The Call of God



1 Pet 2:6
Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect,
precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7        Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the
stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8        And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word,
being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
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:
10        Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not
obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
11        Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts,
which war against the soul;
12        Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against
you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day
of visitation.

I. It is a Transforming Call

A. The call of God is for men to be changed. God's purpose
Rev 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto
me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

B. Four areas of changes that will occur in the believer
1. The Quality of the person
1 Pet 2:9  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:

2. The Conduct of a person
1 Pet 2:12  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak
against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in
the day of  visitation.

3. The Emphasis of a person
1Pet 2:11  Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts,
which war against the soul;

4. The Purpose of a person
1 Pet 2:12  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak
against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in
the day of visitation.

II. It Is A Transcending Call

A. The Call transcends all boundaries

B. The Call crosses every obstacle

1. No sinner is beyond the call- No matter how low he may go. e.g. Paul, Zacheous, the prodigal
son,

2. No person too high or too low        
A.  Paul before Agrippa...
B. The Prodigal son dipped low into the hog pin- a disgrace to the Jewish people.- but his
Father loved him still (the Father loved not his sin, but his son).
Acts 26:29  And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day,
were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

3. No person is too far or too near
No matter how far the sheep may stray, It can never stray away from the Shepherds love.- The   
Prodigal son took a far journey into another country, Yet not away from the Fathers love.

Mark 12:34  And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not
far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst    ask him any question.

III. It Is A Transposing Call

A. Even a nobody - can be a somebody
1."Somebody" are hard to find -
Matt 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few
there be that find it.

A. God is no respecter of persons. The world's somebody's are not necessarily great in God's
eyes.
B. Many try to substitute sophistication for character.

2. God's will is that we all be zombies

A. No child of God is ever a nobody.

B. We are translated into His kingdom
Col 1:13  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the
kingdom of his dear Son:

IV. It Is A Transitional Call

A.  A change in the state of a person
1 Pet 2:10  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not
obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

B. Those far off are made nigh
Eph 2:13  But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of
Christ.

C. They have passed from death unto life
I Jn 3:14  We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we  love the brethren.
He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

D. A change in the destiny of the person

E. A personal call to each of you.


Conclude:




Rev. Michael K. Mann