October 10, 2006

Who Calls Men to Preach?

If you are called by God to preach his word, what man on earth is able to deny you? What man is able to silence you?
For it is not man who has called you in the first place. Another man has no say so over the matter. What man has the right to force you to gain credentials (from his particular denomination) in order to preach God's word which comes by revelation from the Lord Jesus himself?
The things I speak of are forms of control that are not of God.
For God, through his Holy Spirit, is the one who works through man and anoints him to preach his word.

Galatians chapter 1:
1Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:
3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Notice in the following scripture what Paul the Apostle says about being called of God:
10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
So we see that Paul received the gospel not by man, neither was he taught it by man, but he received it by the REVELATION of JESUS CHRIST.

There has been an attempt by Satan and those who do his bidding, to put up obstacles in order that the true word of the Lord will not be sown by the preacher, nor received by the hearer. This is the enemies most important priority, that the preachers of the true word of God would be silenced. What is most sad is that the very ones who do these things are those who are ultimately in charge of our Christian churches!
This has been going on for a long time and there has been an upsurge of obstacles of late.
It can be very distressing for those men and women who KNOW they have been called of God to preach, yet find that the actions and requirements of MEN are hindering them from doing so.
In many churches, one must belong to a particular denomination in order for them to speak to the congregation. Now I understand that denominations have been with us for the longest time. But when a denomination is able to STOP the word of God from going forth to help others, we are in real trouble my friends.
What are those who do such things afraid of? Are they fearful that someone may draw members out of their church or denomination and into another? Is this a fear that any of us should have? Why would we fear anything like this if we have our hearts and minds set upon what God expects of us?
The answer is that most of us have our minds on the things of this earth instead of things that pertain to God and eternity (those spiritual things that are of the utmost importance). We can see this clearly.

What is a person to do if they know they are called to preach in these days?
Take courage and add patience to your list of spiritual fruits. Take every opportunity to preach God's truth in good times and bad times. Don't be puffed up, but approach others with humbleness. Preach to them the words of life, which is God's holy word with humbleness and power as well.
Remember, we are not called to please men and women. We are called to preach the gospel. This means that we will NOT be making everyone happy in doing so.
John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
There is no possible way that we will never have opposition. Roadblocks will be tossed our way and we will have trouble. But Jesus said, do not fear, for he has already overcome the world and is victorious. The truth always lands you on your feet!
In conclusion, I leave you with the following words of our Lord:

John 9:4
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

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