Election

10-22-23

Hoonah-Hadley

1Thessalonians 1:1-10

Call to Worship Psalm 96

Daily Verse 1 Thess. 1:4

Elect: singled out on purpose…chosen…one selected by the divine will for salvation. Election: Predestined salvation. We may not think to highly of ourselves or we may think more highly than we ought, both come with the flesh, regardless, Paul speaks herein of a Divine, Christ centered, Holy Spirit call upon our lives. It is our believe that if we are called by God, He is relentless in His pursuit of us. Surely there are testimonies out there that have denied the call for years, made excuses, ran the other way, made a mess of life and then came home to find a message on the answering machine from God, “I love you; I forgive you, come to Me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” In the Old Testament book of Jonah, only 4 short chapters, God speaks to Jonah in chapter one: “Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah…saying ‘Arise go to Nineveh…’ But Jonah arose to flee…from the presence of the Lord.” Most of us are familiar with this story, take time to read it, it’s only a couple pages, but it is the text book example of being called. Of course, Jonah is thrown overboard, “swallowed by a great fish” (prepared by the Lord), Jonah prays to the Lord from the “fish’s belly”, vs. 10 “So the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.” 3:1 “Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, ‘Arise, go to Nineveh…and preach to it the message I tell you.’” It’s almost humorous. Can’t you see God standing on shore with arms folded saying, “I’m not going to tell you again.” We’re just trying to save you from the vomit.

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His call on our lives is unmistakable, though we are hard of hearing about certain things. If we understand God’s word correctly, His call on our lives was written before the foundations of the earth. It’s not like God suddenly decides to call some at 12 years old, others at 27, and some at 62.Personally, I was 28 and it wasn’t like I heard a loud audible voice, in fact it was likely another 10-15 years or so that I understood it as a “call”. Even after seminary, while being examined by the committee on ministry I didn’t understand what being “called” meant. After being questioned for roughly an hour I was sent out of the room while they deliberated for about ½ hour. Invited back in the one gentleman spoke up, “this is what we consider being ‘called’”. I may have been stubborn, hard headed or just plain ignorant on the matter, but we have to trust God with the timing. While at the harbor one evening this past August in Hoonah I was going for my evening stroll, looking at boats when a gentlemen invited me to board his.

After a nice lengthy visit, sharing where we’ve been, why we were there and where we’re going, the fellow asked, “So, preacher, how am I doing?” I said, “You’re right on schedule.” I don’t even know why I said it or what I meant by it but truth be told whether he is called or not, he is right on schedule, God’s timing is perfect. Just this past Sunday, talking to a young army guy, he said, “I wish I had come to Christ sooner.” I said, “You’re young, I didn’t recognize the need to change until I was 28.” He said, “I’m 28”. I said, “You’re right on schedule.” We are right where God would have us, forget what lies behind, press on toward the prize of the upward “call” (election) of God in Christ Jesus and join us in being about our Father’s business. 1 Thess. 1:2 “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.” We thank God for you and trust His timing in the matter.

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Prayer and thanksgiving are chief building blocks in God’s economy for the believer. Search and understand the necessity, power and authority each of these institutions brings with them. They are critical in the life of God’s elect and to be employed in all things, at all times, without ceasing.1 Thess. 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Some of the evidences that you are chosen, that the Lord has taken hold of you are your continual prayers and your spirit of thanksgiving. Prayer and thanksgiving, character traits of God’s elect.Vs. 3 “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” Herein the proverbial mouth full. More garments for God’s elect. We have not the time to do justice to any of these, faith alone with it’s associated words are mentioned over 400 times in the NIV Concordance. Eph. 6:16 “take up the shield of faith”. This is not casual apparel or for special occasions, it is to be put on and kept on in all things at all times. What are we to say of love that will strike a chord with you that it will be the chorus of your life? Of the over 800 mentions in the NIV Concordance should we single out one or two? “His love endures forever.”

John 13:34 “A new commandment I give you: Love one another as I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Don’t argue with God on this, the matter is settled, Christ loves us, i.e., therefore, we “must” love one another. “Patience”? Don’t ask me, all I know is that with God all things are possible. Rev. 3:10 “You have kept My command to endure patiently.” If God is with us, and He is, His Spirit dwelling within us, patience being a fruit of the Spirit, take, eat, this is My body, given for you. Proverbs 19:11 “A man’s wisdom gives him patience.” And “hope”. Psalm 42:5 “Put your hope in God.”62:5 “My hope comes from Him.”

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1 Cor. 13 is given the title: “The Greatest Gift” and is widely known as the chapter on love. Vs. 13 concludes the chapter with these words: “So, faith, hope, love abide, these three, but the greatest of these is love.” These 3 are inseparable partners in the heart of God’s elect.1 Thess. 1:4 our daily verse: “knowing, beloved…your election by God.” “Knowing” is a critical part of the equation. It might look something like this, knowing + God = election. Your election is “by God”, therefore it is sovereign. When the doctrine of election embraces you and you embrace it, it unleashes a radical, sacrificial, risk-taking love and opens your eyes that you may see and know, it did not come from you, it came from the author of it, and you will give all praise to God for it.

Know that your election comes from God. Colossians 3:12-17 “Therefore, as God’s elect…put on tender mercies, kindness, humility…longsuffering…forgiving one another…But above all these, put on love…And let the peace of God rule in your hearts…and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Herein the garments, the heart of God’s elect, wear them, put them on, for they will know we are Christians by our love, by our love, yes, they will know we are Christians by our love, kindness… All in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no election apart from Christ, period. 1 John 5:10 “He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself.” We belong to Him, are chosen by Him, elected, predestined because we have seen the Son. Ephesians 1:4-5 “just as He chose us in Him before the foundations of the world…having predestined us…” John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice…I know them…they follow Me.” Know your election, embrace it. Amen.