October 4th, 2000, Wednesday Evening

"Calling of a Christian"
We're either managers or ministers

OPENING: 1 Corinthians 4:1 and 1 Peter 4:10, KJV


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A "calling" means, in the spiritual sense, what we--each of us--are called to be or do in life (for God). We're either:

• Stewards (managers)
• Servants (ministers)
  
  
• 1 Corinthians 4:1
  
  
  • Ministers are servants of the gospel of Jesus Christ. All servants are expected to perform in one way or another.
  • Stewards oversee, guard, and maintain people and material resources.

Servants and ministers are both called to be by God.

• 1 Timothy 1:12: Paul not only accepted this calling but considered it an honor and a pleasure to work for God in this manner. God counted us faithful to work in his ministry NOT because of our level of faith or because we're special. (God counted his faithful even in our unfaithfulness.)
  
  
• And just like Paul, God counted you faithful to be placed in His ministry.
  
  
• God knew us and chose us to be ministers to Him before he created the world. He knew us before Genesis 1:1.
  
  
  • John 15:16
  • Jeremiah 1:5-7
  
  
• 1 Corinthians 4:2: Stewards must be dependence, counted on, trustworthy, and able to guard the ministry. They must pray for it, constantly think about it, and suggest ways to improve it.
  
  
  • EXAMPLE: Adam, in the beginning, was charged by God to "dress" the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1:15). Adam never had an example. But God brought all the animals in front of Adam to see what Adam would name them.

Servant (minister)

• Why are we here? Why do we live? Is it not to serve the LORD?
  
  
• We eat, sleep, buy, work, play, get tired, rest, sleep, and repeat this endless cycle. Is that why we live? Just to expect the next paycheck? No.
  
  
• We're here to serve and glorify God. As someone saved, our best hope is knowing that we have reservations in heaven. Knowing that, why don't we kill ourselves now? Because as long as we're here, we have reason to serve the Most High GOD

Steward (manager)

• 1 Corinthians 4:2: Managers dispense the gospel of Jesus Christ--like missionaries
  
  
• Pray, look for and take advantage of opportunities to get the gospel out of the love of Jesus Christ

Jesus died for our sins so that all we have to do to be saved from hell is to believe in Him. This is called grace. Then on top of being saved, God gave each of us a "gift." This gift is your trade in life--whether it be an engineer, scientist, church missionary, etc. Like Quik added to milk to make it chocolate, you must constantly be in your trade--be stirred up. Else, you'll settle to the bottom and you'll just have milk.

Ephesians 3:7-8: By what authority are we called? By the gift of the grace of GOD

• We should be happy to approach and be approved with a message of salvation. It should be a privilege
  
  
• If you're a timid person or fear being shunned by others who will not welcome you or your message, get over being timid. We must get the Word out. This treasure of the gospel is housed in "earthly vessels" (us).

Paul was given the power to preach the "unsearchable mysteries of Christ" to the lowliest of Christians. This message is for all--not just those who are saved and obey but especially for those unsaved.

The bible says we're called to be His ambassadors. Don't ambassadors have a certain high level of pride/respect for their respective country? We should treat GOD the same way--we're ambassadors of Heaven.

CLOSER

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1 Peter 4:10: We're called to be managers and ministers of Jesus Christ--and as such, we ought to be faithful in that.

• God saved you and called you to be one of His ministers/managers.