God’s Call

Genesis 12:1-5

St. John’s United Church of Christ
Greeley, Colorado
June 4, 2023
Rev. Juvenal Cervantes

Let us read God’s word from Genesis, chapter 12, verses one thru five.

The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

“I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.[a]
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.”[b]

So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.

Scriptures abound about what God can do when God moves. God moves in our midst.

We are talking about calling. What is your calling? Consider that for a moment. What do you consider your calling to be? Some may have readymade answers. Some of you I know can articulate.

A good question to pursue. Calling is a way to talk about what God wants you to do in your life. Calling is for each of us and for all of us. What does God want you to do with your life. If you look back, how has God used you.

It is okay not to have a quick and easy and readymade answer. To say, I’m called to pastor, but the call is broader that a title. Most of us struggle with that and that is okay. That is the norm.

What is really important is lifelong pursuit of the question. How is my life best spent given the years that I have?

If you look back in your life, consider how it feels, how it sounds, God calling in your life.

God’s word gives us lots of stories about how God calls, there is not one template.

God spoke seemingly out of the blue to Abraham, not Abram, to engage a journey, a future. Abraham did not know. God did not give him the fullness of the promise or the destination. God simply said, “Leave the place and go and follow the promises of I have for you, your descendants will be blessed, in fact, the whole nation will be blessed, all would be realized, but not before Abraham took the step.

Abraham could trace much of God’s work to the one decision he made. Perhaps you experienced a move in your career, relationship or event and you knew God was speaking into your life, not knowing how it would unfold.

Maybe your calling looks like Samuel. Samuel did not know it or even conceive it, but before he was conceived he was called by God. Samuel thrived, seems to come natural, flourish as he grew up among the priest, performing sacrifice, around Aaron. When God finally spoke to Samuel, the voice was too familiar and mistook it to the priest Eli. Samuel’s response was natural, he felt God’s pleasure and was in his element as he served. Perhaps you feel God’s pleasure when you do His work.

Maybe the calling was like David. The eighth, forgotten son. David was not even invited to the party and all of a sudden the prophet chooses David and the course of the people of God is changed. Perhaps someone spoke into your life, recognizing your gifts, your abilities, your talents, your personality, your heart? They were the voice of God in your life.

Maybe your calling was like Saul then Paul. Paul had all the right connections. He was on fast track to power and God called him to a dramatic change of life.

Collegeandseminary.com reports that the majority of our seminarians, students that God is calling into the ministry are in their mid- to late 20s. Additionally, recent polls show that the average age of seminary students is over 30—and these students are typically more motivated, focused and understand the cultural environment better than their younger counterparts. People making changes in their lives to respond to God’s calling.

Cornelius received a dream from God, The Ethiopian eunuch was illuminated and got baptized. How has god moved in your life?

God can call, God is calling his people into his service.

Doug Koskela wrote a little book entitled Calling and Clarity: Discovering What God Wants for Your Life. In his work, Koskela outlines calling in three different ways:

General calling: Everyone has a calling, pick your great verse, Micah 6:8 where the prophet encourages: “Do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God.” Some prefer the great commission Bible verse:  “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Matthew 28:20). If you are wondering how to spend your life, start there. Get busy following Jesus and the rest will follow.

Missional calling: This refers to our main contribution to the kingdom of God. The thing that we do, who we are. We learn things about ourselves. We received positive response and we follow that. The way that you serve congregation, God’s kingdom. Hospitality, may be your role in your church. You love serving others. Maybe hospitality or teaching, maybe it is courage.

Very few get the blinding light experience as Paul did. Most of us ponder: What are the needs around us and how can I help meet that need?

Direct calling: God speaks to us and consecrate us. This is the abnormality, not the usual. You can’t bend God’s arm and force him to call you, you can’t cajole a direct calling. God gives it and it can’t be ignored.

The future of the church is dependent on God’s calling and our response, pursuing our calling together. As individuals, as family, as congregation, it is not just who we are, but what is God calling us to do.

How is God calling you to go forward?

My mother always had an extra plate of food on the kitchen table and a clean guest room. My stepfather often brought into our house individuals who were seeking employment and did not have a place to stay. Our little house was a hotel of sorts.

Later in life, I wondered, “Why did my mother extend hospitality to others?” Perhaps she read, “I was hungry and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was in need of clothing and you provided for me.” She may have read, “Practice hospitality for in doing so some of us have entertained angels.” My mother believed God’s word; she saw a need and found ways to meet that need. She left an indelible impression in my life, and I am sure, in the life of many others.

Let us pray. Gracious Father, we are dependent on words, vision from you. Use all of the tools at our disposal, to give vision to your people and help us to listen.

Is God’s calling you to salvation, ministry or service?

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