The Preacher’s Call The Preacher’s Call and His Callingand His Calling

Welcome! Please don’t leave until Welcome! Please don’t leave until you have understood what your call you have understood what your call

is and what your calling shall be.is and what your calling shall be.

The Scope of our StudyThe Scope of our Study

The nature of the preacher’s The nature of the preacher’s callcall

The purpose of that callThe purpose of that call The motivation of that callThe motivation of that call

1. The preacher’s calling is 1. The preacher’s calling is personal and individual in personal and individual in nature.nature.

The call is purely a personal The call is purely a personal matter between the Christian matter between the Christian and his Lord. and his Lord.

Christ’s alone is the authority of Christ’s alone is the authority of the call.the call.

Whomsoever He wills, He calls. Whomsoever He wills, He calls.

The nature of our callingThe nature of our calling

We in this present age base our We in this present age base our calling on the Great Commission calling on the Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20).(Matt 28:18-20).

That call is not miraculous.That call is not miraculous. That call does not come amid That call does not come amid

thunder and lightning.thunder and lightning. That call does not come from a That call does not come from a

dream.dream.

Matthew 28:18-20Matthew 28:18-20

18 18 And Jesus came to them and said, “All And Jesus came to them and said, “All authority has been given to me in heaven authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.”and on earth.”

““All authority has been given to me” – all All authority has been given to me” – all power, not just a part of it.power, not just a part of it.

““In heaven” - where angels dwellIn heaven” - where angels dwell “ “And on earth” - where all humans dwell.And on earth” - where all humans dwell. Christ has authority over his people the Christ has authority over his people the

church, and over those who are not his church, and over those who are not his people, the world.people, the world.

He rules over his own people, and over his He rules over his own people, and over his own enemies. He indeed is the Lord of all.own enemies. He indeed is the Lord of all.

Matthew 28:18-20Matthew 28:18-20

1919 Go then, and make disciples of all the  Go then, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:Spirit:

““Going” – the actionGoing” – the action ““Making disciples” – making them learners.Making disciples” – making them learners. ““All nations” – all tribes and tongues and All nations” – all tribes and tongues and

cultures and skin colors and genders.cultures and skin colors and genders. ““Baptizing them” – what results after Baptizing them” – what results after

making disciples of them.making disciples of them. Baptism is by the authority of the Father, Baptism is by the authority of the Father,

the Son and the Holy Spirit.the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 28:18-20Matthew 28:18-20

2020 Teaching them to keep all the  Teaching them to keep all the rules which I have given you: and rules which I have given you: and see, I am ever with you, even to the see, I am ever with you, even to the end of the world.end of the world.

The job of those who have been The job of those who have been taught is to teach those who have taught is to teach those who have been made learners and been been made learners and been baptized.baptized.

These in turn shall go and make These in turn shall go and make disciples of others, and baptize disciples of others, and baptize them, and so on.them, and so on.

The Great CommissionThe Great Commission

That commission is a cycle of sorts. That commission is a cycle of sorts. A cycle does not end until the owner A cycle does not end until the owner stops it.stops it.

This commission ensures the This commission ensures the continuity of the church that the Lord continuity of the church that the Lord has established in the world, since has established in the world, since this is to last till eternity. this is to last till eternity.

Why worry about church growth? Why worry about church growth? Just do your job of teaching people Just do your job of teaching people the gospel and baptizing them and the gospel and baptizing them and teaching them to also teach others teaching them to also teach others the gospel and baptize.the gospel and baptize.

2 Timothy 2:22 Timothy 2:2

““And the things which thou hast And the things which thou hast heard from me among many heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others.” (ASV)teach others.” (ASV)

““And the things which I have said to And the things which I have said to you before a number of witnesses, you before a number of witnesses, give to those of the faith, so that they give to those of the faith, so that they may be teachers of others.” (BBE)may be teachers of others.” (BBE)

Acts 16:1-5 Acts 16:1-5

11 And he [Paul] came to Derbe and Lystra: and And he [Paul] came to Derbe and Lystra: and there was a certain disciple there named Timothy, there was a certain disciple there named Timothy, whose mother was one of the Jews of the faith, but whose mother was one of the Jews of the faith, but his father was a Greek; his father was a Greek;

Timothy was a disciple, a Christian.Timothy was a disciple, a Christian. His Jewish faith was a potential. His Jewish mother His Jewish faith was a potential. His Jewish mother

and grandmother were Christians.and grandmother were Christians. But the stumbling block to his converting the Jews But the stumbling block to his converting the Jews

was his Greek roots. The stumbling block to his was his Greek roots. The stumbling block to his converting the Greeks was also his Jewish roots. converting the Greeks was also his Jewish roots. He lived with conflicting values owing to his genetic He lived with conflicting values owing to his genetic heritage.heritage.

