Sermon for October 14, 2012 - Called To Be Saints

Matthew 6:9-13 - After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

The Sermon for this week is: Called To Be Saints - Romans 1:7 - To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

INTRODUCTION

1. In his epistle to the Romans, Paul said he was “called to be an apostle” - Romans 1:1 - Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

a. I.e., he was summoned to be an apostle, one sent by Jesus for a special purpose

b. That purpose involved the gospel, which Paul was sent to proclaim to the nations - Romans 1:1 - Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, ; Romans 1:5 - By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

2. All Christians likewise have their “calling”...

a. We are the “called of Jesus Christ” - Romans 1:6 - Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

b. We are “called to be saints” - Romans 1:7 - To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3. The term “saint” is frequently misunderstood and misapplied...

a. One might get the wrong impression of what Paul is saying

b. A proper understanding is important, serving as motivation for proper conduct

[So let us ask our first question: What is a “saint”...?]

I. THE DEFINITION OF A SAINT

A. ONE SET APART, CONSECRATED, HOLY ONE...

1. “The word mean set apart, consecrated, sacred...In the NT the word hagios, when used as

a noun, usually refers to members of the...church. All believers are called ‘saints,’ even when their character is dubiously holy.” - Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia

2. “A NT believer, belonging exclusively to God. The saints are the church, people called out of the world to be God’s own people.” - Zondervan Topical Bible

3. “Set apart for God, to be, as it were, exclusively His...this appellation is very often in the NT transferred to Christians, as those whom God has selected out of the world” - Thayer

4. “It is used of men and things in so far as they are devoted to God. These are called hagoi, saints, i.e., ‘sanctified’ or ‘holy ones.’ This sainthood is not an attainment, it is a state into which God in grace calls men” - Vine

B. APPLIED TO ALL CHRISTIANS...

1. Summarizing what these sources say, a “saint” is:

a. A Christian, a member of the body of Christ

b. As such, Christians are considered by God to be...

1) Set apart, holy

2) Consecrated for His purpose

2. A quick survey of the NT confirms this definition and use of the term “saint”

a. Addressing those in various congregations - Romans 1:7 - To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. ; 1 Corinthians 1:2 - Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: ; 2 Corinthians 1:1 - Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: ; Ephesians 1:1 - Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: ; Philippians 1:1 - Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: ; Colossians 1:2 - To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

b. Describing the subjects of brotherly love - Ephesians 1:15 - Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, ; Colossians 1:4 - Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, ; Philemon 1:4-7 - I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

3. A “saint” is not some super-spiritual Christian...

a. Now dead and having lived a long time ago

b. Who is canonized and venerated as an object of worship

-- Indeed, every Christian is a saint!

[However, we find both now and then that not all Christians behave like saints. This raises the question: How should saints live...?]

II. THE LIFE OF A SAINT

A. AS DESCRIBED IN EPHESIANS...

1. Saints should live in a manner worthy of their calling - Ephesians 4:1 - I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

a. Walking in unity - cf. Ephesians 4:1-16 - I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

b. Walking in truth - cf. Ephesians 4:17-32 - This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

c. Walking in love - cf. Ephesians 5:1-7 - Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

d. Walking in light - cf. Ephesians 5:8-14 - For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

e. Walking in wisdom - cf. Ephesians 5:15-17 - See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

2. Saints should avoid things not befitting their calling - Ephesians 5:3-4 - But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

a. Fornication, uncleanness, covetousness

b. Filthiness, foolish talking, coarse jesting

-- Saints strive to live this way; they do not always live up to their calling

B. AS DESCRIBED IN COLOSSIANS...

1. Saints should be filled with the knowledge of God’s will - Colossians 1:9 - For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

a. Involves a good knowledge of the Bible

b. Accompanied by wisdom and understanding (via prayer - James 1:5 - If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.)

2. Saints are to walk worthy of the Lord - Colossians 1:10 - That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

a. We are called to be Christians as well as saints - cf. Acts 11:26 - And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

b. Our behavior should properly reflect the One whose name we wear!

