Calling You Series

We hear of many differing ideas of the concept of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit calling mankind from darkness or sin into the light or unto righteousness. Some people have a big disagreement to the idea of being called out and deny its existence. Others believe it is possible but differ in how it is executed. Let’s consider the topic this morning and deliver possibilities to its existence through different factual events describing its happening throughout the existence of mankind. We will consider: (1) being called; (2) evidence of calling; (3) our personal calling, the chance of, will it happen, or when it happens in our lives.

I. Being Called—is it possible?

a. The idea of a calling has been around for centuries. Songs have been written suggesting a calling. We sing many of them regularly, such as:

i. ‘God is Calling the Prodigal’

ii. ‘I’ll Be Listening’—When my Savior calls I will answer…

iii. ‘Jesus is Calling’—Jesus is tenderly calling thee home, …

iv. ‘Where He Leads Me I Will Follow’

v. ‘Where He leads Me’—I can hear my Savior calling,…

vi. ‘Draw Me Nearer’

vii. ‘Softly and Tenderly’

b. Jesus says he will draw or call all men unto him.

i. John 12:32 (KJV) 32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

ii. John 6:44 (KJV) 44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

iii. Revelation 3:20 (KJV) 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

c. Scriptures mentioning calling or being called

i. 2 Peter 1:10 (KJV) 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

ii. Ephesians 4:1 (KJV) 4 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

iii. 1 Corinthians 1:20-26 (KJV) 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

iv. 1 Peter 5:10 (KJV) 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

v. 2 Timothy 1:9 (KJV) 9 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,

vi. 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV) 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;

vii. Jude 1:1 (KJV) 1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

II. Evidence of the Calling

a. LITERAL CALLING FROM GOD 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (KJV) 3 And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision. 2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; 3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; 4 That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. 5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down. 6 And the Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him. 8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child. 9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.