The Called

The sermon today, if you look on your bulletin, says the title is The Called. Last week, I gave a sermon here, part one, and it was a sermon about the calling. And we went into various scriptures and proof that you cannot come to Christ unless God the Father calls you. That's pretty simple in John 6 and various scriptures that we went into last week. So I want to talk this week, the sermon is titled The Called, because after the calling, there is a time that is known in our lives as being called.

And being called, there are obligations. There are obligations of being called. And I'd like to look at where we ended last week, if you will turn with me to Ephesians 4. Ephesians 4, we ended the sermon last week with these verses, but I want to go a little bit deeper in there, if you will. Ephesians 4, in verse 1, I'll read from the New King James Version. Paul is writing there, and he says, I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, being this was one of the prison epistles, so he was actually writing to the church at Ephesus from his prison cell, which I doubt was very nice.

Right at that time, he says, I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord beseech you to have a walk worthy. How's your walk? How worthy is your walk? It says, I beseech you to have a walk worthy of the calling. So we have to have a walk worthy of this calling, since we are what? The called. So we're going to dive into that a little deeper today. It says, Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with long suffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

I think you might find it interesting, as he goes in there, that part of this calling, he says, that we're to do it with all lowliness. Lowliness. Interesting word. In the actual New King James, the Greek word there, like to give you today, I won't delve into the Greek and bore you too much, but I find it interesting that this word, translated lowliness, in the Greek is only used two times in the entire Bible. And this is one of them.

The other one, a couple pages over, if you'll turn with me to Philippians. Philippians. The only two times this word is used. Philippians 2, in verse 3, said, Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem others better than themselves. Let each of you look out, not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. So, what is this lowliness of mind? I know you can't see very well, because I just had to throw this together, being I had to borrow.

But actually, there's a word in the Greek called tapenos. It's a word that they translate from the Greek, where they use meek or humble. A word is used to be attitudes, blessed are the meek, where they shall inherit the earth. But tapenos is not the word here. Actually, it's one of the toughest words in the Greek to pronounce, and this is it at the bottom. Now, in case you want to know, this is what this word is, only used twice. It's T-A-P-E-I-N-T-O-P-H-R-O-S-U-N-E. That's a mouthful. So, it's not to actually pronounce, if I can do my Greek right, tapenosrosno-no.

Onay. Excuse me. Onay. Thank you for the correction of my Greek. Had to look at that this week and go, wow, do I really know that word? Tapenosrosno. And it actually means, this long word, only used twice, the actual definition is the humiliation of the mind.

The humiliation of the mind. It's so much deeper than say humble, because somebody can appear to be humble. We've all seen that, right? Just turn on the TV and listen to our politicians. Some pretend to be humble. Other people pretend to be humble. But this is different. This is what is tied back to Jesus Christ. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Jesus Christ. Loneliness of mind, which is this word, which means a humiliation of the mind. It means that's your mindset. And it's not something that you put on.

And then take off like a coat. I must say, it's very interesting here, because it means also to be long suffering. Long suffering. How about you? Are you long suffering? And when you actually look this up in the Greek, because not many of us really are, it's interesting because the actual Greek means, if you translate it, long temper. Now my wife said, well, when we got married, I had a long temper. Okay? But that's not really what it means, because it is the opposite of being short temper.

And none of us like to be around someone who is short temper, especially if that is our boss. Right? So this means that you, it takes a long time for you to lose your temper.

Why? Because of this mind. You're not upset if someone humiliates you. You're not upset if you have to do something that someone asks you to do, that you really don't want to do it. It's the complete state of being humble all the time, and that's what it says is part of this walk and it's part of what makes you worthy with this walk to be called.

And humility is as large of a task as anything any of us will really do. Isn't it? I mean, it's the ultimate test for us. It's part of answering the call. It's a character that we are trying to develop. You know, there are very few who are called today. We talked about that last week.

