(1) Principles Concerning The Calling Of A Prophet And Prophetic Ministry

Ministerial Office: (1 Corinthians 12:28, NIV) And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, ...

Prophetic Gift: (1 Corinthians 14:39, NIV) Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, ...

I. God’s Grace Is The Basis Of All Ministry

A. Paul Was The Least Qualified To Be Called By God For Ministry, Yet He Was Chosen!

Paul’s calling from God was not based on his merit! It was based on God’s grace in Jesus.

(Ephesians 3:7–8, NIV) I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ,

B. God’s Gifts And Calling Are Irrevocable (Romans 11:29, ESV) For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

1. Gifts / χάρισμα (charisma)

a. “Charisma” (gift) is related to the Greek word “charis” (grace) and reveals how the gift of God is a gift of God’s grace.

b. The use of the word charisma reveals that the gifts of God are a result of God's grace (charis) not man's merit.

c. Therefore, the gifts and calling of God in your life have nothing to do with your merit, nor are they for your glory.

d. They are all about revealing Jesus by the Spirit as you do the Kingdom work you are called to do.

2. Calling / (κλη̂σις (klesis)

a. Klesis speaks of an invitation and is used throughout the NT in reference to God’s invitation for mankind to accept the benefits of salvation in Jesus.

(1 Corinthians 1:9, NIV) God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

b. It is also used in reference to God’s calling for your life.

(Romans 8:28, NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

3. Irrevocable

a. ἀμεταμέλητος (ametamelētos); irrevocable

b. No regret: having no regret for what was done in the past, with no desire that it had been done differently.

c. This Greek adjective is only used 2x in the NT, notably in Rom 11:29, where it speaks of the final salvation of Israel.

d. The etymology (evolution) of the word means that God does not change his mind.

Once God has chosen his people, he will not go back on the decision.

God never breaks his word after making a promise; hence this adjective simply expresses that there is no variation in God’s will.

(Hebrews 7:21, NIV) but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’”

C. Concerning God’s Grace Being The Basis Of All Ministry ... The Revelation Is This:

1. God’s calling and giving of the gifts is based on His grace and not on your merit and worthiness.

2. Once God calls a person He does not alter His call or take back that which He has given (i.e. gifts)

3. Therefore, God does not take back or repent of his generous gifts and promises.

(2 Timothy 2:13, NIV) if we are faithless, he remains faithful, ...

II. Because Ministry Is Based On God’s Grace We Are Free To Minister Like Jesus!

A. Just Like The Apostle Paul

(Ephesians 3:7) I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.

B. Free To Believe! (Faith)

Since ministry is based on His grace our past, our weaknesses, our failures need not hold us back! Trust Jesus and soar!

(Psalm 18:10, NIV) He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind.

C. Free From Pride!

Since ministry is always based on God’s grace, we have no basis for pride!

D. The Fact That All Ministry Is Based On God’s Grace Gives Us All The More Reason To Be Discerning!

1. Since the LORD doesn’t recant His call or gifts (even when people backslide) we need to be extra cautious.

2. The LORD doesn’t remove prophetic gifts from carnal people, but the further they stray from Jesus the more susceptible they will be to carnal delusion and demonic deception.

3. Not all false prophets will be easy to detect; many will come in the LORD’s Name and work miracles!

(Jeremiah 14:14, NIV) Then the Lord said to me, “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds.

(Ezekiel 22:28, NIV) ... prophets whitewash these deeds for them by false visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says’—when the Lord has not spoken.

(Mark 13:22, NIV) ... false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

III. The Calling Of Jeremiah

(Jeremiah 1:4–5, NIV) The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

A. Chosen / (Jeremiah 1:5a, NIV) “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, ...

1. Although the predominate use of the Hebrew word yada˓(3045) is “to know” it is also translated “chosen”

(Genesis 18:19, NIV) For I have chosen him [Abraham], ...

(Amos 3:2, NIV) “You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth; ...

2. The Psalms also reveal the fact that the LORD has a plan for each person before they are even born!

(Psalm 139:16, NIV) Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

3. It is by God’s grace that a person is chosen for a ministerial office, as in Paul’s case, an apostle.

(Romans 1:4-5, NIV) ... Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him we received grace and apostleship ...

Once again we see that Jesus doesn’t choose anyone because they are worthy; it is based on God’s grace.

4. Although Jeremiah was chosen by God before he was conceived, he wasn’t called until he was an active follower!

You’ll never know God’s plan until you give your life to Jesus and follow Him; then He will unfold His plan to you.

B. Set Apart / (Jeremiah 1:5b, NIV) ... before you were born I set you apart;”

(ESV) ... before you were born I consecrated you;

(CJB) ... before you were born, I separated you for myself.

(MEV) ... before you were born I sanctified you,

Jeremiah was set apart!

Have you ever felt that you just don’t fit in with the crowd, no matter how hard you try? Jesus has set you apart!

(1 Corinthians 1:26–29, NIV) Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.

C. Appointed / (Jeremiah 1:5c, NIV) ... I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.

(MEV) ... I ordained you a prophet to the nations.

(LES) ... I established you as a prophet to the nations.

Natan (appoint) not only speaks of the assignment and responsibility to do a task, but of the authority given to do it.

Jesus doesn’t appoint you to do something without giving you the power and authority to do it!

You are free to minister; chosen to minister; set apart to minister; appointed to minister!

Jesus has chosen many of you, set you apart, and appointed you to minister prophetically! Fulfill your destiny!