Called and Confirmed

What happens when people question your calling? Or when you start questioning it yourself? We turn to Numbers 17 and the story of Aaron's staff that blossomed overnight. This passage reminds us that it's not up to us to prove ourselves or manufacture fruit. God Himself affirms His call and makes life flourish where we cannot.

If you have ever felt overlooked, doubted, or weary from striving, this sermon offers assurance and hope: you don't have to make your staff blossom. God does.

Other Episodes in this series:

1. Called to be with Him
2. Called and Confirmed
3. Called to Obey (September 22)

Linkoln shares his story on why he started coming to Ravenna Church of the Nazarene and shares why you should consider doing the same.

Ravenna Church of the Nazarene
530 Main Street, Ravenna, KY 40472

Transcript

*not a word for word transcript but the sermon manuscript*

I AM CALLED

PART TWO: CALLED AND CONFIRMED

Most of us have seen the painting Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh. Today, Van Gogh is considered one of the greatest artists in history. In fact, in 2022, one of his paintings, Orchard with Cypresses, sold for over 117 million dollars.

But here’s the thing: during his lifetime, Van Gogh only sold one painting. People questioned his worth, his talent, and even his calling as an artist. And Van Gogh questioned himself too. He wrestled with self-doubt, mental health, and poverty. When he died, he never knew the impact his work would eventually have.

If we’re honest, most of us know what that feels like in some way. To be doubted. To have our contributions overlooked by co-workers. To have classmates dismiss our worth. To have family members fail to believe in our potential. Or worse — to feel that way about ourselves: Am I really cut out for this? Am I enough? Did God really call me?

Even Moses, listed in the Hall of Fame of faith in Hebrews, faced this. Along with his brother Aaron, his leadership was questioned. Israel grumbled and doubted if they were truly chosen by God. In the passage we’re looking at today, God Himself settles the debate — not with words, but with blossoms.

Numbers 17:1-9: (CEB)

1 The LORD spoke to Moses: 2 Speak to the Israelites and take from them a staff from each household, from each of the chiefs of their households, twelves staffs. Write each person’s name on his staff. 3 Write Aaron’s name on Levi’s staff, for there will be one staff for the leader of each household. 4 Then you will place them in the meeting tent in front of the chest containing the covenant, where I meet you. 5 The staff of the person I choose will sprout. Then I will rid myself of the Israelites’ complaints that they make against you.

6 Moses spoke to the Israelites, and each of their chiefs gave him a staff, one staff for each chief and his household, twelve staffs, and the staff of Aaron was with their staffs. 7 Moses placed the staffs before the LORD in the meeting tent. 8 The next day Moses entered the covenant tent, and Aaron’s staff of Levi’s household had sprouted. It grew shoots, produced blossoms, and bore almonds. 9 Moses brought out all the staffs from the LORD’s presence ot the Israelites. They saw what happened, and each person took back his staff. 

This is the word of God

For the people of God

Thanks be to God

We’re in the middle of a series called “I Am Called.” The heart of this series is simple: because the Great I AM calls us, we can live with identity, assurance, and mission. Last week, we focused on identity — that before we can do anything for Jesus, we first have to be with Jesus. Our calling begins with who we are in Him, not what we do for Him. This week, we’re stepping into Numbers 17, where the question shifts: What happens when your calling is questioned? By others or by yourself.

Moses and Aaron have just dealt with a rebellion in Numbers 16. The people rose up, saying, “You have gone too far—the whole community is holy, why should you lead us?” Even though God judged that rebellion, the grumbling did not stop. Israel kept questioning whether Moses and Aaron were truly chosen.

God gives Moses a plan in Numbers 17:1–5. Each of the leaders from the twelve tribes of Israel is to bring his staff to the Tabernacle — including Aaron. Now, these staffs were not just walking sticks. They were carved, inscribed, and carried as symbols of leadership and tribal identity. The one who held the staff represented the tribe.

Moses was to write each leader’s name on his staff and place them before the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark, God’s throne of mercy, represented His presence among His people. Placing the staffs there was like saying: “God, you decide. You choose.” And God said, “I will show whom I have chosen.”

So Moses leaves the staffs overnight. Think about it — these are sticks. Dry, dead pieces of wood. Symbols of power, yes, but lifeless. Then, in verse 8, the miracle: “Moses entered the tent, and Aaron’s staff had sprouted. It grew shoots, produced blossoms, and bore almonds.” God does not just make Aaron’s staff sprout a little green. He takes what was dead and makes it bud, blossom, and bear fruit — undeniable proof of His call.

Everyone sees it. Each leader takes back his staff, except Aaron. Aaron’s staff is set apart, placed before the testimony — kept as a continual reminder that God Himself had affirmed Aaron’s call, and by extension, Moses’ leadership too. 

What does this teach us? The people were grumbling, questioning whether Moses and Aaron were really called. But Moses and Aaron didn’t put themselves into these roles — God called them. And God Himself affirmed that call.

That matters for us too. When others question whether God has really called us — or when we question it ourselves — our instinct is usually one of two things: Either to prove ourselves by forcing results, or to give up, convinced we’ll never measure up.

But this passage shows us something different: it is not up to us to manufacture blossoms. Our worth and calling are not decided by human votes or opinions. The fruit of our lives is God’s work, not ours.

And this truth stretches across the whole Bible. Aaron’s dead staff blossomed with life. But Jesus, our greater High Priest, went further: He Himself was dead, and God raised Him up in resurrection life. His victory is the ultimate affirmation. And now, in John 15, Jesus tells us that fruit comes not from striving but from abiding in Him.

This is the rhythm of grace: God’s prevenient grace calls us. His sanctifying grace makes us blossom. His Spirit assures us that we are His.

When you feel pressure to prove yourself, rest in God’s affirmation. When others question your calling, remember, it is God who makes it blossom. When you’re tempted to compare your staff to someone else’s, focus on faithfulness, not fruit-counting. When you feel unseen or unqualified, know that God is awake, watching over His word to fulfill it.

And do not miss this: the staff blossoming was not just for Aaron. It was for Moses. It was for all Israel. God’s affirmation was a testimony for the whole community.

Your assurance will come from God, not from you, and when it does, it will not just strengthen your faith. It will strengthen the faith of those around you.

     When people are questioning your calling, or when you are questioning yourself, do not try to make it happen. You do not have to make your staff blossom. You do not have to prove yourself. God makes your calling blossom—not you.