THE CALL COMES FIRST

Isaiah 6:8; Matthew 4:18–20

Life Application: Saying yes to God represents the pivotal moment between potential and purpose, between comfort and calling, and between the life you envision and the abundant life God promises.

Every believer’s journey begins with a defining moment—a moment when God extends a call. While it may not come in the form of a burning bush or a dazzling light from the heavens, there is no doubt that the voice of God continues to resonate today. He reaches out to fishermen and farmers, to mechanics and mothers, to preachers and plumbers alike. His call is not based on our perfection but rather on His perfect plan for our lives.

In Isaiah 6:8, the prophet recounts, “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” This verse encapsulates the essence of this message: God calls, and it is our responsibility to respond. The divine call precedes any commission; God does not rely on those who hesitate with “maybe,” but rather on those who affirmatively say “yes.”

When you respond with a “yes” to God, you embark on the most significant, miraculous, and purpose-filled journey of your life. This affirmation is not a loss of your life; it is, in fact, the discovery of it. Let us delve into three profound truths regarding God’s call and our response, as we uncover the blessings that await when we agree to follow.

Matthew 4:18-20 reads,

18 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 theirnets, and followed him.  [THIS IS THE WORD OF THE LORD, PRAISE BE TO GOD]

Illustration:  In 1955, five young missionaries—Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Peter Fleming, and Roger Youderian—flew deep into the Ecuadorian jungle with one purpose: to share the Gospel with the Waorani (then called the Auca) people. They knew the risks. They had prayed, planned, and prepared for months. Friends warned them. Family members feared for them. Yet they believed that God's call came before their comfort.

On January 8, 1956, instead of returning home safely, all five men were killed on a sandbar beside the Curaray River.

To many people, it looked like a tragic failure.

But the story wasn't over.

In the years that followed, Jim Elliot's widow, Elisabeth Elliot, and Nate Saint's sister, Rachel Saint, returned to the very tribe that had taken the lives of their husbands and friends. Through their faithful obedience, many Waorani people came to faith in Jesus Christ. What appeared to be the end of the story became the beginning of a spiritual awakening that has impacted missions around the world for generations.

Those missionaries understood something many believers never fully grasp:

God doesn't call us because He guarantees comfort. He calls us because He has already prepared a greater purpose.

The call always comes before we understand the plan.

Today, many people are waiting for God to reveal every detail before saying yes. But throughout Scripture, God rarely gives the entire roadmap. He simply calls...and asks for obedience.

That is exactly what we discover throughout God's Word.

Transition: Before God reveals the destination, He asks for a decision. The call comes first.

Illustration Sources:

Elisabeth Elliot, (Tyndale House, 1957). Through Gates of Splendor

Steve Saint, (Tyndale House, 2005).End of the Spear

I. The Call Is Personal — God Knows Your Name

“Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” – Isaiah 6:8

“And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren… and he saith unto them, Follow me.” – Matthew 4:18–19

God does not extend general invitations; instead, He provides personal instructions tailored to each individual. He calls you—by name, by your needs, and according to your inherent qualities. This call is unique and intimate, emphasizing that God is aware of your existence and your circumstances.

A. It’s a Call That Interrupts

Isaiah was engaged in worship when God called him. Similarly, Peter was laboring when Jesus summoned him. Paul was wandering aimlessly when the Lord reached out to him. God has a way of entering our ordinary moments and transforming them into extraordinary callings.

He disrupts our familiar routines to guide us toward a future filled with promise. He unsettles our comfort zones to redirect our paths toward divine purpose. You may feel overwhelmed with responsibilities, but you are never too busy for the one who created you. When the Master calls out, “Follow Me,” it is time to set aside everything else. The invitation is not for convenience; it is a call to deep commitment.

B. It’s a Call That Identifies

God does not simply call anyone; He calls you by name. He called Moses out from the desert, summoned Samuel in the darkness, invited Zacchaeus down from the tree, and transformed Saul from a life of rebellion. Each of these calls was personal and specific, demonstrating that God knows precisely where you are, who you are, and the potential you hold through His power.

When He calls, it is with a clear intention. You may feel unnoticed in the grand scheme of life, but rest assured, heaven recognizes your name and your worth.

C. It’s a Call That Invites

The Lord never invites us to impress Him; instead, He seeks to involve us in His grand design. While God possesses the power to accomplish everything independently, in His grace, He chooses to partner with us in His plan of redemption. When Isaiah heard the Lord’s voice, he did not hesitate or make excuses; instead, he boldly proclaimed, “Here am I; send me.”

God is not waiting for your abilities; He is looking for your availability. The first step in affirming your “yes” to God is tuning in to His voice amidst the clamor of life. Has God been beckoning you to teach, to serve, to witness, to forgive, or to surrender? Remember, the call is personal, and your response must be equally personal.

II. The Commitment Is Powerful — God Uses Your Obedience

“They straightway left their nets, and followed him.” – Matthew 4:20

When God calls, He anticipates a complete commitment from us, not a conditional one. Peter and Andrew did not seek guarantees from Jesus; they simply offered their obedience. Their immediate response to the call exemplifies the kind of commitment God desires from each of us.

