Chapter 1 Part 1 CALLED

1 Corinthians 1 Pt 1: CALLED

Introduction

1 Corinthians 1:1–9

We don’t even get a single sentence into 1st Corinthians and we are already confronted with an incredible array of doctrine, not least of which is the purpose and calling of God upon those who belong to him.

Far too often we think to ourselves that the gaining of eternal life and the hope of heaven is all about us individually, but HERE we see CALLING, and CALLING infers PURPOSE! 

Naturally we came to Christ AS individuals, naturally INDIVIDUALLY  we wanted to be save. Individually we desired to ESCAPE hell. 

ALL Christians became Christians because they did not want to face the wrath of Godthat abides on them for their sin, and we did so individually, Paul affirms this when he warned the INDIVIDUAL;

3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Romans 2:3–5

SELF PRESERVATION naturally motivated us individually to heed the calling of Jesus Christ to believe the gospel…..But is it ONLY ABOUT YOU?

DID GOD SAVE you only for your own benefit?

1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God,

Paul, CALLED…

An External PURPOSE is immediately presented to us in the second word of this epistle. 

A word that testifies to an EXTERNAL AUTHORITY with a PURPOSEFUL PLAN that suits his own SOVEREIGN WILL.

1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God,

In this very first sentence we come to a realisation, not only that Paul is the author of the letter, for so we see this in the first word, “Paul“. But Immediately after this word we get to a word that has an infinite depth of theological meaning, 

“Called“…what? “Called“.

purpose and authority STRIKES THE READER as he sees this word, placed here in this context, and a question naturally looms…even though we know the answer; 

Who “Called“?

Now PERSONHOOD is assumed on the word. 

God is a person. We wont get into that too far, I point some of these things out that you might see the infinite value of the WORDS of God as you consider the text.

Nevertheless the answer to “WHO CALLED?” Must be a person who is far greater than Paul that “called“. 

And the CONTEXT of the CALLING is one of infinate value. 

Not like a mother calling her children to dinner, or a boss calling employees to work;

1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ

The secular world of people live life largely for themselves. 

We are by nature completely self absorbed. 

This varies in degree one person to another, but you can tell how self absorbed a person is by listening to the topic of their conversation, the more they speak about themselves, the more you realise that is the focus of their lives.

But suddenly here we see Paul, and immediately after he introduces himself by name, and in the very next word, does not speak of himself, but completely defers the attention to an external source to which he seems to have completely submited himself;

1 Paul, called to be an

Now brethren, in the place of the name “Paul” in our passage, and through the entirety of the sermon this morning, place your OWN name.

Then allow those next three words to be your consideration for your own life and purpose. 

Do so until you can complete the sentence for yourself. Until you can at least add TWO MORE WORDS

Natalie, called to be a….

Elise, called to be a….

Jen, called to be a….

Cory, called to be a….

When you can finish that sentence, when the very next word is added to that line, then and ONLY then will you come to know the infinite purpose of your life. And WHO CALLED YOU!

Only in the next word or two will you know and be able to answer WHY YOU ARE HERE!

And beloved, when you have that answer, whatever life throws your way you will be willing to endure for the sake of fulfilling that for what you are CALLED

Pray

Called To Be….

1 Paul, called to be an apostle

1 Corinthians 1:1

1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

Paul didn’t begin this way. He did not start life and know he wanted to be “an apostle“. He did not get to year 8 at school and the teacher pressed him with a vocation through which the rest of his education would qualify him. 

Paul began his life like everyone else, attending to that which he desired to be the right career path and he excelled above many others. 

Paul ticked every box of success and reached the highest heights BUT in the end counted IT ALL as less than worthless.

Turn to

Philippians 3:4–8

4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Not only did Paul have great education, having trained at the feet of the great Scholar and Rabi Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), but he also had practical skills by which he made his living. 

Acts 18:2 tells us that he was a “tentmaker“.