To do away with the hindrances the Jew would set To do away with the hindrances the Jew would set on his path, Paul had him circumcised.on his path, Paul had him circumcised.

Lesson: If anything in our person is a stumbling Lesson: If anything in our person is a stumbling block, let us undergo some refinement.block, let us undergo some refinement.

Acts 16:1-5 Acts 16:1-5

22 Of whom the brothers at Lystra and  Of whom the brothers at Lystra and Iconium had a high opinion. Iconium had a high opinion.

High opinion – they had a high regard for High opinion – they had a high regard for the young man.the young man.

If a church has no high regard of you, you If a church has no high regard of you, you can never work with them and neither can can never work with them and neither can they recommend you for the mission.they recommend you for the mission.

What can you do? Cultivate enough good What can you do? Cultivate enough good reputation so the church will have a high reputation so the church will have a high regard of you. If you cannot do this, move regard of you. If you cannot do this, move to another place where you may become to another place where you may become an asset to the mission. Note that Paul an asset to the mission. Note that Paul never did mission in Jerusalem, where he never did mission in Jerusalem, where he may have been discredited as a Jew!may have been discredited as a Jew!

Acts 16:1-5 Acts 16:1-5 33 Paul had a desire for him to go with him, and  Paul had a desire for him to go with him, and

he circumcised him because of the Jews who he circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts: for they all had knowledge were in those parts: for they all had knowledge that his father was a Greek. that his father was a Greek.

It was the desire of someone older in the faith It was the desire of someone older in the faith to mentor him. We who are older must have this to mentor him. We who are older must have this desire and must always be on the look-out for desire and must always be on the look-out for Timothies.Timothies.

The reason for having him circumcised is The reason for having him circumcised is because of the Jews in those places where they because of the Jews in those places where they would be going. would be going.

His being a half-Greek also has become a His being a half-Greek also has become a liability of sorts.liability of sorts.

In another occasion, Paul never allowed Titus, a In another occasion, Paul never allowed Titus, a pure Greek Christian, to be circumcised. Was pure Greek Christian, to be circumcised. Was Paul inconsistent? No. Paul inconsistent? No.

Acts 16:1-5 Acts 16:1-5 44 And on their way through the towns, they  And on their way through the towns, they

gave them the rules which had been made gave them the rules which had been made by the Apostles and the rulers of the church by the Apostles and the rulers of the church at Jerusalem, so that they might keep them.at Jerusalem, so that they might keep them.

5 5 So the churches were made strong in the So the churches were made strong in the faith and were increased in number every faith and were increased in number every day.day.

Growth in number and in the faith results Growth in number and in the faith results when stumbling blocks have been removed when stumbling blocks have been removed and when preachers become faithful to the and when preachers become faithful to the cause of the One who calls them.cause of the One who calls them.

Remember then: The preacher’s calling is Remember then: The preacher’s calling is firstly personal and secondly individual. firstly personal and secondly individual. That calling must grow out of a conviction.That calling must grow out of a conviction.

2.2. The call is moved by the The call is moved by the compassions of the heart.compassions of the heart.

As one is brought to realize the deepest As one is brought to realize the deepest need of the unsaved and views them as lost need of the unsaved and views them as lost and guilty, helpless and undone and thus in and guilty, helpless and undone and thus in danger of eternal ruin, thus comes to one’s danger of eternal ruin, thus comes to one’s soul conviction of the dire necessity of soul conviction of the dire necessity of preaching to the lost the soul-emancipating preaching to the lost the soul-emancipating message of the gospel. "Lift up your eyes message of the gospel. "Lift up your eyes and look on the fields, for they are white and look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest" (John 4:35). already to harvest" (John 4:35).

A compassionate man knows that all men A compassionate man knows that all men are lost without the gospel. We hold the key are lost without the gospel. We hold the key that opens the door of the kingdom.that opens the door of the kingdom.

A host of our missionaries moved to Asian A host of our missionaries moved to Asian shores because their compassion moved shores because their compassion moved their hearts.their hearts.

