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INTRODUCTION
ILLUS: While we were on vacationed in Nebraska, we of course enjoyed spending time with our grandson Trey. Jeannette and I
found ourselves when calling him, to say: “Trey. Trey.” We called his name twice to get his attention.
God has a way of getting people’s attention in the Bible, He uses the double call - calls their name out twice. We are going
to look at 6 double calls in the Bible - each time God got His servant’s attention. Timely Truths that Transform Us. Look
these 6 double calls in their order of appearance in Bible.
1. The Call of Sacrifice. Genesis 22:11
- The angel of the Lord got Abraham’s attention. A huge step of faith taken.
- Abraham was to sacrifice his only son, his only heir, Isaac. This was a step of great faith, God is testing the faith
of Abraham, a call of sacrifice. At the last moment - God provided the lamb. To get his attention, God gave the double
call. vs. 10-14
- “the angel of the Lord” is a theophany, a self-manifestation of God believed to be a pre-incarnate
appearance of Christ. Picture of Christ.
- Is God calling you to make a sacrifice, put on altar something precious?
ILLUS: 6 Missionaries visits this year, each family has made sacrifices to serve God. They put their life on the
line - danger, disease.
- Is God asking you to give us anything? When God calls you to sacrifice - listen and obey! God provides =
“Jehovah Jirah.”
2. The Call of Security. Genesis 46:2
- Jacob had spent 17 years in uncertainty and grief at the loss of Joseph, Jacob wandered in Palestine, he was weary.
Finally he learns his beloved son, Joseph is safe and in Egypt, and has invited the family to live in Egypt
- God now calls him to be cared for by Joseph his beloved son. Joseph is a typology of Christ, Jacob will be cared for
and loved and respected. Though in a foreign land, but it was God’s call, God was with him. Finally provided
security, vs. 1-4
- We live in a world where nothing is secure. Anything can be taken anytime. But our security is found in comfort of God
through His Son J.C..
- Do you have security in Christ? Do you find your rest in the provisions of Christ? If you lost everything, would having
Jesus be enough?
ILLUS: Things do not give you security! Think of the people in Iowa who have lost everything in tornado’s and
floods this year.
- When God calls you to have security in Him - listen and obey!
QUOTE: Old gospel song: “All that I want is in Jesus, He satisfies, joy He supplies. Life would be worthless
without Him, all things in Jesus I find.”
3. The Call of Surrender. Exodus 3:4
- The burning bush. Clear call of God to Moses to surrender to Him.
- Surrender it was. To go back to where he was exiled, to go and lead God’s people out. Can he, should he, could
he??? vs. 1-8
- No easy task to give up the peace of the wilderness and be an instrument of warning, to back to a place of suffering
where he had been disgraced.
- But the call was a holy moment, it changed Moses and his life. Mile marker. He was to be a great Deliverer, another
picture of Christ.
- Has God called you to a new task that requires a bold step of faith? If so you must surrender and obey. It is no easy
task.
ILLUS: Pastor Jeriah and Shawna surrender to God’s will for future. If you have had to relocate because of
job, family, or ministry. I surrendered to God’s will in taking the churches I have - major moves, life
change. Faith... The moves to Minnesota in 1987 and the move to Iowa in 1997 were each not confirmed until after I
arrived at the new ministry.
- When God calls you to surrender your life to Him - listen/obey! Leads...
4. The Call of Service. 1 Sam. 3:10
- Samuel was in house of God as a servant, a young lad learning to serve.
- God wanted to use young Samuel to lead His people though Eli was currently the priest. vs. 8-11
- God’s call was to service. “listening” = to hear with the view of obey.
- In fact the first message he heard and had to speak was of judgment to Eli what a test but Samuel obeyed.
vs. 13-14, 18-19
- Has the Lord spoken to you for service that you must obey? Maybe you have resisted. You may have a tough job ahead -
announce judgment...
ILLUS: Samuel had a tough job - King Saul resisted most of career - God withdrew and so did Samuel.
- Is God calling you for maybe full-time, part-time; missions, church leadership, witnessing? We need some of your help
in youth ministry here.
- When God calls you to serve Him in His majesty’s service - listen/obey!
5. The Call of Solitude. Luke 10:41
- Balance the service call with this next call of solitude. Martha was so busy serving the Lord she didn’t have
time to listen to the Lord. She probably wanted to host a great meal, but the most important part of the meal was the
interaction with Jesus. vs. 38-42
- A call to solitude, just sit at Jesus’ feet and listen. We get soooo busy. Substitute service for solitude,
action for awe, duties to devotion.
ILLUS: When I get to the office I must first have solitude or never will.. I had last Thursday, the last day of my
vacation to work in the office quietly - a day to catch up and let God lead.
- Has God called you just to listen to Him, to be with Him? Or are you too busy? Re-look and rework your schedules. Find
time to be along with God.
- When God calls you to spend time just listening to Him - listen and obey!
6. The Call of Salvation. Acts 9:4
- Saul was going in the wrong direction in his relationship with God, in zeal he was persecuting Christians, God had to
get a hold of him, and did so on Damascus Road. vs. 1-6 Saw meet Jesus, the Savior, Son of God.
- Maybe today all the other double calls mean nothing, you must answer this double call first. Is God calling you to
salvation? Has Jesus called your name to come to Him? He may not continue the call!
- When God calls you to come to Him for your salvation - listen! This is the last call, but really the first call, if you
reject it, it will be the last call.
ILLUS: Deacons are hearing testimonies of salvation from new member candidates. Enjoyable to hear the many ways God
calls. Lead to the Lord by their parents, or this church, youth events, friends.
- How did God call you to salvation? What is your salvation story? OR do you need to start your story today. God is
calling you - listen and obey!
CONCLUSION
I have experienced all these in my life and different events, quite possibility so have you. Did you notice all basically require
you to give up comfort zones, to do what will dramatically change you and those around you. All require faith, and faith is always
right but not always feels good. Maybe now is the time to listen to the voice of God calling you to whatever He has for you:
sacrifice, security, surrender, service, solitude, salvation.
When God calls our answer must be “Here I am!&rldquo; “Speak for Your servant is listening.”
ILLUS: This is good to know. Emily Post: “What is the correct procedure when one is invited to the White House and you have a
previous engagement? An invitation to the White House is a command and automatically cancels any other engagement.”
Is God calling you today? Cancel everything else, it is a command you must respond. When God calls, please listen and obey!
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