Page 1 of 10

Are You Called?

Part 4: The Communication and Confirmation of the Called Man
Dave Harvey

I. INTRODUCTION

“In connection with the call to the ministry, it is

impossible to over-emphasize the importance of the
gift of communication. If a person doesn’t have this
gift, there is no way he can be useful in the ministry of
the word.”
-Joel Nederhood1
The motivation check

“Again, preaching is an exercise of which many are

ambitious, and none more so than those that are the
least qualified for it; but it is not so easy a matter to
perform this task aright.
-Henry Scougal2
The called man as “communicator”

a) “Able to teach” (1Tim. 3:3)

b) “To prepare God’s people” (Eph. 4:12)
c) “To encourage others with sound doctrine” (Titus 1:9)
d) “Gently instruct” (2 Tim 2:25)
e) “Do the work of an evangelist” (2 Tim. 4:5)
f) “Be an example in speech” (1Tim 4:12)

“Gentlemen, if you cannot preach, God did not call

you to preach.”
-Charles Spurgeon3

1
Joel Nederhood, The Preacher & Preaching edited by Samuel T. Logan, Jr. p.52.
2
Henry Scougal, The Life of God in the Soul of Man, p. xxiv.
3
Fred Smith (quoting Charles Spurgeon), Learning to Lead, p.23.

Are You Called? Part 4 – Dave Harvey

Copyright 1996 Sovereign Grace Ministries
7505 Muncaster Mill Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
www.sovereigngraceministries.org
 Page 2 of 10

II. FOUR VITAL COMPONENTS OF A “CALLED” COMMUNICATOR

A. The “Sound Doctrine” Component

“...able to teach”
-1Tim. 3:2 (NIV)

Teaching: The “ability” to organize & communicate scripture in

a way that is understandable, applicable & compelling.

The danger of separating “teaching” & “doctrine.” We are called

“to” God’s word.

“The curse of the pulpit is the superstition that a

sermon is a work of art and not a piece of bread or
meat.”
-Charles Jefferson4

Regardless of office, called men must theologize and transmit

sound doctrine.

“It is not necessarily eloquence that is

needed--in fact, eloquence can sometimes be
counterproductive for communication since it
calls too much attention to itself. What is
needed is an ability to attract people’s
attention as one speaks, and keep that
attention, and succeed in transferring from
the mind of the minister to the mind of the
hearer a certain amount of information.”
-Joel Nederhood5

4
Charles Jefferson, Pastoral Ministry, p.28.
5
Joel Nederhood, The Preacher & Preaching edited by Samuel T. Logan, Jr. p.51.

Are You Called? Part 4 – Dave Harvey

Copyright 1996 Sovereign Grace Ministries
7505 Muncaster Mill Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
www.sovereigngraceministries.org
 Page 3 of 10
B. The “Training” Component

“And the things you have heard me say in the

presence of many witnesses entrust to
reliable men who will also be qualified to
teach others.”
-2 Tim. 2:2 (NIV)
a) Eph. 4:11-12

Training: The ability to “reproduce” theology, concepts &

applications through our teaching & life.

It’s not enough to be a good preacher or pulpiteer.

“The pastor as teacher is the pastor as coach.

Teaching means more than telling people what and
telling them why. It progresses to showing them how,
doing it with them, letting them do it, and deploying
them into the harvest field. This six step teaching
method was employed by Jesus and hallmarks the
disciple making pastor.”
-Bill Hull6

Training is often revealed by imitation.

“It is enough for the student to be like his teacher,

and the servant like his master.
-Matthew 10:25 (NIV)

Story of Spurgeon & Mr. Medhurst.

C. The “Revelation” Component

We are “led by the Spirit” both in & out of the pulpit.

