, and Allegiance Confidence and Clarity Security and Significance Fulfillment and Passion Strength, insight, wisdom “I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly”