When you think of pastors and missionaries who sacrifice or should be sacrificing anything to serve Christ, our religious communities, we call the church, declare they are called to do that. Then what are the duties of the believer, the individual that possesses Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit indwells them? Are believers called out by God? What does being called really mean in the average lifestyle of a believer in the western culture we live in?
Years ago when I pastored one of the churches I served at, the church chairman's wife told me face to face, that she hadn't serve for 20 years but that the elders hired me to do the serving and that I worked for them. Fascinating...this happens a lot to those who serve vocationally! Very sad! This is NOT what Christ intended but it is the mentality way to often in the church. So who is called? Are we all called? And to what are we called?
Let's look at some defining scriptures and words of Jesus Himself.
John 17:17-19 "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth."
Another words as the Father sent Jesus into this world, Jesus now sends the believer into the world. WHY? To glorify God by accomplishing what the Father tells him to do (John 17:4).
Matthew 10:1 "[ Jesus Sends Out the Twelve ] Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness."
The new Testament is filled with Jesus calling people to Himself, to serve, to leave family and to sacrifice as they journey through this life. Jesus called His disciples, called the lost, called people to something bigger then themselves rather then float through life.
Matthew 22:12-14 "In 22nd chapter of Matthew Jesus tells a parable of a man who was having a wedding banquet. None of his guests decided to come so he had his servants gather up people from the streets. When He saw who was there He approached one of the men and asked him how he got in without wearing wedding clothes. The man had no answer and was tied up and thrown out. Jesus concluded the parable by saying that many are called but few are chosen. Matthew 22:12-14 (NIV), "Friend,' He asked, 'how did you get in here without wedding clothes?' The man was speechless."Then the king told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 14"For many are called, but few are chosen."
There are many in America and beyond who profess Christ but are they really called? Some have said the greatest mission field we have may be in the church or on it's fringe.
John 4:34-38 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish his work. Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”
As believers we are called to labor in the harvest field where many do not know Jesus Christ personally. Everyone of us are called to reap! Wow!
I Peter 2:9-11 "But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain fromfleshly lusts which wage war against the soul." This passgae is written for every believer not simply the pastor. It is specifically a call to proclaim in HIs name and to live a life of holiness. Too many today are more concerned with what they can do rather then forsaking some lifestyles and habits pushing the edge. Peter calls us "to wage war" against the flesh.
Matthew 28:18-20 "Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
As we are going through life we have ALL been called to make disciples. Engaging culture around us, Establishing individuals in the faith so they can feed themselves spiritually, Equipping them to do that with others and to serve in and outside of the church and finally to Expand the kingdom by extending ourselves through intentionally investing in others who can multiply people, and ministry. Remember, everyone is called to make disciples, not everyone is called to be a leader. Being a leader is a gifting and specific call.
I read an Oswald Chamber's devotional today that really says it all.....what could the Holy Spirit be saying to you about participating in and investing in others? Maybe starting with your children and grandchildren.
Called Of God
Jan. 14, 2012
