God Calls Us All By NameJust as God called many characters in the bible by name, so He calls us. Here are some of the things He calls us all to be... He calls every one of us to be completely in love with Him, and passionate about seeing His kingdom come. He calls us all to be holy (1 Corrinthians 1:2), in fellowship with Jesus (1:9), and united with His people (1:10). But as well as calling us corporately to these 'general' things, God also has specific callings for our individual lives.
Paul called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God. 1 Corinthians 1:1Paul was
called to be an apostle
by the will of God. What is it that I am called to be by the will of God? God has a specific calling and role for every member of His church. (1 Corinthians 12:12-31). For some of us it to lead, for others it could be to clean the church building, or to work miracles, or to do the admin, or to speak in different tongues. It is something that only we can do, that no one else can do, because He decided it would be our task. And when we walk it out, we see the establishment and extension of His Kingdom like we could have never have imagined because it is what God purposed.
All Are Equally As Important. (Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-31)
You see, I used to think that Richard's role, for example, carried a higher and greater responsibility than that which I was called for. Now don't get me wrong, of course his role within the church is hugely significant. But what Richard will be held accountable for when he stands before God is simply this - has he fulfilled God's calling on his life? When we look at it in that way, we realise that everyone of us has equal responsibility for living out the plan God has for us.
No one person's role is higher or more significant than the other. God apportions grace and revelation out as He wishes, and He gives us all we need to fulfill what He wants us to do, therefore when we stand before His throne, we are all equally responsible for how we have lived.
The Bulls Eye
If we are not living within the exact calling that God has for us, then we are not living within the centre of God's will for our lives. There is nothing worse than being outside the centre of God's will for your life. Things could be perfect for you. You could be living a sorted Christian life.
But if you're not living in exactly the bulls eye of God's will for your life, then despite the fact outwardly things seem great, inside you know there is something deeply wrong and missing. It might be that you have not submitted an area of your life to God that you know the Holy Spirit has been whispering to you about for months. It might be that you are going out with the wrong person. It might be that you are not serving in an area in which you know you should be. Whatever it is, there is no worse place than not being in the bulls eye of God's will.
Lukewarmness Can Go Take A Jump!
Maybe it is just the way I am. But I hate lukewarmness. I hate seeing it in my life. I hate seeing it in other people's lives. And I believe it angers God also. God's people are not a lukewarm people. God's people are not those who sit back in their chair and watch His kingdom come, or who think it is acceptable to compromise His word, or who think it is ok to have areas in their lives that do not come under the Lordship of Jesus.
This is living a lukewarm life for Jesus and it is unacceptable for it discredits the highest calling anyone could ever recieve, from God Almighty.
As God's people are called to live radical, holy, passionate, uncompromising, lives. I want to be one of those people who live each day considering everything else rubbish compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus, living for His kingdom and in all that He has for me.
When Jesus returns I will be on the front line. There isn't a more fulfilling, peaceful, or joyful place to be. Wana join me?
'Each one of us will meet at least 10 people every week who are ready to be saved.' Arne Skargen.
'You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.' Matthew 5:14 - 16
It's Time To Make Myself AvailableWent out for a drink with two of my best friends last night - kev and nick. Nick was telling me about how he had had some amazing chats with a few of his friends at work about Jesus.
Testimony builds faith. I had been aware for a long time that I had lost my passion and zeal to take every opportunity to tell people about Jesus. I knew as Nick was speaking that the Holy Spirit was calling me to get that 'edge' back into my lifestyle. If I want to see significant numbers added to the church, I need to make myself available to be used by God daily. I need to...
1. Desire God's heart for the lost.
2. Pray for opportunities to tell people about Jesus.
3. Be full of the Holy Spirit.
4. Be full of the Word.
5. Step out and speak truth.
Speak TruthJesus said 'I tell you the truth' - Matthew 5:18, 5:26, 6:2, 6:5, 6:16, 8:10, 10:15, 10:23, 10:42, 11:11, 13:17, 16:28, 17:20, 18:3, 18:13, 18:18, 19:23, 19:28, 21:21, 21:32, 22:16, 23:36, 24:2, 24:34, 24:47, 25:12, 25:40, 25:45, 26:13, 26:21, 26:34 (IE - He said it a lot!)
Later that evening we ended up having a full on chat with three people about Jesus. I was reminded of what power there is in simply speaking the truth. God calls us all to be a people who speak truth into the lives of those who believe Satan's lies.
We can see salvation this week, if we choose to make ourselves available.
My Greatest Influence
The man in this photo is my dad. My dad is amazing. He has seen many lives changed by God working through him. God has undeniably used his influence in my life to shape me into who I am today. He preached this morning to a small Church on the power of the resurrection. I wanted to share with you some of what he said because it was fantastic...
