David Diga Hernandez - Responding to the Call of God

I’m going to read you a very popular parable that Jesus told, which is found in Matthew chapter 25. Let’s start with verse 14. Jesus says, «Again, the kingdom of heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last, dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip. The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. However, the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time, their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, „Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.“ The master was full of praise. „Well done, my good and faithful servant! You have been faithful in handling this small amount; so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!“ The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, „Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.“ The master said, „Well done, my good and faithful servant! You have been faithful in handling this small amount; so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!“ Then, in verse 24, the master addresses the third servant. The servant with one bag of silver came and said, „Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.“ But the master replied, „You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest.“ This is a very sobering story about a master, who represents the Lord, going away on a trip and entrusting resources to his servants. The first two servants did something with what they had been given, but that third servant, afraid of how his master might respond to what he was doing, did absolutely nothing with it. One of the biggest mistakes that people make concerning the call of God is succumbing to the fear of being judged by God for making a mistake. Many Christians, many believers, are frozen in paranoia; they’re frozen in fear, afraid to take a step, afraid to do anything for God, and they’re afraid that they’re going to get to heaven and God is going to be angry with them, saying, „I didn’t call you to do that, and therefore I’m punishing you now.“ Now, I understand, let me balance this. We should not walk in presumption. I understand that we should hear from God to receive our assignments in life. I understand that we must be sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit, and I understand the desire to walk in the will of God, wanting to do what God has called you to do. However, some believers are so paranoid, so full of fear, that instead of stepping out and doing something—anything for God—they instead choose to do nothing, saying things like, „Well, I haven’t heard from God yet regarding whether I should move and do something for him.“ Now, this is a little bit of a tricky subject because, as I said, on one hand, I understand the need to avoid presumption. However, there are two extremes to this that we must understand. One extreme is the sin of presumption: just stepping out without really hearing from God, doing things in your own strength, by your own power, according to your own will and thoughts, without ever pausing to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. Then there is the other extreme: the one who stands still for fear that they might miss the will of God. There is a balance, a delicate harmony, that we must walk in. Hearing the voice of God concerning his call for our lives requires that we move. The Holy Spirit reveals to us progressively as we step forward. I’m going to show you something in Acts chapter 16. Here’s proof of what I’m saying—biblical proof. Acts chapter 16, verse 6, this is talking about Paul and Silas. The Bible says, „Next, Paul and Silas traveled to the area of Phrygia and Galatia because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. Then, coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas.“ Here, we see Paul and Silas moving along their journey, doing something for God—active in the ministry. As they moved along, the Holy Spirit would prevent them, correct them, and guide them not to step into a certain land. You see, the Holy Spirit guides those who move; he does not guide those who stand idly by in fear, saying, „I haven’t heard from God yet.“ I mean, the Bible says in Mark chapter 16, verse…