I Have a Calling.
Why do I feel It’s Been Delayed?

 

1. Introduction
   1. When I first started in ministry, I didn’t really understand what a calling was all about.
   2. As time progressed on I began hearing my pastor talk about the calling one has in his life, and the need to be patient and wait on God’s Moving,
   3. while preparing yourself for when He’s ready to move so that you’ll understand, and those that you are involved with will see the evidence of the call of God on your life.
   4. God makes the call. He gives you a vision and a glimpse of your potential, your talent and skill to move forward. He prepares you like no other.
   5. He utilizes the God-given gifts that he’s instilled in you for a lifetime. Though there are many different types of things when you’re young that you want to do,
   6. think that you need to do, it takes time and patience to come to the conclusion of what you ‘re really good at and the God-given talent that’s been instilled in you to bring forth your calling.

 

 

1. I wanted to be a rock singer before I became a Christian. God was grooming me in the music, writing, singing, playing, being involved in groups at a very young age. All leading up to the vision & calling that he had for my life.
2. I didn’t know that God was going to grab ahold of me, change my life, but as he drew me, I listened and received a miracle called salvation.
3. From there, my eyes were opened, and the scales fell from my eyes as I began to see what truth was, and how God all along was formulating my destiny & how I might benefit His Plan with the call that He gave me.
4. Now after 40 years of staying faithful and consistent, He not only gave me my heart’s desire, but allowed the music that I wrote to lead many people to the Saving knowledge of Christ.
5. I had another heart’s desire to be a pastor after I became a Christian. I felt the calling, the desire and the willingness to adhere to the call.
6. Though this also took 40 years to achieve, I’m now the pastor of The Greatest Gift’s Little House of Hope & Prayer, The Greatest Gift gospel music group & Little School of Hope.
7. It’s been quite an adventure. It’s been a long life journey, but I felt I’ve stayed true & faithful to the call that I received through the inspiration of the Spirit and the knowingness from God’s Word that I was called.
8. One must be patient. One must pursue ones vision and dream, and God will turn it into the calling that he intended for your life.
9. I’m grateful and thankful. God also blessed me with the ability of business and finances
10. I’ve been in business and had my own construction company and built many since I was 17 years old.
11. God used this vehicle to pay for my calling, passion and desire to see my calling through. I’m now retired.
12. I’m still doing a few things here and there with construction, but the calling that God put on my life is truly evident. I know it. Everyone else knows it.
13. Everyone can see it. They can believe it and they will support it. Thank you Lord for giving me the calling that I listened to, planned for, studied for was trained & equipped for such a time as this,
14. to give what you’ve given me. It may have been delayed, but I patiently pursued. 40 years is a long time but when God has given you a call, vision, plan, strategy, and execution, you must continue on.

 

 

1. That’s why I was called into the life of a Christian. Now let us look into our message.

2. I Have a Calling.
   Why do I feel It’s Been Delayed?

 

3. Has God called you?
   1. God has thoughts, hopes and plans for every one of us as it says in Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. God has created you. He chose you to be in His Family, and He has hopes and dreams for what you can become in this life for Him.
   2. If you are born again, and love God, you are one of the called according to His Purpose. Romans 8:28: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. You are called according to His Purpose. He created you, saved you, and is preparing you for the purpose He has for you.

 

4. Do you feel that your call has been delayed? Do you feel that you’ve failed along the way?
   1. If you feel your calling has been delayed, remember that God works everything out in His Timing, not ours. Ecclesiastes 3:11: He hath made everything beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. There’s a chorus that says this. In his time, in his time, he makes all things beautiful in his time. Lord please show me every day as you’re teaching me your way, that you do just what you say in your time. Your call may seem delayed, but it’s right on time.
   2. Have you failed along the way? We all have from time to time. Romans 3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; We’ve all failed but we get back up again and press on. As the old chorus says, failure isn’t final with the master. Press in to be all you can be for Jesus.

 

5. Are you pursuing your vision and dream with hope for your calling?
   1. Here is what God’s Word says about pursuing your vision & dream. Habakkuk 2:2-3: And the Lord answered me, & said, Write the vision, & make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, & not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Are you writing the vision down and making it plain to people around you that can help bring it about? For those that feel their calling is delayed, it is for an appointed time. Keep taking steps toward it, and God will see it come to pass.

 

6. Have you given up? Been discouraged? Say like most have said, “I’m just waiting on God to move.” But you’ve never done anything to have God move?
   1. You should never give up and be discouraged. There will always be ups and downs, but keep going! Galatians 6:9: And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. That’s a promise you can take to the bank! If you persevere in your calling, God will see you soar and achieve great things!
   2. If you’re one who says you’re waiting for God to move, God says this. James 4:8: Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. You take a step toward God, and He’ll take 2 steps toward you. He works when you and I co-labor with Him. As we obey, He makes a way!
   3. A calling is given by inspiration through prayer. It doesn’t fall from the sky.

 

7. Heaven has its destination for all of us. Are you destined to your call?
   1. Are you diligent in prayer, living every day to fulfill your calling until He takes you home? 2nd Peter 1:10: Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: Spend time in prayer every day, studying God’s Word, and taking steps to fulfill the vision and calling, and you will succeed.
   2. Remember that if you have received a calling from God, He’s not going to change His Mind about it. Just like He’s not going to change His Mind about your salvation. Romans 11:29: For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. He is never going to take away my ability to sing, write songs, and play music. He’s never going to take away my preaching ability. He’s not going to remove your gifts and callings either.

