A Background Check

These weekly devotionals I will be posting come from and are copyright to Pam Iannello, my pastor's late wife who went home to be with the Lord on June 18, 2008.






Matthew 4:18-22 (KJV)
And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. [20] And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. [21] And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. [22] And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

What do you think Jesus saw in these men that would prompt Him to call them to be leaders in His church? As we examine the background of these fishermen we will discover some of the attributes that are needed for the work of the ministry…

Jesus approaches these blue-collar men in the middle of their workday and offers two sets of brothers an outstanding promotion! Undoubtedly they were each reared in similar style…. But what I’d really like you to notice is the terminology that Christ uses in presenting the call of God…

“Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”

You will notice in scripture that the call of God to men is expressed in a few solemn words, which pierce the conscience and strike the heart. This isn’t a long drawn out mysterious process but quick and powerful and sharp as the Word of God always is! It is when men struggle with their response to God’s call that complexity is added to the whole procedure.

Jesus doesn’t say, “Leave your profession as a fisherman and come be a pastor now.” That would leave too much room for apprehension to present such a drastic career change to men who only knew the sea and all that’s in it! Instead, Christ invites each of them to bring along their experience as fishermen and couple it with what He has to teach them as they carry out the call of God. “Bring what you know and follow me – let Me lead you from this point on.” In other words, Leave your work place, but not your work ethic or acquired skills – they are what I need in my followers!

Now ladies, when you need a certain job done around the house a certain way, don’t you choose a certain child to carry it out? You pick the one you know has the skills and the work ethic to get it done promptly and perfectly. The concern isn’t how the skills were acquired, but that they are present!

So it is with Christ… His call is a call to work! Hence, we must train our children in such a way that they are designed for the WORK of the ministry if we would have Christ select them for use! The Lord does a background check before He offers position. Thus, God expects Christian parents to diligently prepare their children for the call of God, to put the right things into their upbringing. As seen in this story, they must have pliable hearts. If you are not training your children to “follow you” as soon as you speak, they will never view God’s will with the right respect.

Matthew 4:20 (KJV)
And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

Though we may have enlarged our personal competence by way of vocation, there are many other things we cannot learn unless we follow Christ! So, these are the men Jesus felt He could trust to do His work. God didn’t call them because of their profession; He didn’t call them because of their family background; He didn’t even call them because they wanted to be called – Christ called these certain fishermen because of their individual characteristics. The call is God’s to place, not ours to claim! Any man can desire the office of a bishop, but it is GOD’S decision whether or not they are qualified to fill that position.

1 Tim. 3:1 (KJV)
This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good WORK.

Mother, if you would see your children in the service of the Lord then you better raise them with the understanding that involvement in the ministry is WORK. God isn’t interested in men and women who “ pick” ministry life because it puts them in a holy light or a higher seat. Let God do the picking – you do the preparing! Look diligently into the background of your children and see if they are developing those necessary qualities that would capture God’s attention…

ATTRIBUTES OF A FISHERMAN

· Used to rising up early
· Developed the ability to wait for fish
· Worked by faith – never knew what the outcome of their efforts would be
· Sensitive to their surroundings/weather changes/discerning
· Marine life – tedious; timing; teamwork (not competitive)
· Bred to labor (thick skinned/callous)
· Worked well with family/other men – including father! (authority)
· Accustomed to hardship and hazard
· In the habit of looking upward for guidance (stars)
· Faced perilous times at sea (not queasy in storms)
· Often wet and cold and alone
· Accustomed to shouting!
· Mended nets – not frivolous but frugal
· Casting & drawing nets – strenuous, methodical work
· Brought fish from one element to another; knew them well
· Can tolerate the stench of lifeless fish (strong stomach)
· Separate from mainstream society – not concerned with being admired etc.
· Must have had wives who understood their work, not wimpy or whiny but strong in spirit


Having performed a background check on these men you can understand why the Lord would intentionally take a walk by the Sea of Galilee in search of some men He could put to work in the church! Though there was much these brothers still had to learn, they had already acquired some very essential attributes that the Lord could employ in making them overseers in the church. In doing our part as parents, our homes should supply Jesus with children bred to labor that He could immediately put to work in the ministry!

MANUAL AND MENTAL LABOR ESSENTIAL


Luke 2:42-49
And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. [43] And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. [44] But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. [45] And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. [46] And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. [47] And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. [48] And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. [49] And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

BUSINESS: that which occupies the time, attention, and labor of men for the purpose of profit or improvement.

No longer at home, Christ was found striving to grow in wisdom and in stature. The boy Jesus was carrying on the habits and beliefs that were significant to His parents. In performing a background check on Mary and Joseph, you would find they were both teachable persons and very sensitive to the will of God for their lives. Therefore, in view of His upbringing, one would think Jesus earthly parents would better understand and accept His absence than they did! Mary and Joseph frantically sought their son in places they used to find him – among friends and family. But He was no longer there… Jesus tarried in Jerusalem in search of religious exercise with well-informed doctors. (Where we tarry proves what is important to us!) This 12 year old longed for the opportunity to work in God’s field and expand His understanding. And those that heard Christ were astonished at His understanding and answers. It was obvious that He was raised for the work of the ministry… Yes, the Son of God was designed to take on the Father’s business. It was important to Him personally. Not only was Jesus called, He felt the call. Anybody can voice/state a calling, but when you feel it, a desire for personal growth and experience will be apparent! It was a MUST with God’s Son. What is a MUST with you?

Left on their own, do your children display signs of a strong desire for personal development - for God-honoring purposes – not competitive ones? Or do you always have to push them in a profitable direction? How do your children choose to spend their free time – playing computer games or practicing on an instrument? Reading a good book or watching television? Talking about scriptural matters or material things? Helping a friend or family member, or serving self? What kind of business captures the attention of their hearts - worldly or heavenly? Do you care?

Luke 2:52 (KJV)
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

FOUR WAYS THAT JESUS GREW
In wisdom (perception, judgment, intelligence, experience)
In stature (posture, carriage & physique – not sloppy, timid, or prideful strut)
In favor with God (personal holiness, obedience)
In favor with man (good reputation, respect)


Of these four ways, which one needs the most work in your life? Which one needs the most work in the lives of each of your children? Are you looking thoroughly into the quality of their upbringing? Are you raising them for the work of the ministry? Have they been nourished in the discipline and instruction of the Lord and informed of their duty towards God? Are they increasing their potential as a Christian young person? At the rate of their current progression, what is the probability that the Lord would call your son to preach? Could your daughter be a proper wife to a preacher or an asset to the local church in general? Is it easy to discern the fact that your children are receiving or have received a godly rearing?

Ephes. 6:4b (KJV)
…but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

DO A BACKGROUND CHECK BECAUSE YOU KNOW GOD DOES!


God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2004 Pamela A. Iannello Meet Ms. Pam

Other Rise and Shine Devotionals
New Beginnings Baptist Church Website