The Calling from God: Many Are Called, but Few Are Chosen

By Dr. Lowell Hardy

The Calling from God shares an in-depth analysis of various callings to individuals to preach from a biblical standpoint. It comes in unique ways for each individual. So the exact nature of the calling from God is difficult, at best, to describe, for it does not lend itself to any private interpretation, especially to someone not privy to the calling.
Within the text, the reader will learn about the struggles of various people with God and within themselves. All experiences are coercing, demanding, and cajoling for sure. However, the one called has to determine within oneself what Gods will is for him/herself.
The Calling from God will serve as a guide to those seeking answers about their possible destiny. The book takes the approach that many are called, but only a few answer because of uncertainty. The book will help one decide what to do based on their life-changing experiences with the power of the Lord Jesus Christ. The ones called must make sure of their calling, for there is much to do since the harvest is great. This book shows in detail some of the preparation needed as one grows in service to the calling from God.
All Christians are called by God the Father to be witnesses of his resurrection power by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. For sure, a call in any form lays a heavenly claim upon the one called. This book helps one understand the calling from God and will help one reach a sound decision based on their life and experiences in comparison to selected biblical callings.
The Calling from God will serve a reference manual and a valuable source of information for anyone thinking about answering or has answered the call from God. The decision to serve is very personal, as you will learn from the book The Calling from God and many biblical examples.
If you are struggling with the decision to serve or not to serve, this book is for you. You will know after reading The Calling from God if you are one of the few chosen to serve and trust Gods wisdom in leading you to point others to the uplifted Christ.
Will you answer the call from God? The alternative is to wrestle with the Spirit, as conviction works slowly and agonizingly in the soul. This book is a must read.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: May 11, 2018
• ISBN: 9781973621300

Dr. Lowell Hardy

Dr. Lowell Hardy has six degrees including a Doctor of Practical Theology from Masters International school of Divinity in Evansville, Indiana. Lowell is a licensed and ordained minister. He has served in ministry since 1994. He is currently serving as pastor at Sanders Grove Baptist Church, Smithfield, NC. He served in the military forces, United States Marine Corps and Air Force Reserve, during the Vietnam War and the Persian Gulf War, respectively. He worked as an electronics technician for twenty years, and served as an educator in the NC Public Schools for fifteen years. He lives in Garner, NC with his wife Portia.

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Copyright © 2018 Dr. Lowell Hardy.

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Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

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ISBN: 978-1-9736-2131-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-2129-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-2130-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018905387

WestBow Press rev. date: 05/03/2018

For many are called, but few are chosen.

—Matthew 22:14

How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

—Romans 10:14

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Part 1     The Call To Preach

Introduction

The People Of God

Understanding The Call

Calling In The Restrictive Sense

Equipping Ministries

Some Biblical Examples Of Calling

Prophetess

Ecstatic Prophecy

The Prophetic Preacher’s Passion

Part 2     Prophecy And Preaching

The Background Of Prophecy

The Prophet

The Prophet Office

The Prophet’s Purpose

Modes Of Communication

Training

Preaching

What Is Preaching?

The Purpose Of Preaching

The Importance Of Preaching

The Preaching Event

Homiletics¹ Lectures

Part 3     Preachers And Preaching

Introduction

Sermon Preparation

Sermon Delivery

Psychological Aspects Of Sermon Delivery

Mechanical Aspects Of Sermon Delivery

Spiritual Aspects Of Sermon Delivery

Rhetorical Aspects Of Sermon Delivery

Persuasion

Methods Of Delivery

The Creative Process

The Process Of Exposition

Expository Preaching

Types Of Sermons

The Preacher’s Authority

Endnotes

Bibliography

About The Author

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

My thanks and sincere appreciation are extended to the late Donald Millholland, PhD, my theological father and a theology professor at Shaw University Divinity School, for his invaluable advice and encouragement in the writing of this manuscript.

I am also indebted to Dr. Joseph C. Paige, Dr. Frank B. Weaver, Dr. Sandie Gravett, and Dr. James E. Arnette for grooming me for this task.

A very special thank-you to my wife, Portia, whose interest in this manuscript from its inception has been a source of encouragement and hope. Also, I am deeply indebted to my sister, Dianne, for the heart to take on the awesome task of typing this manuscript for me.

Finally, I must thank God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who have given me the mental, physical, and spiritual strength to endure the task of writing this manuscript, with the hope that others may be encouraged to answer the call to proclaim God’s Word. For without me ye can do nothing (John 15:5). Thank you, Lord!

