The Call of God
Introduction
- Trouble sleeping during university due to a ticking clock
- Why? Because in those days my mother always called me
- God calling sinners and God calling us to Himself
- A call to repentance and faith
An External Call
- The call initially is a general/external call
- The general call is to all people
- Not everyone believes - some refuse the word
- Matthew's Gospel - two parables
- The man hiring labourers
- "For many are called, but few chosen" - Matt 20:16
- The wedding feast/banquet
- "For many are called, but few chosen" - Matt 22:14
- Many refuse the call of God
- Prov 1:24 - Wisdom has spoken but you have refused
- Either people accept or reject the gospel
- "Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble" - 2 Pet 1:10
- Calling and election - are these related?
- We call upon God but He is calling us
- " For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified." - Rom 8:29-30
An Internal Call
- There is an internal call - an effectual call
- How do you become a Christian?
- 2 Thess 2:14 - Quote
- It is not enough to know some facts about the gospel
- There has to be an approval/agreeing with these facts
- We must know and approve a personal trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins
- "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" - Acts 2:21
- Isa 55:1-13 - Call upon Jesus and He will kindly deal with you
- Proofs of the effectual call
- Called to be saints: 1 Cor 1:2
- Example of the adopted children
- The call is sure: 1 Pet 1:9
- Called to be separate and holy: "For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness" - 1 Thess 4:7
- Called to suffer:
- "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps" - 1 Pet 2:21
- "...not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing." - 1 Pet 3:9
Closing Remarks