Four Calls of Life

TEXT: Jude 1; 2 Pet. 1:10

INTRODUCTION:

A. TO SUMMON - "WHAT IS YOUR CALLING?"

B. FOUR CALLS ALL RECEIVE - THREE MUST BE ANSWERED.

I. THE GOSPEL CALL( 2 Thess. 2:13-14 ).

A. TO WHERE ARE WE CALLED? SALVATION IN SANCTIFICATION.

1. Separation( 2 Cor. 6:17--7:1; Rom. 12:2 ).

2. Purpose( 1 Pet. 1:2; Titus 2:14 ).

B. HOW ARE WE CALLED?( vs. 14 ). THE GOSPEL.

C. MAN IS NOT FORCED TO ANSWER( Rev. 22:17; 3:20 ).

D. SALVATION IS IN THE GOSPEL MESSAGE( Rom. 1:16-17; 1 Cor. 1:21-24 ).

E. THOUGH WE HAVE CHOICE, WE DARE NOT NEGLECT( 2 Thess. 1:7-9 )

II. THE CALL OF DEATH.

A. MAN HAS NO CHOICE HERE( Ecc. 8:8; Heb. 9:27 ).

B. THIS CALL MAY COME ANY TIME( James 4:14; 1 Sam. 20:3 ).

C. OUTSIDE CHRIST CREATES BONDAGE( Heb. 2:15 ).

D. IN CHRIST, RELEASE( Phil. 1:21 ).

E. WE MUST LIVE IN PREPARATION FOR THIS CALL ( Psa. 103:15-16; 39:4-5; 90:9-12 ).

III. THE RESURRECTION CALL.

A. WERE IT NOT FOR THIS HOW VAIN LIFE WOULD BE!( 1 Cor. 15:16-19 ).

B. IF A MAN DIE SHALL HE LIVE AGAIN( Job 14:14; John 5:28-29 ).

C. ASSURANCE IS OURS( 2 Cor. 4:14; 1 Pet. 1:3 ). ALL WILL ANSWER.

IV. THE JUDGMENT CALL.

A. ALL WILL ANSWER( Heb. 9:27; Rom. 14:10-12; 2 Cor. 5:10 ).

B. AMOS WARNS( Amos 4:12 ) "Prepare to meet thy God.

C. GOD'S JUDGMENT IS MERCIFUL AND KIND, BUT ALSO ACCORDING TO TRUTH AND RIGHTEOUSNESS.

ACCORDING TO WHAT WE HAVE DONE!

D. Acts 17:30-31:

1. Jesus is the standard - His life( 1 Cor. 11:1 ) and teachings( John 12:48 ).

2. This call is heard today as a call to repentance( vs. 30 ).

CONCLUSION:

A. IF YOU HAVE ANSWERED THE GOSPEL CALL, YOU ARE READY TO ANSWER THE OTHERS.

B. ARE YOU READY FOR THE JUDGMENT DAY?