Preach the Gospel
Preached by Apostle Aje Pelser, Harvester Reformational Church, Cape Town, Jan, 2024

Here is how the apostle Paul was called to preach the Gospel
Gal 1:12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Gal 1:13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.
Gal 1:14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
Gal 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace,
Gal 1:16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood,

Processes that help you preach the Gospel:
1. REVELATION: The Spirit of the Lord will reveal the love of Jesus and the power of His resurrection to you.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

But even though Paul received a personal visit from Jesus, he still had to hear from his brothers in Christ like Ananias, who prayed for him to receive the Holy Spirit and to be healed. There is the balance in calling – you are called by God, but we need each other.

Act 22:7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’
Act 22:8 So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’
Act 22:9 “And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me.
Act 22:10 So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’

2. CHANGE: The Spirit of God will turn your life upside down, and change your former conduct:
Act 8:1 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Act 22:3 “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.
When apostle Paul showed willingness to endure tremendous suffering for the Way that he persecuted, people glorified God. Jesus’ love has the power to transform anyone. Let’s not give up too soon on our friends! Play the long game!

3. GRACE: God calls you through His grace to also reveal His Son Jesus in and through you:
Act 22:21 Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’ ”

Others will see the call of God on your life if you become led by the Spirit and you will also receive impartation and instructions from your fellow believers. Even though Jesus called Saul personally, he told him to go to where Ananias would tell him what to do! God uses His servants to help shape your calling.
Act 9:14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”
Act 9:15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.
Act 9:16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
Act 9:17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Act 9:18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

4. Preaching Christ
What Saul received from the Lord, is the decoding of the Old Covenant through faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God:
Act 9:20 Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.
Act 9:21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?”
Act 9:22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

5. Calling
Your calling can be determined by looking back at the areas where you excelled and failed. There are many pointers in your past that can direct your calling into the future.
For instance, you had a real desire to see the world. God has placed nations in your heart. It’s not just for your own curiosity and pleasure that God places a desire in your heart.
Some people have a tremendous capacity for people, and they can really take a sincere interest in them. Shepherding comes naturally.

You’ll find some people who love a challenge and take more risks. Paul was like that, he went 100% in the wrong direction, then met Jesus and went 100% in the right direction all the way to his martyrdom. When prophet Agabus tried to stop him going to Jerusalem because he saw he would be arrested there, Paul replied saying that he was also willing to die there! But he must see Rome and testify to Caesar!

There is a great scene in a recent movie about Paul and Luke, where the physician says to the old, battered apostle in the prison cell: “Before I met you I had a great life!” then they both laugh and realize God’s calling comes at a high price.

We have been talking about the cross of Jesus Christ in the gospel, that if we want to be His disciples, we should deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him and His principles.
How many churches still preach that?

I think God is speaking to us to make our calling and election sure:
2Pe 1:10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;
2Pe 1:11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Let us help you with your calling and election in the kingdom of God. We have experienced five-fold ministers who can walk with you on your journey into glory! More importantly that our personal calling, is the souls we will reach for Jesus and the beautiful church that He is building founded on the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ the Chief cornerstone. Eph. 2:20
Contact us – aje@harvesterchurch.net or office@harvesterchurch.net