Glynlea Grace United Methodist Chruch

Scripture

Exodus 19:5-6

Now therefore, if you will obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my own possession among all peoples; for all the earth is mine, ⁶ and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel."

1 Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Summation and Purpose

Summation: When God delivered the ancient Israelites from Egyptian bondage, He called them to be a 'royal priesthood and holy nation'. In the sameway, when God delivers us from sin, He calls us to be a 'royal priesthood and holy nation'. What does this mean? Well, it means that each one of us is called into the ministry. We're called to spread the good news of Jesus Christ and to serve those in need in the name of Christ. Jesus wants us to be His disciples and, as such, we are to act as his ambassadors to reconcile the world with God. This is the highest calling anyone could ever answer. Are you willing to answer it?

Purpose: To get the congregation to make a decision about answering the Christian call to ministry.

The Sermon

I. Introduction: Americans answer the call in 1941

A. Dec. 7, 1941: Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor

B. Dec. 8, 1941 at 12:30PM: President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) gives his famous 'Date which will live in Infamy' speech.

· FDR starts the speech with, "…Yesterday, December 7th, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan."

· One hour later congress declared war.

C. My dad was a young teen-ager then and he remembers listening to FDR on the radio.

· According to my dad, young men stood in lines to the recruiting offices that ran around the block

· Females answered the call by taking over the positions in the factories left behind by the men

· Families answered the call by rationing their gas, food and other vital resources for the war effort

· The entire nation rose up to answer the call to defeat the evil threatening them

D. As Christians, we also have a call. Will we be like America in 1941 and answer our call or will we claim to follow Jesus but not answer His call?

II. God is calling us.

A. Whenever God delivers people from bondage, He calls them to a holy purpose

· When God delivered the ancient Israelites from Egyptian bondage, he called them to a special purpose

- Exodus 19:5-6: "Now therefore, if you will obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my own possession among all peoples; for all the earth is mine, ⁶ and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel." (emphasis added)

- God was calling Israel to be the example for the rest of the world. The Israelites were supposed to demonstrate what it looks like to have a personal relationship with God. This personal relationship with God was to be maintained through obedience to the Law.

- The Israelites failed to do this. Any group of people would have failed. We are all sinners and unable to live up to God's Law without empowerment from the Holy Spirit. This brings us to the New Testament.

· Through faith in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, God delivers us from sin. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins. That enables us to receive God's forgiveness. When we receive God's forgiveness, our relationship with God is restored. We become children of God. As Children of God we receive the Holy Spirit into our hearts. The Holy Spirit changes us and enables us to live righteous, non-sinful, lives.

- When God delivers us from sin, He calls us to a special purpose

Ø 1 Peter 2:9: But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (emphasis added)

Ø What does it mean for us to be a 'royal priesthood and holly nation'?

III. What it means to be a 'royal priesthood and holy nation'

A. Royal priesthood: We are all priest, people who have access to God. Through faith in Jesus, we can have a personal relationship with God. We don't need to go through another priest, minister, Pope or saint.

B. Holy nation: We are set apart for a special purpose. – What is the special purpose?

IV. What special purpose are we set apart for?

A. Answer found in 2 Corinthians 5:20: "So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us." – Our special purpose is to be ambassadors for Christ – We are called to be Christ's ambassadors

B. As ambassadors for Christ, there are three things we must do

· First: We must spread the good news of Jesus (Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:14-20 and Acts 1:8)

· Second: We must serve those in need. Feed the hungry, house the homeless, visit the sick and imprisoned etc… This also includes standing up for the weak and oppressed (Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 4:16-19; Isaiah 58:6-7)

· Third: We must engage in the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:11-21)

C. Will you answer the call to be an Ambassador for Christ?

V. Conclusion

A. As we partake of communion, we'll remember how Jesus delivered us from our sins by paying the penalty for our sins.

B. As we remember God's love for us, let's contemplate God's call for us to be his ambassadors. The only right answer is to say 'yes'.