INTRO: The life of God's preacher and of true Christians is not an easy one. The Bible portrays the life of a man God calls to be His spokesman before the people is a stormy one. It is a life that could easily end in failure.

A response to an article on my web site by a woman said, “Contention is of the Devil and that's what your articles try to spread. Why don't ya'll spend sometime living gospel principles instead of persecuting others, maybe you are like the Pharisees who persecuted Christ?”

What is it that can keeps the man who has placed his faith in God steadfast in the storm that will surely come?

What is it that see us thru the darkest of nights. When you feel abandoned, alone, afraid of what might become of you, Like Elijah you could have a Jezebel, pursuing you. In any case Satan and his demons are surely going to attack you if you are preaching God’s word and seeking the lost.

Where is the answer? If you are a child of God, committed to serving your Savior the answer is simple.

Your salvation and way to overcome is based in the immutable promises of God.

What a paradox can be seen in the Life of Moses. He was called to lead God's chosen people. The people to whom God had so privileged as to be the only people on the earth at that time that God would reveal himself too. They had the knowledge of God and His mercy and grace.

Yet, at every turn, Moses as the leader God choose ran into trouble. Satan was trying to destroy God’s chosen people who through would come Jesus Christ our redember. It made little difference that Moses was specially called by God. It made little difference that God had worked great miracles through Moses. Trouble pursued him.

The children of Israel had been praying to God to deliver them from Egypt. And God sent Moses to lead them out of bondage.

Moses' only desire was to obey God. He believed God, and thus had no other course open to him but to lead God chosen people. The Lord promised him the He would be with him. He loved the Lord and his kinsmen and he obey God.. He gave up the material riches of world and prestige to lead his people out of slavery.

As the Pharoah's adopted son, he could have been one of the richest and most powerful men in the world, yet God had given him a call and with the call a burden, for God's people and it directed his whole life.

As he listened to God, and tried faithfully to lead the people, passing on God's instruction to them. But they murmured and complained bitterly. They accused this man who had given up the riches of Egypt of leading the children of Israel for personal gain.

His own brother Aaron and his sister, led a revolt against him. They said "has not God spoken through us also." (Num. 12:2)

Even after God struck Miriam and Aaron down, clearly affirming that God had chosen Moses and was pleased with his leadership, the people still continued to murmur against God's man. Even seeing Mose’s compassion asking God to remove leporsy from Miriam he pleaded with God to heal her.

You would think they would have feared God. Even after God struck down Korah and his sons and consumed them, who had rebelled at Moses leadership. The people accused Moses of causing their deaths.

Psalms 106:12 says, "they believed God's words, they sang God's praise” But, V13.. “They soon forgot His works; they waited not for His counsel: but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert"

V16, says they envied Moses and Aaron.

V23, God would have "destroyed them, had not

Moses, His chosen pastor and prophet stood before Him in the breach, to turn away His wrath, God whould have destroyed them."

Can you understand how Moses felt? Can you feel a sympathy and understanding for his plight?

Called of God, he had no course but to obey God. He had to follow God, yet as he did he suffered greater scorn and ridicule from the people. When you truly believe and obey God....that is your only course.

I remember Paul’s words, “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16)

He could not quit and thus let himself become guilty of opposing God's will. Yet if he continued he would reap the hatred of own family and kinsman.

As the pages of Biblical history unfold it is a sad but glorious commentary a few devout men, gave all to follow the God they loved.

IT IS NOT A SAD in SPIRTUAL TERMS, BUT A COMMENTARY TO REJOICE IN AND PRAISE GOD FOR FAITHFUL MEN AND WOMEN, WHO GAVE THERE ALL TO THE SAVIOR WHO GAVE His all for them

READ (Hebrews 11:32-40)------------------------------------

God recorded Moses' testimony saying he ". . . esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward." (Heb 11:26)

The Apostle Paul, carried God's wonderful and marvelous Good News of the coming of the Savior the Lord Jesus Christ also experienced the scorn of the religious lost. He bore the fiery darts of Satan and his demons.

You can understand Paul's frustration and sorrow in the beginning of his ministry, as the Jews rejected the message of Christ their Messiah had come. Churches were begun, yes. Some were saved, but still his countrymen the Jews ran him out of city after city. There was even a band of forty men who vowed not to drink or eat till Paul they had killed Paul. (Acts 23:21)

Ladies and Gentleman are we also preaching the same Gospel that so infuriated the lost Jews?

“Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.” (Acts 17:3)

Are you dishearten when you pour you heart and soul into preaching and teaching God’s word and it is received with apathy?

It’s the same today as in Paul’s day, “But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.” (Acts 17:5)

I do not believe in reincarnation, but gentleemen I think I know have met some of these same lewed fellows or their decedents.

He experienced great pain and hurt when some in the very churches he had established turned from the truth as Galatians record. Some turned on him cruelly condemning him for his looks, his ability to preach, his motives (accusing him for serving for personal gain). Have you had that happen to you.

Even some, as Galatians 1 records, that he had so loving won to Christ, had a bent towards turning to false doctrine and following those that Satan sent in the church to destroy it. He wrote the Epistles to the Galatians, Colossians, and the Corinthians trying to correct their error and turn them to the Truth. To commend them to the blessing of God.

