Power Of Call To Teach
Rosenort EMC Church
Ministers and Deacons Mtg. Devotional
February 29, 2000
Introduction
Privilege to spend this evening with you.
Rudy Brandt’s comment about ministry
Have had a chance to think about if I want to do this
No church for 7 months. Does God still want me to be a minister?
Would like to talk about the call we have to ministry.
I. The Call Of God
When we read James 3:1,2 we might wonder.
“Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.”
Danger, teaching what is wrong, Doctrinal deviation.
Danger, human nature, “we all stumble in many ways.” Ethical deviation
“don’t be a pastor, preacher unless you have to” taught in seminary, in commentary.
Will be judged more strictly: Mt. 23:1-33.
James includes himself in the warning. “we will be judged more strictly…”
It is a scary thing to be a pastor.
Yet …Cf. Necessity of Paul. I Cor. 9:16.
Yet a gift of the ascended Lord, Eph 4:11
II. What Is Your Call?
We are people who have sensed that call to ministry. How have you experienced it? What has God called you to do?
How I experienced the call to ministry
Desire to do God’s work
Attending university, desire to go into business. Only thing I could really sell was the gospel.
Went to seminary
Call of my home church
Surprised by strong affirmation the first time I preached
II Timothy 4:1-5 became important to me, a “call verse”
To Timothy from Paul
Basis of charge: In the presence of God and Christ, His coming judgement., appearing and kingdom.
Both warning and encouragement form the basis of the call.
Charge: Preach
Details: The Word
In season and out
Correct – appeal to reason
Rebuke - appeal to conscience
Encourage - appeal to will
With patience and careful instruction
Reason: Loss of sound doctrine.
Other tasks: Keep your head
Endure hardship
Do the work of an evangelist
Discharge the duties of ministry.
My specific call
My heart is stirred to proclaim God’s truth
To comfort, challenge, correct
Accurately, relevantly and creatively.
I see the need of good solid Bible teaching.
Followed God’s call, it has become more specific and stronger.
I have learned that I am not just a teacher.
I am learning to extend pastoral care.
I am learning to do the work of an evangelist.
I am learning to lead.
I am learning to give spiritual leadership.
III. How Do We Carry Out Our Call?
In the best way possible.
I Corinthians 3:10-15
In Faithfulness
I Corinthians 4:2
Conclusion
A humbling and sobering thing to be under the call of God. I recognize my inadequacy and my responsibility. Want to do it in dependence on God and with faithfulness. What about you?
Prayer