WholeCounselofGod.com

5Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

--> So it wasn't our parents who first decided to create us: it was God!

Further reading

Judges 13:2-7

Isaiah 49:1 & 5

Luke 1:13-17

Galatians 1:15-16

2. God has a SPECIFIC work for you & me to do

Ephesians 2:10 ~ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained (= prepared in advance) that we should walk in them.

A. God decides what work He wants done.

B. God then creates us in a specific way - so we’re a perfect match for that work.

Illustration

We buy most of our clothes ‘off the peg’ i.e. we try to find something which fits us, from a mass-produced range.

But you & I are not like mass-produced clothes - we’re ‘made to measure’, for our specific calling.

There are as many callings as there are believers:

So we should not compare ourselves with anyone else - nor envy their ministry.

We just need to fulfil what God’s called us to do.

Further reading

1 Kings 13:1-2 then 11 then 18

Psalm 106:16-18

John 3:26-30

(John the Baptist wasn’t envious of Jesus!)

Acts 13:45

1 Corinthians 1:17

Galatians 2:7-9, 5:26

3. God gives us a rough idea what our calling will be - WELL BEFORE we move into it

In Acts 22 - Paul recalls his conversion and then his calling:

Verse 10 - Damascus

10And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.

--> God then told Paul in Damascus (Acts 9:15 & 26:12-18) that his calling was mainly to the Gentiles (= to non-Jewish people).

Verses 17 & 21 - Jerusalem

17And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the Temple, I was in a trance.

…

21And He (= God) said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.

--> God also told Paul in Jerusalem that his calling was to the Gentiles.

But Paul (= Saul) didn’t start his calling until much later - at Antioch:

Acts 13:1-3

1Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers;

as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

2As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate Me (= set apart for Me) Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

3And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

--> We can read how Paul fulfilled his call to the Gentiles, in the rest of the book of Acts.

So God:

Gives us a general idea what our calling will be e.g. Musician, Intercessor.

Then, after a few years - He sends us into His specific work.

Illustration - it’s like moving home:

We first think about moving to a different: country / region / city / district.

Then later - we move to a specific house / flat.

4. We need to be PATIENT

As we just saw with Paul - God may not initially give us much detail.

It was the same with Peter:

Luke 5:10 ~ … thou shall catch men.

--> When Jesus first called Peter, He didn’t give him the whole detailed plan: just a high-level outline.

We tend to be impatient, and want to get on with our calling.

But God’s timing is perfect.

So He only gives us more detail when we NEED it.

If God gave us lots of detail early on:

For instance, that He was calling us as a missionary to India.

We might book a flight straightaway, and go there years too early - before we’re ready & before the other arrangements are in place.

That would be like eating food before it's properly cooked!

Illustration

We were sitting behind the orchestra at a classical music concert:

The drummer was silent for 95% of the concert.

Then right at the end, the conductor pointed to him and then his powerful drumming brought the symphony to a dramatic conclusion.

The drummer didn’t become frustrated & jump in early - that would have ruined the concert.

Instead - he waited for just the right time to make his contribution.

In the same way, we need to be patient and wait until God - the Great Conductor - points to us & says now it’s time for us to play our part.

God has put each of us on an individual training programme.

Later on - we’ll be able to look back and see how God has planned our:

Personality

Jobs we do

Life experiences etc.

… to equip us for our calling.

5. Q - Why this GAP of a few years?

A - We can learn from John the Baptist.

Luke 1:80 ~ And the child grew, and waxed (= grew) strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

--> The gap gives us time:

#1 - To grow spiritually - we can learn from: other believers, church, the Bible, conferences, teaching messages etc.

#2 - In the desert - to improve our character in the trials of everyday life.

Further reading

Luke 2:41-42, 46, 49, 52 then 3:23

6. Q - How do we KNOW what our calling is?

A - Here are THREE QUESTIONS we can ask:

Q1 - What are we passionate about / what do we enjoy?

God gives us an interest in, and a passion for, the calling He’s created us for:

Ecclesiastes 3:22 ~ Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion …

--> Our calling will be something we WANT to do:

I know a Christian who was terrified that God would send him to Africa - he’s never been, because that is not his calling.

I know two other Christians who loved the idea of going to Africa - they’ve visited several times, and realised that is their calling.

