Mark 3:13-19
Called
Years ago when I was serving as a full time pastor in a church a man came to me and asked how he could become a pastor. I asked him why he wanted to become a pastor because something did not seem right. He told me that he was working in a fast food business and his feet were hurting from being on them all day so he thought becoming a pastor would be a good alternative. I explained to him the importance of being called by God because there would be difficult times ahead and it would be the assurance of knowing he was called by God that would help get him through those tough times.
In this study we read of Jesus going up a mountain and calling together those who were following Him. Of these He appointed twelve that He would send out to preach. Before he named these twelve Luke 6:12 tells us that Jesus had gone up the mountain the evening before and spent the whole night praying to God. It was the following morning that He appointed the twelve. It was important that the people He picked were God’s choice for the work God had planned.
Jesus had been doing amazing things. He was casting out demons and healing the sick. He was also confronting the religious rulers and making enemies who would oppose Him. Jesus knew that the disciples would face opposition as well. Jesus knew that whoever was chosen would be tested as well.
In 1 Corinthians 12 we read that God gives believers spiritual gifts for the building up of the Church. Verse 18 tells us God gives the gifts as He desires. God knows us and He knows what we will be faced with. It is important that the servants in the Church are called by God.
Years ago we used to give a spiritual gift test so people could tell what their spiritual gifts were. I found these tests to be counterproductive so I quit using them. I found that often people wanted a certain gift based on their own desires rather than how God had gifted them. I learned to watch and pray. I found that the true gifts of God can be observed in the lives of those who desire to serve their Lord, even when the going gets tough. This is because the gift does not depend on human ability but on the Holy Spirit.
Unfortunately, many a person had been appointed to a committee or leadership position in a church because he had attained a position or success in the world. If the person is not called, surrendered, and equipped by God for the task, then it is likely they will use the ways of the world in the decisions they make. I have also seen people frustrated and even leave a church because they were trying to do something God had not called them to do but the church had a position to fill.
In Isaiah 55:8, God says, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” NASB
When our thoughts take over the Church gets corrupted and people get frustrated with the ways of the world. All too often we think we are missing something and need to take action.
In 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 Paul told the Church that they are not lacking in any gift. God has provided everything they need to accomplish the task He has for His Church. I believe this is as true today as it was then.
As believers our focus is to be on the Lord first and then the work and what He has equipped us to do will come naturally. We need to minister according to His call and trust that He is in control.
It is easy to know the gifts of those who are servants of the Lord because they are naturally doing them no matter what because they have been called by God.
Pastor Dave