The Call to Preach

What evidence is there of a "call to preach?" Is it just telepathy with God? I used to think I had such a call, but now have ignored it or suppressed it so long I doubt if such a thing is real to anybody. All you're engaging in is ambition for some level of power and control and expected rewards. Don't murder sleep as you go after it.

 

Maybe your refusal to accept it in others is tied to your own fighting of it in your own life. But I appreciate your honesty.

For me, it was a gradual realization. There was a very specific feeling that God had called me into his service on a vocational basis. When I asked my pastor about it, he told me to search the Scripture for a scriptural basis for it. God gave me Luke 4:18 and 43.

I know this was spoken by Jesus but God used it to confirm HIs call in my life.

But there was no idea of ambition except to preach the Gospel. It certainly wasn't ambition in the worldly sense.

I am sorry that you ignored and/or suppressed it in your life.

 

The evidence of the "call to preach" is the Great Commission. Now if you mean "call to pastor" as that phrase is often used, I believe it is the desire Paul talks about in 1 Timothy in regards to the qualification of and Elder.

 

There most definantly is a call to preach. It is a burden that the Lord places on the heart of the individual. I was called to preach. I felt a greater burden that I ever had in my life to study the scriptures and speak about that which I had studied. I have a burden to speak to God's people about the wonderful things He has done, is doing, and shall do for them. The call doesn't qualify one to hold the office of elder, but it is necessary for that to take place. In addition to being called, one must meet the qualifications of the office.

This call wasn't anything I asked for or previously desired. But, now that the Lord has placed it on my heart, I greatly desire to do this work until either I die or the Lord returns from heaven. I have never yet required money to preach the word of God, but rather go trusting the Lord shall take care of my needs. The people of God have been gracious in giving, to which I pray they will be blessed by the Lord.

 

God called me fifteen years ago. He has yet to put me in the place of pastor. I remain called.

 

preaching the gospel

we that are saved,"born again" are called to preach the gospel, you can say called or commanded to preach, and there's another calling to pastor, 1st Tim. 1:1..
and to turn away from any of the two,,or stop, would leave one feeling as they were in the belly of a whale....:tonofbricks:

 

The call to me

I gotta agree with RAdam. Also add this. It's like being saved a second time (the feeling) was for me. Others may differ and yes I believe you are called by God till the day he calls you home.

 

Being saved a second time is a great way to put it. I felt the same way when God called me into the preaching ministry.

 

This is well nigh identical to my experience as well. But what is being discussed here at this point is whether or not we can find any Bible to support our experiences. I think Tom provided some good passages above.

 

I can relate to that experience too. It WAS like being saved a second time for me. A huge burden was lifted off of my shoulders and for these fifteen years it has been the daily, supreme passion of my life.

Ninety percent of what comes out of my mouth is about the Scripture and Theology and Church History.

I love preaching more than eating food.

I am not sure that I would want to live if I knew I could never preach again.

And I know that this is the experience of many of you guys.

 

The call for me was almost the same. I prayed hard for the Lord to remove the burden from me but the burden just got heavier. It was like God spoke to my heart and told me "Remember want you promised me while you were repenting? You told me what ever I told you to do you would do you would do it. I am telling to go and preach the Gospel I bid you to preach." When I gave in what a relief it was. Thanks be to God I heeded his call.

I fully belief it is a life long calling.