Greetings again my Brethren.
This month we will begin to look at how the apostles were called into service by the LORD. Make no mistake my friend it is a glorious thing to be called into service by the LORD. At first when we are called by the LORD it is the good works we do is what we can behold of the glory of God, but as we allow God to work in our lives in greater ways He is able to open up a greater glory of Himself to us. And as we see the glory of the Father before us we will see the not so glorious character and nature we have. Being able to behold the glory of God (even in little ways) will ALWAYS reveal our heart and this my friend is the beginning of our transformation that we must have to be used in His service. A part of this transformation must begin with the actual call (we understand and hear it) of God and we must be persuaded our call is “a call of divine sovereignty” if not then it would have to be a call to service made by a man. A call by a man is good and much can be done for God, but it will not withstand trials and troubles when they come. If we are convinced, truly persuaded our call is from God we will be able to withstand even hell if needed. I truly believe most Christians who fail in ministry (be called by God) is because they do not really believe God Almighty has personally called them and when tough times come they fold like a deck of cards. In Mark we read the call of the 12 disciples (later Apostles) by Jesus. “And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. 14And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,” (Mark 3:13)My friend Jesus is still in the business of calling disciples.
Please notice the call came from the mountain where God dwells. Moses found that out, “And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.” (Exodus 24:12) and “For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount. 3And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;” (Numbers 19:2-3) Jesus called “him whom he would.” This was not the idea of the disciples, but Jesus.’ Jesus knew their strengths and weaknesses, He knew who He was calling it was a divine sovereign call. For us to be successful in the call the LORD has for us we MUST believe our call is not from man, but from God. They were called they were ordained of God. How could they fail? By not believing their call from God was not a divine sovereign call. Not only was the disciple’s (later Apostles) call made in divine sovereignty, but they were called individually. Jesus made a deliberate selection one by one of each disciple. Here is Luke’s version of the call of the 12 disciples, “And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; 14Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, 15Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, 16And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.” (Luke 6:13-16) One by one, name by name Jesus called them into service. Now I cannot prove this by Scripture and maybe this is just some Davidology, but I believe the original 12 disciples where all character types of Christians. Peter bold (like a bull in a china shop) thought he could do it all, John lovingly serving (who laid his head on Jesus breast at the last supper) who always wrote to his little children, Thomas doubting (untrusting who wanted more than faith to see the truth) yet practical and simplistic, Judas who turned his back on Jesus. I do not know about you my friend, but I can see myself at times in the character of the disciples. At times I am bold, but at other times I meek and maybe even cowardly. Like John I am loving, but at other times I can be stern and unloving and yes even like Judas at times I maybe even have turned my back on the LORD, but thank God for His grace and redemption. The word “apostles” means sent forth ones. How can we be sent forth in power and authority, if we do not believe the one who is sending us is doing it in divine sovereignty? If this be our belief then we are doomed to failure, but if we truly believe God has called us and our call is one of divine sovereignty nothing will be impossible for us.
Next month we will continue to look at “the call of the Apostles” by submission to the Father and in harmony with His divine purpose. How can we submit to God if we are not in harmony with what He wants for our lives? Do you hear Him now?
