The Christian Calling

Eph. 1:15-18
Last week - "the Christian hope"
This week - same text - "Christian calling"

The word in Greek (verb) - means to call, invite, summon - (broad, common usage ..... as today)

In the New Testament often used Divine Summons - God calling out to us.  Eph. 1:18  1 Cor. 1;9  1 Thess. 2:11-12   If you have a part in that, it's because God has called you to it.

The Greek word as a noun - a calling - Heb. 3:1   2 Thess. 1:11

Adjective form --> a called person/people/group  - Jude 1,  Rev. 17:14  --> hence "the elect" and the church (ecclasia)
When He speaks to you that way, you are one of the called ones.

I.  Who calls?  Answer = a divine call .... ie:  God calls.  "The call" is attributed to God(Father)  Christ (Son)  Holy Spirit  (all the same).  If you are a believer, you are one because God called you.

Note:  may receive the call through another - example Pentecost sermon:  call from Peter?  or from God?
         clearly = God calling.
Not one would have thought the calling was from Peter.

II.  How does He call?
A)  divinely - as only God can - world of difference between the Holy Spirit working in a heart, vs. response to a moving sermon, song, emotions, etc.
B)  uniquely - ie:  as He chooses .. to work with you!!
but,
C)  personally - ie:  w/you as an individual!!  He knows you individually.  Don't measure your call by someone else's call.

Note:  the calling is usually a combination of:  external (the revealed Word) - Rom. 10:13-14, 17
                                                             and  internal (Holy Spirit) - can't prove the call 100% - we walk by faith, not by sight.
About the call:  #1)  this I know   and #2)  this I believe about what I know.

III.  To what does He call us?
repent?  salvation?  reconciliation?  discipleship?  service?  office?  task?

Generic and most important (fundamental)
#1.  to Himself - Acts 2:39
#2.  to His Son - Rom. 1:6 - called to belong to Jesus Christ
#3.  to Sainthood/holy living - Rom. 1:7,   1 Cor. 1:2,   2 Tim. 1:9

Holy living includes:  a call TO and a call FROM - 180degrees/repent - so, --> Eph. 4:1 - live a life worthy of the calling He has given

IV.  Why does He call us?
Because:
1)  He loves/values/desires us - John 3:16
2)  redemption/reconciliation is found only in Him - John 17:3

V.  Who does He call?  (all?  the elect?)
Here's what's clear....
A.)  most of you know you've been called
B)  some of you know you're being called
probably,
C)  a few are denying, avoiding, ignoring the call
D)  some have not yet received the call? 

Note:  the calling is more than a request and less than a summons (demand) - somewhere between the two.
= 1)  urgent invitation &  passionate appeal and
   2)  an incredible privilege - Heb. 9:15 (a)