CALLED, NOT RECRUITED!

Sunday, November 4, 2018

CALLED, NOT RECRUITED!

1 Cor 2:12-14

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

John 4:24

24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

           We have reduced modern religion to a system more suited to a degree in Business Administration than in Theology. Fewer and fewer of our new ministers are respondents to a call from God and more and more of them have been simply recruited to a career. No such example can ever be found in the Bible. True, the Old Testament records that there were schools for prophets but it is clear that these individuals had a peculiar call and claim upon their lives by God. The result is that churches are increasingly being operated by religious CEO’s who are constantly running to one conference or another to learn the most popular way to attract customers.

           Paul explained to the Corinthians that his ministry among them was not based upon human wisdom taught and learned in some educational climate. No, his religious education was much more electric than that which might be received in some musty classroom. Paul was blasted from his saddle on the road to Damascus by a light so bright he was blinded for days. If you say “that is incredible” then you have just proven my point.

            If we can attract a crowd of worshippers to a temple built with a template, if we can lure them to participate in a program, and if we can elicit a predetermined response from them, then where is God and why do we need Him? Jesus said in John 6:44, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.” The Greek word for “draw” is heikou and means “to drag!”

           If you ask the average church member why they chose their particular church, they will respond with a list of reasons. They came because of the beauty of the buildings or the friendliness of the people or the convenience of the programs for their children. Not many will say, “I was dragged here kicking and screaming!” To put it more gently, “It seems some invisible force led me here.” Such is the supernatural aspect of relationship with the Redeemer. He doesn’t just light the path I choose, He chooses the path.

           Religious ambition must give way to the will of the Master. Conferences on church growth must yield to consultation with the Christ. Programs must yield to prayer. The natural must yield to the supernatural.

Dear Lord, please lead me along the path you have chosen for me. Give me the necessary supplies needed for today. Let me be an instrument in your hand. Let me sense the supernatural. AMEN