Ministry Calling by Pete BriscoeSampel

If Jesus Is The Same…

True teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross; then, having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create their own. — Nikos Kazantzakis

How do you know if you’re called to ministry?

We don’t have to read very far into the Gospels to observe Jesus calling each of His disciples with a face-to-face invitation. “Come, follow Me.” This happens over and over again because that’s how God did it; that’s how He invited people into His plan.

But what about today? Now that Jesus ascended to heaven and isn’t physically here anymore, what current method does God use to invite people into His redemptive plan?

In order to answer that important question, we first need to embrace the truth of this most important statement:

If Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever… and
If Jesus indwells me at the moment of conversion…  and
If Jesus expresses Himself through me as I walk in the Spirit…

Then Jesus will invite people into ministry through me today, just as He invited people into ministry then.

So how does God invite people into ministry today? He invites people through people.

Theologically and practically, Jesus is still here through the indwelling Spirit and through His body, the church. So, like everything else He does, He invites people through His people.

We see examples of this throughout the book of Acts, but I want to show you just one. In Acts 6, the church was exploding and the needs of the people were greater than the apostles’ ability to serve. So the Twelve gathered the congregation together to have a ministry conversation.

“Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them…”  (Acts 6:3)

The church chose the seven and presented them before the apostles. Then they laid hands on them and prayed. Do you see what happened here? People invited people into ministry! 

Jesus, spoken invitations are a beautiful way to build Your Kingdom! Take me back through conversations in my own life and show me the invitations I’ve been extended. I also ask to be sensitive to the invitations Your Spirit desires to speak through me. Amen.