Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! —1 Corinthians 9:16


Beware of refusing to hear the call of God. Everyone who is saved is called to testify to the fact of his salvation. That, however, is not the same as the call to preach, but is merely an illustration which can be used in preaching. In this verse, Paul was referring to the stinging pains produced in him by the compelling force of the call to preach the gospel. Never try to apply what Paul said regarding the call to preach to those souls who are being called to God for salvation. There is nothing easier than getting saved, because it is solely God’s sovereign work— “Look to Me, and be saved…” (Isaiah 45:22). Our Lord never requires the same conditions for discipleship that he requires for salvation. We are condemned to salvation through the Cross of Christ. But discipleship has an option with it— “If anyone…” (Luke 14:26).

Paul’s words have to do with our being made servants of Jesus Christ, and our permission is never asked as to what we will do or where we will go. God makes us as broken bread and poured-out wine to please Himself. To be “separated to the gospel” means being able to hear the call of God (Romans 1:1). Once someone begins to hear that call, a suffering worthy of the name of Christ is produced. Suddenly, every ambition, every desire of life, and every outlook is completely blotted out and extinguished. Only one thing remains— “…separated to the gospel…” Woe be to the soul who tries to head in any other direction once that call has come to him. The Bible Training College exists so that each of you may know whether or not God has a man or woman here who truly cares about proclaiming His gospel and to see if God grips you for this purpose. Beware of competing calls once the call of God grips you.

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Journal DJR
Good Morning Lord,
Oswald Chambers here differentiates between the call to preach and the call to all Christians to just live for you. If that call to all is to live a surrendered life, emptied of the big 4, the drive to look good, feel good, be right and be in control….. and stay connected and curious and excited to hear and see what you have for us next…. It seems like that could include preaching or peeling potatoes and it doesn’t matter. (Like Brother Lawrence, who peeled potatoes for 55 years and became a hero of the faith as recorded in the best seller, Practicing the Presence of God) Is there a special call to preach or is the main call just to be a disciple and follow you and if that includes preaching sometimes then fine, but sometimes just living it out with whatever you put in our path. Like St Francis of Assisi said, Preach the gospel at all times and if absolutely necessary, use words….

I reduced the old hard, impossible to keep, old covenant to two commandments and if you take the first one to it’s logical end…. you don’t even need the second one. Because through obeying the first command to love Me, you will hear my voice and feel my heart which loves people and you will find yourself loving your neighbor and pouring your life out for your neighbor, because you are allowing my heart to flow thru you and that’s what I did and what I continue to do. Love people.

So what about preaching? And the special call?

Preaching is a good thing. Somebody’s gotta do it. But consider that the average preaching is 30 minutes a week. There are many other 30 minute periods during the same week and I can, and do, speak to my children in all those times, just like I was with Brother Lawrence peeling potatoes. I spoke to him and I’ll speak to you. Customized. Whereas the Sunday sermon goes out to all, I speak to you alone in your woodshop or your car or the shower. So develop the ability to be with me, commune with me, hear me and see what I’m seeing. Then whatever you do will be the preaching for the moment. Maybe to a crowd. Maybe to someone watching you teach a student in your shop.

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