3. Saints are to fully please Him - Colossians 1:10 - That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

a. By being fruitful in every good work

b. By increasing in the knowledge of God

4. Saints are to be strengthened with all might - Colossians 1:11 - Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

a. According to God’s glorious power - cf. Ephesians 3:16 - That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; ; Ephesians 3:20 - Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, ; Ephesians 6:10 - Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. ; Ephesians 6:13 - Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

b. For all patience and longsuffering with joy

5. Saints are to give thanks to the Father - Colossians 1:12-14 - Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

a. He has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of saints

b. He has delivered us from the power of darkness

c. He has conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love

d. He has provided redemption and forgiveness of sins, through His Son’s blood

-- The epistles were written to saints; from them we learn how saints ought to live!

[We noted that one reason saints are to be thankful is because God has qualified us to partakers of “the inheritance of the saints”. This raises a third question: What is the hope of saints...?]

III. THE HOPE OF A SAINT

A. RICH AND GLORIOUS...

1. Which Paul wanted the saints at Ephesus to know - Ephesians 1:18 - The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

2. Which involves the exceeding riches of God’s grace - Ephesians 2:7 - That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

3. Which is presently reserved in heaven for us - 1 Peter 1:4 - To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

-- Paul and Peter describe our inheritance in general terms

B. NEW HEAVENS AND A NEW EARTH...

1. Promised by God, anticipated by Peter - 2 Peter 3:13-14 - Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

a. A future realm in which righteousness dwells

b. Motivating us to live now in peace, without spot and blameless

2. Revealed by Jesus, described by John - Revelation 21:1-7 - And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

a. Replacing the present earth and universe

b. Involving the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven

c. In which God will dwell with men, providing wonderful blessings

-- Peter and John describe our inheritance in figurative terms

[Questions may remain as to the ultimate nature of the saints’ inheritance, but enough is revealed to motivate us to become saints and live in a manner worthy of our calling. This leads to our fourth and final question: How do we become saints...?]

IV. THE BEGINNING OF A SAINT

A. CALLED BY THE GOSPEL...

1. We become saints by being “called” - cf. Romans 1:7 - To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

a. The idea of being “called” is one of being “summoned”

b. But we are not called or summoned by a small still voice, or bolt of lightning

2. We are “called” by the gospel - 2 Thessalonians 2:14 - Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

a. God calls people by the gospel

b. For the obtaining of the glory of our Lord

B. PRODUCED BY THE GOSPEL...

1. The gospel reveals God’s plan for saving man from his sins

a. With facts to believe - e.g., 1 Corinthians 15:1-3 - Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

b. With commands to obey - e.g., Mark 16:16 - He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. ; Romans 10:9-10 - That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

c. With promises to receive - e.g., Acts 2:38-39 - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. ; Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

2. When people respond, they become saints

a. Saved and called by the grace of God - 1 Timothy 1:9 - Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

b. Even though sinners, as were the saints in Corinth - 1 Corinthians 1:2 - Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: ; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 - Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

3. Every time the gospel is preached, God is calling people to become saints

a. Those who hear are exhorted to obey

b. Those who obey are washed, sanctified, justified

c. Those who are sanctified are set apart, consecrated for God’s purpose; i.e., saints

CONCLUSION

1. By the wonderful grace of God...

a. We can be His saints, His holy ones, set apart for His purpose!

b. We can look forward to the wonderful inheritance reserved in heaven for us!

2. Yet as saints, we must walk in a manner worthy of our calling...

a. We must make our “calling and election sure” - 2 Peter 1:10-11 - Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

b. Even Paul, called both as an “apostle” and a “saint”, realized the risk of his being rejected after preaching to others - 1 Corinthians 9:27 - But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Are you a saint? You are if you have responded to the call of God through obedience to the gospel!

Are you living as a saint should? May the hope of saints motivate you to walk worthy of your calling!

Mark 16:15-16 - And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Matthew 28:19-20 - Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Prayer: Lord I truly thank You for giving me the opportunity to present these words to my brethrens. I pray that You will give them Your eternal blessings and accept them into Your heart - this I pray in the name of Thy Son, Jesus, the Messiah, Your only begotten son which Ye sent to save mankind from themselves. Ephesians 6:23-24 - Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

This sermon is in the Public Domain - Free for all to use with the only requirement: That it never be used for profit.