Difference between revisions of "Called"
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=Body= | =Body= | ||
| + | Today we are going to dig into the topic of Calling. Let me begin by telling you that | ||
==Every Christian has been called to serve Christ.== | ==Every Christian has been called to serve Christ.== | ||
| − | + | You probably agree with me right now. After all, the statement that every Christian has been called to serve Christ passes the smell test, it feels right. So let me go just a little further and tell you that every Christian is called to serve in an office. Okay, now you might disagree with me a little. After all, you might argue, I have not been called to serve in the office of pastor or deacon so I am off the hook. To this my answer is no you are not off the hook, let's look at what it means to have an office. | |
| + | <p>Charles Hodge, a very prolific theologian writes that an office is "something which cannot be assumed at pleasure by any and every one. A man must be appointed thereto by some competent authority. It involves not only the right, but the obligation to exercise certain functions, or to discharge certain duties; and it confers certain powers or prerogatives, which other men are bound to recognize and respect."<ref>Charles Hodge, Discussions in Church Polity (1878; repr., New York: Westminster Publishing House, 2001), 346.</ref></p> | ||
| + | Hence, we have | ||
| + | ====An office is a position that cannot be assumed, has not just rights but responsibilities, and confers powers or prerogatives.==== | ||
| + | and guess what, church membership checks all of those boxes! Turn with me to Hebrews 10:24-25. | ||
===Some Christians are called to serve as church members (Hebrews 10:24-25).=== | ===Some Christians are called to serve as church members (Hebrews 10:24-25).=== | ||
| + | ====Every Christian has been given the right to be part of the family of God but also has a responsibility to==== | ||
| + | =====Meet together===== | ||
| + | =====Encourage one another===== | ||
| + | These are responsibilities we each possess. Don't let this idea slip by. We have a responsibility to encourage each other. It is not the pastor's or deacon's job to encourage, it is the job of every member of the church! | ||
| + | ====Every Christian has the power and prerogative to spur one another on toward love and good deeds.==== | ||
Revision as of 15:56, 2 March 2023
Contents
- 1 Introduction:
- 2 Body
- 2.1 Every Christian has been called to serve Christ.
- 2.1.1 An office is a position that cannot be assumed, has not just rights but responsibilities, and confers powers or prerogatives.
- 2.1.2 Some Christians are called to serve as church members (Hebrews 10:24-25).
- 2.1.3 Some Christians are called to serve as pastors.
- 2.1.4 Some Christians are called to serve as deacons.
- 2.1.5 MTR: Rededicate yourself to serving in the role to which you have been called.
- 2.2 Some Christians are officially recognized to serve in a special capacity.
- 2.3 The local church is tasked with recognizing those whom God has called to serve in a special capacity (Acts 13:1-3).
- 2.3.1 The church in Antioch had time to observe Paul and Barnabas (1)
- 2.3.2 The Holy Spirit called Paul and Barnabas to ministry (2)
- 2.3.3 The church in Antioch laid hands on Paul and Barnabas in recognition of God's call (3).
- 2.3.4 MTR: Join me today in officially recognizing the call that God has placed on Scott Hunter's life to serve as a deacon.
- 2.1 Every Christian has been called to serve Christ.
- 3 Conclusion:
Introduction:
Today we have a special opportunity to recognize the calling of a man to diaconal ministry. This special ordination is a recognition of the work that God is already doing in the life of Scott Hunter and I want to emphasize that we as a church are not calling Scott to serve as a deacon but rather that we as a church are recognizing the call that God has already placed on Scott's life. I also want to emphasize that this special time should be a time where we each reflect on God's call on each of us. It doesn't matter if you have been called as a deacon, pastor, or member of this church, you have been called and your life should reflect the calling that God has placed on your life. In order to set the stage for today's service I would like to invite Pastor David and Chris DeJabet to the stage to read two passages of Scripture.
Setting the Stage:
Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 3:1-14 read by Pastor David
Scripture Reading: Acts 6:1-7 Read by Chris DeJabet
Body
Today we are going to dig into the topic of Calling. Let me begin by telling you that
Every Christian has been called to serve Christ.
You probably agree with me right now. After all, the statement that every Christian has been called to serve Christ passes the smell test, it feels right. So let me go just a little further and tell you that every Christian is called to serve in an office. Okay, now you might disagree with me a little. After all, you might argue, I have not been called to serve in the office of pastor or deacon so I am off the hook. To this my answer is no you are not off the hook, let's look at what it means to have an office.
Charles Hodge, a very prolific theologian writes that an office is "something which cannot be assumed at pleasure by any and every one. A man must be appointed thereto by some competent authority. It involves not only the right, but the obligation to exercise certain functions, or to discharge certain duties; and it confers certain powers or prerogatives, which other men are bound to recognize and respect."[1]
Hence, we have
An office is a position that cannot be assumed, has not just rights but responsibilities, and confers powers or prerogatives.
and guess what, church membership checks all of those boxes! Turn with me to Hebrews 10:24-25.
Some Christians are called to serve as church members (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Every Christian has been given the right to be part of the family of God but also has a responsibility to
Meet together
Encourage one another
These are responsibilities we each possess. Don't let this idea slip by. We have a responsibility to encourage each other. It is not the pastor's or deacon's job to encourage, it is the job of every member of the church!
Every Christian has the power and prerogative to spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
Some Christians are called to serve as pastors.
Some Christians are called to serve as deacons.
MTR: Rededicate yourself to serving in the role to which you have been called.
Some Christians are officially recognized to serve in a special capacity.
Ordination marks a point of officially recognizing the work of God in an individual's life.
Ordination serves to safeguard the ministry.
1 Timothy 5:22
Ordination serves to encourage the ordained.
The local church is tasked with recognizing those whom God has called to serve in a special capacity (Acts 13:1-3).
The church in Antioch had time to observe Paul and Barnabas (1)
The Holy Spirit called Paul and Barnabas to ministry (2)
The church in Antioch laid hands on Paul and Barnabas in recognition of God's call (3).
MTR: Join me today in officially recognizing the call that God has placed on Scott Hunter's life to serve as a deacon.
Today we are going to invite the other ordained men of the church to come forward as representatives of you, the local church, to lay hands on Scott Hunter.
We are also going to invite Sarah to come forward as Scott's helpmeet and biggest supporter.
Conclusion:
MTR: Don't just walk away today without first asking yourself, "How has God called me to serve?"
- ↑ Charles Hodge, Discussions in Church Polity (1878; repr., New York: Westminster Publishing House, 2001), 346.
