The Callings of God – All believers are called to full-time fellowship with God and full-time service for God.*
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The call to the PERSON of God – to a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. "God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful." (1 Cor. 1:9) Jesus emphasizes that intimacy with Him is what He desires most from us (Revelation 2:4, 3:20) and the "one thing needed" to remain empowered to do His will. (Luke 10:38-42; John 15:5)
The call to the PURPOSE of God – to make us like His Son. "And we know that in all things (every trial and gift) God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." (Rom. 8:29-29)
The call to the PEOPLE of God – Christian community, the church, the body of Christ, the family of God. "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. How do we do this? through Christ-centered relationships where we give and receive God's grace and power. "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." (See Eph. 4:1-16)
The call to evangelize and disciple PEOPLE for God. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him." "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them (evangelism) in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything (discipleship) I have commanded you." (See Matthew 4:18-22; 28:19-20)
The call to our PASSION for God. "I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 3:12-14) "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-(my unique task – calling) the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." (Acts 20:24; Also see Ephesians 2:10; 1 Peter 4:10)
The call to a PROCESS with God – to grow in holiness and be set apart for God's holy will. "For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life." (1 Thess. 4:7) Holiness (obedience to God) is saying "yes" to God not just saying "no" to sin. "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12: 1-2; Also see Hebrews 12:1-2)
The call to PLACES of service for God- Our homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, among our families, wherever we are. "Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what counts. Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him. Were you a slave when you were called? Don't let it trouble you-although if you can gain your freedom, do so. For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord's freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ's slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to." (1 Cor. 7:17-24) This does not mean God never calls one to change his work for He clearly called Moses, Paul (Saul), the disciples and even our Lord Jesus to leave their previous work. But it does mean we are to be full time Christian workers ("Christ's slave") wherever we are and whatever our social status (poor, rich, divorced, etc.) roles or occupation (pastor, businessman, husband, father, wife, waitress, homemaker, etc.)
The call to His kingdom is a PRIORITY and we must not PROCRASTINATE. "But seek first (moment by moment) his kingdom (God's will and power) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33) "Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do (now- today) and doesn't do it (but thinks, "I'll do it later"), sins." "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." (James 4:13-17; Eph. 5: 15-17)
(See, Please Call Back Later, Lord by Gordon MacDonald)
*This teaching was adapted from a message by Chip Ingram at http://www.lote.org/. Other resources to discover and live out your calling from God: See LifeKeys by Kise, Stark and Hirsh. Your (1) personal mission statement (calling) is more important than (2) your business goals and vision. You can do # 2 without #1 but you can't do #2 for God without #1.Your work is a primary platform for ministry.
Discussion Questions FOR APPLICATION OF GOD'S WORD
"The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it." Williams James
What have I done today that has spiritual and eternal value?
The Callings of God – All believers are called to full-time fellowship with God and full-time service for God.
From the Scriptures below write out God's calling on your life:
1 Cor. 1:9; Rev. 2:4; 3:20; Luke 10:38-42; John 15:5 – God's calling to
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Romans 8:28-29 – God's calling to ___________________________________
Ephesians 4: 1-16 – God's calling to __________________________________
Matthew 4: 18-22; 28:18-20 – God's calling to __________________________
Philippians 3:12-14; Ephesians 2: 10; 1 Peter 4:10 – God's calling to
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1 Thessalonians 4:7; Romans 12: 1-2; Hebrews 12: 1-2- God's calling to
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1 Corinthians 7:17-24 – God's calling to ______________________________
Matthew 6:33 – God's calling to ____________________________________
James 4:13-17; Ephesians 5:15-17 – God's calling to
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Luke 9:57-62; 14:33 – God's calling to _______________________________