AGM Devotion
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It is an honour for me to give a devotion as we begin the AGM. The topic that I want to share with you is “calling.”
For this session, the definition of calling that I want to suggest is this so please listen carefully: It is the truth that God calls His people to Himself so that they will belong to Him and serve Him in His world with a wholehearted commitment. (REPEAT)
If that definition confuses you, then he
Calling is the truth that God decisively calls individuals and people to Himself, so that they will belong to Him. As a response to God’s call, they will serve Him in His world with a special devotion. (REPEAT)
Calling is the truth that God decisively calls individuals and people to Himself, so that they will belong to Him. As a response to God’s call, they will serve Him in His world with a special devotion. (REPEAT)
My Story
What do you think about when you hear the word, “calling?” What might be the first thing that comes into your mind? What does it mean to have a “calling?”
I have no doubt that the word “calling” has different meanings to different people.
The definition of calling that I want to suggest is this: Calling is the truth that God decisively calls individuals and people to Himself, so that they will belong to Him and serve Him in His world with a special devotion as a response to His call.
God’s summoning of individuals and people to himself, so that they will belong to Him and serve Him in His world.
Calling is not merely just a subjective experience where we can define calling for ourselves. Instead, God has the complete authority to define calling for us as revealed in Scripture.
Generally speaking, what is God calling us as Christians to do as revealed in Scripture?
It is very obvious that God is calling everyone in this world to repent of theirs sins and come to Jesus for salvation.
But, God did not just call us to salvation and that’s it. We are also called to serve Christ, tells others about the gospel, make disciples, live in holiness, love one another, and serve the church family. Here are some verses to think about.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians
7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Specifically, what is God calling us to do with the gifts that He has given to us so that we can build up the body of Christ?
Specifically, what is God calling us to do with the gifts that He has given to us so that we can build up the body of Christ?
Specifically, what is God calling us to do with the gifts that He has given to us so that we can build up the body of Christ?
My Story
As an example, let me share with you my story of how God led me to pastoral ministry.
If you were to ask me what I wanted to do as a career 10 years ago, then here are some of the things I would have said:
To become a detective
To be a math teacher
To work as an animator at Pixar
During my 3rd year at SFU, you can say that I had an epiphany. No, I did not hear a voice from heaven. No, an angel did not show up in my room. That epiphany happened when I was reading and studying my Bible. As I was reading my Bible, I sensed a sudden desire and urge of teaching God’s Word. I questioned myself and talked to God, “Lord, are you calling me to pastoral ministry?” I spent two years praying, discerning and seeking counsel from fellow Christians what the Lord was calling me to do.
During those years, I tried to suppress that desire and tried to deny that God was calling me to be a pastor because I understood the challenges of being a pastor.
because that is the last thing that I want do, and I understood the challenges of being a pastor.
But, that desire never faded away, but it continued to grow stronger and stronger. I believe this desire is biblical.
4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.
In 2014, I was accepted into the Immerse Program at Northwest Baptist Seminary. I spent four years studying and applying what I have studied into the context of the local church (i.e. OBC). God has used those four years to sanctify me. I praise God for this church family who has supported me and my endeavours.
In 2014, I was accepted into the Immerse Program at Northwest Baptist Seminary, and I spent four years studying and applying what I have studied into the context of the local church (i.e. OBC). God has used those four years to grow, sharpen, and humble me. I praise God for this church family who have supported me and my endeavours.
What is now God calling me to do as a pastor? No matter which church I pastor or which ministry I am in, there are six items that God is calling me to do.
First, I am called to preach the Word and teach sound doctrine ().
Second, I am called to pray ().
Third, I am called to shepherd God’s people ().
Fourth, I am called to equip the saints for the work of ministry ().
Fifth, I am called to do the work of an evangelist ().
Sixth, I am called to set a godly example for the people of God ().
I hope that my story would inspire and encourage you to reflect on God’s calling upon your life. Not everyone is called to pastoral ministry, but what is God calling you to do at your workplace and in this church family?
Calling is not merely just a subjective experience where we can define calling for ourselves. Instead, God has the complete authority to define calling for us as revealed in Scripture.
Generally speaking, what is God calling us as Christians to do as revealed in Scripture?
Here are some verses to think about.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Specifically speaking, what does responding to God’s calling look like at your workplace, at home and at church? Is life simply about earning money and surviving or is life about glorifying God by enjoying Him in what He called us to do? How can you respond to God’s calling as you serve Him wholeheartedly? How has God gifted you to serve OBC so that you can build up the body of Christ and help non-Christians discover a relationship with Jesus?
