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| Pastor Appreciation: The Call of God, |
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3:1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; [there was] no open vision. 3:2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli [was] laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, [that] he could not see; 3:3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God [was], and Samuel was laid down [to sleep]; 3:4 That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here [am] I. 3:5And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here [am] I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down. 3:6 And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here [am] I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. 3:7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. 3:8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here [am] I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.
The scripture speaks of a time when God needed a righteous minister to speak to his people.God calls out to a young Samuel that was ministering unto Eli to fulfill the promise that his mother made to God.Samuel is called by name three times from his sleep each time going to Eli and responding Lord Here am I. After the third time Eli realizes that it was God calling the lad and gives Samuel the instructions to speak to the Lord. Eli the minister had grown old and had two minister sons that were very unrighteous. God had dealt with Eli about his son's sin but they would not heeded the words of their father Eli.The time comes that God had enough of trying to get Eli's son in line that he sent a man of God unto Eli with a message that there would be no more old men in his family. During this time when Israel was in a war, they would always send the ark of the covenant out before the armies into battle. God had honored the ark and the battles were won, now because of the unrighteousness of the ministers the ark is taken captive and the sons of Eli are both killed in the battle. News gets back to Eli that his sons were killed and the ark of the Lord has been taken captive. Eli falls breaks his neck and Samuel become the minister of the Lord. The calling brought Samuel into a place that he would converse with God for many years and Samuel became the mouth piece of God through the calling. 1:4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 1:5Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, [and] I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. 1:6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I [am] a child. 1:7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I [am] a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. 1:8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I [am] with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. 1:9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. The calling of Jeremiah the prophet, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah. Listen to what God tells Jeremiah, before I formed thee, even before thou camest out of thy mothers womb. I sanctified and ordained you to be a prophet. God goes on to tell Jeremiah that He would be with him and not to be afraid of men. Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth saying I have put my words in thy mouth. Jeremiah will now speak the word's of God to the King. During this time Israel had sinned against the Lord and God was judging them with 70 years of captive. This was not what they wanted to hear a very unpopular message. Never the less thus saith the Lord prevailed and Babylon came to take the children of Israel captive.Jeremiah knew the voice of God. 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 4:20 And they straightway left [their] nets, and followed him. The Lord calls Andrew and Peter as he was passing through as they were fishing at the sea of Galilee. Jesus said to come and follow me and I will make you fishers of men.Straightway they left their nets gave up the fishing business and became disciples of Jesus. From there Peter and Andrew watched the anointed one do so many things even with four gospel writers, they could not record all that Jesus did.The calling served Peter well for the the day of Pentecost, He stood and begin to speak about the great out pouring of the Holy Ghost. 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Instructions were given to the ministers to take care of the flock that's is the believers and converts. Paul instructs the ministers to feed the church spiritual food. The church is a special place in that Jesus purchased the church with his own blood.Ministers were to warn the church about starved wolves, that desire to devour the Lord's lambs. 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Ministers were given the responsibilites of perfecting the saints. The five fold ministry of apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastors and teachers were setup to perfect the saints. God had a purpose in having these different ministries, but God wanted all to edify (instruct) the body of Christ. Those that are called have the responsibility to be God's representive . Is God calling you? |
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