140 – Vocation [God’s Calling/Mission/Purpose]
VOCATION
§ 140. Vocation 1 is the act of God by which He, through the means of grace,2 earnestly offers 3 to all who hear or read the Gospel,4 or to whom the sacraments are administered,5 the benefits of Christ’s redemption,6 truly and earnestly invites and exhorts them to accept and enjoy what is thus offered,7 and endeavors to move and lead them by the power inherent in the means of grace 8 to such acceptance and enjoyment of the benefits of the redemption.9
1. Vocation…
II 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.
Matthew 11:28 Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
2. …is the act of God by which He, through the means of grace
II Thessalonians 2:14 Whereunto He called you by our Gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
3. … earnestly offers
Luke 14:17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
Isaiah 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
4. … to all who hear or read the Gospel,
Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.
Matthew 22:9–10 Go ye therefore into the highways; and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 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.
Colossians 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Ezekiel 2:4–5 For they are impudent children and stiff–hearted. I do send thee unto them, and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God. And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.
John 5:39 Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of Me.
5. …or to whom the sacraments are administered,
Acts 2:38, 41 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (41) Then they that gladly received his Word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
6. …the benefits of Christ’s redemption,
John 1:16 And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
John 16:15 All things that the Father hath are Mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of Mine, and shall shew it unto you.
I Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Colossians 1:13–14 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.
I Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.
I Peter 3:7 Knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
Ephesians 1:18 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.
Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
I Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called.
7. …truly and earnestly invites and exhorts them to accept and enjoy what is thus offered,
Matthew 22:4 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.
8. … and endeavors to move and lead them by the power inherent in the means of grace
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Hebrews 4:12 For the Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
I Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
9. …to such acceptance and enjoyment of the benefits of the redemption.
II Corinthians 5:19–20 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
Luke 14:21–23 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
Acts 11:14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
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