I have been asking Dr Steven Lawson, our current Featured Preacher some more questions about his approach to an expository ministry. His answers will appear over the next days.

The latest question I asked him was

What advice would you give to a young man who is wondering whether God is calling him into a preaching ministry, firstly in terms of recognising the genuineness of a call and secondly in acting on it?

His reply:

Recognizing the call to preach requires great discernment from the Lord. There are several keys that I think any young man must carefully weigh.

First, there must be a deep conviction in the truth of God’s Word. If one is called to be a herald of the truth, then he must feel deeply committed to the gospel and the core doctrines that are taught in the Scripture. He must sense that a sacred stewardship has been entrusted to him in the gospel. Within his heart, he becomes one with the biblical message. He feels that the burden of the Lord has been laid upon him. He firmly believes the message in his innermost being and as a result, must speak it. The apostle Paul wrote, “I believed, therefore I spoke” (2 Corinthians 4:13). The one called to preach possesses a “full conviction” toward the truth that comes from the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 1:5).

Second, there must be a holy compulsion in his heart to preach the Word. He senses that he is under obligation to teach the Word (Romans 1:14). What is in the heart must come out of the mouth. That is to say, he must feel a fire in his bones that must find expression in the form of preaching. This is something that God places in the soul of every man whom He calls to minister His Word. Preaching becomes something more than “that which” he would like to do. Rather, preaching is that which he must do. The apostle Paul writes, “I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:16). So it is in the heart of the one who is called to preach—he must do so.

Third, there must be a supernatural capacity that is given by God to preach the Word. In other words, the one who is called to preach will be spiritually gifted to do so. There must be a God-given ability evidenced in such a person’s life. There will be a sharp mind for the truth. There will be a supernatural desire to read and study the Word. There will be an ability—undeveloped as it will be at the beginning—to stand up before a group and communicate the essential truths of a text of Scripture.

Fourth, there must be a collective confirmation from others, who observe that person’s life and ministry. It is one thing to think that you have the gift of preaching, but something else entirely for others to bear witness to this. The spiritual leaders of one’s church, as well as those who have exposure to this person’s life and ministry, should validate such a call.

In responding to what one would sense to be the call of God to preach, I urge young men to present themselves to their pastor and church leaders in order to seek their counsel, prayers, and support. Those who shepherd the flock will have great insight into the life of one who is being called by God to minister His Word.

Further, such a young man should step forward to preach and teach wherever there are opportunities. It may be in a small group Bible study, or in a nursing home, or on a college campus, or wherever God opens doors. A young man, under the supervision of his spiritual leaders, should begin to test the water in a safe and secure environment. He needs to know: does this bring great joy and excitement to my heart? Are others benefited and blessed when I minister the Word? Can I see myself doing this the rest of my life? Do I sense God’s pleasure as I minister His Word?