07 Dec What is God asking of you today?

What God Asks Overview

Pastor Paul delivers a powerful message about active discipleship, challenging believers to move beyond passive faith into purposeful action. Drawing from his personal journey from reluctant worship leader to pastor, he emphasizes that God calls Christians to be His army on earth, requiring discipline and obedience like soldiers. The sermon explores seven fundamental actions God asks of believers: believing in Jesus, prioritizing Him first, reading His Word, assembling together in church, forgiving others, giving thanks without complaining, and praying without ceasing. Through personal testimony about overcoming fears and stepping into ministry, Pastor Paul demonstrates how taking steps of faith leads to supernatural growth and global impact. He highlights how their church’s obedience has resulted in worldwide ministry spanning 37 nations, including building churches in Afghanistan and supporting pastors globally. The message encourages believers that their time isn’t over and they are positioned ‘for such a time as this’ to accomplish mighty things for God’s kingdom here on earth.

What God Asks Outline

• 0:00 – Introduction: The Army of the Living God: God calls believers to active discipleship, not passive faith waiting for heaven.
• 3:00 – Military Discipline Comparison: Just as soldiers follow orders and training, Christians need spiritual discipline.
• 5:00 – Personal Testimony: From Fear to Faith: Pastor Paul shares his journey from reluctant guitarist to worship leader.
• 8:00 – Taking Steps of Faith: How stepping out in faith leads to supernatural growth and opportunities.
• 12:00 – Global Impact Through Obedience: The church’s worldwide ministry as result of following God’s calling.
• 15:00 – Seven Things God Asks of Believers: Biblical foundation for active Christian living and discipleship.
• 20:00 – Believing and Prioritizing Jesus: Salvation through faith and making Christ first priority in life.
• 25:00 – Word, Fellowship, Forgiveness, and Prayer: Essential spiritual disciplines for growing disciples of Christ.

Scripture References

Acts 16:31, Matthew 6:33, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 10:25, Luke 6:37, Philippians 2:14, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 1 Corinthians 13

Key Takeaways

• God calls believers to be His active army on earth, not passive recipients waiting for heaven.
• Taking steps of faith, even when afraid or uncertain, leads to supernatural growth and opportunities.
• Every believer is positioned ‘for such a time as this’ to accomplish mighty things for God’s kingdom.
• Reading God’s Word is essential armor for spiritual warfare against the enemy’s attacks.
• Assembling together in church builds believers up and prepares them for Christ’s return.
• Forgiveness prevents bitterness from destroying us mentally, spiritually, and physically.
• Prayer should be constant throughout our day, thanking God and seeking His help continually.

What God Asks Notes

Pastor Paul begins this transformative message by highlighting the global reach of their ministry, from French-speaking churches in Illinois to Russian-speaking congregations in Minnesota. This international impact serves as evidence of what happens when believers step out in faith to do what God asks of them. The pastor challenges the common misconception that salvation is merely a ‘ticket to heaven’ that allows Christians to sit back and wait passively. Instead, he emphasizes that believers are called to be the active body of Christ, serving as His hands and feet in the world.The military analogy proves particularly powerful as Pastor Paul compares Christian discipleship to enlisting in God’s army. Just as military recruits surrender control over where they live, what they do, and how they structure their days, Christians must embrace spiritual discipline and obedience to God’s commands. The Bible serves as our ‘Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth,’ providing detailed guidance for how believers should live and serve.Personal testimony becomes the heart of the message as Pastor Paul vulnerably shares his journey from a shy 14-year-old who never imagined playing guitar to becoming a worship leader and eventually a pastor. His story illustrates how God reveals gifts and callings through seemingly small steps of faith. The terror he felt leading worship for the first time, complete with sweaty palms and cotton mouth, demonstrates that God doesn’t call the equipped but equips the called.The transformation from individual obedience to corporate impact becomes evident as Pastor Paul describes how one person’s faithfulness can multiply globally. Dr. Holman’s decision to move to Merrill, Wisconsin in 1986 and start a church with just a handful of people has now resulted in ministry spanning 37 nations, including building churches in Afghanistan and supporting pastors worldwide. This illustrates the exponential impact when believers collectively obey God’s calling.The seven foundational requirements God asks of believers provide practical steps for active discipleship. Believing in Jesus Christ establishes the foundation, while prioritizing Him first ensures proper spiritual order in daily life. Reading God’s Word equips believers with spiritual weapons for warfare against the enemy, who attacks those actively serving God’s kingdom. Regular church attendance builds community and mutual encouragement as Christ’s return approaches.Forgiveness emerges as crucial for spiritual health, as harboring unforgiveness opens doors to bitterness that destroys people mentally, spiritually, and physically. Giving thanks without complaining and maintaining constant prayer creates an atmosphere where God can work through believers’ lives. Each element builds upon the others, creating a framework for effective Christian living that moves far beyond passive faith into active kingdom service.

Frequently Asked Questions