Preaching on The Divine Calling - A heavenly and holy vocation
We contemplate the profound and transformative reality of the divine calling. Each believer is summoned by God to a life of purpose, holiness, and eternal destiny. This is not a mere invitation but a powerful and effective call, rooted in God's grace and leading us towards His glory. Let us explore the multifaceted nature of this heavenly and holy vocation.
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1. The calling is not based on human merits, but on the grace of God (1 Corinthians 1:26)
"For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth." Paul reminds the Corinthians that their calling was not based on their inherent wisdom, power, or social standing. Rather, it is a demonstration of God's sovereign grace, His unmerited favor extended to the humble and the unlikely. Our calling is a gift, not a reward for our own achievements.
2. We must have enlightened eyes to understand the hope of the calling (Ephesians 1:18)
"Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints." Paul prays for the Ephesians to have spiritual enlightenment, to have the "eyes of their hearts" opened to the hope that is inherent in their calling. This hope is not a vague wish but a confident expectation of God's glorious inheritance that awaits the saints. Understanding this hope fuels our perseverance and joy.
3. Walking in a manner worthy of the calling received is part of responding to the call (Ephesians 4:1)
"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called." Our response to God's gracious call is not passive. Paul urges us to live lives that are consistent with the high honor we have received. This involves humility, gentleness, patience, and bearing with one another in love, reflecting the character of Christ.
4. The divine calling is a high goal to be pursued with perseverance (Philippians 3:14)
"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Paul uses the analogy of a race to describe the Christian life, with the "upward call of God in Christ Jesus" as the ultimate prize. This calling is a high and heavenly goal that requires persistent effort, focus, and a relentless pressing on towards its fulfillment.
5. The call is to live worthy of God (1 Thessalonians 2:12)
"We exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory." Paul's ministry involved urging believers to live in a way that brings honor to God, who has called them into His eternal kingdom and glory. Our daily conduct should reflect the holiness and majesty of the One who has called us.
6. The call is made through the gospel and leads to the glory of Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:14)
"To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." The divine calling is not a silent whisper but a powerful invitation extended through the proclamation of the Gospel. Its ultimate purpose is that we might share in the very glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Gospel is the instrument of our calling and the pathway to His splendor.
7. We are called with a holy calling according to God's eternal purpose (2 Timothy 1:9)
"Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began." Our calling is not arbitrary but rooted in God's eternal plan and His gracious purpose established before time began. It is a "holy calling," separating us unto Himself for His divine purposes.
8. Jesus is the apostle and high priest of our heavenly calling (Hebrews 3:1)
"Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession." The author of Hebrews identifies Jesus Himself as the "apostle and high priest of our heavenly calling." He is the mediator and the perfect example of this calling, leading us into God's presence through His sacrifice and intercession.
9. God has called us to his eternal glory in Christ, even after suffering (1 Peter 5:10)
"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." Peter reminds us that even amidst earthly suffering, our calling is to God's eternal glory in Christ. God's grace will sustain us through trials and ultimately bring us to the fullness of His promised glory.
10. We must make our calling and election sure with diligence (2 Peter 1:10)
"Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall." Peter exhorts us to actively and diligently live out the implications of our calling and election. By cultivating godly qualities, we confirm the reality of our calling and secure our steadfastness in the faith.
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Conclusion
Therefore, let us embrace the divine calling with hearts of gratitude and minds filled with understanding. Let us walk worthy of this high honor, press on towards the heavenly goal, and live in a manner that glorifies the God who has called us to His eternal purpose and glory in Christ Jesus. Amen.
