Any Christian has a right to disseminate the gospel who has the ability to do so; and more, he not only has the right, but it is his duty so to be as long as he lives. I do not in this lecture allude to occasional preaching but to the work and office of the Bishopric, in which is included both teaching and bearing rule in the church and separation from every secular calling. All are not called to labour in word and doctrine nor should all aspire to such works, since the gifts necessary are nowhere promised to all. No man may intrude into the shepherd fold as an undershepherd. He must wait for the call from above. If he does not do so, but rushes into the sacred office, the Lord will say of him and others like him, “I sent them not, neither commanded them;” Jer. 23:32. How may a young man know whether he is called or not?
The first sign of the heavenly call is an intense, all-absorbing desire for the work. In order to be a true call to the ministry there must be an irresistible, overwhelming craving and raging thirst for the telling of others what God has done for their own souls. Do not enter the ministry if you can help it, is good advice.
Secondly, there must be aptness to teach and some measure of other qualities needful for the office of a public instructor. A man to prove his call must make a successful trial of these. If a man be called to preach, he will be endowed with a degree of speaking ability, which he will cultivate and increase. If the gift of utterance be not there in a measure at first, it is likely that it will ever be developed.
Thirdly, in order to prove a man’s call, after a little exercise of his gifts, such as I have already spoken of, he must see a measure of conversion-work going on under his efforts, or he may conclude that he has made a mistake, and therefore go back the best way he can. It is a marvel to me how men continue at ease in preaching year after year without conversions. How are they sent of God who bring no men to God?
Men who since conversion have betrayed great feebleness and who seem to evidencs a propensity to fall into evil company and gross sin, let their professions be what they may. If they be truly penitent, keep in the rear ranks. Unstable as water they will not excel.
Lectures to my Students, Lecture II
(We will continue this subject with Mr. Spurgeon next month.)