Example

Gladys Aylward worked in London, and felt a great burden for the millions of Chinese who had never heard about Jesus - because China was her calling.

She told many British people about this problem and pleaded with them to help.

Gladys was perplexed that others did not share her burden - but they weren’t interested, because China was not their calling.

Finally her brother said to Gladys: “Why don’t you go?”

So she caught the train to China and carried out a fruitful missionary work.

The 20th Century Fox film: ‘Inn of the Sixth Happiness’ (starring Ingrid Bergman) tells Gladys’ story (in a slightly glamourized way!).

Further reading

Psalm 37:4

Haggai 1:14

Acts 20:24

Because God created us to carry out a specific work - He equipped us with the skills which we need.

So our giftings are a good sign of what God’s called us to do:

Q2. What do WE think we’re good at?

Q3. What do OTHER PEOPLE say we’re good at?

Genesis 47:6 ~ … if thou knowest any men of activity (= ability) among them, then make them rulers over my (= Pharaoh's) cattle.

1 Samuel 3:20 ~ And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.

Further reading

Galatians 2:7-9

RECAP of how we know what our calling is:

Q1 - What are we passionate about?

Q2 - What do we think we're good at?

Q3 - What do other people say we're good at?

Exodus 36:2 ~ And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom,

even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it.

Further reading

Exodus 35:34-35

7. The RIGHT way to move into a calling - King David

2 Samuel 5:12 ~ And David perceived that the LORD had established him King over Israel, and that He had exalted his kingdom for His people Israel’s sake.

Q - Who made David King?

A - God.

Similarly - in Numbers 2 verses: 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27 & 29

... God specifies who should be the Captain of each Israelite tribe.

ONLY GOD can call people.

Like the Manager picks the players for a football team.

Further reading

Numbers 1:1 then 4-17 & 51; 27:15-19

Deuteronomy 1:38, 10:8, 18:5, 21:5, 31:3

Joshua 3:7 then 4:14

1 Samuel 2:27-28, 12:6

2 Samuel 6:21, 7:8-9

1 Chronicles 14:2

2 Chronicles 6:6

Psalms 78:70-71, 105:26

Isaiah 22:20-23

Haggai 2:23

Matthew 9:38

Matthew 10:1-5 / Mark 3:13-19

John 1:6, 13:20

Acts 9:15, 20:24

8. The WRONG way to move into a calling - King Jeroboam's time

1 Kings 13

Verse 33

33After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places:

whosoever would (= anyone who wanted to be a priest), he consecrated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places.

King Jeroboam allowed anyone who wanted to, to become a priest.

So they were self-appointed.

Like players running onto a football pitch without the Manager picking them.

Q - What did GOD think about this?

Verse 34

34And this thing became sin unto the house of Jeroboam, even to cut it off, and to destroy it from off the face of the earth.

A - God was upset!

Because only God can call people into His ministry.

Further reading

Numbers chapters 16 & 17 (Korah / congregation / Moses & Aaron)

1 Kings 1:5-53 (Adonijah)

9. When God call us - what should we DO?

Colossians 4:17 ~ And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

God called Archippus into a ministry.

But it was up to Archippus to fulfil his calling - so it’s not an automatic process.

It’s the same with us - we need to RESPOND when God calls us:

Luke 5:10b-11

10 ... And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

11And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed Him.

--> When God calls us - we should give this FIRST PLACE in our lives:

Don’t allow anything to stand between us and our calling.

We should be like a bulldozer - knocking down any obstacles in the way.

Further reading

1 Samuel 17:20 (David)

2 Chronicles 29:11 (Levites)

Matthew 4:18-22 / Mark 1:16-20 (Peter, Andrew, James & John)

Matthew 9:9 / Mark 2:14 / Luke 5:27-28 (Matthew, a Greek name, probably = the same disciple as Levi, a Hebrew name)

Acts 26:15-19 (Paul)

1 Timothy 4:14-15 (Timothy)

If we DON'T fulfill our calling - it will be the BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT of our lives.

Because we’re going against God’s plan - the reason He created us.

Q - What happened when Jonah initially said ‘No’ to God’s calling?

A - Lots of trouble both for Jonah and also for those around him. (Jonah 1:1-15)

--> So let’s not be like Jonah!

10. If we DON'T FEEL UP to our calling - we're not alone!

Gideon

Judges 6:15-16

15And he said unto Him, Oh my Lord, wherewith (= how) shall I save Israel? Behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.

