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.  Living Hope Fellowship Church
Basic Bible Study Course

CALLED

LESSON #10 (PART 1)

INDIVIDUALS

THE CHURCH

HYPOCRITES

DEFINITIONS are taken from Webster's Dictionary.

Mammon: riches regarded as an object of worship and greedy pursuit.

Priests: originally in the early Christian church, a presbyter, or elder.

Proselyte: a person who has been converted from one religion, opinion, or party to another.

1. CALLED TO COME TO CHRIST

All are called to come to Christ for salvation. Read John 3:16, Revelation 22:17, & Matthew 11:28-30.

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. Revelation 21:6.

2. CALLED TO SERVE

All Christians are called to serve God. We each have a work to do for God. Praise God for the authority to do the work of the Lord in the name of Jesus. Jesus is our example (Philippians 2:7). He is now sitting on the right hand of God (Mark 16:19).

For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Mark 13:34.

But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger: and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. Luke 22:26.

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Matthew 6:24.

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Matthew 4:10.

Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. John 8:34.

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Hebrews 9:14.

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: Hebrews 12:28.

For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 1 Corinthians 9:19.

Read Luke 17:10. Jesus said this to his disciples after they asked him to increase their faith. We must first serve the Lord in obedience to all he has commanded. Then he can increase our faith to believe him for greater things. Read Hebrews 11:6. Unprofitable servants: Matthew 25:30, Luke 12:42-48. We can be servants and become sons of God (Galatians 4:1-7, John 1:12, Ephesians 4:13). We can fully inherit the kingdom of God (Matthew 25:34, 1 Corinthians 15:50, Hebrews 1:14, & Hebrews 6:12).

3. PARABLE OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

Remember, when we get saved, we are translated into the kingdom of God (Colossians 1:13). We are called servants, we are called sons, and can be called friends (John 15:15 & James 2:23). We are called to do a work. Each believer has a calling to fulfill. We are ACCOUNTABLE to God for what we do with what he has given us.

READ MATTHEW 25.

First the kingdom of heaven is likened unto ten virgins. The Lord separates the ten virgins, because 5 were wise and 5 were foolish. Notice that they all started as virgins and they were all called to go out to meet the bridegroom. Only 5 were ready; only 5 were "chosen".

In verse 14 the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling to a far country. He called his servants and delivered to them his goods. Jesus is Lord of Lords (Revelation 17:14). He died and was resurrected the third day. He ascended to heaven and gave us his goods. Read Matthew 28:12, Hebrews 1:2, & Romans 8:17). Jesus had a supernatural ministry. We are joint heirs with Christ. Therefore we can by faith inherit the promises of God through Jesus Christ and also have a supernatural ministry, God working with us and through us according to Mark 16:15-30.

He gave his blood to save us and he sent the Holy Ghost comforter, along with the gifts of the Spirit (Mark 3:14 & Mark Chapter 16). Read what the servants in Matthew 25 did with their talents. What are we doing with what God has given us? Let's get back to Matthew 25. He opened their understanding to the two parables, starting at verse 31.

(31) When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: (32) And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: Matthew 25:31-32.

He tells you exactly why he separates them. He is faithful to tell us what to do and what will happen if we obey or disobey.

(45) Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. (46) And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Matthew 25:45-46.

4. MANY ARE CALLED BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. John 15:16.

For many are called, but few are chosen. Matthew 22:14. Read also Matthew 20:16.

(26) For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

(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;

(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:

(29) That no flesh should glory in his presence.

(30) But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

(31) That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.

WHY ARE MANY CALLED BUT FEW CHOSEN?

All are called to repentance, but few obey that call. Many who obey the call to repent refuse to follow Jesus in carrying the cross. Very few obey the call to die to flesh—to be crucified with Christ daily (Galatians 2:20). We are commanded to grow in grace and knowledge of Christ (2 Peter 3:18). Only those that obey God will obtain eternal life. Not all endure to the end (Matthew 10:22).

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Romans 6:6. Read again John 8:34.

Our old man died and we are not to serve sin anymore. Read Colossians 1:10, 2 Timothy 2:4, and 2 Timothy 3:4.

Jesus is our example. He crucified his flesh while alive, praying and fasting, seeking God, and obeying the commandments, and God honoured him. If we obey God then God will honor us (John 12:26).

Jesus laid down his life for the sheep (John 10:15). Peter said he would lay down his life for Jesus, (John 13:37) but Jesus knew Peter, at that time, was not able to do it (John 13:38). The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41). That is why we need the power of the Holy Ghost. Peter denied Jesus three times, but he was a changed man after he received the Holy Ghost. Jesus laid down his life for "whosoever" would come unto him for eternal life. Jesus wants us to lay our lives down for the gospel's sake also. Read John 15:13.