A. Obedience Brings Direction

When you say “yes” to God, the path ahead may remain unclear, but you can be assured of who is leading you. God often directs us one step at a time, and this journey of faith unfolds gradually:

Abraham was instructed to go, yet he was not shown the destination.

The disciples were commanded to follow without being told the specifics of the journey.

Philip was directed to head south without an explanation.

Obedience involves taking steps even when you cannot see the staircase, trusting entirely in the One who constructed it.

Illustration: The renowned missionary William Carey once stated, “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.” This embodies the spirit of obedience—advancing forward despite the obscurity of the path, motivated by the faithfulness of the Caller.

B. Obedience Brings Transformation

Isaiah experienced a profound change in a moment of surrender. Peter transformed from a fisherman to a fisher of men, and Saul was transformed into Paul. A simple “yes” does not merely adjust your schedule; it profoundly alters your soul.

God employs our obedience to shape us, mature us, and mold us into the likeness of His Son. When you yield to His will, He constructs. When you obey, He reveals. When you submit, He molds.

Truth: God will not anoint what He has not appointed, nor will He empower what He has not ordained. Obedience is the gateway to divine anointing.

C. Obedience Brings Multiplication

When Peter obeyed Jesus and cast his net, the catch was so abundant that he had to summon others for assistance. This is the essence of what God does with a simple “yes”—He multiplies it exponentially.

A single act of obedience can initiate a chain reaction of miracles:

One boy’s lunch managed to feed 5,000.

One woman’s jar of oil filled every vessel available.

One widow’s mite touched the heart of the Master.

Your obedience not only blesses you but also extends blessings to countless others.

Application: What miracle might be waiting for your affirmative “yes”? The very moment you take action, heaven begins to multiply your steps.

III. The Consequence Is Powerful — God Expands Your Influence

“They forsook all and followed him.” – Matthew 4:20

“Then went I down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.” – Jeremiah 18:3

When Isaiah accepted the call, he became God’s mouthpiece for an entire nation. When Peter said yes, he emerged as the preacher at Pentecost. Your “yes” can lead to a life that profoundly impacts eternity.

A. Yes Enlarges Your Vision

Prior to the call, Peter’s vision was confined to fishing for profit. However, after his encounter with Christ, his vision expanded to encompass fishing for people. When you respond with a “yes,” God transforms your perspective—your workplace becomes a mission field, your home transforms into a base for ministry, and your life evolves into a powerful message.

B. Yes Extends Your Reach

A single “yes” in one generation can drastically alter the course of the next:

Noah’s affirmative response saved his entire family.

Abraham’s yes gave rise to a great nation.

Mary’s yes brought forth the Savior into the world.

Paul’s yes spread the gospel to the Gentiles.

Your “yes” reverberates beyond your lifetime, touching lives you may never encounter and reaching places you may never visit.

Illustration: A Sunday School teacher named Edward Kimball said yes to God by witnessing to a young shoe clerk. That clerk was D. L. Moody, who went on to lead thousands to Christ and inspire others like Billy Sunday and Billy Graham. One simple “yes” can create ripples throughout history.

C. Yes Elevates Your Worship

Isaiah’s “yes” began with worship and culminated in diligent work. Genuine worship always leads to authentic service. When you come to see God in His true light, remaining silent or stagnant becomes impossible; you are compelled to serve.

Worship is not merely about raising hands; it is about offering your life in surrender. The truest form of praise arises from a heart that is yielded to God’s will.

Application: The call of God transcends mere position; it is fundamentally about participation. God desires more than your praises on Sunday; He seeks your “yes” on Monday and every day thereafter.

Conclusion: The Power of a Personal Yes

Isaiah proclaimed, “Here am I; send me.” Peter declared, “We have left all and followed Thee.” Paul inquired, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”

God continues to ask the question: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”

Will you affirmatively say yes? A “yes” to God is never in vain. It may lead you through tumultuous storms, but it will never leave you devoid of strength. It may stretch your faith, but it will also unveil His unwavering faithfulness.

Closing Illustration: Remember those five missionaries standing on the banks of the Curaray River.

If you had stood there on January 9, 1956, you might have concluded that saying "yes" to God had accomplished nothing. Five graves. Five grieving families. Five lives seemingly cut short.

But heaven saw something earth could not.

Because they answered God's call before they understood God's plan, the Gospel reached a people who had never heard the name of Jesus. Their obedience inspired countless missionaries, pastors, and believers around the world to answer God's call. Even today, nearly seventy years later, their testimony continues to challenge Christians to trust God beyond what they can see.

That is how God's greater plan often works.

We judge by today's circumstances. God works with tomorrow's eternity.

You may not know where God's "yes" will lead. You may not understand why He is asking you to obey. You may never see all the results this side of heaven.

But one day you will discover that the call was never about what you could see—it was about what God already saw.

The greatest chapters of your life will never begin with having all the answers.

They begin with two simple words:

"Yes, Lord."