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Make Your Calling Sure /
Called according to his purpose
Last week we showed you that if you are born again you are also called...
Romans 8: 28 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.
29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
- We are called according to his purpose/
- The sick need the physician Jesus said!
- He went about seeking those who were lost!
Luke 4:17 And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written, 18"THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, 19TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD."
- The Spirit of the Lord is upon me
- HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL (Proclaim Good News)
- TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES (Deliverance)
- RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND (Healing)
- TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED (Comfort)
- TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD (Preach Favor)
2 Corinthians 1:3
blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ....
Our Character
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II Timothy 2:24,
"And the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, PATIENT."
2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
Every Christian is engaged in a unique kind of war, whether they realize it or not, and it is a spiritual war. The intense nature of this conflict calls for specific characteristics to be found in the soldiers who would advance forward and release prisoners from the stronghold of the enemy.
2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ....
Here's the first quiz:
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
How did you do?
The facts are, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.
Easier?
The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care. (Author Unknown)
We must not have a careless attitude toward their suffering state, but rather demonstrate genuine patience daily if we would be successful rescuing these spiritual POW's. Many of us need an expanded knowledge of what it means to exhibit patience. What does it mean to be patient, not culturally, but Biblically?
Notice a few defining traits of patience/comfort in action.
Stay in place and keep moving, even if you're not making progress.
Many people hold the belief that patience equals inactivity, but one Hebrew root for patience proves this theory wrong.
Psalm 37:7 describes patience as it encourages us to "rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him."
In Judges 21:21 the same Hebrew root is translated "dance in dances" as it describes the daughters of Shiloh. These daughters were dancing for joy (not in a secular fashion,) and the children of Benjamin were instructed to find one, make her his wife, and carry her away. Patience is personified in the daughters of Shiloh as an attitude that remains active while it is waiting. When it seems as though your efforts are futile, keep at it, knowing that the answer is just around the bend.
Hold it together and don't fall apart, especially during this time.
When someone is away from the Lord, the devil always whispers, "Everybody's thinking about you; don't go back to church!" That is exactly the time they need to go back to church.
In Psalm 40:1, David testifies, "I waited patiently for the LORD."
In Genesis 1:9 another Hebrew root for patience reads "gathered together unto one," as the account of the creation of the waters is narrated. There is a great lesson here: When someone is not doing the right thing, we tend to fall apart financially, mentally, and emotionally. God says, "You've got to hold it together! This is not the time to fall apart."
Stay aloft and keep soaring, in spite of the burdens and cares of life. When people who are held captive in sin's prison see Christians who are overwhelmed with life's circumstances, it misrepresents God's ability to break their binding chains. The Hebrew root translated "patient in spirit" in Ecclesiastes 7:8 is translated "long-winged"
in Ezekiel 17:3. Patience soars above disappointment and discouragement. It is the wings of a bird that allow it to soar effortlessly for long lengths of time, causing it to rise by catching the updrafts of the wind. People are attracted to a freedom that can make them soar above life's problems. Keep soaring!
One reason God expects so much out of us in the exercise of patience is because He is the perfect example of patience, and we are to be like Him. The very essence and nature of God is that of patience and long suffering.
Where would we be were it not for a patient Father who kept moving in our heart even when we didn't respond right away?
We would have been destroyed and wiped out a long time ago.
People need to see divine patience manifested consistently in our lives in order for us to effectively represent Him as the patient and loving Savior who can make them free.
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