We Are Called

By Samuel E. Ward September 16, 2012   Introduction (2 Th 2:13-15 NIV)  Thank God for you, brothers (and sisters) loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. {14} He called you to this through [the] gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. {15} So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. A. Being loved by God is something for which to be thankful, and we all are loved by God, John 3:16. B. Being chosen to be saved by the work of the Holy Spirit and our belief in the truth is something for which to be thankful. C. Being called by the message of the gospel to share in Christ's glory is something for which to be thankful. D. The way we express our thankfulness is to 1. Stand firm in the teachings of God' Word. 2. Hold true to the teachings of God's Word. 3. Understand that all of this is a purpose of God's calling you to this.  Using this passage as a starting point, it is my desire to lead you to a greater appreciation of this wonderful privilege of having been called by God into His family.  There are six points I want to make in order to accomplish this. 1. We Are Called from a Past Which Was Without a Future. 2. We Are Called to a Future Which Will Overwhelm Our Past. 3. We Are Called to a Challenging Present, However . . . (Well, you'll just have to wait and see.) 4. We Are Called by a Gracious, Faithful, Wise, and Powerful God. 5. We Are Called into a Loving Relationship. 6. We Are Called into a Loving Relationship. I. We Are Called from a Past Which Was Without a Future A. We were not among the "intellectual elite," or "the powerful," or "the well-born." (1 Cor 1:26 NIV)  Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. B. We were living in spiritual darkness. (1 Pet 2:9 NIV)  But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. II. We Are Called to a Future Which Will Overwhelm Our Past A. We know where our future lies. (Phil 3:14 NIV)  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 1. Our future is settled because God has settled it. (Rom 8:30 NIV)  And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. 2. Our inheritance is secure because God has bestowed it and His power will preserve it. (Eph 1:18-19a NIV)  I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, {19a} and his incomparably great power for us who believe. B. We know with whom our future shall be. (2 Th 2:13-14 NIV)  He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. C. We know our future is not without challenges along the way. However, . . . 1. Christ will bring us through our suffering. (1 Pet 5:10 NIV)  And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 2. Christ will keep the promise for which He died to obtain for us. (Heb 9:15 NIV)  For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance--now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. III. We Are Called to a Challenging Present, However,  . . . A. The challenges of our lives will turn out for our good—if we love god (Rom 8:28 NIV)  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. B. The challenges of our lives should not lead us to be slaves to sin. (Gal 5:13 NIV)  You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. C. The challenges of our lives must not lead us to walk unworthy of our calling . (Eph 4:1 NIV)  As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. (2 Th 1:11 NIV)  We constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. (1 Th 2:11-12 NIV)  For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, {12} encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. (1 Th 4:7 NIV)  For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. (2 Tim 1:9 NIV)  who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, (1 Pet 1:15 NIV)  But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; D. The challenges of our lives should be left with Christ so we can have his peace. (Col 3:15 NIV)  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. E. The sufferings in our lives are a part of our identifying with Christ. (1 Pet 2:21 NIV)  To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. F. The Blessing of Our Will Bring a Blessing to Us. (1 Pet 3:9 NIV)  Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. IV. We Are Called by a Gracious, Faithful, Wise, and Powerful God A. Gracious God (2 Tim 1:8-9 NIV)  Do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, {9} who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, B. Faithful God (1 Th 5:23-24 NIV)  May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. {24} The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. C. Wise and Powerful God (1 Cor 1:23-24 NIV)  We preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, {24} but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. V. We Are Called into a Loving Relationship A. His call is irrevocable (Rom 11:28-29 NIV)  As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, {29} for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable. God's dealings with Israel are proof of the irrevocability of His call. (Rom 11:28-29 NIV){30} Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, {31} so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God's mercy to you. B. His call is a promise to place us into fellowship with Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 1:8-9 NIV)  He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. {9} God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. C. His call is an expression of his lavish love. (1 John 3:1 NIV)  How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. VI. We Are Called to Join Christ on the Day He Overcomes His Enemies A. Hear the promise (Col 3:4 NIV)  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. B. Preview the promise (Rev 17:12-14 NIV)  "The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. {13} They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. {14} They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings--and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers." (Rev 19:11-15 NIV)  I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. {12} His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. {13} He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. {14} The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. {15} Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.