“An essential characteristic of leadership is the ability

to receive truth from God. This is essential in building

6
Bill Hull, The Disciple Making Pastor, p.96.

Are You Called? Part 4 – Dave Harvey

Copyright 1996 Sovereign Grace Ministries
7505 Muncaster Mill Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
www.sovereigngraceministries.org
 Page 4 of 10
the power base for spiritual authority -- the prime
influence for a godly leader. It is also an integral part
of a leader’s methodology in getting guidance for
ministry. Leaders greatly used of God have exhibited
love for truth. They study the written Word to feed
their own souls, as well as to help those to whom
they minister. They are quick to discern God’s truth in
everyday life. They learn to hear the voice of God
through the ministry of other people. One would
expect God to develop a leader in his ability to
appreciate truth, to cultivate habits of truth intake,
and to obey truth.”
-Dr. J. Robert Clinton7
Unction and the effusion of power

“[Regarding Spurgeon] He believed more in

preparing himself than in delivering the
sermon. He strove to get his heart into the
message.”
-Lewis Drummond8

Note Addendum VII

D. The “Vision” Component

The ability to interpret and communicate the mission/message

in a compelling way.

“Where there is no vision, the people are

unrestrained; but happy is he who keeps the
law.”
-Prov. 29:18 (NAS)

7
Dr. J. Robert Clinton, The Making of a Leader, p.142.
8
Lewis Drummond, Spurgeon: Prince of Preachers, p.306

Are You Called? Part 4 – Dave Harvey

Copyright 1996 Sovereign Grace Ministries
7505 Muncaster Mill Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
www.sovereigngraceministries.org
 Page 5 of 10

Casting “Vision”

“The capacity to create a compelling picture

of a preferable future that inspires people to
perform.”
-Warren Bennis9

“A picture of a preferable future.”

-Jim Dethmar10

Questions to consider in examining your vision component:

a) Do people tend to be interested & influenced by my

ideas?

“The central task of leadership is influencing

God’s people toward God’s purpose.
-Dr. J. Robert Clinton11

“If one wonders whether he has the call, he

should ask himself whether he usually makes
matters worse or makes them better when he
gets involved in a situation.”
-Joel Nederhood12

b) Can I inspire folks to see the eternal implications of their

present actions?

“The greatest tragedy of man today is that he

has lost the sense of eternity in his heart and
mind.”
-Brian H. Edwards13

9
Warren Bennis,
10
Jim Dethmar,
11
Dr. J. Robert Clinton, The Making of a Leader, p.203
12
Joel Nederhood, The Preacher & Preaching, edited by Samuel T. Logan, Jr. p.52.

Are You Called? Part 4 – Dave Harvey

Copyright 1996 Sovereign Grace Ministries
7505 Muncaster Mill Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
www.sovereigngraceministries.org
 Page 6 of 10

c) Can I see and lead people through the changes

required to fulfill a vision?
Study of Acts 6

d) Can I influence people towards “biblical risk” for a

vision?

Study of Matthew 25

‘The power of inspiring other to service and

sacrifice will mark God’s leader. His
incandescence sets those around him alight.’”

-Oswald Sanders14

e) Can I devise ways to creatively reinforce a vision?

"A man who has really within him the

inspiration of the Holy Ghost calling him to
preach, cannot help it -- he must preach. As
fire within his bones, so will that influence be,
until it blazes forth. Friends may check him,
foes criticize him, despisers sneer at him, the
man is indomitable; he must preach if he has
the call of Heaven....
"I think it is no more possible to make
a man cease from preaching, if he is really
called, then to stay some mighty cataract, by
seeking, in an infant's cup, to catch the
rushing torrent. The man has been moved of
Heaven, who shall stop him? He has been
touched of God, who shall impede him? . .
"And when a man does speak as the
Spirit gives him utterance, he will feel a holy
joy, akin to that of Heaven; and when it is
over, he wishes to be at his work again, he

13
Brian H. Edwards, Revival, p.42.
14
John MacArthur, (quoting J. Oswald Sanders), Pastoral Ministry, p.294.

Are You Called? Part 4 – Dave Harvey

Copyright 1996 Sovereign Grace Ministries
7505 Muncaster Mill Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
www.sovereigngraceministries.org
 Page 7 of 10
longs to be once more preaching."
-Charles Spurgeon15

III. Confirming the Called Man

Confirmation: The process whereby God’s call is revealed to the man

& made evident to those around him and/or over him.

“Our authority is derived conjointly from God and from the

Church – that is, originally from God – confirmed through the
medium of the Church. The external call is a commission
received from and recognized by the Church, according to
the sacred and primitive order; not indeed qualifying the
Minister, but accrediting him, whom God had internally and
suitably qualified. This call communicates therefore only
official authority. The internal call is the voice and power of
the Holy Ghost, directing the will and the judgment, and
conveying personal qualifications. Both calls, however –
though essentially distinct in their character and source – are
indispensable for the exercise of our commission.”
-Charles Bridges16

A. Internal Confirmation

“He is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart

on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.”
-1Tim. 3:1 (NIV)

a) Defining “the desire.”

