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Sermon:
Specific Instructions
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by Chris Cumming
The title of my sermon today is “Specific Instructions”. I want to
begin today by looking at some individuals who received specific
instructions.
Let us begin with Abraham…
Genesis 12:1-3
1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and
from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will
shew thee:
2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and
make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth
thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Hebrews 11:8
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he
should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not
knowing whither he went.
Moses:
Exodus 3:2
And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of
the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with
fire, and the bush was not consumed.
Exodus 3:10
Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest
bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.
Joshua
Deuteronomy 31:14
And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must
die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the
congregation, that I may give him a charge. And Moses and Joshua went,
and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation.
Deuteronomy 31:23
And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a
good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land
which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.
Paul
Acts 9:15-16
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel
unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the
children of Israel:
16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's
sake.
Acts 13:2-3
2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said,
Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them,
they sent them away.
Paul began many of his letters with the words,
“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated
unto the gospel of God.”
All these people received specific instructions, a specific calling.
Why should we think that it should be any different now, in these end
times?
My purpose today is to show all of us that our calling is specific and
that God has specific instructions for each one of us.
I encourage each of us to….Find, embrace and perform our calling.
Today we will define what a calling is. Then we will look at what we
know about our calling. After that we will look at some scripture that
talks about the mystery of our calling. Finally, we will get down to some
specific instructions
First let us look at the definition of the word,
“Calling”--- Definition:
vocation, occupation, or career, esp. considered as inspired or
inevitable.
Synonyms:
profession (1), walk of life
Similar Words:
lifework, pursuit, business, employment, work, trade, craft,
specialty, passion, inspiration.
Now that we have a definition of calling, let’s look at some elements we
know about God’s Calling.
1] GOD DOES THE CALLING
John 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.
2] JESUS CHRIST HAD A CALLING
John 4:34
34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me,
and to finish his work.
3] WE WERE CALLED TO BAPTISM—SPECIFIC ELEMENTS
A) To be a child of God:
Romans 8:16
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the
children of God:
B) To glory and perfection:
1 Peter 5:10
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by
Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect,
stablish, strengthen, settle you.
C) To a better resurrection:
Hebrews 11:35—faith chapter—breaking
into a thought
Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were
tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better
resurrection.
D) To be a witness:
Acts 1:7-8
7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the
seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon
you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all
Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
4] WE WERE CALLED TO BE FIRSTFRUITS
Romans 8:28-30
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are the called according
to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to
the image of his Son, that he might be the
firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he
called, them he also justified: and whom he
justified, them he also glorified.
2 Timothy 1:9
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to
our works, but according to his own
purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world
began,
Ephesians 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:
1 Corinthians 1:26-29
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.
5] WE ARE CALLED TO DO WORKS
James 2:20-26
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered
Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith
made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God,
and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the
Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith
only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she
had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is
dead also.
James 1:22
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own
selves.
6] GOD WANTS US TO KNOW OUR CALLING
Ephesians 1:18-19
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know
what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his
inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who
believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
7] WHAT OUR CALLING IS NOT
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
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.
We see 3 elements that are not incorporated into the calling of God:
• Wise after the flesh—worldly wise
• Physical might
• Noble families
There is nothing wrong with these elements unless they get in the way of
our calling.
Now turn to Jer. 9 and verse 23
Jeremiah 9:23-24
23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man
glory in his riches:
24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and
knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment,
and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith
the LORD.
Two of the same elements and now riches are added to the list. There is
a place for these elements but they are not a goal in our calling.
Our goal is to know our calling; the specific instructions.
8] WE MUST “WALK” IN OUR CALLING
Ephesians 4:1-6
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy
of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one
another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope
of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in
you all.
So God wants us to walk in His calling. Moreover, God wants us to walk
Worthy of our calling.
The calling includes qualities as lowliness, meekness, longsuffering and
love.
Verse 3 says “Endeavoring to keep the unity” That implies that we must
put forth a diligent effort to keep the unity of the Spirit. WHY??
Because it is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we have the strength
to put in that diligent effort.
9] OUR CALLING COMES WITH POWER
2 Timothy 1:7-9
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of
love, and of a sound mind.
8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me
his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel
according to the power of God;
9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according
to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was
given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.
A Spirit of Power---A Spirit of Love---A Spirit of a Sound mind. THE
HOLY SPIRIT.
Verse 9 says our calling is a Holy Calling. It is Holy according to
God’s purpose and grace. A specific purpose.
10] THE FOCUS OF OUR CALLING
Now remembering Ephesians 4 where it said to walk in your calling.
We know that we are to walk by the power of the Holy Spirit but what do
we focus on as we put in this diligent effort?
Turn to Philippians 3 and beginning in verse 14
Philippians 3:14-21
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in
Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in
any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the
same rule, let us mind the same thing.
17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as
ye have us for an ensample.
18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even
weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory
is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the
Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto
his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to
subdue all things unto himself.
