Knowing the One who Calls

1 Samuel 3:1-7   The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.  2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place.  3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was.  4 Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, "Here I am."  5 And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." So he went and lay down.  6 Again the LORD called, "Samuel!" And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." "My son," Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down."  7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.(NIV)

So many people today are called by God into His sacred work and yet are unable to identify the voice of the One calling. So many are Christians and are still not clear on the purpose for which God called them out of Darkness into His wonderful light (1 Pet. 2:9). The  Christian world is full of Christians who are living a life of formalism and fanaticism but have not yet perceived the God who saved them.

The young boy Samuel is a biblical example of those called and yet cannot identify their Caller. He was a promise of God to his mother Hannah who named him shemuel meaning "heard of God". Hannah vowed Samuel was to be the Lord's all the days of his life. The young boy grew up in the house of God as his mother promised; he eventually had the opportunity to be closer to God than any other child of his time. Samuel was even more committed and obedient to God than were the sons of Eli. However, something had not happened to the young boy; he had not yet known Yahweh personally. 

Samuel lived in a time when God's revelation was rare "In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions" (1 Sam. 3:1). It is important to note that Samuel lived in the time where wicked are impiety had taken over the good that even religious leaders were not worth to be trusted (Eli's sons). Probably, God had temporary stopped His revelations because there was no man worthy to receive them. Today our world is in no way better than the time of Samuel; evil and wickedness had tremendously increased to the extend that many ministers of the Gospel are not receiving clear visions from God. Consider how the Christianity has shifted from sound doctrine to deception, from truth to lie, from virtue to immorality and even more. It is the midst of such evil that God called Samuel, and the focus of this message is how Samuel responded to the call. 

"The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, "Here I am" (1 Sam. 3: 3,4). Samuel was lying down in the temple where the ark of covenant was. If we have to go by the sanctuary compartments; the Holy of Holies was the place where the ark of God was. This picture already shows that Samuel was so closed of God and was indeed privileged to dwell in the very of God, where the lamp of God beamed on his face. Many of us today are privilege to be in the Light of God, the Light Jesus Himself is and offers to all those who diligently seek Him. 

Something astonishing happened; in verse 5 Samuel ran to Eli thinking he was the one calling Him. In verse 6 the call is repeated and yet Samuel fails to identify the One who called and ran again to the opposite direction toward Eli. How could Samuel have misunderstood the source of the calling when already so close to God. How could he have left God who was beaming on his face through the lamp to go and respond to Eli who was far away. The answer is found in verse 7 and it is clear, "Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him". Samuel was in the temple every day, serving in the house of God but did not know the Lord as many Christians today and ministers of the Gospel who claim to be God children but haven't yet known God. Samuel failed to recognize the voice of the one calling due to his inexperience with the Lord. In John 17:3, Jesus said: "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent". There can be no response to God's calling until we come to know Him; knowing Jesus is not only a mere verbal declaration but also a personal experience with Lord. 

My question for today is do you know the Lord and are able to recognize His voice calling for you? Would you today live a life that will draw you nearer and nearer to Him? Remember to know the One who calls you.

"UNPROFITABLE SERVANTS"

"So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do." Luke 17:10

The world today counts many men and women who have devoted themselves to serve God with whatever gifts or talents they possess. To these people, I have great consideration for I know God has great rewards for His workers. Some are yet to decide whether or not to respond to God's calling. But all are called into God service. God calls different people at different time, just as the parable of the hired servants (Matt. 20:1-16), yet all shall receive the same reward. However, Jesus gave the right attitude the servant must have towards the Master (John 13:13). The Servant is never greater than his master; neither is the apostle greater than the one who sent him (John 13:16). 

We are all Servants of God (the apostles and minsters are in a special way so), and as servants, we are bond to do all we can to honor Him. Our entire strength, time are to be employed for His service. For we are not our own but God's(Psa. 100:3).

Luke 17:7, 8 reads: "But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?" 

God has assigned to us variety of works within His holy company. Some "plowing", others "feeding cattle" in all we see that the servants have different talents to be used in different fields. This is what Paul spoke about in 1Cor. 12:4, "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit." Even after laboring hard during the day, when that servant returns home at night he must wait at the Master's table and serve Him until He is satisfied. Service to God is limitless, in season and out of season (1Tim. 4:2). We must serve God at all time of life; whether day or night, whether good or bad, in time of peace as well as times of adversity. The servant serves the master first, even before he eats or rest. Jesus is very clear: "...serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink" As servant of God, we must make God's work a priority. God must be sastified first before our own satisfaction. It is unfortunate that today most people set their own goals and priorities before God's.

Jesus continued in Luke 17: 9,10: "Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do."