16And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man (= defeat all the Midianites together).

God gave Gideon an important calling - to save Israel.

Gideon thought he couldn't do it - but God still used him.

--> So we should concentrate:

Not on our abilities.

But on the importance of what God has called us to do.

Saul

This is what Saul told Samuel - before Saul was chosen to be the first King of Israel:

1 Samuel 9:21 ~ And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel?

And my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin?

Wherefore then speakest thou so to me?

Saul thought God could not use him - because of his background.

But God did use Saul.

--> Our BACKGROUNDS don’t stop us.

--> Jesus’ first disciples were also ‘unknowns’.

1 Samuel 10:20-22

20And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken.

21When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken:

and when they sought him, he could not be found.

22Therefore they enquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither (= if the man had arrived yet).

And the LORD answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff (= among the baggage).

--> Saul was so frightened to move into his calling, that he hid.

So it’s not unusual to feel SCARED before starting our calling.

It’s like learning to ride a bike - we thought we could never stay upright: but we succeeded!

11. Q - WHY does God call people like us, who don't seem up to the job?

1 Corinthians 1:26-29

26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh (= not clever by human standards), not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise;

and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound (= to shame) the things which are mighty;

28And base (= lowly) things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought (= to nothing) things that are:

29That no flesh should glory in His presence.

A - So that we can't take any glory for ourselves, thinking that WE'VE DONE IT.

We haven’t!

Further reading

Luke 4:22

Acts 4:13

1 Peter 4:11

12. God EQUIPS us for our calling

Exodus 31

Verses 1-2

1And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

2See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:

#1 God called Bezalel.

Verse 3

3And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship.

#2 God gave Bezalel the ability / giftings to do the work.

God’s like a good employer:

He wants His work done properly.

So He gives His workforce what they NEED - to do the job to a high standard.

So when God calls us:

We should not say: ‘I can’t do it’.

Because God will give us everything we need --> So we can do it!

Further reading

Ezra 7:28

Jeremiah 1:6-9

Daniel 9:21-22

1 Corinthians 2:3-5

13. Should our ministry calling be PART-TIME or FULL-TIME?

A - That depends on how much time it takes, for example:

Being a member of a church worship team will usually take Sundays, plus one evening per week - so there’s time to have another occupation.

Working in an overseas orphanage will take lots of time - so it’s not feasible to have another job.

--> It’s not: better or worse / more or less important, to be in full or part-time ministry.

--> The only difference is the time needed, to fulfil the calling which God created us for.

14. We have DIFFERENT callings - but ALL of them are important

1 Corinthians 12

Verses 14-17

14For the body is not one member, but many.

15If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

16And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

17If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

It’s like a meal in a recipe book.

For the food to taste good - all the ingredients are needed.

Verse 18

18But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him.

Q - Who gives people their callings?

A - God.

--> God knows what He’s doing.

--> So we should be HAPPY with the calling that He’s given us!

Verses 19-22

19And if they were all one member, where were the body?

20But now are they many members, yet but one body.

21And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

22Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary.

Q - What happens if our body’s missing a part, for example: if we didn't have a nose?

A - The body doesn’t work like it’s supposed to.

So the church NEEDS ALL OF US - whatever our calling.

Further reading

Romans 12:4-8

1 Corinthians 12:5 & 27

15. Q - What happens if we TRY to walk in a calling which God has NOT created us for?

A - We’ll be unsuccessful.

It's like trying to walk on our hands - instead of on our feet.

For example:

Some Evangelists try to be Pastors (because many churches only pay Pastors).

But they struggle - because that’s not what God created them for.

Instead - Evangelists etc. should find other means of financial support, which then allows them to fulfil their particular calling.

Further reading

1 Samuel 13:8-14 King Saul

2 Chronicles 26:16-21 King Uzziah

16. CORPORATE & SPECIALIST callings

God called the tribe of Levi into the CORPORATE (= overall) task of serving in the Tabernacle. (Numbers 3:5-8)

God then called each Levite family to perform SPECIALIST tasks. (Numbers chapters 3 & 4)

The family of Kohath looked after the furniture.

The family of Gershon looked after the soft materials.

The family of Merari looked after the hard materials.

An example today would be:

We feel a strong burden for the persecuted church - this is our CORPORATE calling.

