PILGRIMS, WE HAVE BEEN CALLED TO HIS ETERNAL GLORY BY THE GOD OF ALL GRACE

PHBC January 23, January 30, February 6, 2000

Series: First Peter, Sermon #88

PILGRIMS, WE HAVE BEEN CALLED TO HIS ETERNAL GLORY BY THE GOD OF ALL GRACE

TEXT: 1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

INTRO: Due to my physically weakened state and the danger of having a coughing spell, I will try to be brief this morning. I will also try to not allow myself to get too exercised. