1 Timothy 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desires the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. Like the experience of salvation, no minister ever forgets being called to that office. Like the experience of salvation, no minister regrets his calling to the ministry. We have recorded in the New Testament several accounts of men being called to this great office.
One of the greatest preachers in history was John the Baptist. We do not know when John actually began his preaching, but in that short time he was a powerful preacher and prophet. The Lord Himself had a short ministry, but did many great works in the world. Then, He called others beginning with the twelve whom He called apostles. The point is, the office of a bishop (a biblical title) or any other office of a minister is not simply a chosen profession, it is indeed a Divine calling.
I was called to preach in late 1968 about six months after I was saved. My personality did not fit the profile, but God strongly impressed me that He was calling me into the ministry and that He would enable me; I have never regretted it.
I am sure that many young men whom the lord has saved have wandered if they were being called to preach. The big question which all of us inevitably ask is, “how can I know if God is calling me to preach?” First of all, be sure your calling is of God and not of man. Do not allow anyone to talk you into becoming a preacher because you act like or talk like a preacher or because it is a family tradition. My advice is, if you can do anything else, do it. If you can be satisfied and happy not preaching then do not get into the ministry. Please understand, God never calls men into a social or political ministry only the gospel ministry. So, if you are called it will be into the gospel ministry. Second, God never calls women into the preaching ministry. There is absolutely no scriptural evidence that God ever called a woman to preach. Third, not all God called preachers are pastors, not all are evangelists, not all are street preachers, not all are missionaries.
To be called by God into the preaching ministry, one must have the capacity to hear Him call; in other words, you must be born again through the blood of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Ghost. Further, to be called into the preaching ministry one must actually hear Him call; therefore you must be in tune and in fellowship with God. Also, to be called into the preaching ministry one must answer or obey the call; that is, you surrender to the call, and actually engage in a gospel preaching ministry. 1 Corinthians 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
The minister will have certain characteristics: The criterion in 1 Timothy 3 describes the perfect man. No one fully fits the standards laid out here? No God called preacher completely measures up to these standards, but we have a perfect guideline to follow. You can be sure that the preachers recorded in the Bible were not perfect men, though they are expected to be perfect; Paul admitted his imperfection in Romans 7 (read this passage as your reading assignment for the week). The miracle of it is: God uses imperfect men to do His perfect work.
Four things will be on the heart of the God called preacher: one, he will have a hunger for the word of God. If you do not love the word of God you should rethink your calling. Two, he will have a passion for the work of God. Three, he will have a conviction to speak the truth through the preaching and teaching of God’s word. You should check and recheck your ideas and thoughts. Four, he will have a determination not to compromise the doctrines of God. Beloved, if these things be in you and abound, you may safely say that God has called you to preach. Oh how we should thank God for God called preachers! They are the channel to spiritual blessings and spiritual food for the sinner and the saint. E-mail, johnpruitt@frontiernet.net
