CALLED!
March 11, 2001 AM
Sermon Outline
Jude 1:1 and Rom 8:28
INTRO: In the New Testament there is a word used of disciples of Christ, which we probably do not use often to identify them. It is the word called. At times this word comes from invitation - at others it is from to call forth. Certainly, it refers to a change of position or status. When Jude wrote of disciples and noted they are sanctified and preserved, he added, ...and called. Dramatic changes in status had occurred!
I. THE MANNER OF THE CALLING?
A. We are called by Jesus
1. Rom 1:6 the called of Jesus
2. 2 Tim 1:9 who hath saved ... and called us...
3. 1 Pet 2:9 who hath called you out ..
4. He invited us ( Mt 11:28) - He called us forth, bade us (Lk 9:59)
B. We are called by Jesus by means of the gospel
1. 2 Thes 2:14 ... He called you by our gospel ...
2. God has placed great trust and power in the message of the gospel, the word
3. the call is not a mysterious experience - it is the operation of the word in the mind/heart
C. We are called by God, by the gospel into His kingdom
1. 1 Thes 2:12,13 ... called you unto His kingdom ...
2. now we see clearly a change of status, position
3. Col 1:12-14 here are three wonderful verses ... in v.13 we see clearly the change
II. WE ARE CALLED ...
A. Rom 8:28 According to Gods purpose
1. we will say more of Gods purpose in our lesson
2. but just here I want to emphasize that we are called to very specific things relating to Gods purpose
3. we are not called to do our own thing
B. 1 Pet 1:15 to be holy people
1. 1 Thes 4:7
2. called implies separation - distinction
3. so, 2 Cor 7:1 our calling is one of separation from the moral, religious impurities of a world engrossed in sin ... note Rom 6:12-16
C. Rom 1:27 To be saints
1. 1 Cor 1:2
2. saint is from same word as holy ... so, again, called to be holy
3. but our understanding, by years of use, is that saint is a special designation bearing some weight of years of proving, etc. fact: every Christian has been called to be a saint
4. and saint does bear the weight of personal purity, responsibility
D. Gal 5:13 Into liberty
1. from the bondage of the law and of sin
2. yet, this liberty is not absolute as some would like us to believe -
3. note Gal 5:7 - there is obedience in our liberty
4. ours, then, is the liberty which comes from living as God designed us to live ... 1 Thes 4:1,2 with Eph 5:8,10 ... are rails constraining, onerous to a train? no - its freedom is in running on, along the rails!
E. 1 Pet 3:9 To inherit a blessing
1. in 1:4 the apostle spoke of inheritance reserved ...
2. but the present passage explains that our heavenly inheritance (blessing) is conditioned on our being a blessing!
3. so, again, we see how that called is both privilege and responsibility
CLOSE: 2 Pet 1:10,11. make your calling ... sure. Yes, Christians are called. But one calling is a lifetime of response to the way which pleases God.
Cecil A. Hutson
04 March 2001