The nature of the callingThe nature of the calling

Properly speaking, the need does Properly speaking, the need does not in itself constitute the call.not in itself constitute the call.

Furthermore, the need simply Furthermore, the need simply provides the opportunity for the provides the opportunity for the believer to respond to the call.believer to respond to the call.

Preachers must needs to have fire in Preachers must needs to have fire in their bosoms, with heat that they their bosoms, with heat that they cannot contain, that will move them cannot contain, that will move them to speak out.to speak out.

The call to be a preacher first comes The call to be a preacher first comes when one is called to be a Christian.when one is called to be a Christian.

The nature of the callingThe nature of the calling

Preachers are people who have Preachers are people who have been moved:been moved:

Moved because of our love for GodMoved because of our love for God Moved because of our love for the Moved because of our love for the

souls of all mensouls of all men Moved because of our fear that Moved because of our fear that

those we love may not make it to those we love may not make it to heavenheaven

Moved because of the woe (“Woe Moved because of the woe (“Woe unto me if I don’t preach the gospel” unto me if I don’t preach the gospel” – 1 Cor. 9:16).– 1 Cor. 9:16).

3.3. The call is the act of The call is the act of discharging one’s discharging one’s stewardship duties.stewardship duties.

This cannot be too strongly condemned. This cannot be too strongly condemned. Read I Peter 4:10: "As every man hath Read I Peter 4:10: "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.“the manifold grace of God.“

One who has not received anything cannot One who has not received anything cannot minister, and hence cannot be a steward. minister, and hence cannot be a steward. But have you received God’s grace? The But have you received God’s grace? The answer is yes. Therefore, minister that answer is yes. Therefore, minister that grace to another.grace to another.

One who has received and does not One who has received and does not minister is unfaithful to his stewardship minister is unfaithful to his stewardship duties.duties.

We can either be good stewards or bad.We can either be good stewards or bad.

The preacher is one who answers The preacher is one who answers the call to discharge his the call to discharge his stewardshipstewardship

The Christian who teaches and The Christian who teaches and preaches is only discharging the preaches is only discharging the stewardship which God has stewardship which God has entrusted to him. You and I are entrusted to him. You and I are stewards of God’s manifold grace.stewards of God’s manifold grace.

All believers are ministers or All believers are ministers or servants of the same Master, and servants of the same Master, and are engaged in the same service, in are engaged in the same service, in the work of the Lord. The New the work of the Lord. The New Testament clearly teaches the Testament clearly teaches the priesthood of all believers (See I Pet. priesthood of all believers (See I Pet. 2:5,9; Rev. 1:6). 2:5,9; Rev. 1:6).

I Pet. 2:5,9I Pet. 2:5,9

55 You, as living stones, are being made You, as living stones, are being made into a house of the spirit, a holy order of into a house of the spirit, a holy order of priests, making those offerings of the priests, making those offerings of the spirit which are pleasing to God through spirit which are pleasing to God through Jesus ChristJesus Christ. .

99 But you are a special people, a holy  But you are a special people, a holy nation, priests and kings, a people nation, priests and kings, a people given up completely to God, so that you given up completely to God, so that you may make clear the virtues of him who may make clear the virtues of him who took you out of the dark into the light of took you out of the dark into the light of heaven.heaven. (BBE) (BBE)

Rev. 1:6Rev. 1:6

  6 And has made us to be a 6 And has made us to be a kingdom and priests to his God kingdom and priests to his God and Father; to him let glory and and Father; to him let glory and power be given for ever and power be given for ever and ever. So be it. ever. So be it.

Old Believer to a Young Old Believer to a Young ChristianChristian The story is told of a young disciple who The story is told of a young disciple who

approached an older believer saying: "I am approached an older believer saying: "I am coming back to enter the Lord's service." coming back to enter the Lord's service."

The older Christian asked: "How long have The older Christian asked: "How long have you been saved?" He replied: “Seven you been saved?" He replied: “Seven years." years."

The old believer asked: “Then whose The old believer asked: “Then whose service have you been in for the past service have you been in for the past seven years?”seven years?”

We have been called to minister when we We have been called to minister when we were first called to be members of His were first called to be members of His kingdom, the church.kingdom, the church.

4.4. Preacher’s calling involves a Preacher’s calling involves a personal heart-dealing with personal heart-dealing with God alone.God alone.

