Welcome to episode #70 of PROCLAIM! — the podcast that teaches every Bible-believing Christian how to preach the Gospel by any means necessary in many different settings, including using the internet and the new “podcast pulpit”.
Our Scripture Verse on preaching is Luke 9:60 which reads: “Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.”
Our quote on preaching today is from Charles Spurgeon. He said, “Whatever subject I preach, I do not stop until I reach the Savior, the Lord Jesus, for in Him are all things.”
In this podcast, we are using as our texts, the following three books: “Lectures to My Students” by Charles H. Spurgeon; “The Preacher and his Preaching” by Alfred P. Gibbs; and “Biblical Preaching” by Haddon W. Robinson.
Today, our topic is titled “The Preacher’s Call, Part 1” from “The Preacher and his Preaching” by Alfred P. Gibbs.
We have already mentioned that each preacher must be gifted, called, and equipped by the Lord for “the work of the ministry.” All Christians are “saints by calling,” but not all are “preachers by calling”. Let us therefore consider some things regarding this divine “call” to preach the Word.
I. IT IS INDIVIDUAL, OR PERSONAL
It is purely a matter between each Christian and his Lord and Master. The authority of the call is the prerogative of Christ alone, for He calls whomsoever He wills. He said to His disciples, “Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain”. We read that Christ called “unto Him whom He would”. Of Paul, the Lord said, “He is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel”. Both secular and theological education are utterly useless, apart from this call of the Lord.
The fact that a person possesses a natural fluency of speech and facility of expression does not, in itself, qualify that person to preach. It is good, but not sufficient, to have natural gifts and possess physical, mental and educational fitness. Alexander MacLaren spoke of a certain preacher who was “fatally fluent in speech.” Though these natural gifts are necessary, they are not enough. The fact of their possession does not constitute a call to preach.
1. It involves personal heart-dealing alone with God
God is the God of the individual. There is no such thing as “mass production” in this matter. Preachers are not turned out by the dozen. The Lord burdens the heart of an individual, impresses him personally with the necessity of preaching the Gospel, and gives him that holy urge to be a mouthpiece for deity. It is not without significance that Isaiah, called of God to preach His word, speaks repeatedly of his message as “a burden” which must be delivered. Paul spoke of it as a “necessity” laid upon him and exclaimed, “Yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”. Joshua, as he fell upon his face before the Captain of the host of the Lord, asked, “What saith my Lord unto His servant?” There, all alone with his Lord, his shoes removed (for it was holy ground), Joshua bowed his head, received his call and commission and then went forth to do exploits for God.
Let’s Pray —
Dear friend, if you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, may I encourage you to get to know Him today.
First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”
Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
Now this is bad news, but here’s the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.
Romans 10:9-13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Until next time, may God bless you!
BCNN1 WP 