You are called
Mark 3:13-19(NLT) Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him. Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach, giving them authority to cast out demons. These are the twelve he chose: Simon (whom he named Peter), James and John (the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus nicknamed them “Sons of Thunder”), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon (the zealot), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).
When Jesus calls us, He trains us, appoints us, sends us, and empowers us to bless others, minister to others, and help us see lives transformed by the power of His gospel.
- You are called
Mark 3:13(NLT) Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him.
Look carefully at the language Mark uses to describe their calling: Jesus called out these men, Jesus appointed these men, Jesus gives them the title of apostles, Jesus would send them out to preach, and Jesus would give them authority to cast out demons. When Jesus called these twelve men they came to him in obedience. They responded with submission.
All of us are called by God, we are called into His Kingdom to serve, to make a difference. What is your response today?
- You are appointed
Mark 3:14(NLT) Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach.
Mark tells us that Jesus appointed twelve men to be apostles. You have been appointed by God to be an ambassador where you live, and with whom you live. You have an assignment.
1 Peter 2:9(NLT) But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
- You are equipped
Mark 3:14(NLT) Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him . . . Mark tells us that after Jesus called them, they were to accompany Him. By constantly spending time with Jesus, the twelve would be personally mentored and trained by Jesus Himself.
How much time do you spend in the Word of God and building your relationship with God, enabling Him to teach and guide you?
2 Timothy 3:16-17(NLT) All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
John 16:13(NLT) When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.
- You are called to be sent
Mark 3:14b(NLT) They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach. After selecting the twelve and spending time with them teaching them, training them, and equipping them, Jesus sent them out to preach. We are called and sent out to be God’s ambassadors.
2 Corinthians 5:20(NLT) So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”
- You are empowered
Mark 3:15(NLT) giving them authority to cast out demons. When God calls us, He empowers us.
Hebrews 2:4(NLT) And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose. Whatever God wants you to do, He is going to empower you to do it. He is going to equip you to minister to the people in your life.
I conclude, you are called, appointed, equipped, sent, and empowered, to do what you have been called for.