Last month, I began teaching a new Sunday School class at my church. Although I have never been to Bible college, I have served as a fill-in pastor for two Baptist and one United Methodist churches since I surrendered my life to Christ in 1988. About a year and a half ago, my pastor approached me with the idea and vision of starting a new Sunday School class. At the time, I did my best to give the Pastor every reason I could think of not to do the new class. It wasn’t because I didn’t know how to study the Bible or to create lessons and present them to a group of people. Between pastoring and teaching at the college level, those things come as almost a second nature. What made it different is that since 2006 I rededicated my life to the Lord.
It was that I doubted my ability to teach a Sunday School class or even the age group. The class would be adult-focused but on younger Christians in the faith – roughly the same age range that I teach in my college courses. The class would focus on something that I have always felt a strong pull towards – Christian discipleship. Instead of seeing it as an opportunity to use my skills and talents for the Lord, as I often teach here, I actually began to wonder if I were to take the class if it would simply be another item in a long list of spiritual failures. I was not fearing failure for me, but simply did not want to do anything else that might embarrass my Lord and Savior, Jesus. I began to do what I often do when faced with a difficult situation – I began to ask God to let me know what His plan for my life would be and then determined to do it. That evening, as I began to do my personal devotional reading, a verse jumped off the page at me: For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance (Romans 11:29). God used this verse as a personal reminder that the gifts He has given me, the ability to research, to teach others, public speaking are not only gifts from Him, but are to be used according to His plan. He gave me these gifts, and in spite of all my faults and failures, He has no regrets in giving me these gifts and talents or in calling me to use them for His glory.
I decided to accept the Sunday school class for one reason – it was set before me by the Lord Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul understood that there would be struggles in our walk with the Lord as we are led by the Holy Spirit: Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2). What Paul is writing about is something that anyone that has ever followed the leading of the Holy Spirit has had to deal with at some time or another. Paul encourages us to do the things that God has called us to do and reminds us of the very reasons that we should be doing them with a willing heart. Whether it is being a Sunday school teacher, a deacon, a pastor, or any other position God calls us to serve in, we are always being watched by the great cloud of witnesses – other church members, family, friends, coworkers, Satan, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The only one that’s watching us that should even remotely matter to us is what the Lord Jesus Christ will say. It doesn’t matter what others think, our efforts should show our love of the Lord. We should do all things that we do for the Lord. We should not worry about what others are doing but should focus on doing what has been set in front of us. I do not have time to worry about the things that God has called anyone else to do, how they are doing it, or to what extent they are being faithful in their service – I must spend my time doing the things that the Lord would have me do. I must also be patient and consistent in those things that God has set in front of me so that I do them in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. It doesn’t matter if the position was Sunday School teacher, usher, or any other position, as a Christian and as the person God has selected for that position, there is an understanding that we must work to our utmost ability to do what God has for us to do. No, my salvation does not depend on how well I do anything for the Lord, but because of the price He did pay for my salvation, I owe Him the best that I can give.
There is a peace the believer experiences when they become willing to follow God’s plan for their life. Yes, this includes our service within the local New Testament church. There is a calmness and peace in knowing that through our obedience to the Holy Spirit, we are drawn closer to God which not only enriches us, but encourages us and allows us to mature in our faith. If you’re reading this and you have felt God leading you into a direction where you’re to serve in your local church, have faith! God’s calling for you is without repentance. He knows your abilities, your potential, skills, and weaknesses. All he wants is our willingness to do the work.
