Called or Not?

GRACE THROUGH FAITH COMMUNITY CHURCH

TEXT: Matthew 4:18-22
THEME: Calling of the King’s Disciple
TITLE: Called or Not?
PROPOSTIONAL STATEMENT: How Do We Know If God Called Us?
I. INTRODUCTION
In 2 Peter 3:10 – God told us to be more eager to make our calling and election sure. For if you do these things you will never fall and will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
Many times we asked ourselves, did God call me? And that is a very important question.
The way we answer this question is we are going to enumerate what we are good things we are doing as a Christian:
• I attend Sunday Worship Service
• I am part of a ministry
• I pray and attend Christian fellowships
But all these cannot affirm that we are genuinely called.

II. BODY
A. The Background
This begins Jesus His ministry. He held His ministry not to the religious place (Jerusalem) but to the Land of sinners (Galilee of the Gentiles). He called people who were no education. They are lowest among the low.

1) The Calling of the First Disciples
• The First Meeting with Jesus (John 1:35-42)
o John the Baptizer was still free
o The place of meeting was held in Jordan River – Judea
• The Second Meeting with Jesus (Matthew 4:18-22 ; Mark 1:14 -20)
o John the Baptizer was in prison
o The place of meeting was held in the Sea of Galilee – Galilee

B. The Three Concerns to Be Considered in Our Calling
Before that we must know first our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ :
• Disciple – learner, follower – we should follow what we learn all about Jesus Christ
• Servant – one who serve – serving Him according to His own good pleasure
• Slave – one who does not have any demand : knowing that God bought you with a great price from the marketplace of sin.

1) The Person Behind our Calling - Christ – “Come Follow Me”
• We must have the knowledge of Him. If we are called by Him we must know Him first
o Apostle Paul before he respond to the calling the Lord Jesus introduce Himself
o The thief on the cross knew Jesus Christ
o The first disciples had been the Lord Jesus first (John 1)
Principle : Knowing Christ is not one event – it is a lifetime commitment to know Him (2Peter 3:17-18)
• One of the reasons why we doubt about our calling and we do not response to it is because we do not know Him well
• The only way to know God is through study of His word- He reveals Himself in every pages of the Scripture.
Challenge : Do you know Him who called you? Who is Christ to you? Do you desire to know Him who called you If not you are
not yet been called.


2) The Purpose Behind our Calling – Commission – “I will make you fishers of men”
• The purpose why God called us to carry out His divine plan
• And the only way to carry out His divine plan is the responsibility to advance the Kingdom through spreading the Gospel
• Some say that is for those who are called alone are for ministry – No! Every believer is a witness and has a responsibility as a witness –to proclaim what he knows about Jesus
• Evangilism is summarized in Matthew 28:19-20
Two Reasons why God called us to evangelize
• Concern for the Glory of God
• Concern for the lost souls
Principle : The God head has a passion for evangelism – God has a heart concerning to the lost people and even all
the People of God.
• God the Father – God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son… (John 3:16)
• God the Son - For the Son of Man has come to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10)
• God the Holy Spirit – When He comes, He will convict the world of guilt .. .(John 16:8)
• God had sent prophets during Old Testament for evangelism (Elijah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel .. )
• God had sent His apostles during New Testament for evangelism (Peter, John, Paul … )
• Even other people : Acts 8: 4
Challenge : God called you to be fishers of men – Ask yourself : Do I know the purpose of my calling? Do I have a passion for evangelism? Am I concerned with the glory of God and the lost like God and His people whom He called.

3) The Price Behind our Calling – Cost – “At once they left their nets ; Immediately they left the boat…”
• Following Jesus will cost you
o Comfort zone (Luke 9:58) “Foxes have holes and birds of the air has nest but the Son of Man….”
o Family (Luke 14:26) “if anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children...”
o Life (Luke 9:23) “….he must deny himself, carry the cross daily and follow Me”
Principle : Following Jesus Footsteps Will Cost Us but it is not burdensome
• Following Jesus will cost you that is why you are entering and walking in a narrow door and way
Challenge : What cost you in following Christ?

III. Conclusion

Jesus said “I tell you the truth, no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parentsor children for the sake of the Kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and in the age to come, eternal life” Luke 18:29-30




For God’s Glory
02/13/11