Home
 About Us
 Mission
 Ministries
 Messages
 Testimonies
  Events
 Directions  Cool links
Christian Calling

- Dr. Paul Joseph

Life is precious, one time, gift. How do we handle this gift of God? Do we use this life to please Him? Do we use this life to fulfill His purposes? Do we live a fruitful life for His glory?

Your life is a gift from God and your gift to God is the life you lead to please Him.

Jeremiah 29:11- For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Ephesians 4:1 - As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

Call to fulfill God’s purposes. - Illustration: Potter & Clay

God calls every one with a purpose and determination.

How do we know this?

1. Moses:

Exodus 3: 7-10

The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey-the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, Go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt."

2. God raised David in Saul’s palace.

We must analyze the reason for our calling.

I. We are called us to be disciples. God says or discusses the cost of following Him.

Matthew 8:18-23 1. No reputation but rejection (Vs. 19 & 20); 2. No looking backward but looking forward (vs. 22); 3. No throne but a boat (only his disciples entered the boat with Him).

II. We are called to accomplish God set goals for our lives.

a. Jonah 1: 1-2: The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me."

Jonah knew the goal God set for him. But he decided to set his own goals. Result: curse reigned in his surrounding. When he obeyed God, he became a blessing to > 20, 000 people. Jonah hesitated to GO because he is Hebrew and was not willing to associate with gentiles (Ninevites)

b. Saul – Paul

Acts 9:1-15

Saul’s goal: Acts 9:1 - Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples.

God set goal for Saul: Acts 9:15 - But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.

Paul realizes his call in Philippians 3:14

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

III. We are called to be His witnesses.
 
Isaiah 43:10 - "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD , "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.

Isaiah 43:12 - “I have revealed and saved and proclaimed- I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "that I am God.

Isaiah 44:8 - ”Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one."


Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego determined or decided not to worship the man made image of Gold - Daniel 3: 16-18

when we take proper stand in our decisions we can be great witnesses to Him. Also, our stand will lead others to witness about our living God.

When we stand witnesses for God, four  things happen:
1. God is in our midst (Vs. 25).
2. We are left unharmed (Vs. 26-27).
3. Leads others to know of our living God living in our lives (vs. 28).
4. Blessing follows (Vs. 30).

2 Peter 1: 10 - Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,

Illustration:

In the eleventh century, King Henry III of Bavaria grew tired of court life and the pressures of being a monarch. He made application to Prior Richard at a local monastery, asking to be accepted as a contemplative and spend the rest of his life in the monastery. "Your Majesty," said Prior Richard, "do you understand that the pledge here is one of obedience? That will be hard because you have been a king."

"I understand," said Henry. "The rest of my life I will be obedient to you, as Christ leads you."

"Then I will tell you what to do," said Prior Richard. "Go back to your throne and serve faithfully in the place where God has put you." When King Henry died, a statement was written: "The King learned to rule by being obedient." When we tire of our roles and responsibilities, it helps to remember God has planted us in a certain place and told us to be a good accountant or teacher or mother or father. Christ expects us to be faithful where he puts us, and when he returns, we'll rule together with him. 

 -01/24/04