Planting Churches Among the City's Poor - Volume 2

112 • P LANTING C HURCHES AMONG THE C ITY ’ S P OOR : V OLUME 2

C. The implications of the missionary call

1. The call of God is discernible as to one’s specific task : one can find out whether or not one is called by God to a particular missionary task and endeavor.

a. The Spirit’s inward unction and leading, Gal. 5.16

b. The outward demonstration and validation, 2 Tim. 1.13-14 (ESV) – Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

c. The confirmation of other God-called leaders

(1) 1 Tim. 1.11-12 (ESV) – in accordance with the glorious gospel of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted. I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service. (2) 1 Tim. 4.14 (ESV) – Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. (3) 1 Tim. 6.20 (ESV) – O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge.” 2. The call of God is determinative as to one’s deployment : no other factor weighs as much or carries as much importance in the decision to be deployed unless as the discernment of the call of God.

a. If you are called, you’ll be provided for , Phil. 4.13.

b. If you are called, the opportunities will come , Acts 9.15-16 (ESV) – But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”