Call of God

One of the tasks of the Holy Spirit is to call godly leaders in the kingdom. All men and women are “called” to God –

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Yet only a few respond –

Matthew 7:13

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it.

Matthew 22:14

“For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

John 15:16

 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

Leaders, however, experience a different kind of call and are called in different ways. Many are called sovereignly.

Moses was singled out by God who spoke to him from a burning bush –

Exodus 3:1

Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.

Exodus 4:17

But take this staff in your hand so you can perform miraculous signs with it.”

The child Samuel was called while he was asleep – Please read: 1 Samuel 3:1-18.

Young Isaiah was worshiping in the temple when called by God – Isaiah 6:1-9.

Others are called through men. Samuel went to David and anointed him with oil – 1 Samuel 1-13.

Paul instructed Titus to appoint elders in the churches of Crete –

Titus 1:5

The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.

There is a difference between being a “man of God” – as all are called to be, and being “God’s man”—one called to leadership.

Matthew 16:13-20

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some says John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.