TAKE YOUR PLACE.
August 10, 2025 || Matthew 18:21-35
🎉 Icebreaker: Same & Different
Pair up with a partner for 3 minutes and find 1 difference and 1 similarity you share. At the end, share the similarities and differences everyone discovered.
🗓️ Announcements:
Child Dedications
Sunday, August 17th - All Services
Young Adults Worship Night
Thursday, August 28th - 6:30 PM 8:30 PM
North Park Location
Dare to Connect Deeper Marriage Conference
Friday, Aug 29th 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Saturday, Aug 30th 9:00AM - 4:00 PM
Family Day at the Park
Monday, September 1st 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
MAN CAMP
Thursday, October 9th - Saturday, October 11th
Whispering Winds Camp 17606 Harrison Park Road Julian, CA
3 Ways to Take Your Place.
1. Don’t Miss the Opportunity Because You Weren’t in the Room.
Matthias didn’t stand out because of fame, status, or platform. He stood out because he stayed in the room. He wasn’t in the inner circle, but he was faithful in the outer one. His reward came because when it was time to choose the next apostle, he was there. He was present.
Being present may not always feel exciting in the moment, but presence builds trust. It’s the habit of showing up — to your family, to church, to prayer, to serve — that positions you for God’s opportunities. Sometimes the miracle isn’t in what you see God do in the moment, but in the opportunity that comes later because you didn’t leave the room too soon.
Reflection Question:
Where do I need to be more present so I don’t miss the opportunity God has for me? Where do I need to stay present?
2. God’s Choices Are Determined by Our Heart.
Man looks at the outward appearance, but God sees the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). That means He’s less impressed with what you do and more concerned with why you do it. Think of it this way:
God discerns the heart by:
Our motives – Are we serving for recognition or out of love?
What we do in secret – Integrity is proven in the unseen moments.
How we obey under pressure – Do we remain faithful when it’s hard?
What we treasure – What we value shows where our heart truly lies.
What we say – Words are the overflow of our inner life.
Matthias wasn’t chosen because he was the loudest, but because God could trust his heart. If we want to take our place in God’s plan, we must invite Him to search our hearts and shape them to look like His.
Reflection Question:
If God evaluated my heart today, what would He find?
3. Don’t Just Take the Space — Take the Assignment.
Taking your place in the Kingdom means more than just filling a position. It is fulfilling a purpose. Matthias didn’t just sit where Judas once sat; he stepped into the mission of carrying the Gospel to the world.
Some of us have been given opportunities but have not yet embraced the weight of the calling. The chair you’re given comes with a mission attached. God’s invitation is always to action — to live out your faith, to serve others, to speak His truth, to go where He sends you. All He’s waiting for is a response to HIs invitation.
Like Isaiah, our response should be, “Here am I, send me.” Don’t settle for occupying space. Commit to carrying the assignment with all your heart.
Reflection Question:
What assignment has God placed before me, and how will I respond this week?
THIS WEEK’S DECLARATION: "This week, I respond to God’s invitation with my full yes. I will show up with faith, guard my heart with truth, and embrace the assignment He has entrusted to me. I refuse to just occupy space — I will fulfill my purpose. I am called, chosen, and committed to walk in all that He has prepared for me."
