ANSWER THE CALL

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

ROMANS 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

 

I. IT IS A HEAVENLY CALLING [the calling to become one of Heaven’s citizens]

 

WHEREFORE, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; [Heb. 3:1]

Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: [Rm. 1:6-7]

 

 1. By Trusting the Incarnate Christ [Rm. 1:3-4]

Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

 

2. By Trusting the Vicarious Death and Resurrection of Christ [Romans 4:25]

Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

 

3. By Trusting the Lord Jesus [Rm. 10:9-13]

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 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. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

II. IT IS A HIGH CALLING [Philippians 3:14]

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

 

1.  It is the Calling of His Power [Phil. 3:8-10]

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death

2.  It is the Calling of His Purpose [Phil. 3:11-14]

If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

 

3.  It is the Calling of His Pleasure [2 Th. 1:7-12]

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

III. IT IS A HOLY CALLING

 

1. The Holy Calling is a Divine Calling [2 Tm. 1:8-9]

 

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 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,

 

2. The Holy Calling is a Doctrinal Calling [2 Tm. 1:10-13]

 

But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

 

3. The Holy Calling is an Indwelt Calling [2 Tm. 1:14]

 

That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.