The Call of and to Faith

June 6, 1999

Genesis 12:1-9; Matthew 9: (call of Matthew)

Our lessons today, the stories of Abraham and Matthew being called, pick where last week's message left off. The (last week) we told again of a God who comes alongside us as we go through the living of our lives. Today, another facet of that Presence: a God who calls to us wherever we happen to be to come alongside HIM, and get in step with Him where He is going.

Abraham and Matthew were centuries and cultures apart, and in very different circumstances. But both were quite well situated, well off, when the divine challenge came.

I don't know how God spoke to Abraham. Somehow we think it must have been easier in Bible times to discern the voice of God. But I'm not so sure that it was all that simple. I DO know that Abraham did not know where he was going when he left Ur of the Chaldeas. He was convinced of one thing: it was God calling. So Abraham followed the call and BEGAN his walk to a new level of life.

Abraham didn't arrive in a day, or a month, or a year. That walk with God never really ended. It is still going on. But God led Abraham from strength to strength, from trial to testing, and he became a blessing to the entire world.

I KNOW how God spoke to Matthew: it was the human voice of the Savior. But you and I don't know how Matthew knew Jesus was for real, and not just another prophet-for-profit sort of preacher. I do know that when Matthew heard Jesus say, "Come, follow Me" Matthew simply stood up and left his tax business and followed.

Matthew didn't know where he was going either. But Matthew had caught a glimpse of the holy and true and good. He wanted to be where Jesus was. So he took the opportunity to get in step with Him.

IN EVERY CALL OF GOD IS THE CALL TO REPENT

WE NEED TO REPENT OF SIN AND SINFULNESS

To "repent" means to turn from our own wicked way, and seek the path of righteousness. Isaiah tells us "we have turned every one to his own way." God's call makes it possible to turn out of the pathway of sinfulness and be forgiven. "The Lord has laid on (Jesus) the iniquity of us all."

THE CALL TO REPENT IS AN ON-GOING CALL

The Lord's Prayer has a built in adjustment for course-correction. It doesn't say "Forgive THEM– those mean and rotten sinners OUTSIDE the church . . ." It says "Forgive US our debts! ...our trespasses." It doesn't mean we're rebellious and have deliberately walked away. Quite the contrary, it means we accept correction.

IN EVERY CASE THE CALL OF GOD IS A CALL TO LEARN AND GROW

God does not stand still. HIS life carries us forward. The life of Abraham is a great example of how God calls . . . and calls . . . and calls.

First Abraham left Ur . . . then he decided not to argue and fight but let God choose his way . . . then (15:6) he came to a firm COVENANT with God . . . then (17) he was challenged to be marked for life (CIRCUMCISION) . . . and when he was more than 115 years old came maybe the hardest test of his following the CAL– Issac!

IN EVERY CASE THE CALL OF GOD IS TO GROW AND GROW FOR LIFE!

That last challenge to Abraham resulted in what unbelievers see as BIZARRE . . . some sort of pagan cult story; but faith sees as a portrait of God's great Father-Love– giving, saving, redeeming!

CONCLUSION

God does come alongside us in every challenge of our lives. He is here for us today. But, too, God challenges us to come alongside Him and walk with Him, and let Him take us where He is going.

THE HOLY COMMUNION

Wherever you are on your Spiritual Journey - If you believe God is seeking fellowship with you— and if you want to turn to Him, I invite you to come in faith to the Table of the Lord. Draw near with faith and take this Sacrament to your comfort, and make your humble confession to Almighty God in humility before Him.

The Apostles Creed

The Law Read and Confession Made - The Lord Jesus Christ has said to us: "Thou shalt love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This if the first and great commandment. The second is like unto it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

Brothers and sisters, let us search our hearts. In silence let us ask God to draw us near to Himself so that we can come to his table with confidence.

(Reading No. 750) A prayer in unison, from scripture:

Unison: Search me, O God, and know my heart; Test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me. Lead me in the way everlasting. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Pastor: Jesus our Savior Himself said: Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and i will give you rest. And he has also said, "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Prayer: Thank you. O God, for your forgiving us when we come humbly to you. We do not presume to come to this table, O God, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your great mercy and grace. Grant us to eat the Bread of heaven, and drink the blood shed for the remission of sins, that we may live in Christ, and Christ may live in us forever. Amen

(In Place of Gloria Patri ) sing "Father, I Adore You, Lay my life before You How I love you! "Jesus, I adore you . . ." and :Spirit, I adore you . . ."

The Informal Invitation ("This is not my table . . . " Do not come irreverently. Do not come because someone else expects it. But if the Host invites you, and you want to walk with Him, then you are welcome at His table... )

The Words of Institution

On the night in which he was betrayed our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to You he broke it and gave it to his disciples and said, "Take eat: THIS IS MY BODY, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.     After supper he took the cup and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and said, "Drink this, all of you; THIS IS MY BLOOD OF THE NEW COVENANT, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink this, do it in remembrance of me: Amen

We praise you for the mystery of our salvation! We truly believe Christ has died! Christ is risen! Christ will come again!

Bless these emblems, O God, and make them to us the Body and Blood of your Son, spiritual food, and spiritual drink of new and unending life in Jesus Christ.

And now, together, we pray, as Jesus taught us: Our Father which art in heaven . . .

Now, humbly come and receive the Gifts of God for the People of God

#754 God of the Ages