CALLED TO A NEW LIFE

Capture the Wonder #1

Pastor Dennis Clanton

Woodland Church

Sunday, April 16, 2023

(Romans 8:28, NLT) “We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

(Ephesians 1:18–19, GN) Paul’s prayer – “I ask that your minds may be opened to see his light, so that you will know what is the hope to which he has called you, how rich are the wonderful blessings he promises his people, and how very great is his power at work in us who believe.”

1. GOD CALLS ME TO DEEP SECURITY.

YOU SENSE JESUS TAKING OVER.

(Galatians 1:6, NCV) “God, by his grace through Christ, called you to become his people.”

(2 Timothy 1:9, NIV “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.”)

2. I’M CALLED FOR GOD’S PURPOSE.

YOU SENSE GOD’S GIFT OF INTENTION.

(Romans 9:11, NCV) “Before the two boys were born, God told Rebekah, “The older will serve the younger.” This was before the boys had done anything good or bad. God said this so that the one chosen would be chosen because of God’s own plan. He was chosen because he was the one God wanted to call, not because of anything he did.”

(Ephesians 2:10, NLT) “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

3. GOD CHOSE MY CALLING BEFORE I WAS BORN.

YOU SENSE FREEDOM IN CHRIST.

(Galatians 1:15, NLT) “But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace.”

4. MY SINS DO NOT CHANGE MY CALLING.

YOU SENSE GOD’S MERCY.

(1 Timothy 1:12–13, Message) “I’m so grateful to Christ Jesus for making me adequate to do this work. He went out on a limb, you know, in trusting me with this ministry. The only credentials I brought to it were invective and witch hunts and arrogance. But I was treated mercifully because I didn’t know what I was doing—didn’t know Who I was doing it against!”

(Romans 11:29, LB) “For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn; he will never go back on his promises.”

5. MY CALLING IS CONNECTED TO THE BODY OF CHRIST.

YOU SENSE GOD’S COMMUNITY.

(Romans 12:5, CEV) “That’s how it is with us. There are many of us, but we each are part of the body of Christ, as well as part of one another.”

6. GOD EMPOWERS WHAT HE CALLS ME TO DO.

YOU SENSE GOD’S POWER.

(2 Thessalonians 1:11, NLT) “We keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.”

7. THERE’S A PRIZE FOR LIVING OUT MY CALLING.

YOU SENSE GOD’S HOPE IN THE FACE OF DEATH.

(Philippians 3:14, NLT) “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”