The Call
“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent,
and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the
promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as
the Lord our God will call’” (Acts 2:38-39)
It’s interesting that so many think of themselves as
“helpers” in the church, the “body” of Christ. When you ask a pastor: “What
spiritual gift(s) do you have?” the answer might be “teacher” or “evangelist.”
Some even think of themselves as a “prophet” or “apostle.” But when you ask the same
question of those who sit in the congregation, week after week, the answer is
likely to be “helper” or “encourager,” which is interesting because Peter said
“the gift of the Holy Spirit” is for "ALL" who are “baptized in the name of
Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,” as seen in our verses for
today. Yes, “helping” and “encouraging” ARE gifts of the Spirit,
but there are many other gifts as well, and some who have powerful “gifts” are
never in a formal “ministry” – ever.
If you have trusted in Jesus Christ, you are being GIFTED by
God for service in this world. Many, however, shy away from thinking
they may be “called” by God because He might take them far away from home,
business, country, even their family. Everything that makes us feel “safe” may
somehow be at risk and most won’t take the chance. Jesus said, “Many
are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 20:16), and it can be argued
that we are “chosen” by our willingness to go (or not go) in response to His
call.
Designations such as “Pastor,” “Minister,”
“Reverend,” and so on, are just titles given by men - infinitely better is the
actual “call” of God. And often the “gifts” are not glamorous from a human
perspective. But they truly are different from
“natural” abilities – you were not born with them. They are acquired
suddenly! The so-called “natural” gifts, such as the ability to run or think or
paint, play a musical instrument, learn languages other than your own,
mechanical abilities, and so on, are also gifts from God, but you were born with
them. The “spiritual” gifts are something higher and more profound.
Historically, many a nurse or doctor entered his or her
field of work because of a gift of healing in which they are to pray for
patients as they minister to those under their care, drawn to do so by God. He
looks at things in His unique way. You are given the opportunity for more than
just an education or title - you are called to pray.
We think of an “evangelist” as someone like the Reverend
Billy Graham, who has spoken for decades to multitudes in packed arenas and
auditoriums. And it’s true – he IS an evangelist who has led literally thousands
of people to Christ. We can thank the Lord for him and people like him. “Evangelist”
from the original Greek language, by the way, translates as a “messenger
of good” – someone who shares the “gospel,” the “good news” about Jesus
Christ and leads others to Him. If you tell your neighbor about your Friend,
Jesus Christ, you are doing a work of evangelism.
There are many evangelists in the world, just as there
are many teachers, healers, and so on – and most of them will be anonymous until
we are all in eternity with the Lord. Have you ever heard of David Staupitz?
What about John Egglen? Have you heard about Edward Kimball? There are lots
more, of course, but these are among the many men and women who have responded
to the call of God, and yet few have heard of them.
David Staupitz was a little-known monk in Germany, an
older man who was acquainted with the younger Martin Luther, who was to be
powerfully used by God to bring revival to the church. While still a relatively
young man, Luther had long sought peace in his heart and life, but he could not
find it. Staupitz mentioned an article in the Apostle’s Creed to him; the one
that says, “I believe in the forgiveness of sins.”
Luther answered, “I believe it!” The old man
replied, “I see what you lack. You believe in forgiveness
for David and Peter, but this is not enough. God’s command is that you believe
YOUR OWN sins are forgiven.” It was like a light came on in Luther’s
heart, and that moment led to not only his own salvation, but subsequently
through Luther, thousands in Europe and elsewhere placed their trust in the Lord
and will be alive for all eternity.
John Egglen was a layman who essentially did one thing
of historical importance – he led the amazing Charles Haddon Spurgeon to the
Lord. Spurgeon was an English writer, pastor, orator and preacher who gave the
good news of the gospel to literally thousands of people on innumerable
occasions. Edward Kimball was the shoe merchant in Boston who led Dwight L.
Moody to the Lord. Moody became an evangelist, pastor, and a founder of
Christian schools, including the famous Moody Bible Institute, in Chicago.
Staupitz, Egglen and Kimball had relatively small ministries, as we count such
things, but because of their “small” efforts, millions have come to the Lord.
All three of those relatively unknown men were simply
willing to speak of the Lord as led by the Holy Spirit of God. Here’s what Jesus
said about our “small” efforts for the Lord: “He who
receives a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive a prophet’s reward.
And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive
a righteous man’s reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup
of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall be no
means lose his reward” (Matthew 10:41-42). Just follow the Lord as best you can
- He will do the rest.
God does not view things like we do. His
perspective is better, His judgment is more effective, His mind is clear when
we are confused, and He operates out of love while we view things
through our own needs. He is God and we can safely answer His call, knowing that
He who calls will also bring it to pass. You’ll be interested that it was
very difficult to leave my job, 2½ years ago (I was what they call
“bi-vocational” as a pastor). It was also difficult when my wife left her job, 1½
years ago. What would happen, we wondered? The answer is that He PROVIDES for us. We responded to God the best we knew, trusting that
He would show us the way. He has, He will – and YOU can safely answer the
call of God, as well, for He who calls will bring you through. “The promise
is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord
our God will call” (Acts 2:38-39). Let’s pray:
Father, in today’s Scripture, we see that the gift of
the Spirit for service in this world is for US, right now. Give us faith to
answer Your call & go as You lead. In Jesus Name. Amen.
