Our pastor, Taylor Stewart, gave us some great meat to chew on yesterday. I know I can’t do his message justice, but here are a few points that stood out to me.
2 Timothy 1:6-9
For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and
called us with a holy calling , not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity …
Have you ever noticed this in verse 9? God has CALLED US with a HOLY calling — according to His own purpose and grace.
Pastor Taylor pointed out: IF YOU ARE SAVED — YOU ARE CALLED!
Think about it! Your calling is holy unto the Lord!
God calls us to intimacy/communion with Him, but also with others.
This is key for those who call themselves Christians.
I have a dear friend who was so wounded by a church split that she and her family have refused to find a new church home. “Christians are hypocrites,” so she isn’t going back. Well, non-Christians are too (we are all human). It makes me so sad for her because SHE IS SO GIFTED. The Body needs her!
Pastor Taylor said we can’t just walk around with Jesus and not the Body (the Church). Can you imagine someone just walking around with a head under his arm? “I’ll just walk with the Head” (Jesus), some may say. But God created us to have relationship with each other as well.
Mark 1:17
And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
Follow Me shows the VERTICAL relationship with the Father. Fishers of men shows the HORIZONTAL relationship with others.
Mark 3:13-15
And He went up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him. And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach, and to have authority to cast out the demons.
We are called BY God. We are called TO God. We are called to minister to PEOPLE.
Have you ever noticed that in the story of Lazarus that Jesus involved the people?
John 11:42-44
I knew that You always hear Me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that You sent Me.”
When He had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
Jesus did the miracle, but he asked the people to TAKE OFF THE GRAVE CLOTHES.
Are you involved?
Are you like my friend? Have you given up on people and church because of wounds?
Maybe you’re like me. You were once heavily involved in ministry, but now are hesitant in stepping off of the sidelines.
This message really convicted me.
WE ARE CALLED.
Don’t wait for someone to commission you.
God has commissioned you!
Great post, Beth!! What a great way to think about it. And it sure is hard to keep this in the forfront of our lives in all the other busyness. Whatever we are doing, we are ambassadors for Him!
I think I visited your church in college a few times- Kings Park, right? Are they in with Grace Churches International?
Much needed post, my friend!
Hugs,
andrea
Your pastor's message is true. How sad to be a Christian without a church to be part of. Your friend could give so much as a member of a church. There are so many different churches, I am sure there is one that is a good match for her.
I'm trying to find the right church for me! I'm asking him to lead me.
Amen, amen.
Great post!!
Loved this: "Follow Me shows the VERTICAL relationship with the Father. Fishers of men shows the HORIZONTAL relationship with others."
That makes so much sense explained that way!
~Beth
Super entry! Can never be reminded of these truths too much. Blessings!
Great post! I need to answer more often.
Nice Beth! Great to remember. Congratulations on your Couch to 5k work! you are doing it!
Great post and a good reminder…one I needed…
Beth, I liked this very much. Timely. Your pastor said it right. Blessings to you dear one, JBR
Beth what a great post..
In our church our series is something similar.. it is called
I AM THE CHURCH ! We cant call our selves good christians and following God when all we do it come into a building on Sunday morning , sing a few songs and nod our head during the service.
I AM THE CHURCH.. Me,, and you..
and we encounter people all day long that needs to see and know that we represent our God..
Well i could go on and on about this series.. but Im sure you get the idea.. so thanks for sharing your post,,and it just is confirmation that God is telling his people.. I have more in store
for you.. Greater purpose..
God Bless you…
Amen, we are called and we will come 🙂
Thanks for sharing this tasty feast Beth. It gives me plenty to chew on. I think sometimes we spend too much time waiting for man to assign us position rather than recognizing and walking in the call that has already been issued by our Lord.
My calling is hospitality. But with the husband gone and my back out, I can't do it anymore…and that kills me. I hope I have a miracle cure so I can fulfill my calling!