Who Is Your ONE
“God wants us to have sensitive eyes for the one he has brought into our life.” – Pastor Matthew Johnson
Pastor Matthew Johnson opened a new five-week series with a message from Psalm 139 and Matthew 5. He explained that this series continues the nine weeks the church spent studying the Holy Spirit. The Spirit transforms us into a new creation and then empowers us, with God’s leading, to change the world. This series looks at what that calling is and how God wants to use each of us.
A New Series and a Fair Warning
Pastor Matthew began with a lighthearted story. With the Fairfield County Fair coming up, he remembered his very first trip to a fair. He grew up in Detroit, Michigan, and had never even heard of one. As he walked around a corner, a group of goats looked him in the eye and seemed to say his name over and over. He laughed that he can still hear their voices when he closes his eyes. He thinks they were just getting shampooed.
Then he turned to the series. He knows that talk of changing the world can sound like an exaggeration. But he believes every person in the room and everyone watching has a calling from God. His hope over the next five weeks is to inform, challenge, and encourage the church, and to refocus everyone on that calling.
He shared that over the last several months, many people he respects have told him they sense God is about to do something special through the church. He believes it starts with this series. Before going further, he prayed over the series. He asked God to release people from the fear and insecurity that keep them from living out their calling.
Then he turned to the series. He knows that talk of changing the world can sound like an exaggeration. But he believes every person in the room and everyone watching has a calling from God. His hope over the next five weeks is to inform, challenge, and encourage the church, and to refocus everyone on that calling.
He shared that over the last several months, many people he respects have told him they sense God is about to do something special through the church. He believes it starts with this series. Before going further, he prayed over the series. He asked God to release people from the fear and insecurity that keep them from living out their calling.
The One Thing They Have in Common
Pastor Matthew asked the church to picture someone God calls to change the world. What do they look like? Do they need a certain education, skill set, personality, level of leadership, amount of money, or influence?
Then he admitted it was a trick question. There is only one characteristic. They said yes to God.
Throughout Scripture and in all of our stories, God has used people from every background and with every kind of skill. Some were not even believers when God called them. Abraham most likely worshiped other gods. Paul made it his life’s work to shut down Christianity and even persecuted Christians. Yet God called them, and they said yes.
“You have a calling by God on your life right now. And all God needs in order to change the world through you is for you simply to say yes to him.” – Pastor Matthew Johnson
Then he admitted it was a trick question. There is only one characteristic. They said yes to God.
Throughout Scripture and in all of our stories, God has used people from every background and with every kind of skill. Some were not even believers when God called them. Abraham most likely worshiped other gods. Paul made it his life’s work to shut down Christianity and even persecuted Christians. Yet God called them, and they said yes.
“You have a calling by God on your life right now. And all God needs in order to change the world through you is for you simply to say yes to him.” – Pastor Matthew Johnson
Designed and Created By God
Pastor Matthew turned to Psalm 139, a song written by King David. David was not perfect, but he was a man after God’s own heart who loved and worshiped God. Pastor Matthew read verses 13–15.
“For you formed my inward parts. You knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
He explained that David was not a byproduct of accidental biology. God designed him and created him. Both words matter. God formed David to be the person He would later call him to be.
Pastor Matthew said insecurity often keeps people from embracing their calling. Yet everything true about us was designed by God for a purpose. It is okay to celebrate the ways God made us. Some people are good with their hands. Some are kind and make others feel at ease. Some have a great sense of humor or sharp intelligence that God uses at work.
“For you formed my inward parts. You knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
He explained that David was not a byproduct of accidental biology. God designed him and created him. Both words matter. God formed David to be the person He would later call him to be.
Pastor Matthew said insecurity often keeps people from embracing their calling. Yet everything true about us was designed by God for a purpose. It is okay to celebrate the ways God made us. Some people are good with their hands. Some are kind and make others feel at ease. Some have a great sense of humor or sharp intelligence that God uses at work.
A Shy Leader
Pastor Matthew shared that God made him a leader, and it took time for him to become comfortable with that. He was class president for student council in seventh, eighth, and ninth grade. At the end of his freshman year, he was elected president of the entire high school student council.
