Do We Hear the Call?
Sometimes I wonder if we have not contributed to our own downfall.
We have emphasized NOT to preach unless you are called. I understand the reasons for this, both intellectual and experiential. But where did this idea come from? We have strong examples of the call to preach, expressed by Paul, "woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!" (1 Corinthians 9:16, NKJV) But where do we find this idea that if you are not called, you should not go into ministry? On the contrary, the commission of Christ seems to be the opposite!
It is true that there are some who are not a good fit for certain types of ministry. Sometimes, this is a spiritual problem, and needs the work of God. But other times, it is simply a personality element. For these, that area of ministry won't work, but that doesn't mean ministry should be abandoned! There are so many avenues to serve as a minister of God, that no personality or physique has a good excuse.
How has this idea worked out?
We have emphasized NOT to preach unless you are called. But unfortunately ... We don't hear the call anymore.
"Don't preach if you're not called." But we do not hear the call. And we continue to fill the ranks of that great army content to let others do the fighting. We call ourselves "workers," but in fact, many of us are welfare Christians.
Where are the ministers!? Where are those who will abandon all for the cause of Christ?
Listen --
I think ministry is one of the best things you can do. We have been redeemed by the power of God. We have been set free from our sins. We have been delivered from the power of the kingdom of darkness. We have been given the promise of eternal life. We -- and only we -- have been given the task of letting others know. How can we be so calloused as to be content to "be good Christians" and not share with others? Have you been redeemed? Have you received the Spirit of God and His goodness? Why don't you tell someone? Christ commissioned us --every one of us-- to carry the good news to all people.
How shall they hear without a preacher?!
We are commissioned to share. We have a duty to tell others. We have a calling to be Christ's ministers.
How can we who know the power of God do anything else?
Sometimes I wonder if we have not contributed to our own downfall.
We have emphasized NOT to preach unless you are called. I understand the reasons for this, both intellectual and experiential. But where did this idea come from? We have strong examples of the call to preach, expressed by Paul, "woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!" (1 Corinthians 9:16, NKJV) But where do we find this idea that if you are not called, you should not go into ministry? On the contrary, the commission of Christ seems to be the opposite!
"And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20, NKJV)Granted, we make a distinction between "the ministry" as a career and profession and witnessing in general, but perhaps we have dug this gulf too large.
It is true that there are some who are not a good fit for certain types of ministry. Sometimes, this is a spiritual problem, and needs the work of God. But other times, it is simply a personality element. For these, that area of ministry won't work, but that doesn't mean ministry should be abandoned! There are so many avenues to serve as a minister of God, that no personality or physique has a good excuse.
How has this idea worked out?
We have emphasized NOT to preach unless you are called. But unfortunately ... We don't hear the call anymore.
- We have surrounded ourselves with so much noise that we cannot hear his voice. -- We cannot hear the call.
- We have failed to pay our service charges of prayer and Scripture, and
the line has been disconnected. -- We cannot hear the call. - We are always roaming, and are often out of range. We seem to have "no service." -- We cannot hear the call.
"Don't preach if you're not called." But we do not hear the call. And we continue to fill the ranks of that great army content to let others do the fighting. We call ourselves "workers," but in fact, many of us are welfare Christians.
Where are the ministers!? Where are those who will abandon all for the cause of Christ?
Listen --
I think ministry is one of the best things you can do. We have been redeemed by the power of God. We have been set free from our sins. We have been delivered from the power of the kingdom of darkness. We have been given the promise of eternal life. We -- and only we -- have been given the task of letting others know. How can we be so calloused as to be content to "be good Christians" and not share with others? Have you been redeemed? Have you received the Spirit of God and His goodness? Why don't you tell someone? Christ commissioned us --every one of us-- to carry the good news to all people.
How shall they hear without a preacher?!
We are commissioned to share. We have a duty to tell others. We have a calling to be Christ's ministers.
How can we who know the power of God do anything else?
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