A. “Called” to “accept” Christ…”Called” to preach…”Called” to mission work…etc.
B. Language of Ashdod (Nehemiah 13:23-24)
A. Jesus Came to “Call” Sinners (Matthew 9:9-13)
B. Many “Called”, FEW chosen (Matthew 19:27--20:16) (Matthew 22:1-14)
A. “Called” by God (1 Corinthians 1:9) “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”
B. “Called” by Christ (1 Peter 5:8-10)
C. “Called” by the GOSPEL (2 Thessalonians 2:13-15)
A. “Called” to Eternal Life (1 Timothy 6:11-12) “But thou, O man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”
B. “Called” to Eternal Inheritance (Hebrews 9:14-15)
C. “Called” to be Holy (1 Thessalonians 4:7) “For God hath not called us to uncleanness, but unto holiness.” (1 Peter 1:13-16)
D. “Called” to Glory and Virtue (2 Peter 1:3) “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.”
E. “Called” Out of Darkness (1 Peter 2:9-10) “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”
F. “Called” to Liberty (Galatians 5:13-15) “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.”
G. “Called” to Suffer (1 Peter 2:18-25)
A. Jew AND Gentile are “Called” (Romans 9:21-26)
B. FEW Mighty and Noble are “Called” (1 Corinthians 1:23-26) “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness: But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see you calling brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called .”
C. God Doesn’t Require Us to STOP Being US…..Just to STOP Serving Sin (Romans 6:1ff; 1 Corinthians 7:18-24) (1) (2)
A. According to God’s Purpose (Romans 8:28) “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.” (2 Timothy 1:9) “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began…”
B. A “Calling” of HOPE (Ephesians 4:4) “There is one body, and one spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;.”
C. A “Calling” into ONE Body, or Church (Colossians 3:14-15) “And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” (1 Thessalonians 2:10-12) “Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.” (Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:4; Colossians 1:21-23; 1:12-13)
D. A “Calling” We Must Walk Worthy Of (Ephesians 4:1-3) “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.”
E. A “Calling” We Have to Make SURE (2 Peter 1:5-11; 2 Corinthians 13:5)
F. A “Calling” not FULLY Apprehended in this life (Philippians 3:1-14)
A. Paul Pleads in Christ’s Stead (2 Corinthians 5:17-21) “Therefore if any man be in Christ , he is a new creature, old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation: To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we [Apostles – EDR]are ambassadors for Christ as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
B. The Spirit and Bride Invite (Revelation 22:17) “And the spirit and the bride say, come. And let him that heareth say, come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”