That year, he went to a student council conference and was placed in a room with other presidents. He is shy by nature, so he did not say a word. When his small group was asked to choose a leader, all seven others turned to him and asked him to lead. He went home and told his mom he did not understand why he kept becoming the leader. Years later, God showed him that this was how He designed him, for the roles He would call him to lead.
That year, he went to a student council conference and was placed in a room with other presidents. He is shy by nature, so he did not say a word. When his small group was asked to choose a leader, all seven others turned to him and asked him to lead. He went home and told his mom he did not understand why he kept becoming the leader. Years later, God showed him that this was how He designed him, for the roles He would call him to lead.
The Parts We Don’t Love
Then Pastor Matthew said something that may surprise people. The parts of our personality that we don’t love also come from God. They serve a purpose we may not understand yet.
He gave the example of people who say they hate feeling awkward. He joked that hearing it makes everyone feel awkward together. But he said seriously that some people who feel awkward will connect with others who see the world the same way. The world tries to define what is normal, but God designs each of us uniquely. He intends to use all of it if we let Him.
He gave the example of people who say they hate feeling awkward. He joked that hearing it makes everyone feel awkward together. But he said seriously that some people who feel awkward will connect with others who see the world the same way. The world tries to define what is normal, but God designs each of us uniquely. He intends to use all of it if we let Him.
Designed for Days and Days Designed for Us
Pastor Matthew read Psalm 139:16, where David says the days formed for him were written in God’s book before any of them came to be.
He pointed out that historians write down events after they happen. David says God wrote it down before it happened. Pastor Matthew called this a double intentionality. God designed us for days, and He designed days for us. That means God strategically places us where we are.
He acknowledged the tension. None of us has obeyed God perfectly. So how can we be in God’s plan after times of rebellion? He explained that God is sovereign and knew the choices we would make. In His love, He is willing to use us from wherever we are. Every day we say yes to Him, He has a redemptive plan to use our lives.
That means our backstory matters. Everything we have done and everything that has been done to us can be used by God. Our past, our present skills, and our personality can connect us with others.
Pastor Matthew used his marriage as an example. He and his wife, Mary, are very different. Where he is aggressive, she is gentle. Some people are drawn to Mary who will never be drawn to him, and the reverse is also true. God made them different on purpose.
He pointed out that historians write down events after they happen. David says God wrote it down before it happened. Pastor Matthew called this a double intentionality. God designed us for days, and He designed days for us. That means God strategically places us where we are.
He acknowledged the tension. None of us has obeyed God perfectly. So how can we be in God’s plan after times of rebellion? He explained that God is sovereign and knew the choices we would make. In His love, He is willing to use us from wherever we are. Every day we say yes to Him, He has a redemptive plan to use our lives.
That means our backstory matters. Everything we have done and everything that has been done to us can be used by God. Our past, our present skills, and our personality can connect us with others.
Pastor Matthew used his marriage as an example. He and his wife, Mary, are very different. Where he is aggressive, she is gentle. Some people are drawn to Mary who will never be drawn to him, and the reverse is also true. God made them different on purpose.
Salt and Light Right Now
Next, Pastor Matthew turned to Matthew 5, the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus had called His disciples and drawn a crowd of likely thousands of people. He began with the Beatitudes, which showed that God’s kingdom values things the world often does not reward. Then Jesus said this in Matthew 5:13–14.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lost its taste, how shall it saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world.”
Pastor Matthew explained that salt had two uses in that culture. It seasoned food, and it kept meat from decaying. At the very least, Jesus was saying they had something the world needed. On a deeper level, the world was decaying, and what they had could stop it. Light meant the world was in darkness, where people were unsafe and could not find their way.
Jesus said this to people who would not have felt like the hope of the world. They were insecure, struggling, and oppressed by Rome.
“Jesus isn’t calling a future version of people to be used to change the world. He’s calling every version including the current version.” – Pastor Matthew Johnson
Pastor Matthew said many people think they must reach a certain level of maturity, discipline, Bible knowledge, consistency, or purity before God can use them. But Jesus did not qualify His statement. If we were writing the story, we might have saved these words for the end, after three years of training and 40 days with the risen Jesus. Instead, Jesus said it at the beginning to people who were confused, broken, and even rebellious.