I won't go into that as much, but for those who are called that God calls, they come to Christ, it says, it is special. It is special. It is a privilege to be called at this time. We have seven billion people. Yet how many people follow God the way He asks you to call Him? Not that many. Yes, maybe more, maybe less, but I know it's not many. Right? So it is a privilege to be called at this time, but something there's always, if you're privileged, there's usually an obligation that comes with that.

And even though it is a special calling, it is a privilege to be called, yet our behavior is to shout modesty, humility, just like Christ did. Because you see, when people are promoted here on this planet earth, as you call it, no matter where it is, when you're promoted and made out to be something special, what happens? Oh, yes. You have a different walk. You feel special. Oh, look at the simplicity that is television in reality shows. People that were towing vehicles a year ago are now on TV towing vehicles. And they feel important because somebody walking down the street, oh, I know you! I've seen you on TV. Oh, yes, I am. Are they any different? No. But they feel special. And God has no problem with us feeling special, knowing we are privileged. But He does have a problem with how we handle it by this state of mind. Because we may say, well, you know, I'm called, and you're not. Is that modesty? Is that humility? No, that's judging. We don't do that. It's hard for us to do this. Can you imagine what it was like for Jesus Christ who set us that example? He came here. He was God. He came here. And you know, during those 33 years, there were times when He wanted to go, you idiots.

He wanted to say, what's wrong with you? Let me show you what dust is. But He didn't. He controlled His mind. That had to be hard to do. But He's showing if He could do it, so can we pathetic puny humans who have just a little bit of the Spirit that He had as we walk this earth. That is why He is our example, and an incredible example of that. Now, every year about this time or in the spring, they always have in sports, which I know Michael likes sports, we talked about. I love sports. They always have for the professional teams, whether it's basketball, football, they even have it in hockey and baseball. They have it in all of them. And it's a draft. It's a draft where usually the people coming out of college, the top players, the elite of the elite in college, they come before and they're going to be chosen, picked, picked, cremed to the cream.

And so there's this distinction about being drafted in the first round. One of those firsts to be chosen in that very first round. And as I heard not long ago, once that you achieve that, that will always stay with you the rest of your life. First round draft choice of the Miami Dolphins, which may not be that much privilege today, seeing how they play. But the money is better. The prestige is better. You get to have endorsements. Everybody knows who you are. You get a jersey with your name on it that other people you hope will go buy some. Right? That's the first round.

There are obligations being a first rounder. As a matter of fact, I even saw this week as I was going through Google News, there was actually a story about all the busts of the first round draft choice in basketball, football, and how they didn't pan out. And it mocked them. They received this big salary, but they never fulfilled. All their obligations are their expectations or their potential, because most are drafted for their potential. Because, okay, they have what it takes, they think, but it's the potential. See, God mentions in his scriptures, he has, if I can use the analogy, he has a first round draft. He has a first and a second. We're in the first. That's what's special and privileged. He calls us first fruits, not first round. First fruits. And he says, I'm drafting you not because you have, you're not all this, but because of your potential. Because of what you can become when I work with you. That is special. Because now, being a called one, a first fruit, a first rounder, we have an obligation with this calling. Like you go with me to 1 Corinthians, if you will. 1 Corinthians 1. I want to show something about this.

1 Corinthians 1, verse 2. To the church of God, which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ, called to be, what? Saints. Saints. And I'm talking about the New Orleans Saints. Okay? Talking about saints of God. And when do we become saints? When we receive His Holy Spirit. When we are the temple of God.

The saints of God, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours, go back a few pages in Romans 1. Look at Romans 1.

Romans 1, as he addresses a church, Rome. He's addressing the first round draft choices, okay, at that time. And he says in verse 7, To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints.

So it's not like we do not know what we are called to be, and then what we are called by name when we're called. Saints!

Why you? See, that's at the core of the called, is why you? Because basically, it isn't about you. It's about Him. And yeah, it's amazing because you can see actually before the NFL draft, they have mock drafts where they spend weeks and weeks preparing for their draft. Their draft of who they're going to choose in the first round, and they have all this in case somebody picks somebody else, and they have this mock draft to show, okay, this is who we want, and look what He has, and look at His speed, and wow, that's what we want. Now, because Christ and God are so much smarter than the draft gurus, but it's kind of like that with us. It's kind of like they got together and said, we're going to take that one.