Our life should not simply be wrapped around earning money for human survival, but it is about glorifying God by finding a deep joy, passion, and satisfaction in Him in all that we do.
How can you respond to God’s calling as you serve Him wholeheartedly? How has God gifted you to serve OBC so that you can build up the body of Christ?
I am convinced that when you discover God’s calling - whatever that may be so long as it is consistent with the principles and teachings of the Bible - you will find purpose and meaning for your human existence.
How has God gifted you to serve OBC so that you can build up the body of Christ?
Our life should not simply be wrapped around earning money for human survival, but it is about glorifying God by finding a deep joy, passion, and satisfaction in Him in all that we do
what is God calling us to do with the gifts that He has given to us so that we can build up the body of Christ?
1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.
Let me ask you a couple of questions for you to ponder.
What do you think about when you hear the word, “calling?” What might be the first thing that comes into your mind? What does it mean to have a “calling?”
I have no doubt that the word “calling” has different meanings to different people.
The definition of calling that I want to suggest is this: Calling is the truth that God decisively calls individuals and people to Himself, so that they will belong to Him and serve Him in His world with a special devotion as a response to His call.
Calling is not merely just a subjective experience where we can define calling for ourselves. Instead, God has the complete authority to define calling for us as revealed in Scripture.
Generally speaking, what is God calling us as Christians to do as revealed in Scripture?
It is very obvious that God is calling everyone in this world to repent of theirs sins and come to Jesus for salvation.
But, God did not just call us to salvation and that’s it. We are also called to serve Christ, tells others about the gospel, make disciples, live in holiness, love one another, and serve the church family. Here are some verses to think about.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Specifically, what is God calling us to do with the gifts that He has given to us so that we can build up the body of Christ?
[1] Hence, “God calls us to himself so decisively” implies the authority and election of God. Guinness is convinced that the most important calling to everyone in this world is the call from God to salvation. After receiving that calling, born-again believers are to work as a way to respond to God’s call to service. In , Paul said, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men…”
By finding our calling from God, we would discover our “search for a basis for individual identity and an understanding of humanness itself.”[2] God is the Creator of men and women. Only He can define their identity. He made them in His image, with intrinsic value and dignity. Because God is Creator of humanity, He knows exactly their purpose and meaning of their existence, and He defines it for them in Scripture. In discovering who Jesus is and responding to His call to salvation, “we become our real selves and come to have personalities of our own. So when it comes to identity, modern people have things completely back to front: Professing to be unsure of God, they pretend to be sure of themselves. Followers of Christ put things the other way around: Unsure of ourselves, we are sure of God.”[3]
By finding our calling from God, we would discover our “search for a basis for individual identity and an understanding of humanness itself.”[2] God is the Creator of men and women. Only He can define their identity. He made them in His image, with intrinsic value and dignity. Because God is Creator of humanity, He knows exactly their purpose and meaning of their existence, and He defines it for them in Scripture. In discovering who Jesus is and responding to His call to salvation, “we become our real selves and come to have personalities of our own. So when it comes to identity, modern people have things completely back to front: Professing to be unsure of God, they pretend to be sure of themselves. Followers of Christ put things the other way around: Unsure of ourselves, we are sure of God.”[3]
[1] Ibid,. 30.
[2] Ibid,. 20.
[3] Ibid,. 25.
Some moments in everyone’s life, people have used the word “calling” in association to public service and career. A person experienced a sense of calling from God to become a pastor.
I teach the youth the Bible in Sunday school, and right now we are currently going through the letter of James; I pray for their sanctification and salvation; I shepherd them by leading the ministry to become more Christ-centered; I equip, challenge, and encourage them to serve the church family, and I am encouraged to hear some of the youth wanting to do the work of ministry with the gifts/talents that God has given them;
A pastor experienced a sense of leading or calling from God to go into pastoral ministry For Guinness, he defines ‘calling’ like this: “Calling is the truth that God calls us to himself so decisively that everything we are, everything we do, and everything we have is invested with a special devotion and dynamism lived out as a response to his summons and service.”
A minister, for example, experienced a sense of leading or calling from God to go into pastoral ministry because he desires a noble task (). For Guinness, he defines ‘calling’ like this: “Calling is the truth that God calls us to himself so decisively that everything we are, everything we do, and everything we have is invested with a special devotion and dynamism lived out as a response to his summons and service.”[1]
because he desires a noble task ().
