Calling Out the Called

INTRODUCTION

Story of me in the woods at UM. I didn’t know what God was calling me to do but I knew he was calling me.

Today, all across the state of Alabama, churches are “calling out the called.”

Every believer is called to ministry.

It’s not for the select few. It’s not simply for the seminary—trained.

God calls, equips, and empowers every believer for ministry.

God calls every believer to LIVE SENT.

Jeremiah’s CALL

Jeremiah 1:4 “Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying,”

The word of the Lord spoke to Jeremiah. God is calling some of you. Are you listening? Are you so distracted in life that you can’t hear him? God is dealing with some of you pretty heavily and you’re fighting it.

Jeremiah 1:5 ““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.””

God has an eternal plan for your life. He isn’t winging it or just making it up as he goes. Those who are saved have a call on their life.

God didn’t save you to sit on the sidelines.

“Before I formed you, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart. I appointed you.”

God intimately knows you. He knows how He has created you and designed you. He knows how He has gifted you. He knows your weakness. He has called you.

Jeremiah 1:6–8 “Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.””

Jeremiah’s DOUBTS (vs. 6-8)

Jeremiah’s doubts/excuses:

Age (too young)

“I’m too old”

Inexperience

God equips those who he calls.

Jeremiah’s Empowerment

Jeremiah 1:9–10 “Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.””

Ministry isn’t about what you can do or your limitations. It’s about God’s power at work through you. All God is asking is for your “yes.” Your obedience.

You have one life. This one life isn’t an accident. This one life isn’t unplanned. If you’re saved, God has a plan for you.

Matthew 9:37–38 “Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.””

Challenge:

500 churches in Alabama don’t have a pastor. 90% of those churches average 75 or less.

There is a massive shortage of children, youth, and music ministers.

7,324 unreached people groups.

166,338 people die daily apart from Christ

3,577 missionaries around the world

Rachel said this last week—the mission field is here, too.

I know—without a doubt—that God is stirring in some of you.

Call Lonnie forward.