the nature of your calling

DR. J.L . WILLIAMSJL , PATT & FRIENDS

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The Nature of Your Calling

Biblical Principles for Living Series

Introduction

I and II Corinthians are two of Paul’s most personal and emotional letters We get to see inside Paul’s head in I Corinthians II Corinthians shows us Paul’s heart

Through the following texts, the true nature of our calling, conduct, and character will be revealed1. The confidence of our calling2. The convictions of our calling3. The conflicts of our calling4. The comforts of our calling

Texts

“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me his prisoner; but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the holy calling not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.”

“…partakes of a heavenly calling…” (Heb. 3:1)

…” I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling (KJV) of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:14)

1. The Confidence of Our Calling

Jesus said: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit…” (Jn. 15:16). We are “draftees”, not volunteers

Because he had confidence in God’s will, Paul had confidence in his work – but not his worthiness “I am the least of the Apostles because I persecuted

the church of God.” (I Cor. 15:9)


We all have something in our past that we feel will disqualify us from being used by God …“For if I preach the Gospel, I have nothing to boast

of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.” (I Cor. 9:16)

God sent these words to Paul “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My

name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake” (Acts 9:15-16)


Here we see how Paul reflects upon his calling: “I am under obligation both to the Greeks and to

barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish…” (Rom. 1:14)

How does this apply to you? As a servant you are called to move from the superficial

to sacrificial; as a steward you are called to move from the shallow to the spiritual.

We represent God! “Therefore, we are Ambassadors for Christ, as though

God were entreating through us…” (II Cor. 5:20)


What is the role of an ambassador? “Therefore, we have as our ambition…to be pleasing

to Him” (II Cor. 5:9) Displeasing to the world

Paul had a great sense of partnership with him “For we are God’s fellow-workers…” (I Cor. 3:9)

Other religions do not work with who they believe in


The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you

another Helper that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive…but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in You.” (Jn. 14:16-17)

You must have confidence in our resources You must believe that God will provide all of your needs

2. The Convictions of Our Calling

You must have a good attitude Paul positively speaks of “This gracious work…” (II Cor. 8:19) He reminds the Thessalonians of their “Labor of love” (I Thess. 1:3)

Ministry is a work of grace- grace is love It is a co-ministry

No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him…” (Jn. 6:44) Jesus further said: “No one can come to Me, unless it has been granted him from the Father.” (Jn 6:65)


We cannot save anyone The Holy Spirit was there before us He will continue to nurture and water after we

leave We must keep a clear conscience and honest

motives For our proud confidence is this: our conscience

testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relationship with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God.” (I Cor. 1:12)


You must have the conviction that you are an example to others “Be imitators of me…” (I Cor. 4:16 and I Cor. 11:1)

Note the dependence upon Paul as their spiritual father to complete dependency upon God, their Heavenly Father


After Paul demonstrated humble servant leadership by washing disciples feet, Jesus said: “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

(Jn. 13:15)

We must have the conviction to be sensitive to others “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was

rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality.” (I Cor. 8: 9-13)


We must have the conviction to maintain financial integrity “We want to avoid any criticism of the way we

administer this liberal gift.” (II Cor 8: 20)

We must have the conviction to control our bodily appetites This is not in a “food” sense- it speaks of worldly

possessions We must never forget that “Self-control” is one of

the “fruits of the Holy Spirit.” (Gal. 5: 23)


We must have the conviction to never abuse by authority “This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I

come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority – the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.”

(II Cor. 13: 10)

We must have the conviction to be a professional lover We are called to agape love

“…The greatest of these is love.” (I Cor. 13: 13) Paul does this in his own life “I have you in my heart” (II Cor. 7: 3; Phil. 1: 7)


Paul could summarize his ministry by: “Let all that you do be one in love.” (I Cor. 16: 14)

We must have the conviction to be an affirmer “I praise you for remembering me in everything and

for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you.” (I Cor. 11, 2)

One of the greatest ways to “build” others is through praise

The greatest affirmation is love

3. The Conflicts of Our Calling

When you have strong confidence and deep convictions you will have great conflicts.

As faithful soldiers of Jesus Christ, we must be prepared for our external suffering and afflictions “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in

weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (II Cor. 12: 10)


Suffering is purposeful!1. Comfort in others

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.” (II Cor. 1: 3-5)

2. Humility in me “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these

surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.” (II Cor. 12: 7)

3. Reward in heaven For our light and momentary trouble are achieving for us an

eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (II Cor. 4: 17)


We must be prepared for internal doubts and fears “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;

perplexed, but not in despair…” (II Cor. 4: 8b) Note the relationship between the internal and external

Domino principle: physical>emotional>mental>spiritual

We must learn to deal with pressure and being over-worked “For you recall, brethren, our labor, and hardship, how

working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of your, we proclaimed to you the Gospel of God” (I Thess. 2: 9; II Thess. 3: 8)


We must learn to pace ourselves “Apart from such external things, there is the daily

pressure upon me of concern for all the churches. Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?” (II Cor. 11: 28-29)

We must learn to deal with criticism and misunderstanding “Blessed are you when men revile you… persecute

you…say all kinds of evil again you falsely…” (Matt 5: 11)


How will you deal with criticism?1. Negative

Anger Retaliate Vengeance Bitterness

2. Positive Is it true? Is it deserved? Am I being persecuted for foolishness or righteousness,

obedience or disobedience, maturity or immaturity, spirituality or carnality, child-likeness or childesness?

4. The Comforts of Our Calling

We can take comfort in the assurance that our labors will be fruitful “And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall

reap if we do not grow weary” (Ga. 6: 9) “Are you not my work in the Lord?” (I Cor. 9:1)

We can take comfort in the eternal relationships that are born and grown in ministry “Jesus said them, ‘I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things,

when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for My sate will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.’”

(Matt. 19: 28-29)


You must build your life and ministry around being a team player The Acronym TEAM

T-ogether E-veryone A-ccomplishes M-ore

Paul speaks of the comfort of a team “they have refreshed my spirit.” (I Cor. 16: 18)


There are spiritual rewards “The man who plants and the man who waters have one

purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.” (I Cor. 3: 8-15)

Review

1. The confidences of our calling

2. The convictions of our calling

3. The conflicts of our calling

4. The comforts of our calling

the nature of your calling

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