Every now and then one of the TV networks offers up one of those shows with an overview of old TV commercials. We look back and laugh at the hairstyles and clothing and laugh. Some the of the more famous and prominent ad characters are still around. Do you remember E.F Hutton commercials. They were for a stock brokerage firm.
The TV ads would show two people talking in the midst of a crowd of noisy people: at a party or a sporting event or a restaurant. The two of them would be discussing stocks. One of them would say, "My broker is E.F Hutton and E.F. Hutton says...."
When he or she said that, the room immediately became quiet. The speaker looked around and all the other people had their ears cupped, trying to listen. The point of the commercial was that the words that E.F. Hutton had to say were so valuable and not only deserved our complete and undivided attention, but were worthy of being shared with others.
I've always wondered if that's how we would react to God if God were to speak in the same way today. Would we all stop, become quiet, and pay attention to God's calling? Would we want to eagerly share what we have heard from God with others? I'm sure everybody's initial reaction is, "Well, of course! After all, it's God."
But I wonder about the reality our response. How many times has God spoken to us and we didn't hear? How many sunsets have we not looked at? How many crying babies have we complained about? God can call in the simplest of things. Sometimes But have we listened?
We always joke about how much easier it would be if God would just pick up the phone and call us direct instead of showing up in burning bushes and pillars of cloud or fire. The truth is, God does use the telephone. God does make those personal calls. I know. I can vividly remember the two calls I got back to back one day.
It was one of those days. It had been one of those weeks and months. For some reason, everything had gone wrong at the church. I mean everything. I don't need to go into details, all you need to know is that I was feeling pretty low. It was one of those times that preacher has. Where they sit and thinking about other things they could be doing. Anything but this. And then God called.
The first call was from a former District Superintendent who said he suddenly felt like I needed to be lifted in prayer. He said he didn't know why but he began praying for me. And then he decided to call and tell me how much my ministry had meant to him.
And then not ten minutes later a good friend and colleague called to tell me that God had told her to call and say: "God still needs you. God still has plans for you and work for you to do." You'd have to know this pastor to realize that not only did she believe that God spoke to her, but I believe it too. She's that kind of person. And she has that kind of relationship with God.
She asked me what it was all about and I told her. Then we prayed together.
I know the people who called that day, but it was God's voice I that heard.
Paul was very cognizant of the Call God places on the people called Christian. And he reminds us of that in the passage for today.
Hebrews 12:18-29 (NRSV)
[18] You have not come to something that can be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest,
[19] and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that not another word be spoken to them.
[20] (For they could not endure the order that was given, "If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned to death."
[21] Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I tremble with fear.")
[22] But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,
[23] and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
[24] and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
[25] See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking; for if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject the one who warns from heaven!
[26] At that time his voice shook the earth; but now he has promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven."
[27] This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of what is shaken that is, created things so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
[28] Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe;
[29] for indeed our God is a consuming fire.
Paul says Christians are "the assembly of the first born." In Biblical times the first born received the lion's share of any inheritance and had special privileges. The Son of God was the only one who could stand in God's presence without fear of death. But because Jesus gave Himself for us, we are now heirs with Him of the Kingdom and have the high privilege of standing in God's presence without fear. Because of that, Paul says: "See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking." "The one who is speaking," is God and God is calling us.
God called Moses, God called Me, and God is calling you. So, let's look at God's Call.
I. HE
The HE in the outline is Moses of course. And who was he other than the deliverer? Well, if you remember the story, the Israelites had fallen on bad times in Egypt. Joseph had been a powerful person at one time who rescued both Egypt and his family from drought. But over the years and under a new Pharaoh, the Israelites had become slaves. But they were growing in number like rabbits, so the Pharaoh ordered the firstborn male child to be killed.
Moses' mother put him in a basket of bullrushes and hoped he would be found and kept safe. And he was. By none other than Pharaoh's sister who chose to raise Moses as her own. He was raised in the lap of luxury and was educated. But one day he noticed the plight of the Israelites and saw an injustice he couldn't stand any longer and in rescuing one of the slaves, killed an Egyptian.
