The famous author and explorer Mark Twain once said: “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” As a Christian I think we can add the day we were born again, though finding and functioning in our calling is also so important. The following is my understanding of my personal calling.
What is my calling
Many years ago I was given the prophetic word that I am called to be a prophetic teacher. It took me a long time to understand this – that I am called to be a teacher of the Word, with a prophetic insight to its meaning and application. This has since been confirmed by other prophetic words. I had even before then enjoyed studying the Word, discussing it and teaching others, both the newly saved and all others with a yearning for a greater understanding of the Word, so it made good sense. I also enjoy preaching the Word, and often have prophetic words for the church I attend and for individuals in it.
The great Commission
After His resurrection Jesus gave His disciples – which now applies to all of us – the Great Commission:
Matthew 28:18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
And then just before being taken up to heaven He told them:
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere – in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The great Commission has four elements;
- to go – not to remain where they were. In Acts 1:8 Jesus made it clear the this extends ‘to the ends of the earth’’;
- to make disciples – which from the Greek means ‘to become a pupil, to disciple, to enrol as a scholar: instruct, teach’. The instruction was not just to gain converts, but to ‘make disciples’;
- to baptise them – as converts into the body of Christ, in water as a symbol of repentance and re-birth as a ‘new creation’, and in the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5, 2:3-4); and
- to teach them – to obey all of Jesus’ commandments.
My part in the Great Commission
My calling, and my part of the Great Commission, is to teach the Word – the Bible. This calling to be a teacher of the Word is one of the five specific gifts that Paul says Jesus gave to the church – every believer in the church.
Ephesians 4:11-12 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.
I take this responsibility very seriously: to help equip God’s people to do His work, and so to build up the church. We are all born as babies, both physically and spiritually, but not meant to remain ‘infants in Christ’ (1 Corinthians 3:1), not even capable of understanding the basic things about God’s word (Hebrews 5:11-14). I always strive to do my best to explain the Word in a way that encourages, uplifts, strengthens and prepares all of God’s people for their individual callings, and enables them to pass this knowledge on to others.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work.
2 Timothy 2:2 You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.
Dr Brian Drury