Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?

Today’s lesson is from

“The Word In Life”

Study Bible

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?Here is a quick recap of this weeks reading. Hannah was barren so she prayed to God for a son. She pledges this

son will be dedicated to The Lord.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?She gives birth to Samuel.

After he is weaned she leaves the child with the Priest and Judge Eli to be

raised serving God.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?Eli’s sons are evil and The Lord causes them to die. At the time they die the Ark of the Covenant is

captured.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?Upon hearing the Ark has

been captured Eli falls backward out of his chair, breaks his neck & dies. Eli’s daughter in-law is

pregnant.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?When she hears the Ark has been captured and her husband is dead she dies in child birth. In these deaths The Lord fulfills

his promise to Eli.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?1 Samuel 2:31 NET In fact, days

are coming when I will remove your strength and

the strength of your father's house. There will not be an

old man in your house!

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?Now the stage is set for The Lord to call Samuel

to judge His people. Guess what? Samuel’s sons were evil also.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?The people did not want Samuel’s sons to take his

place in leading them. They cried out for a king.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?The Lord heard their cries

and sent Saul to Samuel to be anointed King.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?Saul was called to be King

of Israel, but he didn’t want to be king. In fact he hid when it was time to publically present him

as King.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?Saul made mistakes and

sinned against God during his Kingship. God

rejects Saul as king.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?The Lord sent Samuel to

Bethlehem to anoint a boy shepherd named

David that God called to be King.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?Are only certain people

"called" by God to do important work for Him, such as the prophet and

judge Samuel or the Kings Saul and David?

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?The issue of "calling" tends to be

confusing, largely because it deals with significance.

Sometimes people talk about their day-to-day work as if that alone defined who they are.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?For example, when introducing

oneself, it is common to give one's name and occupation:

“I’m Rick.” “What do you do Rick?”

“I used to fly for a commuter airline. Now I preach at the Lindley

Christian Church”

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?By this measure, many people assume that occupations such as the pastorate or missionary

work are true "callings" that have significance before God, while other jobs are just jobs.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?Yet even though work is an important, God-given part of life, by itself it falls far short of describing the

entire significance and identity of an individual.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?There are many other aspects to being a person--personal growth

and development, family, citizenship, friendships, and faith,

to name a few. So to define oneself almost entirely by one's

occupation is inadequate.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?It tends to place more value on the self than on God; more on activity than on character; and

more on success than on relationships. In short, it tends to equate employment with human

worth.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?The Reformation leader Martin Luther had a phrase that helps

to correct this insufficient view of personhood. He said that a

person's entire life was a "task set by God."

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?In whatever we do—working

or playing, eating or sleeping, worshiping or

relaxing—we have a responsibility to honor God, for He is Lord of all of life.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?From the Bible's point of view.

"calling" describes all of the responsibility of all believers to serve God with all of their lives:

Every believer is called to belong to God. Paul indicated to the

Christians at Rome that both he and they had the same calling.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?

Romans 1:1 NET From Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus,

called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of

God.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?2 This gospel he promised

beforehand through his prophets in the holy

scriptures, 3 concerning his Son who was a

descendant of David with reference to the flesh,

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?4 who was appointed the

Son-of-God-in-power according to the Holy

Spirit by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus

Christ our Lord.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?5 Through him we have received grace and our

apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith

among all the Gentiles on behalf of his name.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?6 You also are among them, called to belong

to Jesus Christ.Likewise, he wrote to the believers

in Ephesus that just as there is one Spirit and one body (that is, the church), "you were called in

one hope of your calling".

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?Ephesians 4:4 NET There is one

body and one Spirit, just as you too were called to

the one hope of your calling,

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?Every believer is called a child of God. In His love. God brings us into His family, through faith in

Christ Jesus.1 John 3:1 NET (See what sort of love the Father has given to

us:

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?that we should be called

God's children — and indeed we are! For this

reason the world does not know us: because it did

not know him.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?Every believer is called to accept the work of Christ on our behalf.

Though we are sinners deserving of judgment, Christ's death on the Cross has "justified" us—made us able to stand before a holy God and receive His salvation and

grace.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?Romans 8:28 NET And we know

that all things work together for good for

those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, 29 because

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?those whom he foreknew he

also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would

be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?30 And those he

predestined, he also called; and those he

called, he also justified; and those he justified, he

also glorified.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?2 Timothy 1:9 NET He is the one

who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not based on our works but on his own purpose and grace, granted to us in

Christ Jesus before time began,

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?For this we have every reason to

live lives of gratitude.1 Thessalonians 2:13 NET And so we too constantly thank God that when you received God's message that

you heard from us,

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?you accepted it not as a human message, but as it truly is, God's message, which is at work among

you who believe.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?Every believer is called to become

like Christ. Living the life God calls us to involves change in

which we take on the character of Christ. That means resisting the

temptation to turn away from Him, even though others may encourage us to do so.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?Galatians 1:6 NET I am

astonished that you are so quickly deserting the

one who called you by the grace of Christ and are

following a different gospel —

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?7 not that there really is another gospel, but there

are some who are disturbing you and

wanting to distort the gospel of Christ.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?8 But even if we (or an

angel from heaven) should preach a gospel contrary to the one we

preached to you, let him be condemned to hell!

