THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH WINNING ALL (ECWA)
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TOPIC: THE MISSIONARY CALL
TEXT: ROMANS 1: 1-17

Rev. (Dr.) Stephen K. Awoniyi

INTRODUCTION

In reference to the man Bruce Dipple, the phrase, The Missionary call, Theological, or Mythological, could be explained in this way:

Is it evangelical jargon? Is it a key aspect of mission? Is it an out of date phrase?  Is it just one of those things we say without thinking?  The missionary call is a phrase that rolls off the tongue so easily when discussing missions, but we don’t often stop and reflect on it from a biblical perspective.

The Scripture continues by saying;

Those involved in mission, however, are being forced to do some reflection on the use of the term, as it is becoming an excuse for not being involved in mission.  “I don’t have to think about global mission because I haven’t received a missionary call,” is an increasingly common position being adopted by Christians.  The term also has the tendency to reinforce the highly individualistic nature of our society by putting the whole emphasis on the subjective experience of the individual.  This can occasionally lead to individuals ignoring very helpful advice, declaring “because God called me,” which frequently leads to someone being hurt in the long term.

1. The Biblical Doctrine of Calling
   1. I Corinthians 1: 1-9
   2. Acts 9: 1-16

What does the word “The Biblical Doctrine of Calling” really stands for in the Scripture?  It could be viewed thus,  

“Calling is the truth that God calls us to himself so decisively that everything we are, everything we do, and everything we have is invested with a special devotion, dynamism, and direction lived out as a response to his summons and service.” 

Distinctions and Descriptions of Calling

1.  Primary calling to salvation in God through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 2: 9)

  2. Called to faith in Christ (Rom. 8: 28-30; 1 Cor. 1:9; 2 Thess. 2: 10- 12)

  3. Called to the kingdom of God (1 Thess. 2: 10-12)

  4. Called to eternal life (1 Tim. 6: 12; Heb. 9: 15)

  5. Called to holy living (1 Cor. 1: 2; 1 Pet. 1: 15)

      The above narrated issues or points were said by Dr. Davey Naugle.

      The Scripture also continues by saying; 

Greetings

1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Gifts at Corinth

4. I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, 5 that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, 6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, 7 so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Corinthians 1:1-9 (NKJV).
 

The Scripture again continues by saying,

The Damascus Road: Saul Converted

1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.  3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.  4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”  5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”  Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.[a] It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”  Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”  7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.  8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.  9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Ananias Baptizes Saul

10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”  And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”  11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.  12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”  13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.  14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”  15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.  16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake” (Acts 9:1-16 (NKJV).
 

B.  Motivating Incentives

1.  Romans 5: 1-11
2.  1 John 4: 1-10

In reference to a woman by the name “Elizabeth Keating,” the word “Motivating Incentives” could be explained as, “How to get to know and bring out the best in your Field employees.”
She continues explaining it has it could be viewed below.  It says;  

Motivated employees are worth their weight in gold. Their hard work sets an example for their coworkers. Their work satisfaction and positive attitude make your company look good. And they need less supervision than less motivated workers.

She again continues by saying;

However, motivating and developing employees can be a delicate balancing act for even the most experienced contractor. Those who succeed use techniques that motivate employees in the long-term and start each worker's employment with a positive, career-focused orientation.

Brethren, be assured that the phrase “Motivation and Incentive” are important matters in each person’s daily life.  In other words, parents must work so hard to motivate their children to obey and spend their time adequately and profitably.  The Scripture emphasize it thus:

Faith Triumphs in Trouble

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have[a] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.  5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Christ in Our Place

6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.  8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.  10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.  11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation (Romans 5:1-11(NKJV).

Brothers and Sisters, what a joy we have in the Lord Jesus Christ, for the above Scripture says;

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.  10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.  11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation (Romans 5:8-11(NKJV).

The Epistle of 1John 4: 1-10 also indicated it in this way;

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.  2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,  3 and every spirit that does not confess that[a] Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.  5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.  6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Knowing God Through Love

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.  8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.  9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.  10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:1-10(NKJV).

CONCLUSION

Dearly beloved, how can the truth about a missionary call be obtained, gained, and be effective? The only way to obtain this is through the Scripture, the word of God.  Be assured that, the only major usage of the word “Call” in the Scripture is the call to “Salvation.”  The apostle Paul used the word “Call” as a comprehensive term to encompass all that pertains to our conversion to the Lord Jesus Christ.  That is, hearing the gospel, repentance, faith, and the immediate consequences of our new birth.  Brethren, be assured that the phrase “Motivation and Incentive” are important matters in each person’s daily life.  That is, each parent must work so hard to motivate their children to obey and spend their time adequately and profitably.

Again, in reference to the lady, “Elizabeth Keating,” the phrase “Motivation and Incentive” are important matters in each ones’ daily life.  Therefore, each person must work so hard in other to motivate their children so that they can be obedient to their missions call and spread their time adequately and faithfully.  How do you and I focus our call into the ministry that the glory of our Almighty God could be explained and narrated to the people in the neighborhood?  Be assured that doing these things faithfully, honestly, and importantly will give you and I the ability to know the Lord more and trust Him more.  Beloved, be obedient to the mission that is being entrusted into your hands and you will see the joy and faithfulness of the Almighty God in your life.  May the Almighty God bless and keep you the more in Jesus’ name.  Amen!