God is the God of the individual Christian God is the God of the individual Christian and the God of the individual preacher. and the God of the individual preacher.

There is no such thing as "mass There is no such thing as "mass production" of preachers; we don’t turn production" of preachers; we don’t turn them out by the dozens.them out by the dozens.

Mass production is good for business Mass production is good for business because it results to more goods at less because it results to more goods at less price.price.

But by mass-producing preachers, we may But by mass-producing preachers, we may also lessen the value of the products, or we also lessen the value of the products, or we may produce preachers with factory may produce preachers with factory defects.defects.

Preacher’s calling a personal heart-Preacher’s calling a personal heart-dealing with God alone.dealing with God alone.

The Lord in calling a preacher The Lord in calling a preacher does the following:does the following:

The Lord burdens his heart.The Lord burdens his heart. The Lord impresses on him the The Lord impresses on him the

necessity of preaching the necessity of preaching the gospel.gospel.

The Lord gives him that holy The Lord gives him that holy urge to be a mouthpiece in urge to be a mouthpiece in proclaiming the will of the Deity.proclaiming the will of the Deity.

I Corinthians 9:16-18 (ASV).I Corinthians 9:16-18 (ASV).

1616 For if I preach the gospel, I have  For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel.preach not the gospel. 1717 For if I do  For if I do this of mine own will, I have a this of mine own will, I have a reward: but if not of mine own will, I reward: but if not of mine own will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. have a stewardship entrusted to me. 1818 What then is my reward? That,  What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel without charge, so make the gospel without charge, so as not to use to the full my right in as not to use to the full my right in the gospel. the gospel.

5.5. The preacher’s calling is born The preacher’s calling is born in spirituality’s atmosphere.in spirituality’s atmosphere. It comes when the soul is enjoying It comes when the soul is enjoying

fellowship with God through the reading fellowship with God through the reading and meditation of His word and prayer. The and meditation of His word and prayer. The carnal believer, or the worldly Christian, will carnal believer, or the worldly Christian, will know nothing of it. know nothing of it.

As one reads and meditates, he comes to the As one reads and meditates, he comes to the realization of the great need to pass on to realization of the great need to pass on to others the light of salvation. As he grows in love others the light of salvation. As he grows in love with the Word, he becomes more spiritual. As with the Word, he becomes more spiritual. As he grows in love for things spiritual, he also he grows in love for things spiritual, he also grows in love for the souls of those others who grows in love for the souls of those others who are not spiritual.are not spiritual.

This is AGAPE – the love that one feels for This is AGAPE – the love that one feels for others in spite of, because of, and even though. others in spite of, because of, and even though. This is loving the unloved, loving the unlovable, This is loving the unloved, loving the unlovable, and loving those incapable of loving back.and loving those incapable of loving back.

Preacher’s calling born in Preacher’s calling born in atmosphere of spiritualityatmosphere of spirituality This atmosphere of spirituality is made This atmosphere of spirituality is made

possible as the believer deliberately possible as the believer deliberately presents his body as "a living sacrifice, presents his body as "a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service" (Rom. 12:1-2).reasonable service" (Rom. 12:1-2).

Meaning, that person, or that person’s Meaning, that person, or that person’s body, remains holy. This requires constant body, remains holy. This requires constant purity as one goes from one life’s phase to purity as one goes from one life’s phase to another.another.

An unholy person cannot be a vessel to An unholy person cannot be a vessel to contain holy things like the gospel. contain holy things like the gospel.

For an unholy container to be God’s For an unholy container to be God’s vessel, he must first be cleaned, sanitized, vessel, he must first be cleaned, sanitized, sanctified, separated unto God’s use only.sanctified, separated unto God’s use only.

Preacher’s calling born in Preacher’s calling born in atmosphere of spiritualityatmosphere of spirituality

The calling comes through fervent The calling comes through fervent supplication at the throne of grace to supplication at the throne of grace to know the will of God for one's life. know the will of God for one's life.

Learn to ask the question: Learn to ask the question: Lord, what Lord, what do you want me to do?do you want me to do?

It is maintained by prompt obedience It is maintained by prompt obedience to the known will of God, as found in to the known will of God, as found in the Holy Scriptures.the Holy Scriptures.

Learn to say: Learn to say: Lord, help me to do Lord, help me to do your will.your will.

6. That calling comes usually in the midst 6. That calling comes usually in the midst of Christian activity.of Christian activity.

