MARKETPLACE FACTS
QESTIONS THAT NEED SOME ANWERS Module 406 B Mario Denton Marketplace facts: Questions that need some answers
Marketplace facts: Questions that need some answers
Marketplace facts: Questions that need some answers
Overall purpose of this series on Marketplace To understand and learn from various marketplace facts so that you can: • Be more effective and anointed wherever you are in the marketplace. • Adapt and benchmark your marketplace practices and principles discussed in this series. • Use these material to facilitate the work of evangelism.
Marketplace facts: Questions that need some answers
Three fundamental questions
Marketplace facts: Questions that need some answers
Questions That Need Answers • Questions that seems and what is are worlds apart. • It is becoming increasingly evident that many are searching illusively for love and meaning – which can only partially be fulfilled in lives separated from God. Marketplace facts: Questions that need some answers
Questions That Need Answers • Much of vacuous existence has to do with failing to understand several truths that are essential to making sense out of life:
Marketplace facts: Questions that need some answers
Question 1: Who am I? This has to do with my identify:
Marketplace facts: Questions that need some answers
Who am I? This has to do with my identify: •
On the day of his calling, God informed Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you...” Isaiah spoke similarly, “…Before I was born the Lord called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name…” (Jeremiah 1:5a; Isaiah 49:1b) (See Gal. 1:5) Marketplace facts: Questions that need some answers
Who am I? This has to do with my identify: • How many people do you and I know who spend their lives trying to figure out who they are, often by trying to prove they are someone. • They already are “someone” in God’s eyes, but don’t know it! (Isa. 43:4; John 1:9) Marketplace facts: Questions that need some answers
Who am I? This has to do with my identify • Those who are anchored in Christ and his promises know who they are: Loved by God from all eternity. (Jer. 31:3) • Because there is nothing to prove, I can rest in him, and live life in a sane manner as God unfolds his plan for my life.
Marketplace facts: Questions that need some answers
Question 2 What am I to do? This has to do with my purpose
Marketplace facts: Questions that need some answers
What am I to do? This has to do with my purpose • God informed Jeremiah, “Before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5) • Clearly he was called to proclaim His message of love and repentance to a rebellious people. Marketplace facts: Questions that need some answers
What am I to do? This has to do with my purpose • Isaiah shared a similar assurance as to his purpose: “[God]…formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself…” (Isaiah 49:5b) So why are we here? Primarily to know and love God and glorify him, as his salt and light to lost humanity. (Ph. 3:8;Matt.22:37,38; 5:13,16)
Marketplace facts: Questions that need some answers
What am I to do? This has to do with my purpose • Be assured, that God has an individualised plan for you! • From all eternity he has known you and prepared you to be part of his grand design of knowing him and influencing others to know him.
Marketplace facts: Questions that need some answers
What am I to do? This has to do with my purpose • It was he who chose your parents, your DNA, social background, educational opportunities, degree of athletic capability, the country in which you were born and raised, etc., etc. • All part of his sovereign plan Marketplace facts: Questions that need some answers
What am I to do? This has to do with my purpose • The fulfillment of that plan may well be accomplished in the uncelebrated responsibilities of your daily life: Providing for your family, keeping the lawn mowed, conducting business in an ethical manner, loving the hurting people around you toward knowing Jesus, training up your progeny to become godly, responsible adults, etc., etc.
Marketplace facts: Questions that need some answers
Question 3 How am I to do it This has to do with his provision (as I fulfill his purpose) Marketplace facts: Questions that need some answers
How am I to do it? • In the case of Jeremiah, God stated, “’Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land--against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you…" (Jeremiah 1:18,19a) Marketplace facts: Questions that need some answers
How am I to do it • The work of God starts with faith, not action. Jesus stated, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."
Marketplace facts: Questions that need some answers
How am I to do it • The essence of fulfilling his calling is believing that God can be taken seriously in terms of provision, sufficiency, and enabling. “The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.” (I Thess. 5:24)
Marketplace facts: Questions that need some answers
On a personal note • You will find that it is only as you immerse yourself in unrushed times of prayerful meditation of the Scriptures, worship, and solitude that you receive the courage and eternal perspective to believe Him, rest in Him, and be led and empowered by Him as His channel of ministry to others. Marketplace facts: Questions that need some answers
Questions that matter • Does the focus and tenor of your life reflect the fact that you are experiencing the answers to these three fundamental questions?
Marketplace facts: Questions that need some answers
Questions that matter • If not, what practical steps do you need to take in order to resolve the uncertainty?
Marketplace facts: Questions that need some answers
Prayer Focus • Father, In the name of Jesus, I surrender myself to walk in the Word in the marketplace. Your word living in me produces the Life in this world. • The word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. It makes my way plain before me. • I boldly and confidently say that my heart is fixed and established on the solid foundation – the Living Word of God! Amen Marketplace facts: Questions that need some answers
Learning, application and commitment: James 1: 22-25 • “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. • Do what it says. • Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in the mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. • But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does.” (NIV) Marketplace facts: Questions that need some answers
Learning, application and commitment • One of the principles that I have learned from this lesson was … • I intend to apply this principle in my marketplace by: ….. • With the help of the Holy Spirit, I will begin applying this truth immediately. Marketplace facts: Questions that need some answers
Jesus said: Take what I have given you and change the world!
Marketplace facts: Questions that need some answers
Sources and acknowledgement CHRIST@ WORK NEWSLETTER • •
Copyright Notice FCCI- Limited permission to copy without altering text or profiteering is granted subject to inclusion of this copyright notice. Copy is limited to member and/or FCCI small group use. Unauthorized use of FCCI, Christ@Work, Crown Companies, their trademarks or logos is strictly prohibited.
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The “Facts of the Matter” is also available through the Internet: www.factsofthematter.org. R. Dwight Hill. Slides compiled by Dr Mario Denton. Please commit yourself to inform us of the results regarding the effectiveness thereof should you wish to use this material.
Marketplace facts: Questions that need some answers
Blessings from Mario Denton
Let's keep the good marketplace vibes alive. Let's network. Become a member of the Crown Companies Marketplace Coaching Forum. Â Tel (w) + 27(0) 82 88 29903. e-mail address:mario@crown.org.za Website: www.crown.org.za Marketplace facts: Questions that need some answers