We’re good at communicating, so we use our skills to tell others about the persecuted church - this is our SPECIALIST calling.

A variety of SPECIALIST callings support the CORPORATE calling.

Like the different ingredients needed to cook a tasty meal.

17. The calling of MOSES

Exodus 3

Verse 1

1Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian:

and he led the flock to the backside (= far / west-side) of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.

Q - What was Moses doing when God called him?

A - His everyday job: as a shepherd.

--> God can call us: anywhere, at any time.

--> We don’t need to be: in church, at a Christian conference etc.

Further reading

1 Kings 19:19 (Elisha)

Matthew 4:18-22 / Mark 1:16-20 (Peter, Andrew, James & John)

Matthew 9:9 / Mark 2:14 / Luke 5:27-28 (Matthew probably = the same disciple as Levi)

Verses 2-4

2And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.

3And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.

4And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses.

God called Moses by name.

When God calls you - it’s not like a job advert, where many people can apply.

He’s only calling YOU - the PERFECT MATCH for the work He created you for.

Further reading

Exodus 31:2, 35:30

Verses 7-8

7And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of My people which are in Egypt,

and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters (= oppressors / slave-drivers); for I know their sorrows;

8And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large (= a spacious land),

unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

#1 God said that He’d deliver the Israelites.

Verses 9-10

9Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto Me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.

10Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth My people the children of Israel out of Egypt.

#2. But God called Moses to do this work.

--> So when God calls us: it’s to do HIS work.

--> That means God will HELP us.

Verse 11

11And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

--> Moses thought that he couldn’t do the job.

--> Just like Gideon & the future King Saul.

Verse 12

12And He said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee:

When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.

God said ‘When’ - not ‘If’.

Because God knew that Moses would succeed.

God said that He would be with Moses.

And He’ll also be with us - as we fulfil our calling.

Exodus 6:9 ~ And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses (= they didn’t listen to him)

for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage (= because of their discouragement & their harsh conditions).

The Israelites, and then Pharaoh, rejected Moses.

But because God had called Moses - he was ultimately successful:

Exodus 12:50-51

50Thus did all the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.

51And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.

When God calls us and we say ‘Yes’ - our calling WILL come to pass.

Even if other people initially reject it.

Further reading

Acts 7:35-36

18. Let's remind ourselves of what Jesus taught us in the parable of the TALENTS

Matthew 25

Verses 14-15

14For the Kingdom of Heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

15And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several (= his own) ability; and straightway took his journey.

Jesus gives each of us different talents.

He then watches what we do with them - will we use them to serve Him & to fulfil our calling?

Verses 16-17

16Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

17And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

--> Some people USE their talents to serve the Lord.

Verse 18

18But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

--> But others DON'T.

Verse 19

19After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth (= settled accounts) with them.

--> We will all face a day of reckoning:

Q - When?

A - On Judgement Day.

Further reading

Luke 19:11-26

Romans 14:12

1 Corinthians 4:1-2

1 Peter 4:10

19. Our calling from God should have FIRST PLACE in our lives

So when God calls us - let’s make sure we say: ‘Yes Lord’!

Amen

Your calling

Read this if you want to:

Find out what your calling is

Understand the importance of fulfilling your calling

1. God decides our specific calling BEFORE WE'RE BORN

2. God has a SPECIFIC work for you & me to do

3. God gives us a rough idea what our calling will be - WELL BEFORE we move into it

4. We need to be PATIENT

5. Q - Why this GAP of a few years?

6. Q - How do we KNOW what our calling is?

7. The RIGHT way to move into a calling - King David

8. The WRONG way to move into a calling - King Jeroboam's time

9. When God call us - what should we DO?

10. If we DON'T FEEL UP to our calling - we're not alone!

11. Q - WHY does God call people like us, who don't seem up to the job?

12. God EQUIPS us for our calling

13. Should our ministry calling be PART-TIME or FULL-TIME?

14. We have DIFFERENT callings - but ALL of them are important

15. Q - What happens if we TRY to walk in a calling which God has NOT created us for?

16. CORPORATE & SPECIALIST callings

17. The calling of MOSES

18. Let's remind ourselves of what Jesus taught us in the parable of the TALENTS

19. Our calling from God should have FIRST PLACE in our lives

Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still.

Teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

Proverbs 9:9 NIV