1 Corinthians back there in 1 again. 1 Corinthians 1. 1 Corinthians 1.

Verse 26. It might sound familiar like a song. In verse 26, for you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise, according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called. Well, so that should kind of take the swelling down out of your chest in case you want to go, yeah, God called me because I'm special. Well, you are special, but it's nothing about you. But God has chosen the foolish things. Oh, wow, there we go. That's a slap. Now, God chose the foolish things of the world, Chuck Smith, one of them, to put to shame the wise. And God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty. Where's Warren Buffett? Home office would like that, wouldn't they? And the base things of the world and the things which are despised, God has chosen. And the things which are not to bring to nothing the things that are. So He's actually saying, hey, I'm going to call you. I'm going to show what my spirit can do in you. And then later on, they're going to go, wow, I guess you can do about anything.

And why does He do that? To bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. At the second round, draft choice, at the second resurrection, when people are before Him that are raised up, wait a minute, I was king.

And God's going to say, Christ is going to say, you are king because I let you be king. Now you're going to learn the truth. 30, but of Him you are in Christ Jesus who became for us wisdom from God. And the righteousness and sanctification being set apart is what sanctification means. We have been set apart. It's called sanctification, sanctified for a special purpose. And with us, it's a holy purpose.

And that is written, He who glories, let him glory. What? He who glories, let him glory in the Lord. God did this. Anything good in me, it's because God is in me. Not because, well, you know who my father was? You know who my grandfather was? They were important people in this world. No. It's about Him. It's about everything that God does. The wisdom of mankind is foolishness to God. Even our greatest mind, He's going to go, Sit down, Albert. I want to teach you about theory of relativity, exactly what you got wrong. As a matter of fact, let me take you to another universe in a split second and be back the next split second. Turn to another second Timothy, if you will. Second Timothy, if we can go there.

Second Timothy 1, verse 7. You know this, I quote this many times. I have quoted this many times. I will continue to quote it because it's a memory Scripture, because it also explains a lot to me. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.

He says, therefore, see that therefore connects it. It's a part of the same sentence structure. Therefore, since He gives us this, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me, His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings of the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling. This is not a calling so that we can just feel good about ourselves, so that we can have a special mailbox on our street that God goes called. It's a holy calling. Wow! Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ before time even began? Sermon and itself. So we have this calling. We're called saints. We're holy. It's a holy calling. You put all that together, and guess what? There's an obligation, isn't there? There's an obligation. FPL. We send them a check every month. And you know there's an obligation. We expect to have electricity. Doesn't everybody? But I can guarantee you, if they didn't get their check, I wouldn't have electricity because there's an obligation. Now, let's look at this, your typical job. You have an obligation, right? For most of us who have worked, still working, retired. Okay? Don't you think about that? Obligation to work hard. That's what most employers want, right? Anybody that you have employed, people, right, Ivan? You want somebody to work hard? You expect it. You expect people to show up on time, right? That's an obligation. And probably expectation, what? To be competent, right? Can you think of another one? Obligation of a work? Say that again. Complete the job that you're given. Part of being competent. Anything else?

Yes, be able to show up when they need you, right? These are all obligations, right? Loyalty. There's some loyalty. Yeah, they expect you to go, well, you know. Here, let me go over, and this guy's not watching me. I'll go over and help you on his time, right? Or if you get a new position, you become a manager, you have a group, and you'll have a football player. Yeah, there are obligations for this. So what is our obligation? To God for being called, for being a first-round draft choice, for being a first fruit. There's an obligation there, because the rewards are out of this world, right? The rewards are the whole universe, as Romans 8 says, that inherit not only, and Louis said, not only the Milky Way, but the galaxy's beyond that. God owns it all. And you're going to live forever, and I'm never going to ever have to get up with my back hurting. See, God is building a team of world and universal leaders, okay? And unlike the team that either Hillary Clinton will put together or Donald Trump will put together, it's not going to be about what your resume says and how well you interview and how well you can stand up and lie to people and then go, oh, okay, it isn't like that. This is not like the world. This is an out of the world calling, because He's calling you to be holy. Your obligation is what we'd like to cover. Now, one of them by first memory scriptures, I remember as a guy, I didn't really understand it, was 1 Peter 1 verse 15-16. For as He who called you is holy, you also be holy. Because He mentions, as the scriptures say from the Old Testament, be holy as I am holy. He's asking us, because we've already saw, we're to be holy. Holy saints. It's a holy calling. So how does a holy person act?

