Calling is Optional in Method but Not Origin
[18] For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, [19] by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; [20] and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, [21] but as it is written,
“Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” (ESV)
When it comes to making disciples, like Jesus said to do moments before He ascended into Heaven, we have a lot of practical options.
For some, traveling 7,000 miles to a cement and cow-dung building to preach the Gospel and first aid is the best option. For others, it’s walking down the street to tell some neighborhood kids that Jesus was killed for their sins and that God raised Him from the dead to show they were forgiven.
Their response: “NU-UH!” (We were cater-cornered from a church and they had never heard that Jesus, the Son of God, died for their sins and rose from the dead.)
In the midst of these options, we must choose one. If not one of these, something in between. It is part of being a Christian.
That doesn’t mean it’s a law or a burden. Just like you aren’t required to cheer at a Screaming Eagles game or wear blue in Lexington, you don’t have to be an evangelist to be a Christian.
But don’t bow out too soon.
God uses some of the most unlikely people to carry His message. Like a blind guy that was born without sight. Like a naked dude that was possessed by a ton of demons. Like a drugged bass player, or a severely distracted teen-ager.
Paul’s boldness to go out to people that had never heard the Gospel wasn’t the way he was from the beginning. It came after years with the Lord and a lot of work. He spent about 14 years at home, just studying the scriptures and praying.
Of course, there were other apostles that went out right away.
Wherever you fit, be open to the way God would use you to carry His message to the nations. Whether those nations are actual nations or little households on your cul de sac, the Lord is preparing them and you for His message.
Write it on a Post-It or a notecard, or the palm of your hand, and spend some time praying and asking the prayer that Bret ended his sermon with yesterday.
Holy Spirit, speak to me about what You want me to do.
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