GOD’S CALL

GOD’S CALL

HOW DOES GOD CALL PEOPLE? (1 Chronicles 22:2-19)

"Now, my son, may the LORD be with you and give you success as you follow his instructions in building the Temple of the LORD your God". (1 Chronicles 22:11)

GOD COMMUNICATES THROUGH OUR PARENTS (Matthew 4:18-25).

"Jesus called out to them, “Come, be my disciples, and I will show you how to fish for people!” (Matthew 4:19)

God told David he would not be the one to build the temple. Instead the task would be left to his son Solomon. David graciously accepted this “no” from God. He was not jealous of the fact that his son would have the honor of building God’s temple. Instead, he made preparations for Solomon to carry out his task. Similarly, we should take steps now to prepare the way for our children to find and fulfill God’s purpose. Sooner or later our children will have to make their own decisions, but we can help by supplying them with the proper tools: showing them how to pray and study God’s Word, teaching them the difference between right and wrong, and modeling the importance of church involvement.

BEING CHRIST’S DISCIPLE INVOLVES FIRM COMMITMENT.

These men already knew Jesus. He had talked to Peter and Andrew previously (John 1:35-42) and had been preaching in the area. When Jesus called them, they knew what kind of man he was and were willing to follow him. They were not in a hypnotic trance when they followed but had been thoroughly convinced that following him would change their lives forever.

James and his brother, John, along with Peter and Andrew, were the first disciples that Jesus called to work with him. Jesus’ call motivated these men to get up and leave their jobs-immediately. They didn’t make excuses about why it wasn’t a good time. They left at once and followed. Jesus calls each of us to follow him. When Jesus asks us to serve him, we must be like the disciples and do it at once.

GOD’S PURPOSE

WHAT DOES GOD CALL PEOPLE TO DO? (Jeremiah 1:1-10)

"I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world". (Jeremiah 1:5)

GOD CALLS PEOPLE TO SERVE HIM (Matthew 10:1-18)

"Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness". (Matthew 10:1)

Jeremiah was “appointed” by God “as my spokesman to the world.” God has a purpose for each Christian, but some people are appointed by God for specific kinds of work. Samson (Judges 13:3-5), David (1 Samuel 16:12, 13), John the Baptist (Luke 1:13-17), and Paul (Galatians 1:15-16) were also called to do particular jobs for God. Whatever work you do should be done for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). If God gives you a specific task, accept it cheerfully and do it with diligence. If God has not given you a specific call or assignment, then seek to fulfill the mission common to all believers-to love, obey, and serve God-until his guidance becomes more clear.

GOD CALLS PEOPLE TO REPRESENT HIM IN THE WORLD.

Jesus called his twelve disciples. He didn’t draft them, force them, or ask them to volunteer; he chose them to serve him in a special way. Christ calls us today. He doesn’t twist our arms and make us do something we don’t want to do. We can choose to join him or remain behind. When Christ calls you to follow him, how do you respond?

The list of Jesus’ twelve disciples doesn’t give us many details-probably because there weren’t many impressive details to tell. Jesus called people from all walks of life-fishermen, political activists, tax collectors. He called common people and uncommon leaders; rich and poor; educated and uneducated. Today, many people think only certain people are fit to follow Christ, but this was not the attitude of the Master himself. God can use anyone, no matter how insignificant he or she appears. When you feel small and useless, remember that God uses ordinary people to do his extraordinary work.

GOD’S WORD ON THE CALL OF GOD

HAS GOD CALLED ME TO DO SPECIFIC THINGS?

Ecclesiastes 11:9 . . . Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do.

God gives us the freedom to do what we think is best, but we will answer for everything we do.

Jeremiah 1:4-5 . . . The Lord gave me a message. . . . I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world.

Sometimes God may call us to fulfill a very specific ministry. When that happens, he will make sure that we know it.

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 . . . There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. . . . A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.

2 Timothy 4:5 . . . Complete the ministry God has given you.

God has given each of us a special ministry that he wants us to perform in the church to build up the body and bring glory to his name.

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT MY CALLING IS?

Psalm 119:105 . . . Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.

The first step in knowing our calling is to get to know God intimately through his word and let him guide us through it in everything.

Daniel 1:17 . . . God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for learning the literature and science of the time.

God has given each of us special aptitudes and abilities. These help us to see the kinds of things that we should be doing.

Acts 20:24 . . . My life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus.

When God gives us a specific calling, it fills our thoughts and energies, so that we pursue it wholeheartedly.

Romans 12:2 . . . Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do.

When we let God transform us by the power of his Holy Spirit, he will show us what he wants us to do.

PROMISE FROM GOD:

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 . . . May the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until that day when our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God, who calls you, is faithful; he will do this.

ALL IMAGES ARE FROM www.pixabay.com