And the greatest evidence of the historical truth of the resurrection is surely this – the testimony of Christian believers who claim that Jesus lives because he produces and sustains changes and effects in the whole fabric of their lives – the way that they think, the way that they feel, and the way that they act.
David Watson, that great evangelist of the 1970’s, who turned St Michael le Belfrey... from a tiny congregation, of six faithful people, to a thriving church, filled to capacity week by week, wrote in his book, ‘I have personally talked to thousands of men and women, from university professors to drug addicts, from top class scientists to simple country folk. They all give the same experience, that of the reality of Jesus Christ in their own lives.’
There is a story that comes of the era of the Soviet Union, at a time when the communists had spent years trying to wipe out the Christian faith. A Christian minister was on public trial for his beliefs. His accuser spent much time ridiculing him, mocking the very idea of the resurrection. ‘Prove to me that your Saviour rose from the dead’, he challenged the man. ‘That is simple’, the minister replied. He turned to the hundreds of people who had filled the hall to witness his trial. ‘Christ is risen!’ he proclaimed, and back came a thunderous response that echoed round the walls, ‘He is risen indeed. Hallelujah!’
This is the essence of Christian faith down through the ages, that Jesus who died, is alive and continues to make himself known to His followers just as He did on the shores of Galilee...
...To those who are ill, or depressed or lonely, the resurrection means that they are not alone in their suffering, for no matter how far into the depths of despair and suffering they may go, Jesus has gone before them and now offers His risen presence to those who ask for it.
To the young the resurrection means a chance to give their lives, not to a fading pop-star or a tarnished sports hero, but to Jesus raised in power, a living Lord to worship, to imitate and to follow.
To every Christian the resurrection means new life, a new beginning, a new opportunity to put sin and self behind, and experience a new power, a presence, and a peace that will sustain us and transform us...
St Paul wrote to the Christian church at Phillipi, ‘All I care about is to know Christ, and experience the power of His resurrection.’ As we join with Christians throughout the world today rejoicing with them that Jesus rose from the dead and lives on in the lives of those who love Him, may this be our desire too, to know Christ and experience the power of His resurrection, and may that power inspire us, change us, and motivate us to go out into the world to tell others of the great things that God has done.
GOD REIGNS VICTORIOUSWhen I was dead in my sins and in the uncircumcision of my sinful nature, God made me alive with Christ. He forgave me all my sins, having cancelled the written code, with its regulations, that was against me; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Colossians 14:13 – 15
Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: 'Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.' Revelation 19:5-7
Radical SubmissionJesus answered, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.' When the young man heard this he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Matthew 19:21-22
The problem was not simply that the man possessed wealth. Rather Jesus saw that the man's wealth possessed him. By confronting this young man in this way, Jesus was saying to him, 'Am I sufficient for you? If everything else was gone, would you be content in your relationship with me, or am I merely one more among your many possessions? (Bryn Jones, Radical Church)
I believe we are living in days where God is looking for a passionate people who are willing to radically submit their all to Him and His purposes, a people who are willing to lay down their everything in order to see His kingdom come.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24
When God highlights areas in our lives that we are holding on to and not letting him rule over, we must let go. Sometimes we don't want to give up that one thing that He asks of us, like that rich man. But let us be a people who joyfully give our all to God, knowing that He is worthy, that His purposes are higher, and that He knows best.
Blessed are those who are pure in heart for they will see God. Matthew 5:8
You will never ever regret giving up anything for the sake of Christ. God is proud of those who obey him and blesses them abundantly.
The grass is never greener on the other side when you are living in the centre of God's will for your life. We are sent as Jesus was sent. Jesus gave up his life.
'Not as I will, but as you will.' Matthew 26:39
The most important thing about a person...If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord', and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, then you will be saved. Romans 10:8 - 10
The most important thing about a person is who they know Jesus to be, and who they say Jesus is.
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say the Son of Man is?' They replied, 'Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.' 'But what about you?' he asked. 'Who do you say I am?' Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Jesus replied, 'Blessed are you Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.' Matthew 16:13- 17
It is so good to be able to know and say confidently that Jesus is Lord of all.
Every day now, before I do anything, I make sure I find the space to remind myself of who I know Jesus to be, and then I speak it out. It is the speaking out that makes a difference to my day!
Maybe it is just the way I am. But I hate lukewarmness. I hate seeing it in my life. I hate seeing it in other people's lives. And I believe it angers God also. God's people are not a lukewarm people. God's people are not those who sit back in their chair and watch His kingdom come, or who think it is acceptable to compromise His word, or who think it is ok to have areas in their lives that do not come under the Lordship of Jesus. This is living a lukewarm life for Jesus and it is unacceptable for it discredits the highest calling anyone could ever recieve, from God Almighty.