It was an act punishable by death. But because he was like family, his life was spared and he was sent out into the wilderness to die. But he didn't. He ran into Jethro, married his daughter and became a nomadic shepherd. The one day while tending his sheep, (Watch this) he saw something amazing, a bush that burned but wasn't consumed.
Of course we know the story, it was God. And God was calling this convicted murderer, turned nomadic shepherd, who stuttered, to go back to Israel to bring God's children out to safety and a land of promise, a land flowing with milk and honey.
After much debate. After much crawfishing and making excuses, Moses finally said: "Here I am."
II. ME:
A number of people have asked recently about my call to ministry. So I thought I'd share that with you, too. I'll share a brief version. After I got out of the Coast Guard, Mary and I moved to her grandparents farm in Southern Missouri. Grandma and Grandma had offered to build us a house if we would come and take over the farm. That was a no brainer in my book.
Mary told me that it would be expected that we go to church with them, which we did, for awhile. But found that the local UnitedMethodistChurch in West Plains, had more to offer a young family. I hadn't grown up the church so it was all a pretty new experience. The Pastor, Bob Core and I developed a good relationship. There was an immediate connection and he became my spiritual father. Needless to say, I accepted Christ, was baptized and joined the church. And then started getting involved.
We sang in the choir, were involved in United Methodist Women and United Methodist men. I started teaching the Junior High Sunday School class. And Mary and I became the youth group leaders. We were having a ball. I didn't think life could get any better. I can remember thinking, this is what God wanted me to do all along. Boy was I wrong.
One Sunday, just before the Administrative Board meeting, Bob Core and I we were standing in the hallway talking. I started to ask him something, and to this day I can't remember what it was that I was going to ask, but what came out of my mouth was: "How do I become a preacher?"
After picking my jaw up off the ground I told Bob that's not what I was going to ask. He sort of blew it off but told me to come by the office the next day so we could talk. The thought stuck with me. But the next day I went and told Bob in no uncertain terms that I didn't want to be a preacher. I was happy farming and working in the church.
I'll never forget what he said to me that day. He said: "When you decide to answer the call to preach, let me know, and I'll get the ball rolling." Notice he said, "WHEN" not "If." Well, that just made my life miserable for the next six months. From that moment on, it was like Bob was out to get me. It seemed like all of his sermons were aimed directly at me. And when he gave the invitation, sometimes the pew got so hot I could hardly sit still. But I didn't want to be a preacher.
I didn't tell anyone what was going on and apparently neither did Bob. So, Mary thought I was losing my mind or doing something I was afraid I'd get caught at.
Finally, one Sunday Bob stood up and told everyone that he would be gone the next week and our DS, Marvin Niblack, would be preaching. I thought to myself, "Good! I can come to worship, and actually enjoy a sermon. No more being picked on."
Do you know what Marvin preached on that morning? "Jonah running from God." It was like being hit right between the eyes with a baseball bat. It hit me so hard that I just clammed up. I didn't say a word to anyone for two days. I just pulled way deep inside myself and shut everyone else out.
On Tuesday evening, about 6:30 pm, I was out baling hay. There were clouds all along the horizon and the sun was slowly going down. As I made a pass around the field, I looked up and there in clouds was the Risen Christ, with His arms outstretched to me. So, I ducked my head and decide that I'd go around one more time and if He was still there, I'd stop and look.
Well, he was still there. I know you can explain it as the sun's rays coming through the clouds but to me it will always be a vision of the Risen Christ. But I stopped, stood up on the tractor and said: "I can't do it." And I remember hearing the words: "YOU don't have to," in both my head and my heart.
It was then that finally I shut off the tractor, dropped to my knees in prayer and surrendered to the call to preach. I don't know how long I prayed but it was long enough that Grandpa drove out to see what was wrong. Like Moses: after much debate. After much crawfishing and making excuses, I finally said: "Here I am."
And I've never been happier or felt more like I'm doing what God has called me to do. That's ME
III. THEE:
A. But what about THEE? What about you? What is God calling you to do? Where is God calling you to be in ministry?
You see, I truly believe that God calls each of us. We're not just called to be saved and that's it. No, when Jesus said, "Take up your cross and follow me." He wasn't talking about only going to church on Sundays. He was talking about both a lifestyle and a ministry.
