Finding God's Will? Pt 16

Is there a call to ministry?

What is a biblical calling?

One thing that is NOT a calling to vocational ministry

Spiritual need- the perception of need does not constitute a call.

Acts 16:6 ESV

6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.

Acts 16:7 ESV

7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.

1. Desire

1 Timothy 3:1 (ESV)

1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.

Aspire: ὀρέγω (the act. Hom. et al. ‘reach, stretch out’) in our lit. only mid. ὀρέγομαι (Hom.et al., lit. ‘stretch oneself, reach out one’s hand’) and only fig.: to seek to accomplish a specific goal, aspire to, strive for, desire

Hebrews 11:16 ESV

16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

1 Timothy 6:10 ESV

10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Desire: to have a strong desire to do or secure someth., desire, long for. Same word that is sometimes translated as lust. This strong desire is for the work.

2. Qualification

1 Timothy 3:2–5 ESV

2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?

3. Giftedness

What are the two functional qualifications is I Timothy 3:1-5?

Able to teach (v. 2)

A good manager (v. 4-5)

4. Confirmation