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Pastor Tim's Blog

connecting faith with everyday life

What does it mean to “be called”?

6/24/2022

 
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Discovering, embracing, and living out Jesus’ call for our lives is a part of our future together as His church family.

But, what does it mean to “be called”?

Some might say it’s the “inner leading” that draws us to something. Afterall, Elijah experienced God’s “still small voice” calling him (1 Kings 19:11-13). 

Others might equate it to a combination of a clear purpose and learned skill set (Genesis 1:28, Deuteronomy 28:12-13).

Yet, Biblical tradition suggests that affirmation is part of the equation, too (Acts 6:1-15).

This Sunday, we will discover what the Bible says about “being called” and experience Jesus’ calling in an up front and personal way.

What are inner and external calls? I’m glad you asked.

Inner Calls are those still small voices. As author and pastor Craig Groeschel calls it, it’s the “it”. You know when you have “it”. You know when you don’t have “it”. You’re drawn to “it” and “it” energizes you. You have an inner drive and passion to do more of “it”. Simply put, “it” is what you love. There’s nothing physically proving you have an inner call. It’s largely subjective and personal.

External Calls are those which you tangibly and physically possess. They’re the positions you hold. They’re the roles that you fill. They’re the opportunities you seize. Life examples include parenthood, child, and grandchild. Professionally, you can be called as a teacher, auto worker, baker, butcher, or small business owner. Civically, you’re “called” as a neighbor, citizen, and friend. All these external calls can be proven by a certificate, contract, or agreement. They’re usually given by somebody or a group of people - not assumed or experienced “on your own”.

Let’s apply inner and external calls to what we’re doing on Sunday.

Our inner call begins long before we arrive at church or log onto oslc.com. It begins with a desire to gather together. God’s Spirit (the Holy Spirit!) motivates, energizes, and creates a desire for us to “go to church”. We then experience inner calls during silent prayer and reflection as we confess our sins - personally and quietly; as we join our hearts together during the scripture reading and prayer times; and during our sermon time. Through music, we also are inspired and stirred to sing soft or loud… verbally or silently… our song is a response to the inner call of God - the Holy Spirit’s work in us!

Our external calls are bold and direct. We remember our baptisms as we shout, “amen” in response to our invocation, “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”. It’s a resounding agreement that we have both an inner call of faith to be here (we belong!) and that we are present with God and one another. We then are directly told that we are forgiven. Signed. Sealed. Delivered to us on the cross. And the proof is that Jesus lives to tell us. We’re then invited (called) to Jesus’ table to share bread and wine with Him and each other. We are then sent with Jesus’ blessing to do Jesus’ work in our homes, workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods. You can’t get more direct affirmation than this.

This Sunday we will celebrate inner and external calls in two special ways.
  • We want to affirm the 75 students and adults who have (digitally) signed an agreement to serve kids and their families at Vacation Bible School (VBS), next week. Their responsibilities are given, not assumed on their own. They’ve been equipped, and prepared to serve the over 200 kids and their families with the love of Jesus. They will have an opportunity to say, “yes, amen” to this “external call” during both services.
 
  • And, Trevor. He will have an opportunity to share his “inner call” story during our message time. Afterwards, we will affirm (or commission) his “external call” to serve as a Director of Christian Education through a formal ceremony acknowledging his promises to serve in this capacity and saying, “yes, we agree that God is really working in and through him!”. We’ll then send him out with blessings as he transitions from Our Savior to his new church family in Georgia.

I want to end with this… Have you felt God’s “inner call” to something, or do you want to discover God’s “inner” call in your life?

If you want to discover/rediscover that call and clarify what that specifically means, perhaps your next step is talking with a coach. A coach can help you discover and live in your calling.

You can learn more at oslc.com/coaching and schedule a time with them by scrolling to the bottom of that page.

Trust me, you will not be disappointed.


​Descubrir, aceptar y vivir el llamado de Jesús para nuestras vidas es parte de nuestro futuro juntos como la familia de Su iglesia.

Pero, ¿qué significa “ser llamado”?

Algunos podrían decir que es la "dirección interna" lo que nos atrae hacia algo. Después de todo, Elías experimentó la “voz apacible y delicada” de Dios llamándolo (1 Reyes 19:11-13).

Otros podrían equipararlo a una combinación de un propósito claro y un conjunto de habilidades aprendidas (Génesis 1:28, Deuteronomio 28:12-13).

Sin embargo, la tradición bíblica sugiere que la afirmación también es parte de la ecuación (Hechos 6:1-15).

Este domingo, descubriremos lo que dice la Biblia acerca de “ser llamado” y experimentaremos el llamado de Jesús de manera directa y personal.

¿Qué son las llamadas internas y externas? Me alegra que hayas preguntado.

Las llamadas internas son esas pequeñas voces tranquilas. Como lo llama el autor y pastor Craig Groeschel, es el “eso”. Sabes cuando tienes "eso". Sabes cuando no tienes "eso". Te sientes atraído por "eso" y "eso" te da energía. Tienes un impulso interno y una pasión para hacer más de "eso". En pocas palabras, "eso" es lo que amas. No hay nada que demuestre físicamente que tienes una llamada interna. Es en gran medida subjetivo y personal.