It does not come to lazy Christians. It does not come to lazy Christians. Barnabas and Saul were ministering to the Barnabas and Saul were ministering to the

Lord when the call came for them to be Lord when the call came for them to be missionaries to Asia and Europe (Acts missionaries to Asia and Europe (Acts 13:2). 13:2).

Moses was tending his father-in-law’s Moses was tending his father-in-law’s sheep when he was commissioned to lead sheep when he was commissioned to lead God’s people Israel (Exod. 3:1-2). God’s people Israel (Exod. 3:1-2).

Gideon was threshing the wheat when he Gideon was threshing the wheat when he was selected to deliver Israel from their was selected to deliver Israel from their oppressors (Judg. 6:11). oppressors (Judg. 6:11).

Elisha was busy plowing when the mantle Elisha was busy plowing when the mantle of Elijah was thrown on his shoulders (I of Elijah was thrown on his shoulders (I Kings 19:19). Kings 19:19).

That calling does not come in isolation in That calling does not come in isolation in some monasteries or in the solitude some monasteries or in the solitude of one’s room.of one’s room.

Peter was busy with his fishing, and Peter was busy with his fishing, and Matthew with his tax collecting when the Matthew with his tax collecting when the voice came and called them to service voice came and called them to service (Matt. 4: 18,19; Luke 5:27). (Matt. 4: 18,19; Luke 5:27).

As the believer is doing what already lies As the believer is doing what already lies on his hand, the call comes for further on his hand, the call comes for further service. "If any man will do His will, he shall service. "If any man will do His will, he shall know," said Christ (John 7:17). know," said Christ (John 7:17).

Prompt, unquestioning obedience to what Prompt, unquestioning obedience to what we know to be urgent fulfills the call. Hosea we know to be urgent fulfills the call. Hosea says: "Then shall we know, if we follow on says: "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord" (Hos. 6:3).to know the Lord" (Hos. 6:3).

7. The preacher’s call is 7. The preacher’s call is definite.definite.

Though the call may come in various Though the call may come in various ways and under different ways and under different circumstances, it is nonetheless circumstances, it is nonetheless distinct and definite, assuring the distinct and definite, assuring the believer that God desires him for a believer that God desires him for a certain specific work.certain specific work.

Be moved by events and look for Be moved by events and look for opportunities. The God of heaven is opportunities. The God of heaven is also the God who moves events and also the God who moves events and causes them to happen, providing causes them to happen, providing you the opportunities to do missions.you the opportunities to do missions.

Preacher’s call comes when Preacher’s call comes when opportunities come.opportunities come.

The events mentioned below provide us The events mentioned below provide us with opportunities for change of careers, or with opportunities for change of careers, or change of our life directions:change of our life directions:

Loss of opportunity to sell properties. Loss of opportunity to sell properties. One One man I know converted his unsold house man I know converted his unsold house into a meeting place for the church.into a meeting place for the church.

Loss of a secular job. Loss of a secular job. One man made an One man made an inventory of his assets, and decided to trust inventory of his assets, and decided to trust God alone and became a preacher.God alone and became a preacher.

A death in the family. A death in the family. A son was moved by A son was moved by his mother’s death and decided to go to a his mother’s death and decided to go to a preaching school.preaching school.

Preacher’s call comes when Preacher’s call comes when opportunities come.opportunities come. A life-threatening accident. A life-threatening accident. One person One person

who met an accident became afraid of the who met an accident became afraid of the future, and decided to work with a church.future, and decided to work with a church.

A life-threatening sickness. A life-threatening sickness. One man got One man got converted while in a hospital. After he got converted while in a hospital. After he got out of the ICU he decided to offer his life to out of the ICU he decided to offer his life to God’s cause.God’s cause.

A simple question about life and death A simple question about life and death answered by a preacher made one young answered by a preacher made one young man decide to become a preacher too.man decide to become a preacher too.

Being imprisoned. Being imprisoned. I know of one preacher I know of one preacher in North Cotabato who was imprisoned for in North Cotabato who was imprisoned for killing his wife, but while in prison he killing his wife, but while in prison he established a congregation.established a congregation.

