Leadership is a Calling: Gen. 1: 1-5; Mark 1: 4-11
This morning we start a new series on Christian Leadership and how that looks in today’s society. In these days we who follow God find ourselves in the position of being the Christian leaders unexpectedly or even undesirably. As a world filled with internet, Netflix, and all other manner of entertainment draws people, the church by comparison is seen as old, stodgy, and out of touch. I believe, however, that characterization is untrue. The church may not be as glamorous and glitzy as the latest Netflix show, but the church provides something our entertainment cannot—timeless truth, a mission to serve and save, and a calling to stand up for those on the margins of society to whom entertainment has turned a blind eye.
We have, though, become paralyzed by the predictions that the age of the church is beyond us and that the church will soon be relegated to obscurity. I believe that, too, is untrue. The church has not lost the power of God’s Spirit. Instead, the church and all of God’s people, are tired and timid, worried about frivolous things, and in need of a re-direction to God’s mission. God’s people need to find again this sense of urgency for God’s mission here on earth—for grace, for wisdom, for welcome, and for justice, but most of all for people in need of God’s life-changing love.
We begin today with the very basics of what it means to follow God and lead in faith. That very basic premise is that we are called by God. God’s voice has spoken over the ages to creation, to God’s people, to the unfaithful, and to all of humankind. God’s voice speaks to us in prayer, in the Word, and in push of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Over and over I hear you all tell me that the only motivation you felt to do God’s calling was something moved you or spoke to you and encouraged you with wisdom.
We see today in the creation narrative of the Old Testament that all of existence began with a word spoken by God, calling forth something new out of nothing. Earth was formless, empty, and mostly just a bunch of vast nothingness. But the Spirit of God was present, and God spoke to say, “Let there be light.” This was the beginning of God making things new and amazing where once there was nothing.
Over and over the scripture tells us that God makes things new. Isaiah 43:19 says “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Now, I realize there is a context to Isaiah’s prophecy, but I believe this is a verse that can stand alone as well—God makes all things new—the broken and the tired, the weary and the misguided, and God’s holy church which is in need of an energy boost these days.
In the Gospel, we even see that Jesus got a calling. Now, other Gospels add a bit to Mark’s text and say that John the Baptist was confused as to why Jesus would need to be baptized. In short, John says, “Um…what?” when Jesus asks to be baptized. John expected to be baptized by Jesus. In Matthew’s version, Matthew 3:15, Jesus says, “Let it be so now for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Jesus’s baptism marked his commitment to all who saw it declaring that he was committed to God’s calling and to God’s mission for him here on earth. God’s response came from the heavens to say that Jesus was the beloved in whom God was well-pleased.
You see God’s calling goes hand in hand with our commitment. You cannot have one without the other. You cannot commit to what you are not called to do, and you waste a calling if you do not commit to do it. Jesus demonstrated his commitment through God’s calling and then dedicated his remaining life to live it all the way, even, to the cross. Ministers talk about God’s call to them. Church leaders talk about how God called them. All who work in this field of faith should have some inkling of a call from God. In response we have all committed to following and living out this calling.
But I believe God doesn’t just call the preachers and the teachers. God calls to each and every person sitting in the pew—the lukewarm and the fervent, the worried and the peaceful, those present here and those watching along online. God calls to each and every one of us to be a disciple and follow on God’s mission. That calling can come to us in unexpected ways and take us to unexpected places.
I remember years ago my uncle’s antics at his office. They had just installed an intercom system where you could speak into every room from an announcer device on the phone. It was early in the morning about 6 AM. My uncle was downstairs and one other worker (who didn’t know my uncle was there) was upstairs. For a little fun, my uncle got on the intercom that none of the others knew had been installed and announced, “Steve, this is the voice of God. What are you doing?” For at least a few minutes, Steve was utterly terrified at this unseen voice announcing through the office…that is until he saw another car in the parking lot.
God’s voice can come to us unexpectedly. My call to ministry sounded very much like a strong South Georgia accent of a retired Methodist preacher, and I’m forever grateful that John Carroll pushed me to become your pastor. God spoke to me through him, and in turn, I made a commitment to you all here in answer to God’s somewhat unexpected calling in my life.
The hardest part of such a sermon is that God speaks to each of us differently through the Word, through the Holy Spirit, and through those around us preach and teach prophetically. Everyone wants to know, “what is God calling to me?” My response is that figuring out the Holy Spirit is much like herding cats. What I can tell you is that we have two main duties in our commitment side of it all: to listen and to tell.
We must listen carefully as we read God’s Word to be moved by the wisdom and guidance there. We must also be prepared to tell this Good News both in how we live and in what we say. God’s timeless truths have not changed—there is still grace for the wayward ones, healing for the broken, strength in God’s presence, and justice we must seek. After Jesus was baptized and publicly made his commitment, he set about doing these things. Jesus spoke out against evil, oppression, and exploitive inequality. Jesus healed all those who suffered. And Jesus offered grace to all who needed to be made anew.
If we are to follow God, it begins with listening to God’s calling in our lives then committing ourselves to living as the disciples here on earth. Being a leader for Christ is no big magical, mystical, unattainable thing. It simply starts with a calling and a commitment. As a result of that commitment we serve and work in this world and we tell the good news of God’s grace. I encourage you today to look past the tiredness, the struggle, and the stagnant mold. Pull out and dust off your commitment, find anew how amazing it can be to follow the God of all hope, of all love, and who breathed life into all things—and yes, even still, breathes new life into you and I this day.
Worship Video: https://www.facebook.com/fccmacon/videos/307658963983508