Study 2 ("The four calls of Jesus")
We noted at the beginning that the division of Christian life into four calls is not really theologically accurate.It is practically helpful to identify stages of Christian growth to help us understand our own state and to give us spiritual goals. It also may help church discipleship programmes and help us to pray for more individuals who can disciple others. However, there is a danger in thinking that we can be saved ("Jesus is my Saviour") without also being a disciple ("Jesus is my Lord"). So discipleship is never an option. The true Christian is a disciple,(a learner, a follower) of Christ is one who from the very beginning enthrones Him over all.
Pastorally speaking, 2 Ti 2:19 tells us that we cannot judge quickly whether one who denies Christ by his actions and conduct is really lost. God alone knows, and yet those who belong to God will eventually show it by the quality of their lives.
Scripture recognizes 2 calls of God on our lives. There is an external call of the gospel, offered to many but received by a few (Mt 22:14). Not all people receive the external call of God. Some never hear the gospel. Some hear it only in the most distorted and unattractive form. So although God desires all men to be saved (1 Ti 2:4), not all are saved, because His 'will of decree' is often set against His 'will of command' (see http://queensroadcell.blogspot.sg/2016/06/sermon-at-ffpp-19616-knowing-gods-will.html for a full treatment)
There is also an internal call of God, most clearly referred to in Romans 8:28-30. This call effectively saves, much like the shout "Wake up!" to a sleeping person effects that which it commands.So those whom God calls are those He chooses (2 Pe 1:10, etc).
We spoke again also about what it takes to be saved. Jn 1:12, Ro 10:9, Ac 10:43, 16:31 and Jn 3:16) tell us that we are to 'believe'. This is equivalent to having 'faith'. And faith is that which saves us (Eph 2:8-9). Saving faith is never just intellectual assent (Js 2:19). The best single word equivalent for 'faith' or 'belief' is 'trust'. It is when we cast all our hope in who Christ is and what He has done that we are saved. We depend on Him and Him alone for salvation. And this ability to trust is "not of ourselves...so that no one may boast". It is all of God's gracious initiative.
We then looked at 3 passages that teach us how and why we should keep responding to the call of God.
Phil 3:12-14 tell us that we are to respond single-mindedly. We are to do so because the 'prize' at the goal of our race is characterized by an association with the 'upward call' (= a call towards God, c.f. Col 3:1, Js 1:17) in Christ. So our motivation for such devotion is to receive in Christ all the benefits of His work and to know all the glories of His person. This is the greatest of motivations for our devotion to Him.
Heb 5:11 - 6:1 speaks of the need for theological maturity. The writer does not say that we become mature by feeding on solid food. He says that we get to eat solid food when we are mature (i.e. when we through constant practice can discern good from evil). We are also able to teach others. I felt that the ability to receive solid food speaks of the extension of the range of experiences we can have in God when we take steps to move beyond a 'childlike' faith. We must always grow in Biblical understanding of God and His ways to enjoy more of Him.
Heb 12:1-3 tells us to live with perseverance. This implies that we will face persecution and opposition as we follow Christ. And we are to find strength and motivation by looking at the example of Jesus, who endured the cross.
These three passages remind us that Christian growth does not stop when we reach Stage 4 (The ability to be a disciplemaker). We keep pressing on to Christlikeness!
Finally, we wanted to ask ourselves where we were in our own walk and readiness and to help others grow into maturity. All of us should be equipping ourselves to do the latter.
Also, we celebrated Winnie's and Qin Ying's birthdays!
Pastorally speaking, 2 Ti 2:19 tells us that we cannot judge quickly whether one who denies Christ by his actions and conduct is really lost. God alone knows, and yet those who belong to God will eventually show it by the quality of their lives.
Scripture recognizes 2 calls of God on our lives. There is an external call of the gospel, offered to many but received by a few (Mt 22:14). Not all people receive the external call of God. Some never hear the gospel. Some hear it only in the most distorted and unattractive form. So although God desires all men to be saved (1 Ti 2:4), not all are saved, because His 'will of decree' is often set against His 'will of command' (see http://queensroadcell.blogspot.sg/2016/06/sermon-at-ffpp-19616-knowing-gods-will.html for a full treatment)
There is also an internal call of God, most clearly referred to in Romans 8:28-30. This call effectively saves, much like the shout "Wake up!" to a sleeping person effects that which it commands.So those whom God calls are those He chooses (2 Pe 1:10, etc).
We spoke again also about what it takes to be saved. Jn 1:12, Ro 10:9, Ac 10:43, 16:31 and Jn 3:16) tell us that we are to 'believe'. This is equivalent to having 'faith'. And faith is that which saves us (Eph 2:8-9). Saving faith is never just intellectual assent (Js 2:19). The best single word equivalent for 'faith' or 'belief' is 'trust'. It is when we cast all our hope in who Christ is and what He has done that we are saved. We depend on Him and Him alone for salvation. And this ability to trust is "not of ourselves...so that no one may boast". It is all of God's gracious initiative.
We then looked at 3 passages that teach us how and why we should keep responding to the call of God.
Phil 3:12-14 tell us that we are to respond single-mindedly. We are to do so because the 'prize' at the goal of our race is characterized by an association with the 'upward call' (= a call towards God, c.f. Col 3:1, Js 1:17) in Christ. So our motivation for such devotion is to receive in Christ all the benefits of His work and to know all the glories of His person. This is the greatest of motivations for our devotion to Him.
Heb 5:11 - 6:1 speaks of the need for theological maturity. The writer does not say that we become mature by feeding on solid food. He says that we get to eat solid food when we are mature (i.e. when we through constant practice can discern good from evil). We are also able to teach others. I felt that the ability to receive solid food speaks of the extension of the range of experiences we can have in God when we take steps to move beyond a 'childlike' faith. We must always grow in Biblical understanding of God and His ways to enjoy more of Him.
Heb 12:1-3 tells us to live with perseverance. This implies that we will face persecution and opposition as we follow Christ. And we are to find strength and motivation by looking at the example of Jesus, who endured the cross.
These three passages remind us that Christian growth does not stop when we reach Stage 4 (The ability to be a disciplemaker). We keep pressing on to Christlikeness!
Finally, we wanted to ask ourselves where we were in our own walk and readiness and to help others grow into maturity. All of us should be equipping ourselves to do the latter.
Also, we celebrated Winnie's and Qin Ying's birthdays!
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