Eph. 4:1 As a prisoner for the Lord … I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

2Pet. 1:5-10  For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

God brings you from your Plans and Purposes in life TO HIS Plans and PURPOSE by:

CALLING YOU.

I have found that what God has for me is always better than what I wanted.

HOW DO YOU MAKE YOUR CALLING SURE?

Eager = spoude = Diligent Forwardness (also Speed)

Challenge here: Go Diligently Forward with a Force that can't be stopped.

Rom 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.

A. LOVING GOD IS CENTRAL in being Called

Rom 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.

Eph. 2:1-10 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

B. We are Called According to His Purpose not our Abilities

Jer. 1:4-10 The word of the LORD came to me, saying, 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” 6 “Ah, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” 7 But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD. 9 Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now, I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”

Exodus 9:16: “But I have you up for this very purpose , that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.

Acts 5:38-39 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

C. We Are Called According to His Purpose Not our Circumstances

ABC's to God's Call:

A. AWARENESS

B. BURDEN

Three Characteristics of a BURDEN:

• A Burden Demands ACTION
• A Burden Demands a SACRIFICE
• A Burden Requires a Change of Heart

C. CONVICTION

Audio File: 

2010-03-28.mp3

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