Jesus didn't tell us to go and do nothing. He told us to go into all the world and make disciples, teaching them all that He taught us and baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And He promised to be with us always.
God's call in your life; the ministry God is calling you to, is the way in which you, in your own unique way, can carry out that great commission. God has already equipped your or has plans to equip you for that ministry, if you'll just listen like the people in the E. F. Hutton commercials.
B. Let me tell you about someone who did. Eddie Charles Spencer grew up in a pitifully poor family in Hollandale, Mississippi. Eddie's shame over his family's circumstances created in him a great anger, and he began lashing out at the world. As a kid, he joined a local gang that engaged in petty stealing and violence. To further dull his anger, Eddie turned to drugs. Over the next few years, Eddie turned to more violent crimes. At the age of seventeen, he broke into a man's house and robbed him at gunpoint.
Eddie's victim calmly responded, "You can have the money, but what you really need is to give your life to the Lord Jesus Christ." Those words imprinted themselves on Eddie's brain.
At age seventeen, Eddie was sentenced to ten years in Mississippi's Parchman Penitentiary. He continued his violent ways in prison. But one day, as Eddie contemplated murdering two of his fellow inmates, he heard God speaking to him.
"Eddie, it's either your way or My way," the voice said. God challenged Eddie that day to either continue on his own, violent path, or to choose the Lordship of Jesus Christ over his life. The man's words from so many years ago popped into Eddie's head: "You can have the money, but what you really need is to give your life to the Lord Jesus Christ." And that day, Eddie Charles Spencer gave his life to Christ.
After Eddie was released from prison, he traveled all over the country speaking to school children about the dangers of drugs and gangs. In 1990, he was asked to serve on the Presidential Drug Task Force. A few years ago, Eddie Spencer returned to his hometown to live among the people he had once terrorized. He is a living testament in his community of God's power to redeem a life. (1)
Like Moses: after much debate. After much crawfishing and making excuses, Eddie Charles Spencer finally said: "Here I am."
Conclusion
You were given an Invitation when you came in today and were asked not to open it up until the appropriate time in the service or sermon. Well, this is that appropriate time. Open it and read it. And let's read it together.
My Loving Child,
You are very special to me. I created you in My own image.
I sent My only son Jesus to give His life on the cross and be raised from the dead for you.
Today I'm calling you. Just like Noah. Just like Samson. Just like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Just like Moses. Just like Joshua. Just like Isaiah and Jeremiah, David and Solomon. Just like John the Baptist. Just like Jesus, Peter, James and John. Just like Paul and Timothy.Just like your favorite pastor.
The only difference is that today I am calling you.
I know this isn't a burning bush. It's not a phone call or anything miraculous.
I know it's only a paper invitation, but it IS for you.
I need you.
I need your wisdom. Your courage.
Your faith. Your insight. Your creativity. Your service. Your ideas.
I need your heart, soul, mind and strength to help carry out My mission.
I won't leave you orphaned. I am with you always. Do not be afraid.
I need you. Will you answer like Moses? Will you say "Here I am!"?
Love,
God
God does have a plan for you. And God IS calling. The question is will you answer.
Moses met that consuming fire and witnessed it in a bush that didn't burn. And answered: "Here I Am"
Paul experienced that consuming fire as it blinded him on the Road to Damascus. And once he was healed, Paul answered: "Here I am."
I met that consuming fire in a hayfield close to sundown, knelt at the side of my tractor and answered: "Here I am."
Where will you meet the consuming fire of God's call? God is calling you. As your pastor, I can distinctly hear God calling you. What I can't do is make out what God is saying or what God is calling you to do. And there's a simple reason for that because it's not my call, it's God's Call for You.
If you'll listen you can hear it. If you'll listen and open your hearts then you too can answer: "Here I Am" And together we can carry out the vision and mission of this Church.
1. by Eddie Charles Spencer The Day I Met God, compiled and edited by Jim & Karen Covell and Victorya Michaels Rogers (Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, 2001), pp. 39-45.