So in the one area of life concerning that which occupied his heart and mind he was a great theologian and leader among the Jews, and in the area which occupied his hands he was a craftsman and earned his income through his physical employments.

But the point is that his exploits and efforts were SELF governed and SELF directed, he was not yet “Called“.

DRIVEN, he certainly was; 

Having a zeal, even to the FIRST persecution of the Church that had scattered the brethren from Jerusalem that they should go even to the uttermost parts of the earth to preach the gospel. 

In fact, it was only AFTER he saw the LIGHT on that DAMASCUS road that there was rest;

Acts 9:31

31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

This is directly related to the conversion of Paul in its immediate context.

You and I had lived our lives in accord with our own desires and our own purpose,whatever that purpose was and whatever that desire was.

When were were asked respecting our occupation we had little problem answering;

I am a hairdresser;

I am a secretary

I am an accountant, a librarian, a carpenter, a builder, plumber, mechanic, business owner etc

Our OCCUPATION defined us to a large degree. 

It gave an impression about us upon the minds of enquirers, about our character or nature to some extent.

You are what you are in your workplace because that it what you had chosen, to one level or another.

But it is something else ENTIRELY when you are CALLED!

“Calling” seems to imbue or infuse an innate purpose from an external source and that is so much more valuable that just a personal preference. 

1 Corinthians 1:1

1 Paul, called 

As we read this the first time we naturally stumble, “Paul, called….“. 

It’s like walking a road we thought we were familiar with and hit a rock imbedded in the concrete. “What was that?“

It naturally causes us to stop and look again, “I never saw that there“.

Indeed, we may have avoided it or chosen not to notice it, but now that we notice it we realise something quite different.

“Paul, Called to be…“

Paul didn’t call himself! 

Suddenly in that one single word we come to realise that there is another driving principle at work, even an authoritative principle or AGENT involved to which “Paul” is submitting.

No person alive today would answer the enquiry related to occupation saying, ‘I am CALLED to be a …..(fill in the blank)’

No student in a secular school would refer to a “calling” to direct their choice of curriculum.

In that single word immediately after Paul introduces himself, Paul testifies BOTH to;

A person he is wilfully subordinate to;

A person that has both reason and purpose for Paul;

A person that has the ability to fill the knowledge of that CALLING in the heart of PAUL.

And finally a Person who has the POWER to BRING THAT PURPOSE to fruition.

What is YOUR CALLING? 

If you belong to Christ, you have one. Have you even asked?

1 Paul, called to be an apostle

Of Whom?

of Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 1:1

1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

An apostle is a messenger, but not just a messenger. The Bible gives to us the bounds of what a true apostle is. There are many vane men in Churches today who seek to have the preeminence over other men and are calling themselves “apostles”, none are, they cant be.

For an apostle is one who has seen with their physical eyes the risen Christ and have been directly charged by him (Ordained by him) to do the work of an apostle. 

There are multitudes of disciples, but only 12 Apostles. You and I, if we have believed the Gospel, are disciples of Christ. All students are disciples, all students of the Bible who have believed the Gospel are Disciples of Christ.

Paul is “called to be an apostle“,

But of whom?

1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ

Paul here testifies to an office that is outside the bounds of any person alive today. 

       No man in the world today can hold such an office as this, because no man in the world today has seen the risen Christ.

Jesus himself stated clearly that this will be the case;

Turn to

John 14:1–3

1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Here Jesus makes it clear that when he does he will also return to receive his Church, that is you and I who have believed his words, to be received to him again. This is nearing the end of his ministry, before he died and rose again.

But Jesus refers to a GAP and a condition, a condition he gives to the Jews, the people he came for as the promise is given in the Old Testament.

Turn to

Matthew 23:37–39

37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. 39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Here we have Jesus holding the Jews accountable to have known of his coming, but then stating that he will not return UNTIL….

Therefore, no man since the time of Paul has either seen or been sent directly by Jesus Christ as an APOSTLE.

Yet each of us have another title.

