Call of preachers (2)

Luke • Sermon • Submitted a year ago • Presented a year ago

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God declares his word through called and anointed preachers. He overcomes their reluctance, helps their weakness, authorises their message and confirms the truth of what they declare.

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God’s call of preachers

It is not dependent upon background

Amos 7:14–15 NRSV

Then Amos answered Amaziah, “I am no prophet, nor a prophet’s son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, and the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’

See also Je 1:1–5; Mt 4:18–20; Ac 9:10–16

It is not dependent upon ability

Exodus 4:10–12 NRSV

But Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor even now that you have spoken to your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” Then the Lord said to him, “Who gives speech to mortals? Who makes them mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to speak.”

It is not dependent upon willingness

Exodus 4:13 NRSV

But he said, “O my Lord, please send someone else.”

It is a matter of God’s sovereign choice

Jeremiah 1:4–5 NRSV

Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

See also Is 49:1–6; Eze 2:1–5; Am 7:14–15; Lk 4:18–19; Is 61:1–2; Ga 1:15

God’s commissioning of preachers

They are commissioned to declare God’s word

Eze 3:1; Ro 10:13–15

See also Je 1:9; Jon 3:1–2; Mt 28:18–20

They are to declare God’s word with authority

Titus 2:15 NRSV

Declare these things; exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one look down on you.

See also Je 1:9–10; Mk 3:14–15; Lk 9:1–2

They are to declare God’s word without fear

Jeremiah 1:7–8 NRSV

But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a boy’; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.”

See also Eze 2:3–7; Eze 3:7–9; Ac 5:27–29; 2 Ti 1:6–8

God’s constraint upon preachers

1 Corinthians 9:16 NRSV

If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel!

See also Je 20:8–9; Ac 4:18–20; Ro 1:14–15

God’s confirmation of his call upon preachers

Acts 14:3 NRSV

So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace by granting signs and wonders to be done through them.