The Christian has a Calling (I Cor 15:58)

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by

Robert Piña
in

Introduction: This morning we are going to see a couple things that we as Christians are called to be. These are not suggestions, these are clear commands from God to his children. These things will help us get in line with God according to His Word and it will prove our submission to Him. There is a big difference in what a Christian is called to be and what we pretend to be for others to see.

The Christian is called to be: 

  1. Steadfast in the Work of God– I Corinthians 15:58 “be ye steadfast”. To be stedfast is- to be firmly fixed, established, constant, steady, firm, not fickle or wavering, unmovable. The believer is to be steadfast when it comes to the work of the Lord. Many Christians quit, don’t show up consistently, any little thing knocks them out, that should not be so. Jr church, Sunday School, door knocking, VBS. 
  • “your labour is not in vain”- there is a reward for the stedfast person. God is keeping perfect score in heaven, you don’t want to give up, work to point of exhaustion. 
  1. Holy Like God is Holy- 1 Peter 1:15-16 “Be ye holy; for I am holy”. To be holy is to be righteous, pure, sinless, and godly. To be set apart for God’s use. This is done in two ways, first is to be set apart from the world, and secondly, to be set apart unto God. 
  • We are to be Holy because God is Holy. Righteous, pure, sinless, complete. 
  • We are to be Holy because God has called believers to be Holy in all of life. Our Conversation (in your manners, behaviors, deportment) should be Holy. We must pursue, seek and go after holiness. 
  • The Bible demands holiness- this is our passage. Consecrated to God. We are to be Holy in our bodies, Holy in our manner of life, and fruitfulness. 
  1. Transformed and Not Conformed– Romans 12:2 “but be ye transformed”. To be conformed to this world means that we dress, act, participate in, talk, carry yourself, etc, like the world. Don’t follow the fellowship of this world, the fashion and lust of this world, the course of this world, pleasures, security of this world. 
  • To be transformed by the renewing of our mind happens by the presence and the image of Christ in the life of the believer. We now have the Holy Spirit of God and the Word of God which should dominate our lives. 
  • We are to love God with all our mind. We are to keep his mind on spiritual things. We are not to fulfill the lust of the flesh. We are not to walk as the world walks. We are to think on the things of God. 
  1. A Doer Not a Hearer Only– James 1:22 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only”. It is not enough to hear and know the Word of God; we must live and do the Word of God. 
  • The person who only hears and knows the Word deceives himself. If a person thinks that he can hear and learn the Word of God and then go out and live like he wants, he deceives himself. 
  • The person who only hears and know the Word soon forgets what the has heard. Don’t forget what you hear when you leave this place. 
  • The person who hears and does the Word of God is blessed. 
  1. Separate From Lost People- II Corinthians 6:17 “and be ye separate, saith the Lord”. (vs 14-17) 
  • Separate from lost people (vs 14-17) I Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should she forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light”. 
  • Separate from saved people who are walking like lost people (I Corinthians 5:9-11). 
  1. Still and Know God- Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God”. How many times have you stood at a fork in the road and didn’t know what to do next? 
  • Being still gives God an opportunity to work to arrange circumstances, people, decisions, attitudes, hard hearts, unbeliever, etc. 
  • Being still shows Him that you’re trusting Him. 
  • Being still shows His way is better than our way. Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD”.
  1. Ready For the Return of Christ– Luke 12:40 “Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not”. I Thessalonians 4:13-18. 
  • Jesus Christ can come back at any minute now for the believers (His Church). 
  • Don’t be distracted, sleepy, carless, tired, off guard. 
  • Christ will come back when you least expect Him “when ye think not”. 

Conclusion: The things discussed this morning are things that a believing Christian is called to be. These are not to be overlooked or left undone. Every single believer is to do these things and to do them well by the grace of God.