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Sunday 3 August 2003 - "Chosen, called and faithful?"

(Summary of sermon by Michael Ngubane)

1Pet 2:6 - 12

6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Jesus is the foundation of the church, the cornerstone, the One of whom we need not be ashamed. In Is 49:23 it says that they that wait upon Him shall not be put to shame. The way in which you believe in the Lord Jesus, are you put to shame? What does Jesus mean to you? Has He become precious to you - the One in whom you put all your trust? Those who love Him forsake all for His sake - they deny their lives and the pleasures of the world for His sake. We are given this guarantee that we will never be put to shame, if we make Him our very foundation.

Believing on Him does not mean attending church, reading your Bible and praying. That is very good. However, there are many that do such, but do not truly believe on Him. They still cling to their pet-sins, and guide their own lives. They've never surrendered to Him. You might have disappointed many because of your life. However, even those for whom people loose all hope, if they believe on Him, new hope arises for their future. Jesus gives new hope for the hopeless.

Maybe you don't know why you are in this world. Maybe you don't know what role you must fulfill in the church. As God's church there is a calling He has for each one individually. Satan wants you to believe that God has no aim with your life. No, you must find God's task for your life and do it. Not your child or parent will fulfill that calling for you. You must do it. A person that has been given a task, is expected to be faithful and to do it. So too, God expects you to do the work He has for you.

You might have an inferiority complex, thinking you're not chosen for anything. But why has he cleansed you with His Blood and placed you here. Just see how the people are dying in hospital without Christ, and you have heard of Jesus. What have you done concerning these souls that are perishing? Have you discarded your calling and are just busy with your daily work and cares. There is no longer that urgency in your heart, "Lord what would You have me to do today".

This church of God is not called to be spectators and judges to criticise. Those who criticise are spectators, not those who run the race and do the work.

Remember Samson, blessed of God with great strength. But, oh, just see how he was sidetracked by a woman. The enemy worked through this woman and removed his strength.
Maybe you have heard God's calling, but got sidetracked by Satan's temptations. If you see that you have fallen in this trap, cry to God to forgive you and give you strength to return to your calling and be faithful. Satan will not stop until he's harmed you. Have your eyes not maybe been removed. Do you feel sorry for yourself and find fault with the way others treat you. Have you lost your spiritual sensitivity to discern when you speak something displeasing to God.

What are the characteristics of such a called worker of God?

• Jesus is King and Priest, and those built upon this Cornerstone cannot but have the same characteristics. They love what He loves, feel like He feels, desire what He desires. They obey his Words and instructions. Do you realise the privilege you have to be part of this Royal Priesthood?
• We must be an holy nation too. It costs us something to be part of this holy nation. These are cleansed and washed in the Blood of Jesus. Separated from the world unto God. It is part of their daily lives and they love walking in holiness. Do you love to walk in holiness? Do you love to walk in the light? When last did you fellowship with God's saints? When last did you made sure that there is nothing between you and God? Maybe that's why your life looks the way it does. Do you leave "little" sins in your life? One unconfessed sin in your life will separate you from God and destroy that fellowship you have with Him, and destroy that which God wants to give you and have given you already. What do you do with today's technology? Do you send forth evil messages on your cellphones via SMS and receive such? Do you browse the internet for filth? Examine your life and see if it is wellpleasing to God or not. Some are spiritually dead and their testimony have been destroyed because of the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes. God commands us to abstain from these things, flee the evil desires of youth. Come out in the open, serve the Lord with all your heart that it be clear where you stand.

How will we stand before God, having heard so much, yet not having completed the task God had for us? What will we say before Him when we close our eyes here and open them there. If you have failed, be reconciled to God, acknowledge your guilt, surrender yourself afresh to God that you might be one with Him again.