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 1 John 3:16.

(14) For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: (15) And that he died for all, that they should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15.

Jesus went to Gethsemane to pray. He was the Son of God and the Son of man. He knew God's will was for him to be crucified. When we seek God he will show us that we need to be crucified with Christ. We sometimes pray similar to the prayer of Jesus in the garden. The Gethsemane ordeal and the cross experience are both unpleasant but necessary. In Gethsemane you are tested and you make a decision. You choose whether or not you will be crucified.

And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. Matthew 26:39.

(23) And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (24) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. (25) For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? Luke 9:23-25.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20.

It will cost you your life to obey the calling of God (Romans 12:1-3). Count the cost (Luke 14:28). It is going to cost you, but look at what Jesus already paid, making it possible. Look at the reward: eternal life with Jesus, not everlasting punishment.

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 1 Corinthians 6:20.

Jesus gave his life willingly; he submitted fully to God in the garden of Gethsemane. Read 1 Chronicles 29:9. Not only are we to offer our goods willingly, but ourselves also. We have the choice to deny ourselves and be crucified with Christ. (James 4:7) Submit yourself to God. We don't seek to please men, but God (Galatians 1:10). It is not possible to just live and die without consequences (Romans 14:7 & Romans 11:29). There are no excuses on judgment day.

(17) Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. (18) No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. John 10:17-18.

5. CALLED AND SEPARATED

INDIVIDUALS

Jesus is our example. God has always had a chosen people. We are called to be saints (1 Corinthians 1:2).

For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Hebrews 7:26.

Do you feel like the only one who is separate? YOU are responsible for your soul, first of all. YOU are called to come and be saved. YOU then have a responsibility to win others to Christ. God calls each one individually. He called Abraham individually.

Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him. Isaiah 51:2.

Read how Abraham went out, not knowing where he went (Hebrews 11:8). He obeyed God, then God saw fit to make his seed as the sand of the sea (Genesis 32:12). God separated the Israelites from all the people of the earth (1 Kings 8:53). Psalm 106:35 says later they mingled with the heathen and learned their works. It defiled them.

Why is it important to be separate? Because what you do affects others. A bad apple can spoil a bunch. Read about Achan and how his sin affected others (Joshua 7:1-26). God is not willing that any perish (2 Peter 3:9), but some will not believe and accept the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:10 and 3:2). He calls all to repentance. If they reject God, he will reject them (Hosea 4:6). They will not be chosen to obtain eternal life if they have not chosen to serve God (Read Deuteronomy 30:15 & 19).

We must be separate from sin, because sin separates you from God (Isaiah 59:2). Hypocrites hurt the kingdom of God. Read how Simon deceived a whole town (Acts Chapter 8). If you are deceived, you don't have the truth. If you don't have the truth, you don't have Jesus (John 14:6). Without Jesus you don't have eternal life (1 John 5:11).

THE CHURCH

Read in Leviticus 15:31 about how the children of Israel needed to be separated from their uncleanness so they wouldn't die. Remember how Achan's sin hurt Israel (Joshua 7:1-26). Read about Ananias and Sapphira and what God did to cleanse the church before others could follow their example (Acts 5:1-16). God is a holy God. He requires his bride to be without spot and without wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27). If you call yourself a servant of God, but find yourself in sin, REPENT. Read Ezra 10:11 and 2 Corinthians Chapter 6.

We are called to work for God. God wants us to be set apart from the world and the worldly church that would separate us from God. Sin separates you from God (Isaiah 59:2).

The church of the living God must be separate from the world. It is to be the bride of Christ, without spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27). We are to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit (2 Corinthians 7:1). We are to forsake our sins (Proverbs 28:13) after Jesus saves us. The church as a whole must do the same if we are going to be ready when he comes. Jesus, our deliverer, by his Spirit will help us to overcome the flesh, the world, and the devil (Ephesians 3:16). Zion means God's people, the Jews. Read Romans 2:28-29 how ". . . he is a Jew, which is one inwardly." Therefore we also are God's people.

Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon. Zechariah 2:7. Read Rev. 18:4.

But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him. Psalm 4:3.

(14) Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (15) And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? (16) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.

Paul was separated unto the gospel (Romans 1:1). The Lord chose a particular work for Saul and Barnabas to do together (Acts 13:2). They accomplished much because they obeyed that call to work! If you are called and separated you will also be a peculiar people and a peculiar treasure to God. Read Exodus 19:5 and 1 Peter 2:9. Jesus died for us, redeemed us from sin, and is purifying and sanctifying us unto him, making us peculiar, so we will serve him fervently (Titus 2:14 & Romans 12:11).

HYPOCRITES: Read Mat. 23:13 & 15 and all of Mat. Chapter 23.

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