Christ's servant do not seek merits or appreciation for any service rendered to their Master. Our service to God must be first and foremost selfless and sacrificial not expecting any favor in return. Just as Christ emphasized: "Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him?" Though we are to do all that is commanded us to do, alas! in many ways we come short of this. Yet God uses us to do what we cannot even fathom or imagine. The best servants of Christ even when they render the best of their services must acknowledge that they are "unprofitable servants;" though they are valuable before God's sight and worthy of His love, yet in relation to Christ and his righteousness they consider themselves unworthy of such a priviledge. Paul, even with all he could do to propagate the Gospel of Christ and establish Christian congreagation all over the Greco-Roman empire, a great evangelist he was, counted himself a "wretched man" (Rom. 7:24). Humility is key in God's service. Our uttermost best in God's sight is nothing more a filthy rag. We are unprofitable servants because we are imperfect unrighteous, and it is only God's Spirit that works in us to do God's will. Paul is clear on this when he said vividly: "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure," (Phil. 2:13.) 

Today, could you say of yourself: "I am an unprofitable servant; it is only by God's grace that have I been called into service." Would you humble yourself for the service of God. Jesus wants to use you for His purpose. Remember your best is never enough when it comes to God's work. God always wants more of our services to Him. May the peace of God abound in your life as you step up in your service to His glory.

The Oil in the Lamp

Acts 1:8  ⁸ But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

The Gospel Commission is God-given mission, and his mission of spiritual order. It is actually warfare against Satan and his hosts. We are in reality commissioned to go and snatch souls from Satan’s claws into the loving care of Jesus. Jesus knew the mission needed to be carried by feeble beings who by themselves could not stand the test of time. He thus, promise the power which was going to lead them through successfully. He promised them the Holy Spirit. Acts 4:31  ³¹ And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. The disciples who before used to afraid could speak with boldness because of the power they had.

Joel 2:28   ²⁸ And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. Since the apostolic era up to now, we Holy is using all kind of people, all ages to do mighty works.

E. G. White says that “With great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.” Acts 4:33. Under their labors were added to the church chosen men, who, receiving the word of truth, consecrated their lives to the work of giving to others the hope that filled their hearts with peace and joy. They could not be restrained or intimidated by threatenings. The Lord spoke through them, and as they went from place to place, the poor had the gospel preached to them, and miracles of divine grace were wrought – The Acts of the Apostles, p.48. So we today have the assurance of the Holy Spirit.

Paul in the same spirit said to Timothy- 2 Timothy 1:7-8   ⁷ For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  ⁸ Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.  The Holy is Spirit of boldness, it makes the weak strong, and poor rich, only that power can help us move the Gospel in such a hostile world. The Holy Spirit was fully in charge of the Gospel’s movement during the early church Acts 13:2-4  ² As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.  ³ And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.  ⁴ So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. For effective outreach we must allow the Holy Spirit to guide us.

1 Peter 1:12  ¹² Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

The same power today wants to use us, are we ready to cooperate?

Light Those in Darkness

Romans 15:15-16   ¹⁵ Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,  ¹⁶ That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost

The Gr. Word for Gentiles is ethnos from which we have the English word ethnic or ethnicity. Ethnos means nations. All the other nations that were not Jews were called Gentiles.

When Jesus was commissioning His disciples while going to heaven He clearly stated ^NAS Matthew 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

The same Gr. Word ethnos was used by Christ while commissioning the disciples. Thus, the Gospel Commission is for all nations, no matter the geographical situation, no matter the culture, language, the skins etc. Therefore, there is a need to cross barriers in order to achieve that mission. Ephesians 3:6-8  ⁶ That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:  ⁷ Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.  ⁸ Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. Paul said that Gentiles are fellowheirs of the Kingdom, wherever they are God needs them. We are blessed to have been called out of darkness, but about the Gentiles, should we let them perish. No, That’s not God’s will. Jesus clearly made it clear that total preaching of the Gospel in the whole world as a witness unto all nations will be a prerequisite to His Second coming Matthew 24:14  ¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. Mark 13:10  ¹⁰ And the gospel must first be published among all nations. The church mission is to all people, this is the goal the LORD has set for us. The Church needs now more than ever to engage in serious outreach. Our worldwide outreach must start from our neighborhoods, our communities, our workplaces, via e-media, etc. According to Jesus message to the disciples in Acts 1, the Gospel’s journey was to start in Jerusalem and end up in the whole world Acts 1:8  ⁸ But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth., that’s why we have the Gospel in Ghana today, so we are to also push it across our surrounding

                Are you ready today to help extend the Gospel unto the uttermost part of the world?

Let the Light Show

Matthew 5:14-16   ¹⁴ Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  ¹⁵ Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  ¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 Yesterday, we explored that God has chosen us for a mission of higher order, by God we have responded to the call and are ready to carry out as His special agency on earth the Great commission. A proverb says charity starts at home. Before our message can have an impact on others, it must have first had impact in our lives. How can someone do the propaganda of a product he doesn’t like? How can Christians preach Christ and at the same time reject Christ through their actions.

Jesus warned about Christians who don’t bear good fruits Matthew 7:15-23   ¹⁵ Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  ¹⁶ Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  ¹⁷ Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit; neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  ¹⁹ Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  ²⁰ Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  ²¹ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  ²² Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  ²³ And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Every sound and healthy Christian must exhibit a life which is worthy of his calling. Paul in the same spirit says in ^KJV 2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. Paul here unveils an amazing principle; being called or elected by God doesn’t assure us automatically heaven, rather our commitment in obeying the Gospel of Christ will make our calling sure. Every good preacher must preach to himself first before preaching to another one. One should answer the following questions: Are you called? What shows you are called? Do you live as a person called?

