The Knowing of the Called | John F. Hannah | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

The Knowing of the Called

New Life Covenant Church Southeast • Oct 4, 2026 • 45 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this Saturday night devotion, Pastor John F. Hannah challenges believers not to pause or compromise their God-given purpose for temporary physical attachments during 'cuffing season.' Examining the life and ministry of John the Baptist, he outlines four foundational truths every believer must possess: knowing who you are, knowing who you are not, knowing what you do, and knowing who you do it for. By stepping out of comparison, shedding unnatural expectations, and focusing on revealing Jesus Christ, believers can confidently embrace their unique calling in every stage of life.

Themes

Divine CallingIdentity in ChristSpiritual PurposeAuthentic MinistryResisting CompromiseSingle and Married Life

Pastor's Points

1.

You have to know who you are.

2.

You have to know who you're not.

3.

You have to know what you do.

4.

You have to know who you do it for.

Key Points

1.
You have to know who you are.
2.
You have to know who you're not.
3.
You have to know what you do.
4.
You have to know who you do it for.
5.
Cuffing refers to partnering with someone temporarily solely for physical contact, whereas calling is embracing the life God has designated for you whether single, married, divorced, or widowed.
6.
When you walk in your divine assignment, people will inquire about your identity, but you must answer with the confidence of scripture rather than letting others define you.
7.
Like David refusing Saul's armor, believers must take off artificial titles, expectations, and imitations that do not fit their personal God-given identity.
8.
John the Baptist's camel-hair clothing and diet of locusts and wild honey illustrate that your lifestyle and tools must match your specific God-given location and assignment.

Sermon Moments

“Cuffing means to partner with someone only for physical contact for a season... Calling is to embrace the life that God has called you into whether you are single, married, divorced, or widowed.”

“If you don't know who you are, you'll let people who are inquiring about you tell you who you are.”

“David told Saul, 'I can't go in this; this ain't me,' and David took it off. You need to take off what isn't you.”

“My outfit and my diet match my assignment because my assignment is in the wilderness.”

“When you know who you are, who you're not, and what you do, God validates it by bringing people to your oil.”

“I do all of this so that He might be revealed.”

“You want to cuff something? Cuff your calling and be confident in who you are.”

This Week

Refuse to pause or compromise your God-given purpose to pursue temporary physical intimacy or relationship status.

Spend time in scripture daily so you can hear God's voice directly rather than relying solely on secondhand reports or opinion.

Write down who God says you are in His Word, rejecting labels, false prophecies, and assumptions imposed by others.

Identify areas where you may be mimicking other ministers or leaders, and choose instead to walk authentically in your own God-given style.

Take off any metaphorical "Saul's armor"—expectations, titles, or methods that do not fit your specific assignment.

Embrace the unique location, tools, and diet required for your specific mission, even if it looks different from mainstream culture.

Evaluate your daily work and ministry to ensure your primary motivation is revealing Jesus Christ rather than seeking personal praise.

Remember This

Instead of putting your God-given assignment on pause for temporary seasonal attachments, embrace and 'cuff' your calling with unshakeable confidence in who God made you to be.

A Challenge for You

Cuff your calling and be confident in who you are.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.