“If God seems to direct us into a career of ministry,

then we should examine not only the inward,
subjective leading, but also the outward, objective
facts. Some of the following questions may prove
helpful in determining God’s call.

15
Arnold Dallimore (quoting Charles Spurgeon), Spurgeon, p.30.
16
Charles Bridges, The Christian Ministry, pp.91-92

Are You Called? Part 4 – Dave Harvey

Copyright 1996 Sovereign Grace Ministries
7505 Muncaster Mill Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
www.sovereigngraceministries.org
 Page 8 of 10

Subjective criteria:

Do I think I am called?
Do I desire the ministry?
Do I feel I must be involved in the ministry?

Objective criteria:

Do I meet the appropriate qualifications?

Do I have confirmation from other believers?
Do I have the necessary spiritual gifts?
Do I have a genuine concern for other people?

Such an examination can assure us that we

are placing appropriate emphasis on both
subjective and objective aspects of our
decision.
-John A. Bernbaum
& Simon M. Steer17

B. External Confirmation

This maybe even more necessary than internal confirmation.

Question: Why more necessary?

Answer: The doctrine of sin!

The doctrine of sin teaches us that we must be appropriately

suspicious of our desires and heart.

a) Indwelling sin may affect our ability to infallibly evaluate

our calling.

b) Therefore, external confirmation is critical.

“The judgment of Christian friends, and

specially of experienced ministers, might be

17
John A. Bernbaum & Simon M. Steer, Why Work? Careers and Employment in Biblical
Perspective, p.40.

Are You Called? Part 4 – Dave Harvey

Copyright 1996 Sovereign Grace Ministries
7505 Muncaster Mill Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
www.sovereigngraceministries.org
 Page 9 of 10
useful in assuring the mind, whether or not
the desire for the work be the impulse of
feeling rather than of principle, and the
capacity be self-deceiving presumption.”
-Charles Bridges18

Introducing Stefan

“To be frank, there is little hope for a person who will

not accept the authority of the local church. There is
no basis on which to guide him. He will respond when
he wants; he will resist when he wants. He will live a
life filled with blind spots that will keep him from
God’s best. His life will include unnecessary
suffering, because he didn’t accept the protection of
his brothers and sisters in Christ. Some suffering is
necessary, but a great deal of it directly results from
resistance to the church’s authority in his life. The
person who will not accept the authority of the local
church has a second flaw. He believes there is a
difference between God’s authority and the authority
in the local church. There are some important
distinctions between God and His leaders. God’s
authority is perfect, and God’s leaders are imperfect.
God doesn’t make mistakes, but God’s leaders do.
God’s judgment is perfect; His leaders’ judgments are
flawed. In spite of the fallibility of the church’s
leaders, their authority is God’s authority. Their
authority comes from God, and to disobey, resist, or
deny their authority is to rebel against God.
-Bill Hull19

“Leaders in the Ministry Maturing phase must learn to

submit to authority in order to learn how to use
authority properly.”
-Dr. J. Robert Clinton20

18
Charles Bridges, The Christian Ministry, pp.100-101.
19
Bill Hull, The Disciple Making Pastor, p.162.
20
Dr. J. Robert Clinton, The Making of a Leader, p.108

Are You Called? Part 4 – Dave Harvey

Copyright 1996 Sovereign Grace Ministries
7505 Muncaster Mill Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
www.sovereigngraceministries.org
 Page 10 of 10

Involve others in your assessment. Don’t trump your friends

with the “internal confirmation.”

“The will of the Lord concerning pastors is made

known through the prayerful judgment of his church.”
-Charles Spurgeon21

IV. Where Do I Go From Here?

A.

B.

C.

D.

21
John MacArthur (quoting Charles Spurgeon), Pastoral Ministry, p.106

Are You Called? Part 4 – Dave Harvey

Copyright 1996 Sovereign Grace Ministries
7505 Muncaster Mill Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
www.sovereigngraceministries.org