Sermon 020997

1Co. 1:26a                                          Consider Your Calling, Brethren                            2/9/97

                                                                                                                             ABCC

I.   Introduction                                                                                                                       558

     A. Every true local church is the church of God (v. 2) - “. to the church of God..at Corinth”

·        Christ ensures the provisions for every true church (gifts & other provisions) - v. 4-7

     B. Every true local church is a part of the church Universal (v. 2) - “with all..every place”

     C. The church is not a building, but a group of believers in Christ (v. 2b) “to those who”

II.  True Believers Must Be Called

     A. The emphasis on calling (v. 1, 2c, 9, 24a, 26a)

·        Being called is essential to becoming a Christian; being among the called is the only blessed life on earth (Rom.8:28)

·        Everyone who has responded to this calling is in the family of God (1Co. 1:2d)-“with all..

     B. Who does this calling?

·        God calls by His word & Spirit (1Co. 1:9, 30a; 1Th. 2:12; Jn. 10:27; 2Th. 2:13-14)

·        This calling is the supernatural & irresistible power of God exerted on the soul of a sinner - revealing the sinners sinfulness & hopelessness and then revealing Christ as the glorious Savior…(revelation & power = Eph. 1:17-19a; Rom. 1:16; 1Co. 1:22-24)

Paul then exhorts the church at Corinth (and vicariously you & I) to consider our origin before Christ; where you came from; what you were doing; what you & the world thought about yourself!  It is good & needful to exercise our memories now that our minds have been renewed.  WHO WERE YOU WHEN CHRIST CALLED YOU?

Consider Your Calling, Brethren, pg. 2

     C. Who is called? - only those who have been appointed/chosen by God Himself (Rom. 8:29-30; Ac. 13:48)

·        The calling from God is not based on a person’s accomplishments/influence (1Co. 1:26)

·        The calling from God is solely based on His good pleasure & mercy (1Co. 1:27-29)

·        The calling from God is with purpose = to remove boasting -“to shame”, “nullify”.           So that Christ may become the meaning of life to the believer & church (v. 30; Phi. 1:21)

     C. To what are we called?

·        Called out of darkness into the Lord’s marvelous light (1Pe. 2:9)

·        Called to eternal life (1Tim. 6:12)

·        Called as saints (1Co. 1: 2c) - “holy ones” or “set apart ones” for God’s purposes

·        Called into fellowship with Christ (1Co. 1:9)

·        Called into fellowship with other believers (Col. 3:15; 1Co. 12:18) - “in one body”

·        Called to a lifestyle that honors our Lord (Eph. 4:1-3)

·        Called to suffer for Christ (1Pe. 2:21; 3:8-9)

·        Called to a glorious inheritance from Christ (Eph. 1:18c; Rom. 8:17a-b)

[REPEAT & SUMMARIZE THE ABOVE]

So then my brother/sister, consider your calling today; consider how tragic it was to be lost in the lies of the world - lover of pleasure, sin, promoting yourself, scheming, guilty & deceived.  And now consider how wonderful it is to be in the light of Christ, to have eternal life, to be in fellowship with Christ & other believers, to love righteousness, to have a life of grace & peace on earth and to have heaven as your home!  But to the one who has not answered the call……………