The Weight of the Call

Pastor Joel Quick

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The Weight of the Call

2 Timothy 1:9 KJV 1900

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,

To Call: to name, to shout, to summon, to proclaim

Calling

Calling : God’s summoning of individuals and people to himself, so that they will belong to him and serve him in his world. The calling of a believer may involve a specific place, task or vocation in life.

God’s summoning of individuals and people to himself, so that they will belong to him and serve him in his world. The calling of a believer may involve a specific place, task or vocation in life.

God calls individuals to belong to him and serve him

1 Corinthians 7:17 KJV 1900

But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.

1 Corinthians 7:17

(KJV 1900) — 4 Unto you, O men, I call; And my voice is to the sons of man.

(KJV 1900) — 30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

Proverbs 8:4 KJV 1900

Unto you, O men, I call; And my voice is to the sons of man.

See also ; ; ; ;

When he calls, you are required to drop your nets. A true call of God comes with conviction. The dropping of the nets is saying I’d rather have Jesus than what I had before. True conviction will make you drop your nets and walk away from that old life. Today’s church has no convictions, they can be this and that. They can come here and go there. No shame, no regrets at all. But the power of the Holy Ghost and the Call of God will make you drop your nets and follow Him.

(KJV 1900) — 12 Therefore will I number you to the sword, And ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: Because when I called, ye did not answer; When I spake, ye did not hear; But did evil before mine eyes, And did choose that wherein I delighted not.

Those that want to turn the page on their old life and begin living the next chapter of a new life.

To drop your net means you come empty handed. I’m sold out, everything I was is over with, it’s behind me. I am all yours, I’m ready for my purpose. It means I’m dropping my agenda, it’s not about me, it’s not about what I want.

(KJV 1900) — 13 And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the Lord, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not;

Predestine

Ephesians 1:4–5 KJV 1900

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

John 15:16 KJV 1900

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

(KJV 1900) — 2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

God sees things in us that we can’t see. You keep going back to what you see and God keeps calling you to what He sees in you. This speaks to the patience of God. He not only calls you but he develops you and forms you into what he has called you to do.

Responding to God’s call results in salvation

The initial call is an experience and the following is a relationship. A wedding is an experience and a marriage is a relationship. We are called to a relationship. Follow me!

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I’ll ask you to leave stuff, I’ll pull you away from stuff, I’ll test you with storms, but what I call you to will be far greater than what you left behind.

(KJV 1900) — 15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

The challenge is that with the call comes challenges. The call is never easy, it doesn’t happen as quickly as we would like it to. And most don’t want to have to wait or go through the hard part to see the call mature. Most will only give it a short while then forfeit the call.

(KJV 1900) — 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:

The call is about commitment, being faithful. To have more or to accomplish greatness means more of a sacrifice. The call ain’t cheap. There is a price to pay for the High Calling of God.

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John 21:3–12 KJV 1900

Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.

John 21:3–8 KJV 1900

Jesus shows up with fish cooked on the sea shore. He is saying to them what you are fishing for I already got. You’ll never find it like that.

(KJV 1900) — 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

Jesus shows up with fish cooked on the sea shore. He is saying to them what you are fishing for I already got. You’ll never find it like that.

(KJV 1900) — 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

Have ye any meat? That’s Jesus way of saying How’s that working for you?

(KJV 1900) — 6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

Jesus gives Peter a whiff of what he could be.

(KJV 1900) — 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Jesus already has what we need. He has it already prepared. Nothing you will give up will be in vain. He has more than enough. He has opened doors no man can close, he has allowed us to reap where we didn’t sow, live in houses we didn’t build.

(KJV 1900) — 29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Peter left the fish and swam to Jesus. God will put you to the test with what you could be on side and what you desire on the other side.

(KJV 1900) — 9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Peter chose Jesus over the fish. Whenever you read about Peter again, he is never found on the boat again fishing, he is preaching and winning souls. Peter preached and thousands of souls came to Jesus. It was his purpose, his destiny. What you keep going back to is beneath you. God has a high calling for your live.

(KJV 1900) — 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: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

I smell fish. While you keep making excuses why you can’t, I smell fish. He’s calling you!

(KJV 1900) — 18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. 20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. 21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. 22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant.

Romans 11:29 KJV 1900

For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

(KJV 1900) — 6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Ephesians 4:1 KJV 1900

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

(KJV 1900) — 1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

1 Peter 2:9 KJV 1900

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 marvellous light:

(KJV 1900) — 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

He’s calling you!

(KJV 1900) — 11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

There is an unseen hand to me That leads through ways I can not see While going through this world of woe This hand still leads me as I go

(KJV 1900) — 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(KJV 1900) — 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

(KJV 1900) — 1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

(KJV 1900) — 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.

(KJV 1900) — 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

(KJV 1900) — 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

(KJV 1900) — 14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

God calls Christians to live differently

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(KJV 1900) — 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,

(KJV 1900) — 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 marvellous light:

Living in peace:

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(KJV 1900) — 15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.

(KJV 1900) — 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

serving one another

(KJV 1900) — 13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Living in hope:

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(KJV 1900) — 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

(KJV 1900) — 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

(KJV 1900) — 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

(KJV 1900) — 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

(KJV 1900) — 7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

God called particular individuals to do specific tasks at specific times

Abraham:

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(KJV 1900) — 1 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

(KJV 1900) — 2 Look unto Abraham your father, And unto Sarah that bare you: For I called him alone, And blessed him, and increased him.

(KJV 1900) — 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Moses; Samuel; Isaiah

(KJV 1900) — 4 And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.

(KJV 1900) — 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.

(KJV 1900) — 8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Cyrus:

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(KJV 1900) — 2 Who raised up the righteous man from the east, Called him to his foot, Gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? He gave them as the dust to his sword, And as driven stubble to his bow.

(KJV 1900) — 4 For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.

The servant of the Lord:

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(KJV 1900) — 6 I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, And will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, And give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

(KJV 1900) — 1 Listen, O isles, unto me; And hearken, ye people, from far; The Lord hath called me from the womb; From the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.

Jeremiah; Hosea; Amos

(KJV 1900) — 4 Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

(KJV 1900) — 2 The beginning of the word of the Lord by Hosea. And the Lord said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the Lord.

(KJV 1900) — 15 And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.

Jonah:

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(KJV 1900) — 1 Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.

(KJV 1900) — 1 And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying, 2 Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.

The disciples:

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(KJV 1900) — 18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. 21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. 22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

(KJV 1900) — 2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. 3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. 4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. 7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. 9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: 10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. 11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

(KJV 1900) — 35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; 36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! 37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? 39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. 42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

Barnabas and Paul

(KJV 1900) — 2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

Paul:

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(KJV 1900) — 1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

(KJV 1900) — 1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

(KJV 1900) — 15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,

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

(KJV 1900) — 1 But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, And he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.