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?9 As we have said before, and now I say again, if any one is preaching to you a

gospel contrary to what you received, let him be condemned to hell!

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?It involves fleeing evil and pursuing good, fighting to maintain our faithfulness. 1 Timothy 6:11 NET But you, as a

person dedicated to God, keep away from all that.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?Instead pursue

righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and

gentleness.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?12 Compete well for the faith and lay hold of that eternal life you were called for and made your good confession for in the presence of many

witnesses.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?Just as Christ is holy so we are to

develop holiness in everything we do. 1 Peter 1:15 NET but, like the

Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in all of your

conduct,

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?1 Peter 3:9 NET Do not return

evil for evil or insult for insult, but instead bless others because you were

called to inherit a blessing.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?As we pursue Christ likeness, we

can do so with the certainty that the Lord is helping us, equipping

us for every good work.Philippians 2:12 NET So then, my dear friends, just as you have always

obeyed,

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?not only in my presence

but even more in my absence, continue working out your

salvation with awe and reverence,

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?13 for the one bringing

forth in you both the desire and the effort — for the sake of his good

pleasure — is God.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?2 Peter 1:3 NET I can pray this because his divine power

has bestowed on us everything necessary for

life and godliness

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?through the rich

knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence. 4 Through

these things he has bestowed

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?on us his precious and most

magnificent promises, so that by means of what was promised you may become

partakers of the divine nature,

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?after escaping the worldly

corruption that is produced by evil desire. 5

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith excellence,

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?to excellence, knowledge; 6 to knowledge, self-control;

to self-control, perseverance; to

perseverance, godliness; 7 to godliness, brotherly affection; to brotherly

affection, unselfish love.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?8 For if these things are

really yours and are continually increasing, they will keep you from

becoming ineffective and unproductive

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?in your pursuit of knowing

our Lord Jesus Christ more intimately. 9 But

concerning the one who lacks such things — he is

blind.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?That is to say, he is

nearsighted, since he has forgotten about the

cleansing of his past sins.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?10 Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to be sure of your calling

and election. For by doing this you will never

stumble into sin.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?Every believer is called to

serve God and other people. Christ has called us to Himself to live out

our faith in a manner that is worthy of Him.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?Ephesians 4:1 NET I, therefore, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live worthily of the calling with which you have been called,

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?2 with all humility and

gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort

to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you too

were called to the one hope of your calling,

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?We have the privilege of

declaring God's work through everything we do and say.

1 Peter 2:9 NET But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a

holy nation,

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?a people of his own, so that you may proclaim

the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?10 You once were not a people, but now you are God's people. You were shown no mercy, but now you have received

mercy.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?1 Peter 2:21 NET For to this you were called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in his

steps.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?Every believer is called to become a

citizen of the new heaven and new earth. The Christian life leads ultimately to the end of being

"glorified," raised up to stand with Christ in eternal glory pure and

holy at last.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?1 Peter 5:10 NET And, after you

have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace

who called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish

you.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?2 Peter 3:10 NET But the day of

the Lord will come like a thief; when it comes, the heavens will disappear with a horrific noise,

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?and the celestial bodies will melt away in a blaze, and the earth and every deed done on it will be

laid bare.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?11 Since all these things are to melt away in this

manner, what sort of people must we be,

conducting our lives in holiness and godliness,

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?In that day we will celebrate the

final coming together of Christ and all His faithful ones.

Revelation 19:9 NET Then the angel said to me, "Write the

following:

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?Blessed are those who are

invited to the banquet at the wedding celebration of the Lamb!" He also

said to me, "These are the true words of God."

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?10 So I threw myself down at his feet to worship him,

but he said, "Do not do this!

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?I am only a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony

about Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony about

Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?Our obedience to the Lord right now

confirms this ultimate calling.Matthew 5:19 NET So anyone who breaks one

of the least of these commands and teaches others to do so will be called

least in the kingdom of heaven,

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?

but whoever obeys them and teaches others to do so will be called

great in the kingdom of heaven.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?What About You? If you are a believer in Christ, you have the same significant calling as any

other believer in Christ, no matter what your workday

occupation may be.

Who Is "Called"?Who Is "Called"?Calling is not just a matter

of what job one has. It means living as a child of

God. Is that the calling that you are pursuing?