We're going to have a pause here. Think about it. How does a holy person act? Have you seen a holy person? Anybody seen? I've seen holy people. I'm looking at some right now. Right? Yeah, at least one in here. Oh, well, thank you. That makes me feel so superior to everyone. Yeah, no. That would cut the holiness in half right quickly. Holy. How does a holy person act? What? Honest. Right. You would expect, if you saw somebody honest, these are characteristics, right? Characteristic. When you see them, you know they don't act like people you don't consider holy. Right? We're only people. Right. But what are some other things? Have you seen other? Humble. Loving. Absolutely. Giving. Caring. Right? Forgiving. That's a big one today. Right? So, it's kind of like Thoreau Good Marshall said 50-60 years ago about pornography. I know it when I see it. Okay. Guess what? Holy. I think most of us know it when we see it. Right, Courtney? I mean, it's... Now, does it mean that someone who might do something really bad and then you see something really good? Does that... No. Because the good, hopefully, the good is a part of their character and the bad they're trying to work on. That's how we all are. Right? But you see people who aren't really close to God, they don't care anything about God, but they were raised with some of these great characteristics. They were raised by parents who said, don't do this. Don't steal. Don't lie. Don't cheat. Right? And that's part of what this calling is about, to where, yes, it's not just being humble and meek at times, but it's a state of mind. It's the whole mindset that we want to do what's right. What's left? Like pulling up and trying to get in traffic when nobody wants to let you through in Miami or Fort Lauderdale or Miramar or any of these other places where you're just trying to get through and people will speed up so that you cannot get in there. And then the next thing you know, I'm getting warm. And my humiliation of my mind is not saying, well, boy, I bet they've got a place they need to really get to more than my place. Because isn't that a lot of what it's about? When you think somebody else is getting over on you, let's esteem others better than ourselves. Go back to that one, that two times it's used. Can we recognize whole or behavior when you see it in those you really do not want to see it in?

Humiliation of the mind. Do you see it when you look in the mirror? Well, no, that's just a physical reflection. But is it written all over your face?

Because a lot can be seen on the inside because of what's on the outside. Let's go to Romans 8. Let's go to Romans 8, one of my favorite chapters. Romans 8 and verse 28, we all know it, but let's look at it again. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. He reminds us again. How many times is it in the Bible that it's His calling? That we are His choice.

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed in the image of His Son. Part of the obligation, He wants us to have that mind. He wants us to be in the spiritual image of His Son. That He might be the firstborn among many brethren. That's us. See, He was the first. In the first round, He was number one. And then there are the other first. He was the first of the first fruits. Pretty special.

We are called according to His purpose. Do we all know His purpose? Do we know what our purpose is? Let's go back to 1 Peter. 1 Peter. 1 Peter 2. This is part of the obligation that most people, let me have some of the other, don't let me have this. This is just a little bit too much. 1 Peter 2. 1 Peter 2. And verse 19. 1 Peter 2 and verse 19. It says, To this you are called. For this is commendable if because of conscious toward God, one endures grief, suffering, and wrongfully. Or, yeah, grief, suffering, wrongfully.

For what credit is it when you are beaten for your faults that you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer for it, if you take it patiently, this is commendable. This is part of the obligation before God.

If I go out here and I'm speeding and I'm 80 in a 65 and He gives me a ticket, it's like, okay. But I'm doing 65 and He comes up and says, no, I caught you on the radar at 80.

I was doing what was right.

But what happens when you lose a job because of the Sabbath? And you're saying, God, I did it for you.

