United Church of God

For You See Your Calling

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For You See Your Calling

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For You See Your Calling

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We are told that we are called and that the Father Himself calls us. Do we see our calling clearly and understand and grasp the magnitude of it all?

Sermon Notes

Partial notes and Scriptures used.

Isa 29:14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. Men's wisdom is going to fail mightily ...

1Co 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 1Co 1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 1Co 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 1Co 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 1Co 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1Co 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 1Co 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 1Co 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 1Co 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. Do we see and grasp the calling God is giving us? See on the Imperative, that is, it is a COMMAND of God that we see and consider our calling!! Look around, are we the mighty, powerful, wise, movers/shakers of the world? Do we see our calling. Can we grasp WHY God called us, what is our purpose, why are we here.

1Co 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. HOW does He evaluate WHO He calls, why and when? Joh 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. IT IS THE FATHER Himself Who calls us. It is HE Who draws us, gives us the call of attention, ability to see, perceive and begin to understand, think and ponder... As we look at His creation we see that HE is perfect in all He does.. the deeper you look the more complexity and perfection you find... In His calling, some people think God likely made a mistake.. .... HE PLACES US IN THE BODY as it pleases HIM. He is very involved and HE did not just capriciously send Christ to suffer as He did just so by chance we can come into the Church which will be Christ's bride. HE wants Christ to marry a GOOD WOMAN. We have latent talents that God only can see and put to use and develop. He is trying to change and transform us in every sense of the word.

Jer 1:4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jer 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. HOW about us. When did HE start to work with YOU and ME? I personally think, He started with most of us when we were little kids. Jer 1:6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. Jer 1:7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Jer 1:8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. Jer 1:9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. Jer 1:10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant. We do as Jeremiah... we can't imagine... we can't accept the POWER and impact of His calling and the MISSION He called us for. Why did God select the Levites for the priesthood? It was not God's original intent. GOD is not made of stone, like the law of the Medes and Persians. He can change His mind... though HE Himself does not change. During the time of Jacob... Dinah was raped and dishonored by a prince of Shechem. The father asked for Dinah to be given as a wife. the Brothers were so angry and in deep wrath they could not let it go that the sister had been defiled.

Gen 34:13 And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister: Gen 34:14 And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us: They tricked them into circumcision, they came in and slaughtered the city males and took all the booty including the women... Simeon and Levi displayed a quality that properly channeled can be for great good. ACTION oriented. IF they say they will do something, they will do it... God was not pleased with their actions. They were very cold-hearted and cruel in what they did... Gen 49:5 Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. Gen 49:6 O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their self-will they digged down a wall. Gen 49:7 Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.

1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 1Pe 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. 1Pe 2:7 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, 1Pe 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 1Pe 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 marvelous light: 1Pe 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.

We are chosen, and specially called ... our characteristics as to WHY God called us at this time, have been part of His decision. Christ is loving, tender with people. emotional, multifaceted and great capacity for Great Indignation. When Christ called the leaders YOU Hypocrites !!! A great insult to the people of the day... the expulsion of the money changers... We are expected to cry aloud and spare not. Lot's soul was vexed by what he saw in Sodom... what about us?

Eze 9:4 And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. Eze 9:5 And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: Eze 9:6 Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house. We are to warn this world of what is coming and WHY it is coming... as well as the KOG message. Firstborn child was consecrated... Firstborn have some characteristics that second and third born do NOT have. Why did God change His mind?

Exo 32:7 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: Exo 32:8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. Exo 32:19 And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount. Exo 32:20 And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it. Exo 32:25 And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:) Exo 32:26 Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD'S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him. Timothy... last days: Traitors. God prizes LOYALTY. Levites were a "breed apart in this". Exo 32:27 And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour. Exo 32:28 And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men. Exo 32:29 For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves today to the LORD, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day. Be installed as priests.. from that day forward, for what they did...

Mat 12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. A Divider who does not stand for unity and Peace in the Church. Proverbs.. GOD Hates division, dissension, scattering of His people.

What are some of the traits of future kings and priests: Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; we can't answer ALL questions and know ALL THINGS...

Rev 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Sword of the spirit must be used to sort and dissect things so we can discern the Truth... to see right and wrong and what really is going on and the reasons for the split... to have the discernment. Hebe 11 ... faith and diligently SEEK TO PLEASE... taketh KOG By Force... we have to push against Satan's world.

The closer to God you are and higher He places you the TIGHTER and HIGHER your standards must be... Priests: Lev 21:1 And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron, and say unto them, There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people: Lev 21:2 But for his kin, that is near unto him, that is, for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother, Lev 21:3 And for his sister a virgin, that is nigh unto him, which hath had no husband; for her may he be defiled. Lev 21:4 But he shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself. Lev 21:5 They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh. Lev 21:6 They shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy. Lev 21:7 They shall not take a wife that is a whore, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he is holy unto his God. Lev 21:8 Thou shalt sanctify him therefore; for he offereth the bread of thy God: he shall be holy unto thee: for I the LORD, which sanctify you, am holy. Lev 21:9 And the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the whore, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire. Lev 21:10 And he that is the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes; Lev 21:11 Neither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother; Lev 21:12 Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the LORD. Lev 21:13 And he shall take a wife in her virginity.

WE are a CHOSEN generation... our standards must be high... and the closer we get to God the higher the standards need to be... In essence HIS DNA is being replicated in us. HE is putting His DNA in us and His very character also. 1 cor 1:6 what He started will be finished... He called and began to work with you... at 5, 10 ? He was watching and saw a characteristic that HE wanted...

Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Eph 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

God put HIS DNA in us by His Spirit and keeps developing us in time till we are ready for spiritual Birth. What a wonderful calling we have. HE has called us in the most exciting time of the History of Mankind. It will be scary sometimes, but NOT boring. We live at the tail end of man's society and in the cusp of the KOG... Paul: "... for you SEE your calling..." Do you follow God's command in His annointing of you..? Will you continue to trust and believe and obey HIM? Let us therefore truly look at, see and grasp our Calling from God.