"Called": A Common Claim
By Gary D. Ellis

"I am called to the ministry." 
Every pastor has probably heard this a thousand times or more.  

•	The words "called" and "calling" 

o	First, let me make one thing clear. 
•	Our motivation must be to live our lives completely for God's purpose, God's pleasure, and God's glory. 

•	Paul said, in 1 Timothy 3:1, 1 "This is a true saying: If a man is eager to be a church leader, he desires an excellent work." (GNT) 

•	There are many   people who possess the natural gift of leadership; 
•	However, the Bible (God's Word) is not the ultimate authority for their belief system; 

•	For the most part, popular culture, human reasoning, and emotions govern many professing believers. 	

•	The masses say, 
o	"This is what we want to hear! This is what we want to believe! This is what we like and don't like!" 

o	"We don't want to hear anything about some straight and narrow road of holiness, self-denial, and sacrificial service. We want to hear all about Christianity's great benefits package." 

o	"Please don't try to frighten us with messages about missing heaven or going to hell. That's negative and it makes us feel uncomfortable." 

o	"This  is who we are, this is what we are, and this is what we believe life is all about, so don't tell us how to change it—that's bondage. Tell us how to enjoy it—that's freedom." 

o	"Preacher, we want you to be our voice of freedom. Show us how to access the promises and take advantage of all our Christian liberties." 

•	The Bible is filled 
o	Therefore, it's conceivable for almost anyone to apply these principles and experience enormous earthly success. 

o	This is where the line has become so distorted. 

•	1 John 3:13 (TLB) 13 So don't be surprised, dear friends, if the world hates you. 

What is worldliness? 
•	Worldliness is when the things you live your life to achieve, the things you desire the most, and whatever fuels your drive and ambition—come   to an end on the day you die. 

•	You must not be afraid to pay the price 

•	Jeremiah 23:16-18, 21-22 (MSG) 

•	On the surface, 

•	There is the ever-pressing temptation to "go along to get along." 

•	First Kings 22 

o	Sometimes the willingness to stand unaccompanied, hated and rejected for the truth, is the dividing line between true men of God and those driven by deceitful ambition. 

•	1 Kings 22:1-10 (MSG) 

•	Jehoshaphat said

o	They were compelled to do what many pastors and leaders are being pressured to do in this generation—affirm his desires and confirm his plans. 

•	1 Kings 22:11-16  

o	(Warning to all young pastors!) 

o	If you do not want to suffer bitter criticism, ridicule, rejection, or false accusation, 

•	Micaiah tried the "Go along to get along" approach at first. But upon Ahab's insistence on hearing nothing but the truth, he chose the "Get ready—here   comes trouble" approach. 

•	1 Kings 22:17-18 (MSG)  

o	We know from the beginning, 
o	1 Kings 22:19-24 
o	It is not unusual for those posing as men of God to attack you for your refusal to "go along to get along." 
o	If you are seeking acceptance, or if you are overly concerned about popularity and about what people might say and think, you may be tempted to make compromises because certain kinds of attacks can be very painful experiences. 

•	1 Kings 22:26-27 (MSG)   

o	Though the end result was a hostile confrontation, public humiliation, rejection, and incarceration, Micaiah was able to make a clear and unmistakable distinction between a true prophet and the opportunists who were posing as ministers of God. 	
o	Those who do not know or respect the authority of the Word of God customarily support the belief that the majority is obviously always right.