THE CALL OF GOD.
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. 2Pet. 1:10
Text: 1Cor. 1:26-29, Rom. 9:6-16, 20-26; 2Tim.1:9, Rom. 8:28-30
Christ took the form of a servant. Phil. 2:7.
- Humility brings exaltation. Matt. 18:4.
- A humble spirit attracts God’s blessings. Is. 66:2, Ps. 34:18, Matt. 18:1-6, Jas. 4:8-10, 1Pet. 5:5-6.
- “Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending! You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility”-St. Augustine. The humble will:
- Refuse to blow his trumpet after a great success and will rather shut up.
- Refuse to accept praise after doing a good thing.
- Accept his errors and be the first to apologise in every quarrel.
- Forgive others even before they apologise.
- Listen to others instead of being the talker.
- Be willing to learn even from a child.
- Serve others even when they are meant to serve him and do even odd jobs for others.
- Before honour is humility. “…as a son with the father, he served with me in the gospel” Phil. 2:19-23. Matt. 20:25-28, Jn.13:3-9, Matt. 18:2-10, Phil. 2:5-10. The way up is first and foremost the way down. “Each time you humble yourself, you create a space above you for God to fill…be prepared to take assignments that appear mean, belittling and ridiculous in comparison with what you think you are capable of..” – Pastor E. A. Adeboye.
- John’s witness about Christ trilled the nation. Hear him: “He is the one coming after me, whose sandal strip I’m not worthy to untie” Jn. 1:27 “After me comes a man who has surpassed me, because He existed before me” Jn. 1:30 “He must increase, but I must decrease” Jn.3:30. The whole nation was moved by John the Baptist. Lk. 3:1-20, Jn. 1:19-34. The publicans, soldiers, even the Pharisees came and were baptized in his ministry.
- There is honour in service. Jn. 12:24-26. “And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s…” Lk. 16:12. Remember, service is: The only way to the top Matt. 20:27, a means of discovering your hidden potentials & locate your destiny, the only way to meet God’s needs and a way to immortalize your name.
- Submission brings authority. Lk. 7:7-9, 2Kg. 3:11Intimate relationship with Christ & the leadership of the church. Jn. 15:4-8Loyality. Mat. 10:37. Absolute allegiance,undivided attention. No secreat agender or running a private ministry,diverting church programmes and resourses to the course of personal things. Heb. 11:24-27, 3Jn. 9-11.Timotheus and Stephanas served Paul as a son. Phil. 2:19-22, Act. 16:1; 19:22, 1Cor.4:17, 2Cor. 1:19, 1Thess. 3:2-7. They were submissive and were addicted to the ministry.Apollos was humble and served faithfully. Act. 18:24-26, 1Cor. 3:6, Tit.3:13. He refused to be identified with the division in Corinth. 1Cor. 16:12.They all proved that we are called to serve. Act. 11:25-26; 20:17-35, Matt. 26:7-10, Jn. 1:41-42, Act. 9:36, Matt. 25:35-36, Ezek. 3:17-21. We are called to honour, respect and cooperate with ministers. 1Cor. 16:10-11, 15-17, Matt. 10:41, Gal. 4:13-15, Eph. 5:21, Phil. 2:15-20, Heb. 13:17, 7, 1Tim. 5:17-19.
- The greatest way to honour your elders is to secure the continuation of their work – Jon R. Bisagno 2Tim. 2:1-2. The Acts of the Apostles is the continuation of Jesus ministry. Acts. 1:1-3.
