The Call of Christ

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

Introduction.

  1. Only those who are called have entered into the church of Christ.

  2. How are we called? (2 Thess. 2:14) By or through the gospel! Not something mysterious.

  3. Jesus made the call directly to those who would become His Apostles (Matt. 4:19).

  4. There are things we can learn from this call: Person behind it, Purpose of it, and its Requirements.

Body.

  1. The Person Behind the Call.

    1. He had the right to make this call.

      1. Right based on His Divine Sonship (Matt. 6:16; John 1:1).

      2. Right based on His superior wisdom (Matt. 12:42).

    2. Ancient world, philosophers would act similarly, calling people to study under them.

      1. Example 1: Zeno and the Stoic School of Philosophy (cf. Acts 17:18).

      2. Example 2: Socrates.

      3. Believed they possessed knowledge of the world that others lacked.

    3. By contrast, Jesus understood the mind of God; He knew what God wanted men to know.

      1. He possessed superior knowledge/understanding.

      2. He taught this to men: He was properly a teacher, they were properly His disciples.

      3. This right was based on His Sonship and knowledge.

  2. The Purpose in the Call.

    1. This call was simple: KISS.

      1. Follow Me – simple to understand.

      2. Fishers of men – He used language they would be familiar with to express His call.

        1. We must take the initiative.

        2. Fishermen use nets, rods and reels, fly rods, and bait! He is the aggressor.

        3. Fish do not just hop into the boat: HERE FISHY!

        4. World is full of potential disciples—we must go after them!

        5. Struggles of the fisherman.

    2. The reason for their selection.

      1. He wants them to live close to Him to know His will.

      2. This is parallel to us—He wants us all to live close to Him and to know His will.

      3. Evangelism is not the sole responsibility of the preacher or the “clergy,” but for everyone who wears the name Christian.

      4. A chaplain during the Civil War once told of a soldier who came to him worried about his soul.

        1. His sister wrote to him, praying that he’d become a Christian.

        2. He faced cannon fire and bullets without being bothered this much.

        3. A letter from a “layman” had this impact on someone.

        4. What impact might you have on people?

    3. The job of the disciples – to be fishers of men! It is also our job today.

  3. The Requirements of the Call.

    1. They left everything, including their jobs.

      1. These men were fishermen, and left it to follow Christ.

      2. Moses, David, and Amos were shepherds, yet they left it to answer God’s call.

      3. These men were busy, yet they made time for God.

      4. If you want something done, ask the busy man—he’ll find the time.

      5. The man who is never busy will make excuses.

      6. They left all to follow Christ? Will you make time for Him?

    2. Some left their family.

      1. James and John left their father, Zebedee.

      2. Abraham left his idolatrous family in Ur of the Chaldees.

      3. Jesus insisted that the dead bury their own dead (Luke 9:59-60).

      4. Jesus did not think one fit to serve Him who wanted to bid farewell to his family (Luke 9:61-62).

      5. If Christ does not mean everything to us, He does not mean anything.

      6. How many people refuse to obey the gospel because of family? How many fall away because of family?

    3. We must always put Christ first in our lives—that’s what He expects of us.

Conclusion.

  1. Christ is still calling men today through His gospel!

  2. His gospel is the word of God.

  3. If we preach the word of God to people, then Christ is calling them to obey.

  4. Will you obey today? (Mark 16:15-16).