Vocation

Question: How do I know my vocation / calling and why does my job matter if I’m not in the ministry?

Vocation

1 Corinthians 7:17-24

The doctrine of vocation has its root in Latin(voca) and means “calling”.

The Latin comes from the Greek “klesis” which means “one's temporal status and position in life, social role, vocation, situation, station”

The word vocation came to be used of the ministry and religious order in the Catholic Church.

However Luther, in the Reformation, was the first to apply that word to the occupations and offices of the regular lay person.

Today the word “vocation” as become common place and is a synonym for a profession or job.

But behind the term and its root (klesis in Greek or voca in Latin) is the notion that every legitimate kind of work (plumber) or social function (mommy) is a distinct "calling" or “vocation” from God, requiring unique God-given gifts, skills, and talents.

Moreover, the Reformation doctrine of vocation teaches that God himself is active in everyday human labor, family responsibilities, and social interactions to display his love and care for creation and particularly his people.

That is to say that God uses means to interact with his creation and his people.
Examples: Medical profession as a means of healing;
Farming as a means of feeding people as a common grace;
teachers who teach people to read that will end up reading the Scriptures and being saved or held accountable for the information they rejected in sin and rebellion;
welders or machinists that produce parts that make life easier as a means of God’s kindness to us to allow us to do more and serve more and give more;
mothers who nurture and train as a means of grace in equipping the next generation to be good citizens;
fathers who set an example of hard work and trust in God, etc…

It’s hard to have a discussion about vocation apart from the doctrine of God’s providence.

God’s providence: God is continually involved with all created things in such a way that he (1) keeps them existing and maintaining the properties with which he created them; (2) cooperates with created things in every action, directing their distinctive properties to cause them to act as they do; and (3) directs them to fulfill his purposes.

Question: How do I know my vocation / calling and why does my job matter if I’m not in the ministry?

1. Your vocation is to be found in the place you currently occupy
1 Corinthians 7:17-24
Context of the passage: stay in your God-ordained relationships; do not seek to abandon them or destroy them
V. 17 (perfect tense) (remain ethnically unique)
V. 20 (each one is to remain in the call {station} to which he is called)
V. 24

In verse 17-24 the first context is regarding one’s ethnic uniqueness when they are converted.
The next context is regarding one’s station / vocation in life v. 20, 21, 22, 24

1. Where one is, is just right
2. Where one is, is God’s work not one’s self determining power
- Be content with who you are
- Be content with what you are doing (as long as it’s legitimate)
- Be humbled
- Be submissive
- Do your absolute best where you are as your worship

2. Your vocation is a “means” of showing God’s love to his creation
Isaiah 45:1-7
- This is why your vocation / calling matters among the nations
- This is why your vocation / calling matters among the hurting in Floyd County
- God is at work in your daily work to grace mankind and particularly his church
- God uses even the unsaved to show his kindness to man and even the church
- We can remember that God is working for our good

3. God is concerned with how you execute your vocation not whether you are “doing ministry”
Colossians 3:23
* It does not matter what you do (as long as it is legitimate), your work is holy 1 Peter 2:9
* Keep your heart in check while you work
- If you are whining, then repent
- If you are learning, growing, supplying, productive, then keep worshipping

4. Focus on abiding in Christ not changing vocations unless a better job is offered or you have the opportunity to seek a better vocation, and then do that with integrity
* Focus on longevity not instant gratification
* Give above and beyond the typical notice if allowed
* Make sure you employer is better off for having you as an employee

5. You may have more than one vocation
* Married and employed
* Mother / Father and employed
* Employed and Civil Servant / Volunteer

6. Being a Parent is a vocation and is as important as being a King
* Mothers need not let feminism rob them of a high calling
* Fathers need not let playing rob them of a high calling

7. Wherever you are currently is where God has you 1 Corinthians 7:17, 20, 21, 22, 24
(# 1 repeated in different words for effect because I believe many have sought ministry for fulfillment because they were dissatisfied with their jobs and gone to ministry with the wrong intention of fulfilling themselves and not to serve Christ and his church)
- We do not end up anywhere because we are self-determining beings.
- We are where we are because our loving Father has put us there.

* We are placed rightly (indicated by the perfect tense)
* God has placed us where we are (indicated by the passive voice)