Answering His Call
What does “the call” feel like and is He really calling me? Two questions rolled into one that many people ask themselves. I can share with you what the feeling of the call to teach the Bible felt like to me. Early in my Christian walk God gave me a hunger for His Word. This was (and is) true especially of the New Testament. I devoured it like a person who had an unquenchable thirst. But the feeling of God’s calling to me can best be described as a feeling of wanting to run with the word. Like a horse ‘chomping at the bit’ there was an inner urge to take the word and run with it. The urge was strong and it is still there. Go with the word a strong urge within. If you have this urge, this need actually, on the inside that is the Holy Spirit within you giving direction. Listen to Him and you will never regret it—ignore it and it does not go away—because it is His calling.
But I, I have never been to seminary or Bible School and have no credentials that are required. I don’t feel very well equipped. Neither did the early church preachers and the Holy Spirit did a great job with them. Let’s look at what Paul said to the church at Corinth.
1 Corinthians 1:20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? (21) For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. (22) Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, (23) but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, (24) but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (25) For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.
Paul says where is the world’s wisdom and where are those with all the education? Where are those philosophers’s? In spite of all their worldly wisdom they did not know God. They did not see Him behind everything that is, they missed Him in all that was created. They failed to listen to His word. They considered the word that was preached to be foolish yet God was pleased (thrilled, delighted, contented, overjoyed) to save the souls of those who listened and dared to believe. And some He called to keep this message alive—you are one of those.
Paul said the Jews wanted miracles on demand just as they demanded them from Jesus. (Matthew 12:38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you."). And the Greeks wanted to see His diplomas or find out what great teacher He had studied under. But what Paul preached was Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). And you do not need approval of men to do that. What you do need is the power to go in the Holy Spirits leading.
Paul said what he preached was a stumbling block to the Jews –they failed to recognize their Messiah in the flesh in spite of the miracles. And to the Greeks the idea of a single God was crazy.
At this time we come to a scripture that should warm the hearts of those of you who feel the urge to preach or teach God’s word.
1Cor 1:25b but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (26) For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.
To those that are feeling called to preach Christ is the source of your power and wisdom. And remember that any seemingly foolish thing that comes from God is far wiser than man’s wisdom. And any weak thing (you and me) that springs from God is stronger than earthly men. Your strength will be His strength and you must learn to rely upon it instead of yourself. Rely on Him in Whom you have placed your faith for eternity. He will not let you fall.
Paul continues:
1 Corinthians 1:26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. (27) But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. (28) He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, (29) so that no one may boast before him. (30) It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. (31) Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."
When we were called to Christ we may not have had certificates of education nor were we influential and few of us had a noble birth. But God—I love that, But God. But God chose (who chose?) But GOD chose the foolish things of the world (again you and me) to shame the wise. He saw their weakness, just as He sees yours and mine. And today He can still use a bunch of us whom the world might consider foolish. Jesus chose common men four at least of whom were fisherman, and one a hated tax collector. He chose those that exactly fit the description Paul wrote about in 1 Corinthians 1:28 “He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, (29) so that no one may boast before him.” He chose these so that no one would be able to say, “I did this on my own, in my own strength.” He chose the lowly things, the despised things and used them mightily to spread the Gospel over the entire known world. He chose those who He knew would have to rely upon the Holy Spirit to accomplish this mission. All of these men knew their short comings and all acknowledged their source of strength – read what they wrote and to Whom they gave the credit. None of them boasted before God of what they accomplished but instead named Him as the source of their wisdom and strength in preaching and teaching the word and they gave Him the credit for every soul saved. Remember those fishermen got to preach to kings and before huge audiences of very learned people who needed to know Christ. It can happen to you if you cling to Him.
Will you have help?
Yes, because God called you and He will not leave you unequipped when it is He Who made the call. Doesn’t your heart say “Answer, answer Him? Yes, you’re ready to answer Him. You came to Christ, accepted Christ, became converted, however you want to phrase it and through Christ you will have the wisdom that comes from God, the wisdom will not be your own but will be from the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, (John 14:26) “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
Your portion in all of this is to be in the word, devouring the word, especially the new covenant word, and learning all you can of Christ (the more you know of Christ the better you know the Father). The Holy Spirit will aid you and point you to the center of Christianity, Jesus the Christ. And Jesus will point you to the Father; the one Who made this all possible.
As you answer His call there is one final reminder, it is the same one that Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus.
Ephesians 4:1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. (2) Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (3) Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (4) There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were called—(5) one Lord, one faith, one baptism; (6) one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Don’t be afraid to step out for God, He loves you and He forgives those little mistakes that sometimes happen when we are getting started. So preach, then rewrite it and preach it again, preach every time you can. Preach only from the Bible so your source remains pure. God bless you and let the Holy Spirit guide you and—may you become who He wants you to be—in Him.