He said, that's commendable. That's part of the obligation. He needs to see. Are we going to go, well, look what you did to me, God. You did it to me again. Right? See, if I send my tithe check in this week, I'll get you the richest being in the universe. Look at this. It's powerful. But what is it when you are beaten for your faults? You take it patiently. But when you do good and suffer for it, if you take it patiently, not that it's going to be fun, but if you take it patiently and don't... all week long.

This is commendable before God. For to this you were called. For to this you were called. Anybody can take it if there's a problem, because they kind of cause it themselves. We all kind of adapt to that. But it's tough to put a smile on your face when you have problems because of obeying God. Because for to this you were called. Because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us in the what? An example that we should follow in his steps. And he said he committed no sin, nor was guile found in his mouth.

Grief. Suffering.

Do we understand now why God has not called most people? And sometimes, sometimes we may feel like God kind of wants to see how much suffering we can take. And though the Scripture says he never tempts us, he does test us. He wants to see, are we worthy of that first round draft choice? Are we worthy of it? Because he's got quite a few. He looks out here and they are very worthy.

I think of the disciples in Acts chapter 5 as they were just starting out their ministry and they were pulled together and said, quit preaching this Jesus Christ! And they wouldn't. So they pulled them in and they said, we told you not to do this. So they went and they took them and they beat them. And they left the place and said they were rejoiced. They rejoiced because they were counted worthy to suffer.

I don't know that I could do that yet. I don't know that I'm ready for that test. I hope I could. I don't know. I know one thing I still have some growing spiritually to do.

Because I'm not ready to go, hey, beat me first. See, when I was in school, I got quite a few whippings because they used to, in Tennessee, whipp you with a paddle. Okay, we were usually doing something. Yes, I never got one I didn't deserve. Okay, but they were using quite a few boys. It started in the third grade and all the way up to the eighth grade. The principal would pull us in. And it was going to be three licks of paddle unless it was your third time, then it was five licks. Okay, I was going to get my five. Okay, so I got in trouble for doing something. So he pulls three or four of us boys in there and makes us sit on a chair and makes us wait, which was murder when you're 13. You know, but when he said, okay, everybody knows what you did. Stand up at the stand up my table, put your hands on the table. I said, I'm first. I push my way to the front. Why? I wanted to get my licks and get out so I didn't have to hear wham, wham, wham. Come on. Wham! You know, I wanted to get it over with because it was good for me. That's not what he's discussing here. He's discussing. We take it and say, thank you. May I have another? And I'm not sure I'm there yet. And that's something I need to be working on. And I don't know about you. Hopefully you're ready. Hopefully we're ready when the time comes to do that. Peter wrote it and said it best, and we'll finish up here. I'd like you to turn to 2 Peter. As we're talking about this obligation of being this called chosen one, and if anyone knew what it was like to be all over the place spiritually and mentally, it was Peter. Remember? He was one one time and said, uh-uh. I don't know a guy. But just hours before he goes, no, they won't take you. I'll handle them. Hand me that sword.

Did a little ear trimming. Right? Oh, he was ready. Well, God got to see. And that's sometimes us. Thankfully, he hasn't put me through quite what he's put through Peter and Paul. When I go out and swim in the ocean, I'm not stranded there for three days like Peter. Okay? I can kind of swim into the shore and look for sharks. See? But we are tests. We are tried in different ways. Each of us has different opportunities to show and to build upon this calling that he has done. Second Peter. Let's go there. Second Peter. Second Peter 1. Verse 2 and 3. 2 Peter 1, 2 and 3. Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. Are you thankful for the knowledge you have? Okay. As his divine power has given to us things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us. What? Who called us by glory and virtue. Who's glory and who's virtue? God's! Right?

Glory. Greek word doxy, which means honor and dignity. It's by God's honor. It's his dignity because how elevated he is, how glorified he is, just because he is who he said he is. And so by his glory and virtue, which virtue can actually mean excellence. So there's no question of saying, well, you know, I don't know why God called him. Must have been something wrong with God. You can't because he is who he is. He said, excellence.