Las Llamadas Externas son aquellas que posees tangible y físicamente. Son los puestos que ocupas. Son los roles que cumples. Son las oportunidades que aprovechas. Los ejemplos de vida incluyen paternidad, hijo y nieto. Profesionalmente, puede ser llamado como maestro, trabajador automotriz, panadero, carnicero o propietario de una pequeña empresa. Cívicamente, eres “llamado” como vecino, ciudadano y amigo. Todas estas llamadas externas pueden acreditarse mediante un certificado, contrato o acuerdo. Por lo general, los da alguien o un grupo de personas, no asumidos o experimentados "por su cuenta".

​Apliquemos llamadas internas y externas a lo que estamos haciendo el domingo.

Nuestro llamado interno comienza mucho antes de que lleguemos a la iglesia o iniciemos sesión en oslc.com. Comienza con un deseo de reunirse. El Espíritu de Dios (¡el Espíritu Santo!) motiva, energiza y crea el deseo de que “vayamos a la iglesia”. Luego experimentamos llamadas internas durante la oración y la reflexión en silencio mientras confesamos nuestros pecados, personalmente y en silencio; mientras unimos nuestros corazones durante la lectura de las Escrituras y los tiempos de oración; y durante nuestro tiempo de sermón. A través de la música, también somos inspirados y motivados para cantar suave o fuerte... verbalmente o en silencio... nuestro canto es una respuesta al llamado interior de Dios: ¡la obra del Espíritu Santo en nosotros!

Nuestras llamadas externas son audaces y directas. Recordamos nuestros bautismos mientras gritamos, “amén” en respuesta a nuestra invocación, “en el nombre del Padre, y del Hijo, y del Espíritu Santo”. Es un acuerdo rotundo que tenemos un llamado interno de fe para estar aquí (¡pertenecemos!) y que estamos presentes con Dios y unos con otros. Entonces se nos dice directamente que somos perdonados. Firmado. Sellado. Entregado a nosotros en la cruz. Y la prueba es que Jesús vive para decírnoslo. Luego somos invitados (llamados) a la mesa de Jesús para compartir el pan y el vino con Él y entre nosotros. Luego somos enviados con la bendición de Jesús para hacer el trabajo de Jesús en nuestros hogares, lugares de trabajo, escuelas y vecindarios. No se puede obtener una afirmación más directa que esta.

​Este domingo celebraremos los llamados internos y externos de dos formas especiales.

  • Queremos afirmar a los 75 estudiantes y adultos que han firmado (digitalmente) un acuerdo para servir a los niños y sus familias en la Escuela Bíblica de Vacaciones (EBV), la próxima semana. Sus responsabilidades son dadas, no asumidas por sí mismas. Han sido equipados y preparados para servir a los más de 200 niños y sus familias con el amor de Jesús. Tendrán la oportunidad de decir “sí, amén” a esta “llamada externa” durante ambos servicios.
 
  • Y, Trevor. Tendrá la oportunidad de compartir su historia de "llamada interna" durante nuestro tiempo de mensaje. Posteriormente, afirmaremos (o comisionaremos) su “llamado externo” para servir como Director de Educación Cristiana a través de una ceremonia formal reconociendo sus promesas de servir en esta capacidad y diciendo: “sí, estamos de acuerdo en que Dios realmente está trabajando en y a través de ¡a él!". Luego lo enviaremos con bendiciones mientras hace la transición de Nuestro Salvador a su nueva familia de la iglesia en Georgia.

Quiero terminar con esto… ¿Has sentido el “llamado interior” de Dios a algo, o quieres descubrir el llamado “interior” de Dios en tu vida?

Si desea descubrir/redescubrir esa llamada y aclarar qué significa específicamente, tal vez su próximo paso sea hablar con un entrenador. Un entrenador puede ayudarlo a descubrir y vivir su vocación.

Puede obtener más información en oslc.com/coaching y programar una cita con ellos desplazándose hasta la parte inferior de esa página.

Créame, no se decepcionará.


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    ​Pastor Tim

    Meet Pastor Tim

    Tim Bayer has served as Our Savior's Lead Pastor since September 2019. He also serves as an Adjunct Instructor at Concordia University - Irvine, a National Leadership Facilitator and Resource, and with the Northwest District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.

    Tim studied sociology, psychology, and theology prior to earning his M.Div at Concordia Seminary - St. Louis. He also is a candidate for an Ed.D (ABD) in Transformational Leadership.

    He is married to Beth and they have three children. Together, they enjoy exploring the outdoors, experiencing culture, and pizza and movie nights.

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  • Home
  • Worship
    • Watch Live Online
    • Watch On Demand
  • Connect
    • Kids >
      • Sunday Kids Connect
    • Youth >
      • Confirmation
      • LCMS Youth Gathering
    • Adults >
      • Life Groups
      • Bible Studies
      • Men
      • Women
      • Young Adults
      • Young at Heart 55+
    • Find Care >
      • Prayer
      • Marriage
      • Parenting
      • Aging Well
      • Mental Wellness
      • Coaching
      • Justice
    • Get Baptized
    • Become a Member
    • Faith Milestones
    • Parenting
  • Serve
    • In Our Church
    • In Our Community
    • In Our World
  • Preschool
    • Registration
    • Preschool News
  • Resources
    • Events
    • Calendar
    • Coaching
    • Podcasts
    • Right Now Media
    • Churchcenter App
    • Pastor Tim's Blog
    • Church Business
    • Employment
    • Links & Files
  • Give