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Calling You Series

Contributed by Phillip Smith on Oct 10, 2017 (message contributor)

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Scripture: Revelation 3:20, John 12:32, 2 Peter 1:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Summary: Jesus is calling you to his Kingdom. Are you hearing His calling?

We hear of many differing ideas of the concept of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit calling mankind from darkness or sin into the light or unto righteousness. Some people have a big disagreement to the idea of being called out and deny its existence. Others believe it is possible but differ in how it is executed. Let’s consider the topic this morning and deliver possibilities to its existence through different factual events describing its happening throughout the existence of mankind. We will consider: (1) being called; (2) evidence of calling; (3) our personal calling, the chance of, will it happen, or when it happens in our lives.

I. Being Called—is it possible?

a. The idea of a calling has been around for centuries. Songs have been written suggesting a calling. We sing many of them regularly, such as:

i. ‘God is Calling the Prodigal’

ii. ‘I’ll Be Listening’—When my Savior calls I will answer…

iii. ‘Jesus is Calling’—Jesus is tenderly calling thee home, …

iv. ‘Where He Leads Me I Will Follow’

v. ‘Where He leads Me’—I can hear my Savior calling,…

vi. ‘Draw Me Nearer’

vii. ‘Softly and Tenderly’

b. Jesus says he will draw or call all men unto him.

i. John 12:32 (KJV) 32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

ii. John 6:44 (KJV) 44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

iii. Revelation 3:20 (KJV) 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

c. Scriptures mentioning calling or being called

i. 2 Peter 1:10 (KJV) 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

ii. Ephesians 4:1 (KJV) 4 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

iii. 1 Corinthians 1:20-26 (KJV) 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

iv. 1 Peter 5:10 (KJV) 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

v. 2 Timothy 1:9 (KJV) 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,

vi. 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV) 9 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;

vii. Jude 1:1 (KJV) 1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

II. Evidence of the Calling

a. LITERAL CALLING FROM GOD 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (KJV) 3 And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision. 2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; 3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; 4 That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. 5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down. 6 And the Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him. 8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child. 9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

b. LITERAL CALLING FROM GOD TO GENTILES Acts 10:1-6 (KJV) 1There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. 3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. 4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: 6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

c. MIRACULOUS INTERVENTION OF GOD’S ANGEL—PETER’S VISION Acts 10:17-20 (KJV) 17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, 18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. 19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

d. CALLING PRESCRIBES PREACHING AND TEACHING TRUTH Verse 34 and following—Peter teaches Cornelius

e. Verse 44 and following—Cornelius and his family and friends are saved

f. JESUS CALLING SAUL—IN Acts 9, we read of the conversion of Saul of Tarshish. Jesus calls Saul and tells him to go to Damascus where Ananias told him what to do to be saved.

III. Our Personal Calling

a. Jesus calls all men unto him because he has been lifted up.

i. Jesus has been lifted upon a cross to die for the sins of the world, therefore when he said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”

ii. We know and believe, he was lifted upon a cross, AND, he ascended back unto the father. 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Acts 1:9-11

iii. Jesus is drawing or calling you through his word, the Bible.

b. How have you been called today?

i. Paul says preachers and teachers are ambassadors for the cause of Christ. 2 Cor. 5:20 (KJV) 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

ii. Romans 10:11-14 (KJV) 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

iii. Preachers and Bible teachers, all over the world have been telling the story of Jesus for centuries.

c. Verify your calling—1 John 3:24 (KJV) 24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

i. By the spirit—John said the Spirit verifies, therefore, we must ask how do we get the Spirit? Acts 2:38 Peter told them how and with many other scriptures, the Bible speaks of the indwelling of the Spirit in the Saints.

d. Working of the Spirit

i. The Spirit of God works in mysterious ways. God says his ways are not like our ways. We sing, ‘I Know Not Why God’s Wondrous Grace’ and include a verse which says, ‘I know not haw the Spirit moves convincing men of sin, revealing Jesus through the word creating faith in Him.’ No one can define how the Spirit works in drawing men to Jesus, but through faith, I believe Jesus does because he said he would. How? I cannot tell but it is not my place to determine; just believe. Job 5:9 ; 1 Cor. 2:9-10; Eph. 1:9-10; Eph. 3:5; Col. 1:26. Each of these scriptures speak of a great mystery which is being revealed to Saints through the Apostles of things God does through His Spirit.

ii. John 12:32 (KJV) 32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. Jesus spoke these words telling of his manner of death in the flesh,; Jesus is now on the right hand of the throne, therefore the Spirit has to do the work. God, Jesus and Holy Spirit are one and still three parts of the Divinity. God’s Spirit cannot do anything contrary to God’s telling him. Therefore, the Spirit cannot do anything not ordained by God. If God and Jesus are in heaven, only the Spirit is among men doing what God tells him. We do not have to understand it, we have to have faith to believe and then believe. It is impossible to please God unless we have faith and doubt not.

iii. John 16:13 (KJV) 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. Faith in God and the Spirit will guide all who believe and search for truth. We ask in prayer for God to guide, guard and direct our lives. Do you really believe He does? Can you identify if and when He does? If you have faith, he will let you see the facts of His guidance and protection in this life. You must seek and you will find. Hebrews 1:13-14 (KJV) 13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? TIM LONG STORY Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

iv. The Spirit sanctifies—1 Peter 1:1-2 (KJV) 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

1. Sanctification through the blood of Christ—Heb. 13:12 (KJV) 12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

2. Sanctification through truth—John 17:17 (KJV) 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. Romans 15:16 (KJV) 16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. Paul is admonishing the Saints at Corinth and, in his admonition, he verifies the sanctification of the saints by the Spirit.

CONCLUSION

Isaiah 55:8-9 God says his ways are not our ways no our ways his ways. Jesus said he would draw all men unto him. I believe we can see he does. Nothing is impossible with God. (Matt. 19:26, Luke 18:27 and Mark 10:27) Angels have done work for God with evidence in various places. John the Baptist’s conception, through an aged mother, among other evidences, proves angels existence and work. How the God-Head convicts men of sin and causes them to repent no one knows, but the evidence is clearly made manifest. This is the creation of faith and as faith grows, so do the possibilities of the various ways God’s Spirit works in this world. Heb. 11:1—Faith is allowing the spirit to work and to recognize the ‘The Calling’ is our duty. 1 Thes. 5:19—Quench not the Spirit. Listen for the Spirit calling you. Tune your heart to recognize when and how Jesus draws all men unto him. Do not deny His calling. Can you hear His pleading—He stands at the door of your soul and knocks. Let him in. Obey his pleading.

Look at the words of the song, 'Calling You' by the artist, Hank Williams Sr.

"Calling You"

When you've strayed from the fold

And there's trouble in your soul