Preacher’s call coming as a Preacher’s call coming as a result of the realization of the result of the realization of the urgency of the message.urgency of the message. This call, in turn, too gives one a This call, in turn, too gives one a

joyous confidence and a holy joyous confidence and a holy boldness, as he realizes the boldness, as he realizes the authority that lies behind the authority that lies behind the message and urgency for the message and urgency for the messenger to fulfill the need of the messenger to fulfill the need of the lost for salvation. lost for salvation.

““For if I preach the gospel, I have For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel”preach not the gospel” (1 Corinthians (1 Corinthians 9:16, ASV).9:16, ASV).

8. The call varies in 8. The call varies in circumstances.circumstances.

God is a God of varying God is a God of varying circumstances; yet the purpose and circumstances; yet the purpose and results are the same: results are the same:

The purpose is for the glory of God.The purpose is for the glory of God. The result is for the blessing of the The result is for the blessing of the

ones called. ones called. The overall benefit is for those to The overall benefit is for those to

whom the preacher was sent with whom the preacher was sent with the message of salvation. the message of salvation.

The call varies in The call varies in circumstances.circumstances.

God may call you to start a preaching God may call you to start a preaching ministry while you are on your way to church, ministry while you are on your way to church, or on your way home. or on your way home.

God may call you while you are tending your God may call you while you are tending your cows or carabaos in the mountains.cows or carabaos in the mountains.

God may call you while you are plowing a God may call you while you are plowing a field, or while you are threshing your newly field, or while you are threshing your newly harvested rice. harvested rice.

God calls you when a friend who has God calls you when a friend who has undergone a changed life invites you to have undergone a changed life invites you to have a study.a study.

God may call you while you are in the God may call you while you are in the battlefields of Mindanao, or anywhere.battlefields of Mindanao, or anywhere.

God may call you after you have married a God may call you after you have married a Christian.Christian.

The call varies in The call varies in circumstances.circumstances.

God may call you while you are busy God may call you while you are busy fishing in the river or in the sea.fishing in the river or in the sea.

God may call you while you are busy God may call you while you are busy collecting scraps, or after you are done collecting scraps, or after you are done selling your wares for the day.selling your wares for the day.

God may call you after you have been God may call you after you have been praying, or after your father has praying, or after your father has become a Christian.become a Christian.

My call came when a Baptist woman My call came when a Baptist woman gave me a portion of the Bible and gave me a portion of the Bible and when a church of Christ-minister invited when a church of Christ-minister invited me to lunch and a visit in their meeting me to lunch and a visit in their meeting place.place.

The call varies in The call varies in circumstances.circumstances.

Hosea says: "Then shall we know, if Hosea says: "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord" (Hos. we follow on to know the Lord" (Hos. 6:3).6:3).

We have cited to you examples of We have cited to you examples of opportunities when God calls one to opportunities when God calls one to the ministry.the ministry.

To answer that call requires To answer that call requires obedience on your part.obedience on your part.

Not just any kind of obedience. It is Not just any kind of obedience. It is a PROMPT AND UNQUESTIONING a PROMPT AND UNQUESTIONING OBEDIENCE.OBEDIENCE.

9. The call is a full time service 9. The call is a full time service supported by secular supported by secular employment to pay expenses.employment to pay expenses.

The great need today is for Christian The great need today is for Christian preachers or teachers who can preachers or teachers who can support themselves by secular support themselves by secular employment, and devote their spare employment, and devote their spare time to the preaching and teaching of time to the preaching and teaching of the word of God. the word of God.

Thank God for the noble army Thank God for the noble army already thus engaged, but there is already thus engaged, but there is plenty of room for more, for the field plenty of room for more, for the field is large, the need is great and the is large, the need is great and the laborers are few. laborers are few.

The call is a tent making ministry.The call is a tent making ministry.

Paul labored with his hands—by making tentsPaul labored with his hands—by making tents— to support his ministry.— to support his ministry.

William Carey, “the father of modern missions,” William Carey, “the father of modern missions,” was once asked what his business was. He was once asked what his business was. He replied: “My business is to preach the gospel, replied: “My business is to preach the gospel, and I cobble shoes to pay expenses!”and I cobble shoes to pay expenses!”

Our work in Africa was begun by a carpenter-Our work in Africa was begun by a carpenter-mason who came from New Zealand.mason who came from New Zealand.

The work in Pongpong, Sto. Tomas, LU, was The work in Pongpong, Sto. Tomas, LU, was begun by a Leyteno who visited his Ilocana begun by a Leyteno who visited his Ilocana wife teaching in Pongpong during weekends.wife teaching in Pongpong during weekends.

