Jesus Calls

(S1)—

There is no doubt that Barbara lived out her calling; committing her life to loving God, loving people, serving the needy, the young and the old, and as a pastor spreading the Good News of salvation found in Jesus.

I like others who are called into pastoral ministry, can relate to her journey...

School — Call Stories

Jesus called fishermen; professionals of their trade—A tax collector; from his unworthy profession— The religious; Simon the zealot—Mary Magdalene from her life of infliction—Men and women of various walks of life:

Jesus calls — The Apostle Paul affirms this...

4 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.

Are all those who say yes to Jesus called? If so, how and to what?

BIBLES—NOTES—PRAY

The gospel flame…spread to other cities and nations, the heart of the Apostles mission to the Gentiles. Churches were planted—one of the most prominent was in Ephesus.

Paul is writing to all believers—How they are to live the life of “the called”

(S2)—What does it mean to be called?

To HEAR the voice of God, in a way that elicits a RESPONSE to the transforming power of GRACE—bringing about an affect of CHANGE in a persons life. The result—Follower of JESUS

It means to not only HEAR God, but be so moved, that it causes a RESPONSE...

1 Samuel 3:8 “So the Lord called and Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” Then Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling the boy.”

If we look at the disciples, the apostle Paul...we learn the follower of Jesus is called OUT OF something and INTO something

When you say yes to Jesus...you are…CALLED—Into what?

(S3)—

I. Called into ONE Body

Read 4:1, 4-6

Jews—Gentiles—New family—Called INTO the body of Christ

(S4)—

First, by ADOPTION

“God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. Eph.1:5

Second, as recipients of an ETERNAL inheritance

(S5)—

“Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God—18 his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.” Eph. 1:11,18

Third, by BAPTISM into his death and resurrection

(S6)—

“And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.” Eph. 1:13

Fourth, into the FULLNESS of Christ

(S7)—

“And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.” Eph. 1:23

When you say yes to Jesus—Adopted, inheritance, Baptism, Fullness of Christ

4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.

Called into ONE Body...of believers

(S8)—

II. Called into a one WAY of Living

Read 4:2-3

Paul’s examples of how Christians are to conduct themselves—Jesus

What is the new way of live? How are we called to live?

(S9)—

To Always being HUMBLE and GENTLE in Spirit..

Jesus lived and taught, a humbleness of heart and gentleness of spirit.

Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are meek (gentle in spirit), for they will inherit the whole earth.”

MEEK(quiet, reserved)—doesn’t mean, taking everything people dish out

Jesus always answered his opposition with humility and gentleness, but never sacrificed TRUTH

Are you humble in spirit? How do you respond when you don’t agree with someone?

What is the new way of live? How are we called to live?

(S10)—

To ENDURE for the sake of the Gospel

Ephesians 4:2 (NLT)

Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

To be patient with each other is to bear up, take the load of another—bearing up, in classic literature means to take up, to endure for another

BAG of ROCKS

God’s endurance of the Israelites wandering—Job’s endurance through great trial—Jesus putting up with the disciples lack of faith—His enduring the cross—Patience with us in our own failings

Matthew 16:24 “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.”

(S11)—The new way of life means…

To be PEACE-MAKERS

Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. Ephesians 4:3 (NLT)

To be HELD-FAST, or secure—Peace is the seat belt on a Roller coaster

United in SPIRIT—Jesus is the glue that holds the body together— Garden—My Peace I give...

You are called into a life of being a peace-maker

“Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.” 1 Peter 3:11

Yes, as a follower of Jesus, you are supposed to be and act different...

Jenny/Mary T—”Will you be the same?”

You are CALLED into a one WAY of living. A life of humility, gentleness and peace. All to keep UNITY among the believers.

(S12)—

III. Called into one PURPOSE

Read 4:11-12

...building up the body of Christ—is our RESPONSE-ability. Living in away that benefits the body of Christ—the kingdom of God

How? By the GRACE given

...God has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. Ephesians 4:7

Not all are meant to be pastors...Part of you your call is to discover your unique God-given gifts

“This brings out the distinction that each called person is gifted and has a particular function among the assembly of believers and is to function in the measure of the gift given” (4:7).

You are the one who the church needs—God gives you everything you need..

(S13)—

YOUR responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

When you say yes to Jesus…you are called into ONE body—NEW way of living—Into a one PURPOSE…

John 12:27 “27 “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came!”

My purpose is to do the will of the father...

HOW LONG? It’s a LIFE calling

(S14)—

Ephesians 4:13 (NLT)

This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

Few are called to be pastors...Where your calling leads you, will be unique to you…it begins the moment GRACE begins its work in you....

(S15)—

Jesus calls—You are called—Will you listen—How will you respond? Are you part of this One BODY — One WAY of Living — One PURPOSE

How will you live the life worthy of that calling?

Challenge

Are you a part of this ONE Body? Adopted—Eternal—Baptism—Fullness of Christ

How is your living? Gentle, humble in spirit?

How is God calling you to ENDURE for the faith?

In what ways can you bring PEACE?

How can you get involved in God’s purpose? BUILDING-UP the church?