Can You Hear Me Now? Answering the Call

Today's message is comes from Philippians 3:14
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

There are 3 groups of people in the world today. 
1.) The lost
2.) Those who profess to be saved but are really lost
3.) Those who are truly saved

For each of these groups there is a calling.  There are 3 different calls found in the Bible. 
1.) A blanket call for EVERYONE.  Acts 17:30 says
³⁰ And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent

We are ALL called to repent our sins and follow God.  Romans 3:23 says
²³ For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God

There are actually people who can hear God's call and they themselves are ready to hear God's call yet, allow pride to get in the way.  We are ALL messed up.  We are ALL human and make the same mistakes.  Not a single one of us is perfect.  That first call is for EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US!  Not just a select few who are better than others.  EVERY MAN, WOMAN, AND CHILD are called to repent.  Some just feel they aren't good enough to do so or are just too proud or worried about what others will say to just step out and admit they are human and make mistakes.  For those that have been saved, this first call has been answered.  It is as simple as praying to God and asking for forgiveness with a humble and believing heart.  You can't serve the Lord if you are lost and believe it or not, God doesn't hear a lost man's prayer until that lost man says, "I'm sorry Lord, for I have sinned."  You can pray all you want as a lost person, but God will not hear your prayer until you have answered His call to you.  The book of Revelation has but 1 purpose.....it is to drive man to repentance. 

Now, with all of the above being said......you may be saying "I am saved" yet in your heart you still have not fully turned your life over to God.  Your heart is filled with selfishness, pride, and a full schedule.  You have no time to attend church regularly, no time to pray, no time to read your bible, or you spend your time and money in places you have no business being at or on things you have no business doing.  Some believe that if they were baptized as babies, they are saved and have a free ticket into heaven.  God is concerned with your heart.  If you have truly answered that call, your heart is in the right place and God knows you.  You spend time with Him, study Him, and have the desire to do so.  Maybe at one time, you were saved and wanted that relationship with God, but now He has become a stranger.....well, the second call may be for you. 

2.)  The second call is to all Christians.  Christians are called to dedication.
Those saved are called to show it.  Can you find anyone in the Bible that repented and then was allowed to sit on their rear ends and do nothing?  Did God ever say to any of them, "You are now saved darling, go sit on that pew and keep it warm till I return"?  No.  That is because Christians have always been and always will be called to dedicate their lives to the service of Christ.  We don't choose God.....God already chose us.  No one on this earth, can judge your salvation.  Only God can do that, but pastors and fellow Christians are called to be fruit inspectors.  We are also to be fruit producers.  We are to be producing fruit daily and it can't be done if we are just sitting in a pew doing nothing.  God calls us to be dedicated in service and producing fruit.  Sad truth, we want so much from God but we aren't willing to give equally back to God.  Relationships don't last when only one part of the party is dedicated to the relationship.  The relationship doesn't grow.  This is what a relationship with Jesus is like when you aren't dedicated to Him.  It is one sided.  A relationship with Jesus is like any other relationship needing commitment, dedication, study, and private time.  Some even say, "Well I can love God without going to church."  That may be true but if you study your bible enough you will find that in Hebrews 10:25 it says:
²⁵ Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

3.)  The third call is a "Holy Calling".  You may already be in that 20% of truly saved believers.  You are dedicated and serving but something isn't quite right in your heart.  You realize there is a bigger need.  Sometimes we are called to do more.  2 Timothy 1:9 says
 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

Acts 13:2 says
² As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

Ephesians 4:11 says
¹¹ And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers

Maybe what you are already committed to doing is not what God called you to do.  Maybe He is calling you to be led in a different direction within the church.   We are all given spiritual gifts.  Perhaps you are not using yours and God is calling you to do so. 

I ask you to look at eh 3 groups of people we have on this earth.  Lost, Claim to be Saved but are Truly Lost, and Truly Saved.  Where do you fit in?  If you are Lost, God is sending that first call to you.  Will you answer?  If you claim to be saved but you know in your heart you really aren't, God could be sending that first call to you or even the second call.  If you fall into that 20% of truly saved Christians, God may be sending you that third type of call.  I ask you to listen and answer.  Can you hear Him?