Some at Corinthian had turned from the truth. 1 Corinthians 1:14 Paul said he was thankful he had only baptized two of the convert there.

To the Philippians he wrote, “The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.” (Philippians 1:16-17)

It must have broken his heart. It surely had a serious effect on him. He is no different than you and I.

All this presents a gloomy, sad-disheartening-seemly- hopeless picture. Paul was a student of the Old Testament I am sure many times the statement of Job came to his mind.

"Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him." (Job 13:15)

Have any of you ever felt despair at the task God has called you to? Felt anguish when men reject the Truth and believing a lie.

You see so clearly the destructive end to their unbelief. See the heartache that it will cause them, their families and friends. You struggle to show them the way of God, the way of peace and joy and there are times when they in turn away and loathe the Truth.

How wonderful when we are seeing souls saved! How wonderful to see God honored and glorified... to be on God's mountain top....but folks I think many of us have found there are more valleys than mountain tops.

Why this message and the examples God has given us in His word? Certainly not to cause God’s people to be discourgement, but to encourage them and lift their spirits.

We can say as Paul did, “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (2 Timothy 1:12)

It could lead to bitterness, hopelessness, despair and lost of zeal in serving God.

ILLUS: I heard a preacher in Denver 1998, at the Missions Conference tell of being treated terribly by his own pastor. He dreamed one night he was choking the man to death, but woke up before the man was dead. He was angry because he woke before getting the job done. He soon came to his senses and asked God to forgive him and he forgave the man who had so badly treated him. That is the only way for a child of God. Gentlemen....as God’s preacher that is the only way for you and I.

That is where the Joy and Hope come. When we obey God and know asssuredly He is please with us.

Dear friends, Christ knows how it feels to be rejected! He knows the depths of despair.

Read John 6:66-69....After the great miracles, Christ began to teach that men must surrender themselves to Christ completely.

The multitudes left Him. . Jesus turned to his disciples, "Will you go away also?"

Over and over he revealed to them who He was. All of Judea could have known....they saw the miracles He did, they heard the message...yet they rejected him, over and over again.

Was there any greater preacher than Christ Himself? Yet, He was betrayed by one of His own disciples. His own people, screaming in the streets cried for Him, their Messiah to be crucified.

Have any of us experienced even close to that degree of rejection and scorn?

The most tender scene I know in the Bible is Jesus weeping over Jerusalem:

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, {thou} that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” (MAT 23:37)

II. THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS WE MUST REMEMBER LEST WE BECOME DISCOURAGED AND FATHER AT OUR CALLING.

A. FIRST: WHO CALLED YOU?

1. "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry” (1 Timothy 1:12)

2. "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (ACTS 20:28)

ILLUS: The man truly called of God knows what I am talking about. He can understand what George W. Truett said about his call. An old Baptist deacon in Whitewright, TX, seeing the call of God on him challenged him to follow the Lord's will. Truett explained it this way he said, "I was thrown into the stream, and just had to swim."

ILLUS: Charles Spurgeon wrote:

When living as a child at my grandfather's in the country, I saw a company of huntsmen in their red coats riding through his fields after a fox. I was delighted! My little heart was excited; I was ready to follow the hounds over hedge and ditch. I have always felt a natural taste for that sort of business, and as a child, when asked what I would be, I usually said I was going to be a huntsman. A fine profession truly!

Many young men have the same idea of being a preacher of the Gospel as I had of being a huntsman--a mere childish notion that they would like the coat and the horn-blowing; the honor, the respect, the ease, and they are probably even fools enough to think, the riches of the ministry. (Ignorant beings they must be if they look for wealth in connection with the Baptist ministry)

It is a grave thing to be called to be a preacher of the Gospel.....yet it is a wondrous thing.

B. SECOND: WHAT IS THE CALL. What is the task the road we must follow.

1. Preach the Gospel...YES, and much more!! We are ministers of God and His servants. Those we serve are His sheep and they do not belong to us we don’t don't own them. He has chosen us to serve them in His stead and we must always understand that we cannot serve God without serving other people.

2. Earlier we read 1 Tim. 1:16, "Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting."

3. "For this cause I obtained mercy!.....that in ME Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering ....for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to everlasting life."

“But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. (Psalm 5:11)

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:11)

A: Paul said as recorded in Phil. 2:17,

"Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all."

B. Jack Gassaway a preacher friend shared with me statement that Dr. Billy Cline, who preaches on TV in Asheville, NC,

"Your future is as bright as the promises of God. It will accomplish God's purposes if you will obey...and remain faithful.

Our success is cannot be judged by worldly standard or understanding....if is solely judged by God...based on our faithfulness.

That means...sticking it out...keeping on....keeping on....whether there is outwardly success or not. Our strength is not in our own abilities, our success in doing God’s will is not dependant or even controlled by our circumstances. Our strength is in the immutable promised of God....that we who are “the just should live by faith.”

Personal note: On returning home from the conference I found the devils wolves had been working in the church. I cannot tell you how awful I felt of the hurt and pain I felt. I wanted to quit and almost did. Several faith souls in the church encouraged. I was bitter at this people that my dear wife and I had for six hard years, sacrificed so much to serve....and see them betray us. By God’s help I did not quit but resigned went back on deputation and as God directed saw Him establish two more sound biblical IFB churches.