Message Notes

The calling of the Lord

1. Not meant only for pastors and full time servants of God

2. The calling of the Lord is meant for all

3. It is simply an invitation from the Lord

Consider the first call in the grace of the Lord

“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,”   Galatians 1:6

1. The first call to salvation

a. Through the grace of God, we are called to salvation

b. We need to have salvation first before we can respond to the other aspects of the call

c. We need to be saved from our sins

2. It is only by grace that we can be saved

a. Grace means the divine favour of the Lord

b. It is freely given

3. This grace can only be given by God   (Galatians 1:3)

4. It is Christ who saves us through His grace

a. He sacrificed Himself for our sins   (Galatians 1:4)

b. He delivered us from this evil age   (Galatians 1:4)

c. He is fulfilling the will of God   (Galatians 1:4)

Certainty that the call to grace is true

1. We can be sure that this call to grace is true salvation

2. The danger of a different gospel that is based on works   (Galatians 1:6)

3. The challenge to be certain that the true salvation can only come through grace

Checking our salvation with the example of Paul

1. When once there was no understanding of grace

a. Many sins

“Although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man;”   1 Timothy 1:13

b. Ignorance   (1 Timothy 1:13)

c. No faith   (1 Timothy 1:13)

2. When the profound grace of God was given

a. Mercy and grace go together   (1 Timothy 1:13, 16)

b. Abundant grace   (1 Timothy 1:14)

c. Faith and love in the Lord Jesus   (1 Timothy 1:14)

3. When grace was understood with certainty

a. A faithful and worthy word that Paul wrote about   (1 Timothy 1:15)

b. The fact of the salvation of Christ   (1 Timothy 1:15)

4. The longsuffering of Christ as a pattern for all believers   (1 Timothy 1:16)

a. It was the plan of the Lord Jesus to give this first call of grace to Paul

b. He became a pattern of grace for all other believers

Appropriate responses

1. First things first

a. Accept the call to the grace of God

b. Need to check our salvation

2. Finding a deeper appreciation for our salvation

3. Full-hearted thanksgiving and glory given to God

a. Giving thanks that we are enabled   (1 Timothy 1:12)

b. Honour and glory given to the Lord   (1 Timothy 1:17)