Paul the great evangelist understood the danger of preaching a Gospel which the preacher doesn’t live by ^KJV 1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

The Gospel must be for Jews first before it can impact the Gentile, if not it has no impact on the unbeliever. That is we Seventh-day Adventist must live by our message, preach it through our character first before those who are in the world. In Rom. 2: 17-24, Paul warns Jews who teach what they don’t obey, and accuses them of Blaspheming God’s name. Like Paul said in ^KJV 2 Corinthians 3:2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men.

E.G. White says that it is not only by preaching the truth, not only by distributing literature that we are to witness for God. Let us remember that a Christlike life is the most powerful argument that can be advanced in favor of Christianity, and that a cheap Christian character works more harm in the world than the character of a worldling.—Testimonies for the Church 9:21.

Do we accept to live by our own Gospel before reaching unto others?

Arise People of Light

The preaching of the Gospel is the last command Jesus gave to his followers, it is of a higher order and importance. E.G. White said in her book Review and Heralds that Evangelistic work, opening the Scriptures to others, warning men and women of what is coming upon the world, is to occupy more and still more of the time of God’s servants.—The Review and Herald, August 2, 1906. God is looking for men who are ready to devout their time to the LORD’s work. Today this world offers so much distractions, so much occupation that we have less time for the special work entrusted to us by God Himself. The message is not of us but we are only God’s emissary, we have to preach the Gospel. Therefore, this week of Revival is centered on the theme Arise, and Shine, Jesus is coming. The Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy support the fact that our ultimate mission as a Church is to proclaim the final message. Satan knows the most powerful weapon Christ has entrusted to us is the preaching of the Gospel, snatching souls from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. E. G. White continues saying that a great work is to be accomplished in setting before men the saving truths of the gospel. This is the means ordained by God to stem the tide of moral corruption. This is His means of restoring His moral image in man. It is His remedy for universal disorganization. It is the power that draws men together in unity. To present these truths is the work of the third angel’s message. The Lord designs that the presentation of this message shall be the highest, greatest work carried on in the world at this time. – Testimonies Vol.6, p.11.

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John 15:16 “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: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

Peter explains this concept better when he says ^KJV 1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Peter also uses priestly terms to really define the role of the Church.

The Gr. Word translated chosen is eklego which means to pick out or choose out of. In this term Peter was trying to say that the Church is a special group that Jesus selected out of the world. Thus, the church is called out of the world as an agency of God. She has been chosen by God for a special mission. If the Church forgets its mission it forgets its identity.

The Greek word for church is ekklesia meaning call out, so the church is a group chosen by God for a particular purpose.

                Peter does not use foreign words; indeed he made use of OT terms well known to his contemporaries. Here are some of the OT references related to 1Pet. 2:9.

                Deuteronomy 10:15 Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.

                Psalm 33:12 blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

^KJV Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: ⁶ And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

                ^KJV Isaiah 61:6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves

            ^KJV Revelation 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Why has God chosen us?

 Why do you think you are a Christian? Not all those who are in GOD’s house today are really chosen. A Christian who does not show forth the light he has from God does not understand his calling and indeed does fulfill the requirement of the chosen people.

            ^KJV Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. – The Lord has redeemed the Church from sin, so that like Israel freed from slavery in Egypt, they can be zealous unto good works. The Church is to show out the light they have unto the nations in darkness will see the light. - ^KJV Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. ² For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. ³ And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. – ^KJV Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; ¹⁶ Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.

The priesthood of Israel was into the hands of the Levites, a special tribe among the people. They were closer to God than any other Israelites. According to Numbers 1:50-53, priests in the Israelite camp had a privilege to be closer to the Shekinah light than the other people. Actually, they were the closest to the sanctuary than any other lay Israelites. In the same way,  Ezekiel 44:15 But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me to minister unto me, and they shall stand before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood, saith the Lord GOD.

So for Peter uses a Sanctuary image to show that the church is called to the wonderful light of God as the priest ministering before the Shekinah glory. We are privileged to have the Light and we are not only spiritual Israelites, but also Priest of God.

                Ellen G. White Comments

                “As His representatives among men, God does not choose angels who have never fallen, but human beings, men of like passions with those they seek to save. Christ took humanity that He might reach humanity. A divine-human Savior was needed to bring salvation to the world. And to men and women has been committed the sacred trust of making known “the unsearchable riches of Christ.”—The Acts of the Apostles, 134.

“When Jesus ascended to heaven, He committed His work on earth to those who had received the light of the gospel. They were to carry the work forward to completion. He has provided no other agency for the promulgation of His truth. ‘Go ye into the entire world, and preach the gospel to every creature.’ ‘And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’ This solemn commission reaches us in this age. God leaves with His church the responsibility of receiving or rejecting it.”—Historical Sketches, 288