The prize is eternal life and the Kingdom of God. The more we meditate
on these things the less apt we are to focus on worldly elements.
Let us take a closer look at these verses:
Verse 15 “as many as be perfect” Anyone here “perfect” according to this
verse? Actually, if you read the commentaries, we find that this
actually means “In the process of moving toward perfection”
Hebrews 6:1 says: “Let us go on unto
perfection”. That is a process that is part and parcel of our calling.
How do we know this? The rest of the verse says that if we have some
imperfection, the Holy Spirit will impart the knowledge. (Unction 1 Jh
2:20)
Verse 17 says to mark those that are not “perfect”, that is in the
process of heading toward perfection. For example…
Verse 18 …this verse tells you that those called not in the process are
enemies of Jesus Christ and the plan of Salvation.
Verse 19 …talks about all those earthly elements we talked about at the
beginning, riches, physical might, and worldly wisdom.
Focusing on those will result in personal destruction…spiritual
destruction.
Verse 20 …says that the conduct of our calling is in heaven…in the form
of Jesus Christ!!
Verse 21 …says that this same Jesus Christ will change our bodies so
that it may be like His body.
We are now getting to specifics…to the Specific Instructions…..The
mystery of our calling.
11] THE MYSTERY IS NOW MADE MANIFEST
Turn to Colossians 1 and verse 26
Colossians 1:26-29
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations,
but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this
mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all
wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which
worketh in me mightily.
This is the same mystery we read about in Eph 5:32 and that I talked
about in my sermon at the Feast when I asked the question, “How does a
couple attain the best marriage in the universe?”
Let’s read some of that chapter
Ephesians 5:22-32
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head
of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be
to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and
gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by
the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having
spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and
without blemish.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth
his wife loveth himself.
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and
cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be
joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the
church.
As I said at Lake Tahoe, the mystery is…the best marriage in the
universe is-- when each partner IS JESUS CHRIST! (like Jesus Christ).
That is the great mystery of Ephesians 5
The Great mystery of Colossians 1 is that our Calling is to become Jesus
Christ.
We have specific instructions on exactly how to do that. It’s in Gal
5:22
Galatians 5:22-26
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the
affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying
one another.
These fruits of the Spirit are those Godly principles I was talking
about earlier. Our calling BEGINS with becoming like Christ, that is, to
enter into the Salvation Process of continually invoking Godly
principles. We invoke them with and through the power of the Holy
Spirit. Every time we invoke a Godly principle…people see Jesus Christ.
Notice verse 25 again…
“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. There is that
word “Walk” again.
This is the training ground of your calling BEFORE God opens the door of
your specific mission…your specific personal instructions.
Now this is the most important statement of this sermon…
NOT EVERYONE THAT IS CALLED WILL ENTER INTO THIS TRAINING GROUND OF
THEIR CALLING.
NOT EVERYONE THAT IS CALLED WILL CHOSE TO INVOKE GODLY PRINCIPLES.
NOT EVERYONE THAT IS CALLED MOVES TOWARD PERFECTION AND BECOMES LIKE
CHRIST.
Turn to Matthew 22 and verse 1
Matthew 22:1-14
1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a
marriage for his son,
3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the
wedding: and they would not come.
4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are
bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are
killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm,
another to his merchandise:
6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and
slew them.
7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his
armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which
were bidden were not worthy.
9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid
to the marriage.
10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together
all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was
furnished with guests.
11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which
had not on a wedding garment:
12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a
wedding garment? And he was speechless.
That wedding garment is Christ…Christ in you.
13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take
him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and
gnashing of teeth.
14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
Take possession of your calling, be those that are chosen.
I want to leave you with a story that may help you as that door opens
and you are given those specific instructions.
In the eleventh century, King Henry III of Bavaria grew tired of court
life and the pressures of being a monarch. He made application to Prior
Richard at a local monastery, asking to be accepted as a contemplative
and spend the rest of his life in the monastery. "Your Majesty," said
Prior Richard, "do you understand that the pledge here is one of
obedience? That will be hard because you have been a king."
"I understand," said Henry. "The rest of my life I will be obedient to
you, as Christ leads you."
"Then I will tell you what to do," said Prior Richard. "Go back to your
throne and serve faithfully in the place where God has put you." When
King Henry died, a statement was written: "The King learned to rule by
being obedient." When we tire of our roles and responsibilities, it
helps to remember God has planted us in a certain place and told us to
be a good accountant or teacher or mother or father. Christ expects us
to be faithful where he puts us, and when he returns, we'll rule
together with him.
And finally this short poem entitled, “Your Calling”
To your friend - loyalty
To your enemy - forgiveness;
To your boss - service;
To a child - a good example;
To your parents - gratitude and devotion;
To your mate - love and faithfulness;
To all men and women - charity;
To God, the Father - your life.
What Higher Calling could we have than that?
Carry out your Specific Instructions!
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