INTRODUCTION

The gifts of ministry are many, both specific and focused. In our modern age, the minister must have the ability to speak, teach, and administer; to possess the gift of compassion and concern for the needs of others; to exercise the gift of discernment and judgment; and to demonstrate the ability to heal by prayer, empathy, and comfort. Not all ministers possess gifts in equal measure, but preachers will likely be most effective if their best gifts can be identified and developed to the fullest. In other words, not all who seek to minister are endowed with effective skills for ministry.

Therefore, when we look at the call to preach, it is not simply an occupation for which individuals are recruited, regardless of how gifted they may be. One can possess great ability in the use of language, have a keen intellect, exhibit personal piety and godly behavior, and even demonstrate a strong desire to preach. But one thing is needed. In the same way that a regenerated heart is required for true membership in the church, a minister must experience something that can only be properly described as a divine call to that service: And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron (Heb. 5:4).

The true nature of the call to preach is often a mystery to those who are called. At times, God’s choices even seem unsuitable by human standards. The result of it is more certain, however, for those who are called approach the work of ministry from a deep, abiding, and unalterable conviction that such is the will of God for them. Those who are called exhibit the mark of the Holy Spirit upon their souls. Those called may freely state that they might have preferred a different work, one that might have brought greater wealth, more excitement, or greater recognition, but they could not make such a choice. Those called are not required to confess that there is nothing else they could do. Rather, they are called to confess that there is nothing else, by the grace of God, that they would do.

The exact nature of a call is impossible to describe fully, but there is nevertheless a pattern in the experience of those who are called: (1) The ones being called may experience the presence of the Holy Spirit wrestling with them, demanding, coercing, and cajoling a new perspective about God’s will for them. (2) The ones who are called may remember a sacred moment or a holy place, like Jacob, who responded by saying, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not (Gen. 28:16). (3) The call can seem sudden, like the young Samuel being awakened from his sleep by the Lord, finally to respond, Speak; for thy servant heareth (1 Sam. 3:10). (4) Calls are experienced in great and dramatic episodes, as when Isaiah had a vision of the Lord on his throne surrounded by seraphims, and heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Isaiah responded dramatically by saying, Here am I; send me (Isa. 6:1–8). (5) The call may also follow a time of quiet reflection. In fact, even dramatic calls are often preceded by lengthy periods of reflection and prayer. But the calling in any form lays a heavenly claim upon an earthly service in an unmistakable way.

Ministers respond to calls in different ways: (1) The response may be instantaneous and decisive, never to be raised for evaluation or question again. (2) For others, the response may be slow and prolonged, as other directions and purposes of life are tested and tried; yet the Spirit’s urging returns to call them back from other purposes and plans. (3) For some, testing the call is, as with Jeremiah, a lifelong exercise of reevaluation and even a testimony with God. Such persons may return time and again to complain bitterly on their knees, saying, O Lord, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and thou hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, everyone market me (Jer. 20:7). (4) For still others, the call to serve God may come in the midst of lives and careers already in progress, as with the disciples who were called from their labors and professions. (5) Or, it may cause an almost complete reorienting of values and purposes, as with Paul on the Damascus road (Acts 9:1–22). (6) It may even come to lives that, until that moment, exhibited little to encourage one to think God could make use of them, as was the case with both Peter and Paul. Those who experience a call come to a recognition that the hand of the Lord is upon them and a response is required. (7) The strongest call seems to come to those who seem most likely to resist. But as individuals wrestle with the Spirit, as conviction works slowly in the soul, new insights emerge, new directions take shape, and new dreams are ignited. (8) Last but not least, the evidence of response can be found in the certainty of a conviction to serve, in the presence of a mind and spirit to discern the truth of the gospel and to make it clear to others, and in a desire to become qualified to serve in a way the Lord has called.

The call brings opportunities and responsibilities. Only those who are called are true candidates for effective preaching. The church has a responsibility to be a partner with them in acquiring the training, qualifications, and experience by which their gifts may be made suitable for God’s work.

PART 1

THE CALL TO PREACH

INTRODUCTION

To promote the highest ends of the ministry, servants of God must begin with themselves. A ministry that is uncertain of its own power is a travesty of the sacred calling. Preachers are first of all humans who are answering the call of God. It is easy to pamper oneself and forget that the messenger is important, along with the message and methods. One may be like Apollos, An eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, yet deficient to an extent in the way of God (Acts 18:24–26). Or such a person may be exercising a ministry like Thomas Chalmers of Scotland, with a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof, or like John Wesley, waiting for that experience of the warmed heart.¹

In the fast pace of today, we are in danger of losing our souls and the knowledge of the secret known by Paul: "For to me to live is Christ, and to