Or how it’s taken 30 years to get where I am today
Part3: Commissioned
This is the 3rd part if my talk on “Called, Trained, Commissioned”. Over the last 2 months I’ve looked at Called & Trained. This month is Commissioned.
The commissioned phase of ministry is the most glorious & most public
Samuel recognised as a prophet: Samuel 3:19-20
The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the LORD.
There is about 40 years between Samuel’s call in the first few verses of this chapter and his recognition of being a prophet – this was his training period. But there comes a time when his calling and ministry is recognised by the people of Israel
David was eventually crowned king of Judah (2 Sam 2) and then Israel (2 Sam 5)
David’s commissioning came in 2 stages – 1st as king of Judah and then over all Israel
Peter, Andrew, James & John & the rest of the disciples
Matthew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in£ the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
We call this “The great commission”. At this point the disciples are sent out to fulfil the call made on their lives some three years earlier
Me Derby July – 30 years on.
In July 2011 the Leicester City Church team were commissioned at a special service. This was a commissioning for a specific ministry. I was rather hoping that the preach would be from Isaiah 6, but Ally Kay prophesied from there instead. For me this was recognition of the call God has on my life, the call that happened 30 years to the month earlier
Summary
The Called phase is:
- The most glorious
- The most public
- When your ministry/gift recognised by man
Oh – and the training goes on
Conclusion
So what if you haven’t heard a call?
Scared that you’ve missed it? Samuel was called 4 times. God is patient, if you’re willing to answer, he’ll get through
Maybe he hasn’t called you yet. Get into places where you can hear God call – in His presence through worship & the word. Listen to prophetic words that may be brought to you
And if you have heard the call and responded?
Stick with the training – it’ll get harder, but you’ll grow. Don’t disqualify yourself