What is the Call of God?

The title of this session is what is the Call of God?

My desire with the time that we have is to help you understand what the Call of God is. I am going to leave you some time to ask any questions that you have. So make sure to write down your questions so that we can discuss them. You’re getting access to ask direct questions take advantage.

Often what I have seen both here at called camp and in conversations that I have with individuals concerning the Call of God is that many (not all) come with a predetermined mind about the call of God. It is typically revealed in three ways.

1) I often see that people have predefined the nature of the call of God.

2) They have limited the call to a specific position.

3) Or there is a sense that God wants to use their life and they are hoping that God speaks audibly to them on what to do.

What I have noticed is that many leave frustrated or confused. Some also have issues later on when what they determined was the call on their life doesn’t look like what they thought it would.

Today I hope to bring clarity and context to the call of God, and how it functions in our life.

Grab your bibles and turn to

Isaiah 6:1-9 “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged.” Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will g…”

The Call of God is not about a position or title.

The call of God is a call to Him. He has a purpose and a plan for the world, our lives, peoples futures. The call of God is a call to serve Him and the purposes of His heart.

Isaiah’s call/assignment did not begin with a title. He beheld the Lord high and lifted up seated on the throne. His experience caused him to be undone before the Lord. His new understanding of who God is caused him to realize who he was. A man of unclean lips living amongst a people of unclean lips.

Before we can effectively serve the purposes of God we first need to see and encounter God. Our hearts need to be revealed, and if there is any place of sin or wickedness it must be dealt with.

Isaiah was purified in the presence of God. As He was purified He then heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Isaiah responds here I am send me.

Do you see the progression? Isaiah beholds the Lord, he gains understanding of who He is and the greatness of God. This understanding positions him to be used by God.

Remember the story doesn’t say that he went into the presence of God to tell God that he was a Prophet.

Isaiahs response was one of availability. This availability to God resulted in him being called as a Prophet. God had a plan and needed someone to help fulfill it. Isaiah was available.

Availability however does not equal position.

I want you to understand that the call of God on your life does not automatically equate to a full time vocational ministry position (being on staff at a church). Which is pastor, evangelist, teacher, prophetic, apostle. Listen we need to understand that God calls people to many different things. We also need godly teachers, lawyers, public officials, business owners too. These areas are vital to the success of the Kingdom of God.

So availability does not always equal full time ministry positions.

For some It does become a full time vocational position. For others they are called by God to the Business World. God calls kingdom minded business owners to help finance the Gospel. Ministers can’t advance without resources. So if you feel called to business become available to God in that area. You may be the next kingdom giver that sends the Gospel to go around the world.

Share briefly the story of the builder from Scott Wilsons church, mention the people in my own church.

If your in full time vocational ministry please understand that the Call of God is not limited to an age group. The totality of the call is not limited to one area like kids, youth, worship, missions, lead pastor, etc.

When I began I served in worship ministry, I became a youth and young adults pastor, and now I am a Senior Pastor.

Times, seasons, positions, and titles will change. The Call of God on your life and mine will not. So, don’t get hung up on a specific area of ministry right now. Fight to enter into His presence. It is there that God will speak to you. Live an available life for God. The result will be that God will lead you into new opportunities throughout the different seasons of your life.

The final thought I have before questions is this.

Final Thought: Do not let what you do become who you are. Your identity must be rooted in who God says you are through the word of God, and not base it off what you do. Our Call is to give our life to His service. He will determine where that takes us. Learn to be faithful in every season. It will never be about a position but it will always be about Him.