TOPIC:“The Call of the Christ”
by Rev. Dr. Reg Dunlap
“Whoever serves me must follow me...But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself” (John 12:26, 32, NIV).
Charles H. Spurgeon, famous English preacher of the 19th century, once when speaking to a group of young people declared: “If God calls you to be a missionary, don't stoop to be a king.” Such is the feeling of any man who is convinced that the ministry of Jesus Christ is life's highest calling. In comparison with this calling, everything else pales.
The list of Christ-called men to preach the Gospel of God's forgiving love and redeeming grace is long and lengthy. He called Martin Luther to start the Reformation. He called William Carey to India. He called Jonathan Goforth and Hudson Taylor to China. He called John Patton to the New Hebrides. He called David Brainerd to the American Indians. He called John and Charles Wesley to launch the Methodist Church. He called George Whitefield and Charles Finney to the ministry of revival. He called Dwight L. Moody and Billy Graham to a life of evangelism.
This was, they felt, the greatest piece of good news they could ever proclaim. They could not be silent. They could not remain stationary. The world must know so they went. They took to heart the words of their crucified and calling Lord: “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation” (Mark 16:15). If it wasn't meant for “all creation” then why did Jesus tell them to preach to all creation. So this vast movement of loyal men, fired with one passion and faithful to one Master, set out to conquer the world for Christ. And get this: The same Christ who called those early Christians is calling you today.
I ask: If the call of Christ meant that much to them, should it mean any less to us? I don't believe so! Christ has been “lifted up” on that vicious cross to redeem lost mankind. The question remains to be answered: Will you be one to answer the compelling call of this uplifted Savior: “Whoever serves me must follow me” (v. 26)?
Today this calling Christ is looking for an army of volunteers to join His crusade. If . . .