Softly And Tenderly Jesus Is Calling

For those not familiar with an Anglican Service; there are four Scripture Readings before the Sermon. The Scripture Readings for this day were: 1 Samuel 3:1-20; Psalm 139:1-5,12-17; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 and John 1:43-51.

In her book, .....A Man Called Peter, .....Catherine Marshall ...tells how her late preacher-husband .....felt a sense of destiny .... a sense of call .....in his life. (Pause)

One dark night, .....Peter, ....then a young man, .....decided to take a Shortcut ....across the Scottish moors.

He knew there was a deep deserted limestone quarry in that area, ..... but he was confident ..... that even in the dark....he could avoid it.

Suddenly, ....he heard someone call, .... (Use A Deep Voice) "Peter." .....There was great urgency.... in the voice.

Peter stopped and responded:..... "Yes who is it?

What do you want?" ..... There was no answer.

He walked a few more steps ....and then heard the voice calling more urgently,.........."Peter!"

He paused .....then he stumbled ....and fell on his knees.

Putting out his hand to catch himself, ......he found nothing there.

He was at the... very edge..... of the abandoned stone quarry.

Just one more step ..... would have meant ....certain death." (Pause)

The calling that night ..... confirmed for Peter Marshall .....that he was clearly ......being called by God ......for ministry.

And I am convinced .......that each of us ....has been called by God .....to fulfill a purpose, ...... to fulfill a spiritual calling ....in this life.

We are called .....to become a part ......of the Masters plan.

Our Gospel text .....and Old Testament reading ... speak to this. (Pause)

Samuel in the O.T.....Philip and Nathanael in the N.T.....were each called by God, .....and in turn ....they responded ....thus....fulfilling God's plan .....for their lives.

This calling ...... this process .....can be divided into ....3 steps:

(1 Finger) the step of discovery,

(2 Fingers) the step of decision,

(3 Fingers) And..thirdly, .....the step of action.

Discover....Decision...Action!

How do these steps apply to us .....as followers.....of the Christ. (Pause)

First ....there is.... discovery:

Samuel heard someone calling him over and over .....and each time .....he was convinced ....it was Eli.

But with Eli's help .....Samuel finally realized .....who was truly calling him , ..... it was God himself.

Samuel ....made .....a discovery.

It was God ....that was calling him.

God had called Samuel 3 times .....and each time Samuel was sure ... he was convinced ...it was Eli.

And....Eli too ....was being utilized by God .....For it was Eli that gave Samuel insight .....in discovering ....the purpose ....of God's call.

Samuel did not know God's voice.....he did not know who was calling..... But Eli did. (Pause)

Philip was discovered by Jesus ......and Jesus also called him ....to follow.

Then Philip found Nathanael ......and told him about this Jesus, ..Philip called to Nathanael...to Come... Come and see!

When Jesus saw Nathanial coming toward him..... Jesus called out to Nathanial ......and proclaimed .....what kind of man .....he was.

Beloved ...... are you beginning to grasp the message...... in the Scriptures this day.

(Slow) The initial calling always .... Always comes from God.

God discovers us ...... as we are.

God discovers us ..... where we are.

And that call .... that discovery ..... always requires Us .............to make a decision.

God acts first ..... God makes the opening call ....to each of us.

And our initial step .....after God's call to us.... is ....to... "Come and See".

The initial step .... The first Step ..... of any undertaking ...is vital.

If you do not start the race ....you cannot finish.... the race.

Having a relationship with God is paramount..... in your calling as a believer.

God comes to you, ..... God discovers you ....God is ....calling you.

There is on old hymn which proclaims this so clearly:

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,

Calling for you and for me;

See, on the portals ..He's waiting and watching,

Watching for you ...and for me.

Come home, come home,

Ye who are weary come home,

Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling

Calling ...O sinner come home."

Beloved ..... Jesus is calling, .....He is calling us into ....relationship .... He is calling us ...to Come and See.

He is calling you ....and he is calling me ....to Come .... To Come and Discover Him.

(1 Finger) So this Discovery ....in turn (2 Fingers) leads to Decision.

We have been called.... into relationship .....with our Lord.

Now....How you respond to that Calling......Is the Decision.

Philip in our Gospel reading.... made a decision ..... A decision .....to follow.

Now Our Gospel text..... does not share any words spoken by Philip .... but his actions, .....make his decision ....clear to us ....... He followed.

Philip made a decision...to follow .....Jesus' call. (Pause)

Remember ..... When God called Samuel the 4th time ..... Samuel heard .....and knew ...the call was from God.