The work in Bacolod City was begun by a The work in Bacolod City was begun by a former Baptist preacher who became a public former Baptist preacher who became a public school teacher.school teacher.

10. The call comes through the 10. The call comes through the advice of godly Christians.advice of godly Christians.

Let no one belittle this. Older believers Let no one belittle this. Older believers have seen some evidence of a gift for have seen some evidence of a gift for preaching in a Christian's life and will seek preaching in a Christian's life and will seek to encourage that young person by their to encourage that young person by their advice. This advice is based on the advice. This advice is based on the following:following:

An older Christian’s riper knowledge of An older Christian’s riper knowledge of God's word.God's word.

His longer experience in God's work.His longer experience in God's work. A more mature realization of God's dealing A more mature realization of God's dealing

with themselves.with themselves. A more mature knowledge of God’s dealing A more mature knowledge of God’s dealing

with others of like-minded spirit. with others of like-minded spirit.

The counsel of godly The counsel of godly Christians.Christians.

This counsel should be valued as a This counsel should be valued as a contributing factor in God's call to preach the contributing factor in God's call to preach the word. Let no one despise the godly counsel of word. Let no one despise the godly counsel of experienced Christians, for even Paul did not experienced Christians, for even Paul did not neglect this (Gal. 2:2). The older Christian’s neglect this (Gal. 2:2). The older Christian’s superior discernment in the things of God aids superior discernment in the things of God aids him in giving this godly counsel.him in giving this godly counsel.

It was an older Christian who advised me to It was an older Christian who advised me to study at ZBC. study at ZBC. I had no idea what I would I had no idea what I would become, but on my part it was a faith become, but on my part it was a faith experience of sorts.experience of sorts.

Look for other preachers’ stories too and listen, Look for other preachers’ stories too and listen, and you will find one commonality among and you will find one commonality among these: these: Older Christians have had a role in Older Christians have had a role in convicting their hearts to listen to the call of convicting their hearts to listen to the call of God and join the missions of saving souls!God and join the missions of saving souls!

The call comes through the The call comes through the advice of godly Christians.advice of godly Christians.

Apparently this was one contributing Apparently this was one contributing element of Timothy's call to full time element of Timothy's call to full time service.service. (See Acts 16:1-3). God had (See Acts 16:1-3). God had gifted Paul with discernment, and Paul gifted Paul with discernment, and Paul saw in Timothy one who would become saw in Timothy one who would become profitable to the ministry.profitable to the ministry.

We should be grateful to those older We should be grateful to those older brethrenbrethren, who will take younger men , who will take younger men with them and allow them a little part in with them and allow them a little part in the meeting, encouraging them to the meeting, encouraging them to develop their gift. Many of our great develop their gift. Many of our great gospel preachers started out this way. gospel preachers started out this way.

2 Tim. 4:11.2 Tim. 4:11.

11. The call is based on the 11. The call is based on the right motives.right motives.

If you feel you have been called because If you feel you have been called because you think you can make much money in you think you can make much money in planting the gospel than in planting planting the gospel than in planting cassava, cassava, it is time to examine your it is time to examine your motives. motives.

Souls will suffer because of your wrong Souls will suffer because of your wrong motives, because you will leave the church motives, because you will leave the church and the work that doesn’t pay much. and the work that doesn’t pay much.

If you make much money by preaching, If you make much money by preaching, you too will also suffer because of your you too will also suffer because of your wrong motives; for the love of money is the wrong motives; for the love of money is the root of all evils. root of all evils.

The call based on the right The call based on the right motives.motives.

Welcome to the club of people who Welcome to the club of people who sacrifice their lives and their careers that sacrifice their lives and their careers that others too may live, others too may live, the preachers’ club!the preachers’ club!

May each of the called ones be led to seek May each of the called ones be led to seek humbly, sincerely, perseveringly, trustingly humbly, sincerely, perseveringly, trustingly and obediently the will of God for him to and obediently the will of God for him to become a preacher. become a preacher.

This requires prayerful dependence on the This requires prayerful dependence on the power of God, obedience to the leading of power of God, obedience to the leading of the Spirit through the Word, yielding to His the Spirit through the Word, yielding to His will, being diligent in one’s study of His will, being diligent in one’s study of His Bible, and actively engaging in His work.Bible, and actively engaging in His work.

FINISFINIS

Thanks!Thanks!