Like you go down to verse 9. Verse 9, 2 Peter 1 verse 9. For he who lacks these things is short-sighted even to blindness and has forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble. For so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So this is part of the reward, but there's an obligation here. But did you see what it said in verse 9? For those who lack these things. What's these things? So these are the things we need to fulfill our calling, to fulfill our potential, to fulfill our obligation. Because he's given the Spirit. Now, what are you going to do with it? So I brought this bowl. This is a bowl that... Yeah, I wish I... Some cereal I wish I could eat that much. This is a bowl that my wife makes for a cake. Uses to mix up things for a cake. I can't. I've never made a cake. As you can see, I've eaten quite a few, but I've never made a cake. Wouldn't know really how to begin because I've never even thought about it. Okay, now I'm sure some of our ladies, so maybe some of our men, even know. What do you need to make a cake? Flour. So you'd have to put flour in here. Eggs. Okay, so I have flour. So I put some flour and then I just throw a few eggs in here. Two. Oh, take them out of a shell. That's a good thing. Okay. Sugar and butter. Water. No water. Butter and sugar. Okay. So I can't put my flour in here first. No. I'm making a cake.

Okay, so we're getting technical. Now I know why I don't make cakes. Okay. So we just heard ingredients for a cake. Now I want to give you today, as we end the sermon, because this is where we'll pick up next week, we're going to go into those ingredients. But I want to give you what the ingredients are. If you will go with me, 1 Peter 1. Sorry, 2 Peter 1, verse 5. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith. We're supposed to already have faith, right? That's why we have the Holy Spirit. That's why we're forgiven. We're not forgiven for all things we do. It's our faith in God and faith in that plan and faith in our Savior. Right? But he says to that faith, add virtue. Virtue. You know what it is? Somebody comes up, well, you know you have virtue there. This is one of the ingredients. Okay? Now, I'm going to take this. I'm going to fold it. I'm going to put it in my bowl. Virtue. But then that's not enough because he said down to virtue, what? Knowledge. We have to have knowledge. It's not just good enough. We need to know. We need to know that we know what we know that we know that we know, right? You know that? Okay? Knowledge. So another ingredient. Now, you told me there were only four ingredients in a cake. Well, somebody said water could be five. Now you're adding all these other things. Okay? That's why I stay away from the kitchen. Here, God gives us, Peter is telling us, seven, seven of these elements. Okay? So, we just got done with knowledge. And what did he say? To knowledge, self-control. That's one of the ingredients. Isn't that a tough one for most of you? Maybe everybody except for Stephanos? No. Yeah. Right? Self-control is really hard. That's another ingredient. And then he says, after self-control, who? Perseverance. Do you have plenty of that? Some of you say, I've had perseverance for years. Well, I hope so. But that's one of the ingredients. Perseverance. But he's not through yet. Because he said, to perseverance, godliness. Well, it's really stepping it up. This is part of the obligation. These are the things we need to be what? Projecting. Showing. This is what's going to help us. Godliness. How do you know what's godly and what's not? Sorry, there's only one reference book. With God, there's God and holy, and then there's everything else. This is what he wants. This is godliness. And finally... nope, not finally. Because there's another... he's got another ingredient. Brotherly kindness.

Now this is tough. Wait a minute. Well, I can be kind of Bruce most of the time. You know? Right? I can go Neil. Let me come over. Let's have a talk. And it's easy enough to show brotherly kindness, but can't I show this all the time when someone is not my brother? Oh, wait a minute. Am I supposed to do that? Christ did it, didn't he? Another ingredient. Brotherly kindness. And he said to brotherly kindness...

agape. Not just love, but agape. Seven qualities, seven ingredients, seven components. That's supposed to be in this cake called a saint. That's you. That's me. Let's finish up in verse 8. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. And then he tells you what your reward will be.

The called. The ingredients. The expectations. The obligations of the called. Next week, we're going to break these seven down. What an incredible, incredible miracle that we are here, seven billion people, and we are called. Loving them all. How special can that be?