The Book of Acts is the last place that we find the word Disciple in the Bible, but it is more than enough to show to us what a “disciple” is.

The first thing we realise is that it is not limited to gender. While the majiority reffered to directly are men, we know that both women and men are identified as Disciples;

Acts 9:36

36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

Just before this account we see the other “disciples” doubt the conversion of Saul (Paul) and related it directly to him become a Christian, even though at this time no one was yet called “Christians” who had believed the Gospel.

Turn to Acts 

Acts 9:23–26

23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: 24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. 26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.

27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

So we see a hint that the reference to being a “disciple” is a reference to being a person who has been both saved and transformed by the Gospel that they had believed.

Recalling that Paul who was first called Saul, was a persecutor of those who were disciples, Barnabas now testifying to a massive transformation.

But the clearest passage of all to confirm to you at the very least of what you are NOW CALLED to be at the first is in;

Acts 11:25–26

25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

So beloved, as we begin to unravel this and to help lead you to learn what your specific calling in life is, and learning that Paul is the last of the Apostles, nevertheless you who have believed the Gospel are first and foremost called to be…. a disciple..

But a disciple of whom?

A disciple of Jesus Christ.

Put your name there.

Sau, CALLED to be a disciple of Jesus Christ…

While our specific work and purpose may yet to be sought after or revealed, we are first and foremost CALLED to be disciples of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

We are followers and students of the one who spoke light into existence, 

Who “rebuked the wind and said unto the sea, Peace, be still” (Mrk 4:39)

 Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea. (Job 9:8)

We are Christ-ones…Christians, 

Teachers of HIM who came to seek and to save that which is lost (Lk 19:10),

and to give his life a ansom for many (Mt 20:28, Mrk 10:45)

WHO ELSE is BETTER to be CALLED BY?

Name the greatest and most admired leader of this world?….cant think we have any? Ok, name the greatest and most admired world leader of HISTORY… do you think it more honourable to be CALLED by them or by the one who say “The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool” (Isa 66:1)

Beloved, we are the CALLED of Jesus Christ!

Through Whom?

through the will of God

1 Corinthians 1:1

1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

That stone imbedded in the path as we first read this passage manifests itself because of the word “Called”. 

In this word we see something that naturally bothers us, because in this word we see an authority that is above Paul, but we also recognised that it is an authority he had willingly submitted to. All this is evident in that single word, “Called“.

You and I have just recognised that for you and I, we are called to be “disciples“, and indeed, that calling is for everyone in the world. All people in the world are called to believe the gospel of Jesus Christ, “called to be saints“, take a look at it in the nest verse;

1 Corinthians 1:2

2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

In this introduction Paul testifies in that single word both purpose and authority. In the next words he identifies BOTH.

The purpose is “of Jesus Christ”, the authority is “through the will of God”.

Beloved, Paul is introducing himself in this letter of having the both the highest calling and for the highest purpose and by the highest authority that is possible to exist.

God created YOU for a purpose, HIS purpose. You are not an accident, you are not a product of your enviroment, you are a creation of God for the spoecific purpose of God, not to do your own will but the will of the one who set you apart for HIS OWN PURPOSE.

The Psalmist wrote;

Thy hands have made me and fashioned me…” (Ps 119:73)

Psalm 100:3

3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Turn to 

Psalm 139:14–16

14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

When we see the Bible tell us with such plainness of the delicate work of God to so perfectly make you and I for his loving purpose, who ha numbered all the hairs of our head and knit us together, fearfully and wonderfully made, IT IS NONE OTHER than SATAN who would deceive and convince us that we are nothing more than EVOLVED POND SCUM.

The Bible teaches one thing, SATAN and the secular world teach another, CHOOSE WHAT YOU BELIEVE.

The Bible tells us that OUR PURPOSE is called “through the will of God”

While the world tells us to “go our own way” “do our own thing” live for ourselves”.

God tells us our PURPOSE is found in him. 

Joy is found in him

Peace is found in him

Comfort is found in him

Hope is found in him.