 

8. All the examples Jesus gave in his teaching to his disciples are a treasure chest of examples for us to fulfill our callings as they did.
   1. Jesus called the disciples and us to be fishers of men. We see this in Matthew 4:18-19: And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. This is what Jesus is saying to you and me today. We are called to bring the fish to the master.
   2. Do you say that you don’t know what God’s Will is for your life? If you are born-again, you are His Friend, and He makes known the father’s will to us. John 15:15: Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. God’s Will is not hidden from those who diligently seek Him in prayer and studying the Word. He will reveal His Will and Purpose for your life.
   3. Jesus calls us to be the servant of all, looking on the things of others more than ourselves. James and John were in a dispute over who was the greatest disciple when Jesus said this. Mark 10:43-45: But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Jesus was the prime example of a servant. He left the glories of heaven, came as one of us, & gave his life to save us from our sin. Our calling is to be other-centered.

 

 

1. And here is the ultimate calling that the disciples obeyed, and you and I are to obey also. Matthew 28:19-20: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. That is the calling of every one of us. It’s God’s Will for your life. Don’t say I’m not an evangelist. We’re all called to do the work of an evangelist. No exceptions and no excuses!

 

9. Jesus was the perfect example of a calling. He was called to train & equip the disciples for the work of ministry, and His Calling was to die for all mankind.
   1. Jesus’ Calling, and what He came to do was foretold centuries before He came. Isaiah 9:6: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. This verse is a prophecy of His Birth, His Ministry, and the kingdom that is to come.
   2. He also fulfilled his calling to die on the cross for your sins and mine. Isaiah 53:6-8: All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. Jesus fulfilled His Calling and continues to do so, as He is at the right hand of the father, making intercession for you and me.

 

10. Who in the bible started off with a calling, felt discouraged but moved forward in the end and received the greatest reward and blessing one could have?
    1. Last week we read about King David, his sin, and the consequences that he had to live with all his life. He knew how to move forward, putting his hope in God. Psalm 42:5: Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. Is this your prayer during difficult times? Do you purpose in your heart to trust God and put your hope in Him?
    2. Moses was pretty discouraged when he tried to free his Hebrew brothers and sisters on his own strength. We find this in Exodus 2:13-15: And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow? And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known. Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well. After 40 years went by, Moses has the burning bush encounter, and goes on to fulfill his calling, not by his might or power, but by the Spirit of the Lord.
    3. Peter had his ups and downs, denying the Lord, and having to be rebuked by Paul, but he won a great harvest of souls. Acts 2:41: Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. For a man who walked on water, wavered in his faith, and denied he even knew the Lord, this was a big accomplishment. You can accomplish great things if you persevere in your faith and in your calling.

 

 

 

11. Story: Keeping Focused
    1. Here is a story that will bring home the importance of being diligent and obedient to your calling.
    2. General Bradford was definitely an unusual general. He was known far and wide for both his infinite patience and love as well as for His justice and wrath.
    3. His soldiers loved him dearly—and for good cause. His orders were always good, and he personally found a way to care for each of the soldiers who volunteered for his little band.
    4. Michael had recently joined the general’s band, and was now quite anxious to prove himself a good soldier. His first task was to learn to march.
    5. “The key to marching is to stay focused and to listen for my commands constantly,” the general explained. “See that distant horizon?
    6. Fasten your eyes fifteen degrees above the horizon line. Don’t let them wander to the circumstances or people around you.
    7. Keep your eyes focused above the horizon, and your ears tuned to my voice. You’ll find that many, many things will try to distract you.”
    8. Michael couldn’t imagine anything distracting him from the horizon or the general’s voice.
    9. He’d soon find out, however, just how easily he could get distracted.
    10. The first time Michael actually had the opportunity to march, he lifted his knees up nearly to his chest each step in an effort to look like a good marcher.
    11. He desperately wanted to do a good job to please the general!
    12. The general shook his head and gently admonished the young private, “Don’t let your desire to show off distract you.
    13. True marching isn’t about lifting those knees in show; it’s about putting one step in front of the other in sync with my commands.”
    14. Michael hung his head. He had allowed the thought of what others would think to distract him from really doing his job.
    15. Michael tried again, this time not worrying about how he looked. Yet he had such a hard time keeping his eyes above the horizon!
    16. His eyes seemed to constantly wander to the things or people around him. Then he’d catch sight of the general and remember his command to look above the horizon. Would he ever learn?

 

 

1. “George,” Michael called reprovingly, “your step is a little fast, and wipe the grin off your face. And Scott, loosen up your arms and let them swing a little more natural and—”
2. “I said flight halt!”
3. Only after walking several paces in front of the rest of the troop did Michael finally hear the command.
4. He didn’t think he could ever forget the general’s reproof, “Cadet, fall back in line. Keep your own eyes and ears attentive and let me take care of the others.”
5. Michael stepped back in line. He was beginning to realize that keeping focused would be a moment-by-moment battle. It was SO easy to get distracted!
6. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12.
7. In the Christian world we can easily lose focus and get distracted. God has given us a studious pastor who is bringing us the truth and our marching orders.
8. Are we stepping in line with him and following his lead, or are we being distracted?

 

12. Conclusion
    1. Do you have a calling from God? Do you know what a calling is?
    2. Did God give you a vision and dream with plans and direction? Spiritual insight and a knowing, but you let it go by the wayside?
    3. If God gave you a calling, are you fulfilling it?