He pointed to Abraham, who wrestled with God’s promise of a son. When Abraham believed God, it was credited to him as righteousness. Pastor Matthew said the same is true for us. When we take God at His word and say yes, we are filled with His Spirit, and transformation begins.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lost its taste, how shall it saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world.”
Pastor Matthew explained that salt had two uses in that culture. It seasoned food, and it kept meat from decaying. At the very least, Jesus was saying they had something the world needed. On a deeper level, the world was decaying, and what they had could stop it. Light meant the world was in darkness, where people were unsafe and could not find their way.
Jesus said this to people who would not have felt like the hope of the world. They were insecure, struggling, and oppressed by Rome.
“Jesus isn’t calling a future version of people to be used to change the world. He’s calling every version including the current version.” – Pastor Matthew Johnson
Pastor Matthew said many people think they must reach a certain level of maturity, discipline, Bible knowledge, consistency, or purity before God can use them. But Jesus did not qualify His statement. If we were writing the story, we might have saved these words for the end, after three years of training and 40 days with the risen Jesus. Instead, Jesus said it at the beginning to people who were confused, broken, and even rebellious.
He pointed to Abraham, who wrestled with God’s promise of a son. When Abraham believed God, it was credited to him as righteousness. Pastor Matthew said the same is true for us. When we take God at His word and say yes, we are filled with His Spirit, and transformation begins.
Living in a Way That Draws People to God
Pastor Matthew explained that the first part of the calling is to live in a way that draws people to God. That does not mean standing on a corner with a bullhorn or blasting people on social media. It means being loving, kind, generous, and patient. It means being someone others feel safe around.
He shared about a pastor in the community he is becoming close friends with, Paul Bishop from the River Church. Paul speaks kindly about everyone, even pastors he would disagree with theologically.
“I feel safe around him because everyone else is safe in his mouth.” – Pastor Matthew Johnson
Pastor Matthew challenged the church to consider whether they act this way everywhere. Are we kind in some places and selfish in others? Do we gossip about coworkers and bosses because we think we have the right to?
He shared about a pastor in the community he is becoming close friends with, Paul Bishop from the River Church. Paul speaks kindly about everyone, even pastors he would disagree with theologically.
“I feel safe around him because everyone else is safe in his mouth.” – Pastor Matthew Johnson
Pastor Matthew challenged the church to consider whether they act this way everywhere. Are we kind in some places and selfish in others? Do we gossip about coworkers and bosses because we think we have the right to?
Sharing the Good News
The second part of the calling is to tell people the good news about Jesus. Pastor Matthew read Romans 10:9–15. If we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved.
Then Paul asks a series of questions. How will people call on Him if they have not believed? How will they believe if they have not heard? How will they hear without someone preaching? And how will someone preach unless they are sent?
“You are sent. You are Jesus’ plan A. There is no plan B.” – Pastor Matthew Johnson
Then Paul asks a series of questions. How will people call on Him if they have not believed? How will they believe if they have not heard? How will they hear without someone preaching? And how will someone preach unless they are sent?
“You are sent. You are Jesus’ plan A. There is no plan B.” – Pastor Matthew Johnson
Sensitive Eyes For The One
Pastor Matthew said the statement he will build on each week is that God wants us to have sensitive eyes for the one He has brought into our lives. He clarified that this does not mean only one person. In every environment, there may be at least one person God wants us to connect with. That could be in our family, at work, in our neighborhood, in a hobby, or even at the grocery store.
Philip Finds Nathaniel
He illustrated this with John 1. Jesus found Philip and said, “Follow me.” Pastor Matthew believes Philip likely heard Jesus teach and saw His miracles before choosing to follow. Philip was Jesus’ one.
Then Philip went back to his community and found Nathaniel, someone he already knew. Philip told him they had found the one Moses and the prophets wrote about, Jesus of Nazareth.
Nathaniel doubted. He said, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Pastor Matthew explained that Nazareth was a small, poor town, and the comment was prejudiced. Philip simply answered, “Come and see.”
