Called but Not Confined

This powerful message challenges us to rethink what it means to be called by God—reminding us that our calling doesn't require us to shrink, suppress our talents, or live confined lives. Drawing from the life of the Apostle Paul, we're invited to see how he was both a preacher and a tent maker, both educated and anointed, both spiritual and strategic. Paul didn't abandon his credentials, his Roman citizenship, his theological training under Gamaliel, or his business skills when he answered God's call. Instead, he leveraged everything God had given him—his languages, his education, his trade—to advance the Kingdom. This sermon series on being 'salty' and adding 'flavor' invites us to embrace a both-and mentality: we can be called to ministry and gifted for the marketplace, anointed for purpose and skilled for productivity, saved by grace and successful in our endeavors. The biblical truth that emerges is liberating—God doesn't ask us to turn off our personalities, degrees, certifications, or talents. He asks us to use them. When we recognize our 'plus'—those additional skills and capacities beyond our primary calling—we remove financial pressure, eliminate burnout, and create sustainable, long-term Kingdom impact. We're challenged to be like Peter, who didn't stop fishing but learned to fish for men, using his boat and trade throughout Jesus' ministry. The call is clear: walk boldly in everything God has placed within you, because being called doesn't cancel your capacity—it amplifies it.