CHOOSE!

1 Corinthians 1:1–2

1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

In addressing his letter; after introducing himself not only by name but by invoking CALLING, TITLE and PURPOSE and identifying who it is that, with all authority and power has given his such a calling, and not only himself but Sosthenes also, Paul addresses “TO WHOM” his letter has as its beneficiary;

 to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

‘To them that are sanctified”, the context here is the same as the context found in the first mention of the word “Sanctified” in the Bible, it means “set apart”, “Separated”, 

Genesis 2:3

3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

God “Set apart”, he “separated” the seventh day from every other day for it was distinct from every other day of work to one of rest.

Paul identifying the beloved of the Lord as “Set apart”, “Separated” in Christ Jesus.

My dear friends and brethren, we are not the same as those who deny God, have turned their backs on their own hope, will not receive the love of the Lord and turn everyone to his own way like sheep having gone astray.

We are “set apart”, Sanctified in Christ Jesus.

We live in the world but we are not of the world. If we were of the world the world would love its own, but we are not of the world and so there will come a time when the hatred of the world will manifest itself against us, not because the world hates us but because the people of the world hate him who sanctified us, Jesus Christ.

Its incredible to me that while the Bible tells us that his name is the name above all names the world driven to insanity by Satan employs his name as a swear word. Blasphemy would darken the name of the light of the world.

to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

Have you called upon the name of Jesus Christ yet?

There is no other name under heaven by which men ought to be saved.

Peter in quoting the Old Testament prophet Joel made it clear,

Acts 2:21

21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Have you called upon the name of the Lord yet?

You say you already believe, but this has a limited bearing and carries little weight if you have not yet called upon the name of the Lord. Why do you say that Pastor?

I say that because there must be a distinction respecting how we believe, WHY?

Because James tells us that quote “the devils also believe, and tremble” (Ja 2:19).

Have you called upon the name of the Lord yet?

You will never be CALLED for the purpose of the Lord if you have NEVER Called upon the name of the Lord. Though you are indeed created for a purpose, if you are not yet truly a Christian, if you have not called upon his name to save you from your sin, you are yet in rebellion against him and he will NEVER share with you the devine purpose for which you are created.

Why should he?

You dont even think of him.

You dont think for a moment of how you have offended him.

Day after day goes by and you continue to ignore him.

Every breath you take is a gift from him…how do we know this, because the Bible tells us of GOD;

Job 12:10

10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.

How quickly can he stop just this one aspect of our lives and we fall down quick into hell, our time being done, every days moment by moment opportunity to call on his name now concluded.

The door closed and all hope abandoned.

“But I come from a Christian home” means little when the door to life is closed.

“But my good deeds have outweighed my bad” is the ignorant cry of those who have no idea what good is in God’s sight. 

“There is none good but one, that is, God” said Jesus (Mrk 10:18 & Mt 19:17).

Romans 6:23

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We live our lives for ourselves and we think that our lives will work out the way we intended them to work out even though our lives are lived without any thought of God or hope for God. 

We seek him for nothing, we don’t care about where we stand before him and then we have this vain expectation that he will welcome a relationship with him when we have lived deliberately apart from him all the days of our lives.

Those of you who know yourselves to be lost, you need to turn and call on his name to be found.

To the Christian who DOES know the Love of Christ and has lived apart from him for too long….(and anytime we live apart from him is always too long).

You don’t KNOW your CALLING for one reason and one reason only, you have never been truly willing to give up on your own desires to obtain his desire for you.

Miserable chasing after the wind, still hoping you can lay a hand on it while trying to grasp what God has CALLED you for, DOES NOT WORK!

GIVE IT UP, your wasting precious time.

Dont think for a moment that God cant use someone else for any work he desire to do.

Like the charge Mordecai gave to Esther when the threat of extermination was levelled against her people;

Turn to 

Esther 4:14

14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

First, CALL UPON THE LORD.

Second, seek after the CALLING of the LORD.

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