Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Called To Preach - Your Life Is A Sermon, Does It Point People To The World Or To God

My Utmost For His Highest
 
I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. —Philippians 3:12
 
“Never choose to be a worker for God, but once God has placed His call on you, woe be to you if you “turn aside to the right hand or to the left” (Deuteronomy 5:32). We are not here to work for God because we have chosen to do so, but because God has “laid hold of” us. And once He has done so, we never have this thought, “Well, I’m really not suited for this.” What you are to preach is also determined by God, not by your own natural leanings or desires. Keep your soul steadfastly related to God, and remember that you are called not simply to convey your testimony but also to preach the gospel. Every Christian must testify to the truth of God, but when it comes to the call to preach, there must be the agonizing grip of God’s hand on you— your life is in the grip of God for that very purpose. How many of us are held like that?[…] “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do…I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).”  CHAMBERS
 
When God calls you for a special purpose, there is no thought about the reality of the calling, but there may be fear about your ability to fulfill that calling.  What God calls you to is spiritual and requires the Spirit to accomplish it. That truth stretches beyond the call to preach or the call to missions, but also the call to obedience as a Believer.  God always calls us to go beyond ourselves.  To exercise faith and trust in Him.  You don’t preach because you think it might be “fun” or because you have a particular thought or belief that you want to tell people about.  You preach because God has spoken and you must tell people what He has said.  It is a burden and a joy. A burden because people who want to have their ears tickled will not like what you will tell them.  A joy because there is no greater experience than to be compelled by the Spirit of God.  Martie would often tell me that she could tell when the Spirit had “taken over”, when I had yielded to the Spirit, in one of my sermons.  Whether you preach or teach, you are responsible to God for what you say in His name.  You cannot lead His sheep astray with idle words and teachings that are not from His heart but from your own imaginings and preferences.
 
And for those who are reading this thinking, “This does not apply to me.”  I am not a preacher or a teacher.  Perhaps not by specific calling, but by general calling as a Christian.  There is a principle here that you should heed.  Everything has spiritual context.  Everything you do and say should be under the authority of the Spirit.  Your new life in Christ should be your only life.  You should not be living for God on the one hand and living for yourself on the other.  We are all teachers and purveyors of God’s truth.   What are you teaching your children about the Christian life through your life? What are you Spiritual truth preaching to those around you, who hear you say that you are a Christian and are watching you live your life? Think about it … and perhaps you need to change some of the “words” in the sermon your life is preaching.  CHARLEY

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