The Call
- Trisha Carter | Edited by Tricia Hercules
- Apr 30, 2015
- 3 min read
The call was given,
the people heard.
The call was given,
the assignment was set.
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature". (Mark 16:15)
When Jesus said ‘go into all the world’, He was talking to the entire church. He was talking to us. It is our call as believers to spread the gospel to others in our homes, schools and workplaces.
And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:1-5, NIV)
Many times we experience fear of not knowing what to say and other times we are afraid that what we say might offend someone. We sometimes even feel as though we aren’t good or knowledgable enough to talk to anyone about Jesus, but as true believers and followers of Christ, we have been instantly qualified.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.
(2 Timothy 1:7-8, NLT)
In 1 Corinthians 2, Apostle Paul admitted that he didn’t speak with eloquent words or human wisdom and even admitted that he was weak. He rightfully acknowledged that the words he spoke were imparted by the Holy Spirit through the power of God. Looking at Paul’s experience should truly encourage us; we shouldn’t be fearful of sharing the experiences we've had with God with others, nor should we be afraid of testifying to the truth that is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our experiences with God not only help us to build spiritual muscles, but can be used to help those who have similar experiences. For such, we must rely upon the Holy Spirit to lead our thoughts, our words and our feet to whom ever needs to be awakened to the voice of God.
Our call to spread the Gospel also involves the use of our amazing God given talents and gifts, whatever they may be. In 1 Samuel 16:14-23, King Saul was troubled immensely with a spirit and the first thing that he looked for, was someone to play the harp. To the human mind, this seems a bit unusual that the king would call for a musician instead of a priest. How can a harp help Saul to be delivered from a spirit? How can music have such an effect on someone? Saul recognised the power that music has and he took advantage of it.
The call was made to David and he answered. When he began to play on the harp, Saul was delivered. When the music went forth, the spirit went out. David understood the call that was given and he understood the power that his gift had to change and transform lives. David took his art and he spread the gospel and all he did was answer the call, and God was able to work through him.
We have the great privilege of showing forth God’s nature, His attributes and His very nature in our everyday life through our gifts and talents as we use them as we create; in our songs, our dances, our fashion. As persons see us, our works, how we operate and experience the functioning of our gifts through our talents they should see God and God will be glorified. So be encouraged. ...let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matt 5:16)
Oswald J. Smith once said “we talk of the Second Coming; half the world has never heard of the first”. The call has been given to us to be a witness for Jesus to the people of the earth and it’s up to us to answer that call.
We must be global Christians with a global vision because our God is a global God. - John Stott
Further Reading:
Mark 16
Matthew 5 1 Corinthians 2 1 Samuel 16
2 Timothy 1: 7-10
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