I notice when our pastor speaks he contradicts himself the very next week from the message the previous week. I see some men though who don’t seem to stumble in teaching, and them I admire. They are sure in what they say and preach. our pastor has said all his life that he hates the old fire and brimstone judgment preaching and then only turns around to try it because his expectations didn’t seem to be met the way he thought. He is trying to reevaluate his calling. Did God call him to build a multi-cultural church or did he call him to preach what God says to say? He thinks now God didn’t call him to build a grand church, but rather preach what God says to say. Of course he says that now after telling every one his vision that God gave him for so long to build a multi-cultural church. It is both though and he can’t handle that. God is growing me and teaching me as I watch this happen to our pastor. I pray for our pastor the will of God.
The thing I want is to be rock solid in what I say from now till eternity. I want to be able to have what I say today to build on what is going on 5 years from now, not contradict it. I was reading a search on E-Sword for AUTHORITY and this scripture came up
Mat 7:28 When Jesus finished this speech, the crowds were amazed at his teachings. Mat 7:29 Unlike their scribes, he taught them with authority.
I have been one to speak contradicting things too and I hate that in myself. I have discovered that it comes from not being 100% convinced of real biblical teaching, also lack of vision and lack of understanding of your calling and how it ties all together. I think some times we burn out on what to say or preach after time and we look for new avenues to preach on. But we should always have a plan of Gods vision for us and an understanding of our calling used with the gifts and while remembering the goodness of God. When I read Matthew 7:29 he taught them with authority that is what was different about Jesus. The scribes were just reciters, but Jesus knew and believed what He was saying.
People today can see that difference in Preachers. Some don’t have that revelation power of Gods word. That is a powerful thing. Only when the revelation of the Word comes from God can you begin to understand scripture and the power of Believing. To read it is nothing with out the Holy Spirit moving on it. God spoke over the waters in the beginning but it never formed till the Holy Spirit moved over the waters. So people read the word of God but lack the power of it.
Paul said 1Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power
We read the word but until the Holy Spirit comes and forms it in us we are incapable to do it. It is an on going process. Working out your own salvation.
Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine.
Be sure of what you preach. Lay a foundation, which is the vision God, gave you. Then work that vision with the guidance of the Holy Spirit using your spiritual gifts. Set up a guidance paper of rules and ideas to navigate the things God will work you with. Decide that Jesus picked 12 to change the world not 5,000. He understood the idea of a falling dying seed. So must I. I can’t possibly take 5,000 and have them do what I want. Pick a few and work the work God gave you. The ones you pick will be everything. Don’t take it lightly. Listen to the Holy Spirit. Trust God has those folks picked and predestined and that God will show you them.
What is the target we are trying to hit? If you can’t see it I guarantee we can’t hit it. As a pastor we must lead Gods people and guide Gods people to that perfection. If I asked most pastors what the target is, most wouldn’t know what to say, and the others would give a textbook answer that they really didn’t understand. How do I bring out Gods Perfection for the sheepfold? Getting them to understand the Target, Calling, Purpose, and Perfection God has set before them. Lay out a map of understanding.
Answer this:
- What is the target
- What is my perfection
- What is my purpose
- What is the calling of God and to whom am I called
1. To conform to our spiritual nature that was Born-Again by the Spirit. This is a minute-by-minute thing to do. This must be done regardless of all else. This is a foundation for completing the other things. If we miss this we will be the tinkling sound of brass.
2. The calling of God is his irrevocable. Like Romans 11:29 says, for the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. The call is never removed. It can be affected by your sin, but not removed. It will always be there no matter what you do. It maybe that you can reject the calling because of sin in your life but God never removes the calling in your life. You must reject it for it to have no effect. Same with the gifts He has given you. Once a gift is given it isn't taken away.
3. Purpose is the call of God and the vision God gave you wrapped together. It is the work you must work out. This is what God birthed you for in the New Birth. This is your destiny in Christ. All things in your life revolve around this. It is what makes you happy in your heart. To complete and understand the call and vision of God for your life is the thing that gnaws at everyone.
4. The perfection is the daily walking out of, hitting the Target, Knowing the Call of God for your life, and working the Purpose out.
This is set in a time frame to break it down, so when you wake up everyday what should I be doing. What is my goal for this day, for tomorrow, and for my life? Foremost walk out your spiritual nature. This is crucial and everything revolves around this being done. We must always be walking out our spiritual nature. Next is to remind myself of my calling from God. Next is to remember the vision with the calling and as I look at that and walk out “hitting the target” then God will speak daily. Because with those things in place your mind won’t be double minded and confused in which direction you should go. Then you will be like Christ; 4 simple things that will make you like the Lord.
If you lack the calling of God or don’t have a vision, God is building one in you. Pray that you may attain these things for the perfection to His Glory. There are thousands of occupations but only one you perform. If you didn’t have a occupation or even a clue as to what occupation you want to do think how confusing that would be. It would overwhelm you. So it is with your calling of God and the Vision