Pastor Matthew said this often happens when we invite someone. They may be skeptical, even after we have been kind and had spiritual conversations. Our invitation can be simple. Will you come to church and see what I have experienced?
When Nathaniel came, Jesus honored him publicly. Nathaniel asked how Jesus knew him. Jesus said He saw him under the fig tree before Philip called him. Pastor Matthew joked that it felt like a flex from Jesus, as if He had also heard what Nathaniel said about Nazareth. Nathaniel quickly changed his tune and declared Jesus the Son of God and the King of Israel. Jesus told him he would see even greater things.
Jesus found Philip. Philip found Nathaniel. Pastor Matthew explained that the Great Commission became possible because each person kept finding their one. He said the series name reflects a lasting statement for the church. Their heart and calling is for everyone everywhere.
Then Philip went back to his community and found Nathaniel, someone he already knew. Philip told him they had found the one Moses and the prophets wrote about, Jesus of Nazareth.
Nathaniel doubted. He said, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Pastor Matthew explained that Nazareth was a small, poor town, and the comment was prejudiced. Philip simply answered, “Come and see.”
Pastor Matthew said this often happens when we invite someone. They may be skeptical, even after we have been kind and had spiritual conversations. Our invitation can be simple. Will you come to church and see what I have experienced?
When Nathaniel came, Jesus honored him publicly. Nathaniel asked how Jesus knew him. Jesus said He saw him under the fig tree before Philip called him. Pastor Matthew joked that it felt like a flex from Jesus, as if He had also heard what Nathaniel said about Nazareth. Nathaniel quickly changed his tune and declared Jesus the Son of God and the King of Israel. Jesus told him he would see even greater things.
Jesus found Philip. Philip found Nathaniel. Pastor Matthew explained that the Great Commission became possible because each person kept finding their one. He said the series name reflects a lasting statement for the church. Their heart and calling is for everyone everywhere.
The Power of One Penny
Pastor Matthew closed with an illustration. Would you rather have $1,000 in cash today or a penny that doubles every day for a month? Most people would take the $1,000. After 11 days, the penny still looks small. After 22 days, it has grown far more than expected. By day 30, it reaches $5.3 million. In a month with 31 days, it reaches $10.7 million.
He explained that this is why, 2,000 years after the Great Commission, every continent has heard about Jesus and billions of people have been saved.
“Not because one person preached to billions, but because one preached to one and one preached to one.” – Pastor Matthew Johnson
He asked the church to pray for the Holy Spirit to give them sensitivity to everyone everywhere. Instead of walking into a place thinking about their rights as a customer, they can ask if there might be a one there.
Pastor Matthew closed in prayer. He thanked Jesus for finding us when we were lost and broken, and for sending someone into each of our lives. For some, that was a parent or grandparent. He prayed that both campuses would embrace their calling and that the Holy Spirit would show them their ones.
He explained that this is why, 2,000 years after the Great Commission, every continent has heard about Jesus and billions of people have been saved.
“Not because one person preached to billions, but because one preached to one and one preached to one.” – Pastor Matthew Johnson
He asked the church to pray for the Holy Spirit to give them sensitivity to everyone everywhere. Instead of walking into a place thinking about their rights as a customer, they can ask if there might be a one there.
Pastor Matthew closed in prayer. He thanked Jesus for finding us when we were lost and broken, and for sending someone into each of our lives. For some, that was a parent or grandparent. He prayed that both campuses would embrace their calling and that the Holy Spirit would show them their ones.
Take Your Seat at The Tree Church
If you are looking for a church in Lancaster or a church in Logan, we would love to welcome you to The Tree Church. We are one church meeting at two campuses in Ohio. Join us any Sunday at 9:00 AM or 11:00 AM.
Lancaster Campus
721 N Memorial Dr, Lancaster, OH 43130
Logan Campus
36 Hocking Mall, Logan, OH 43138
We can’t wait to meet you this Sunday!
Lancaster Campus
721 N Memorial Dr, Lancaster, OH 43130
Logan Campus
36 Hocking Mall, Logan, OH 43138
We can’t wait to meet you this Sunday!
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