Appeal to Accept the Promise

I. God calls individuals to belong to Him and serve Him

A. God calls all people everywhere

Acts 17:30 ESV

30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,

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B. Few respond positively to God’s call

Matthew 22:14 ESV

14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”

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C. Responding to God’s call results in salvation

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Hebrews 9:15 ESV

15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

Jude 1 ESV

1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:

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II. God calls Christians to live differently

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2 Timothy 1:9 ESV

9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

1 Peter 2:9 ESV

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

A. Living in peace:

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Colossians 3:15 ESV

15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

serving one another

B. Living in hope:

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Ephesians 1:18 ESV

18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

Ephesians 4:4 ESV

4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—

Ephesians 1:18 ESV

18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

1 Thessalonians 4:7 ESV

7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.

III. God called particular individuals to do specific tasks at specific times

A. Abraham:

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Moses; Samuel; Isaiah

B. Cyrus:

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C. The servant of the Lord:

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Jeremiah; Hosea; Amos

D. Jonah:

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E. The disciples:

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Barnabas and Paul

F. Paul:

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IV. God called a people, Israel, to serve him in a special way

Isaiah 43:1 ESV

1 But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.

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Hosea 11:1–2 ESV

1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 The more they were called, the more they went away; they kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning offerings to idols.

V. The believer’s place in life is understood to be a calling

1 Corinthians 7:17 ESV

17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.

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