Lesson 62 – Called in the Five-Fold Ministry

Text: Matthew 4:18-22 KJV  And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.  (19)  And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.  (20)  And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.  (21)  And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.  (22)  And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

Intro:

The calling of God is not a job or an occupation that one aspires to. It is a call from God that will be confirmed by God and the Apostolic ministry. Determining if we are called can be a very tumultuous time. Our insecurities, desires, and ambitions can often lead us into a confused state when determining if we are called into the ministry. It is eternally important to know without a doubt if God has called us into His ministry. We must not allow pride to discourage us from backing away from the ministry if we genuinely are not called. There is no shame in accepting that we are useful in God’s kingdom outside of the ministry. We can still labor!

1 Cornthians 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.

Called to Be Saints:

1 Corinthians 1:2 KJV  Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

Everyone in God’s kingdom is called to be a saint. A saint is someone who has repented, been baptized in the name of Jesus, and filled with the Holy Ghost. After their conversion, they continue to develop a life that reflects the life of Jesus Christ in every way and at all times. Living holy and acceptable to God.[1]

Before anyone is called into the ministry, they must first be a saint. Paul admonished Timothy to be an “example of the believer.”[2] This means that everything the scripture teaches, we believe and live it completely. The ministry must be unblameable in every area of their life.[3] When an individual perfects the life of the saint, then they are available to be used by God as He desires.

As a saint matures into perfection, often they will be involved in the ministry of “Helps.” This includes all things necessary for the operation of the church. (Evangelism, Sunday School, cleaning, teaching bible studies, etc.) Many mistake a call into the ministry with a call into the Helps. A saint, called into Helps, who unwittingly declares they are called into the ministry will self-destruct. A true saint of God will not allow unsanctified ambition to demand a title or calling in which they are not called or qualified.

Called of God:

Mark 6:7-13 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; (8) And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:  (9)  But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. (10) And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. (11) And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. (12) And they went out, and preached that men should repent. (13) And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

A calling into the ministry must come from God. NO man, regardless of position or intention, can bestow or declare a ministry upon us. When God looks upon a sanctified saint, He sees someone fit for His use in His kingdom. When the great Apostle Paul was called by God, it left no doubt in his mind that it was Jesus speaking to him.[4] As with Paul, a calling is simply the beginning of a journey. When young Samuel was receiving his calling of God, it is fascinating to note that the voice of God sounded like his spiritual authority.

Confirmation:

2 Kings 2:13-14 KJV  He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;  (14)  And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.

Confirmation means to have approval and authorization. When Elijah’s ministry was developing, he submitted himself to a man of God. When it was time to begin his ministry, it required the confirmation of God and of his spiritual authority. The anointing that was upon Elisha transferred to Elijah and God confirmed his ministry. Every ministry must be confirmed by God as well as their spiritual authority. Timothy was submitted to the Apostle Paul. Paul told him that a minister was required to be approved (confirmed) by God.[5]

Mark 16:17-18 KJV  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;  (18)  They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Being confirmed by God will produce signs of approval or validation. When our life and message are in alignment with God’s will and word, signs of His confirmation will follow. The absence of God’s confirmation is evidence there is no present calling into the ministry upon our life. The ministry is God’s gift to the church, not His gift to us. If we are called of God, we can expect Him to anoint us with signs following. If we are not called by God into the ministry, we can still rejoice that we are part of His church and useful in some capacity.

Acts 13:1-3 KJV  Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.  (2)  As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.  (3)  And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

God’s kingdom operates by spiritual authority. Therefore, a calling into the ministry must also be confirmed by Spiritual Authority. Though Paul had been directly called by God, his ministry was not completely validated until his spiritual authority confirmed it. These were not contemporary religious leaders of his time, nor did he go looking for someone to declare as his spiritual leader. These were recognized Apostolic leaders of the church of his time.

Conclusion:

A call into the ministry is a wonderful and rewarding life. It is humbling to labor in God’s kingdom and work with Him. Regardless of the certainty of our unique calling experience, if we have not been confirmed, may we gracefully seek other means of serving in His kingdom. If you are uncertain about your calling, consider the points in this lesson carefully and prayerfully. Those who are called, may we strive for excellence in our calling.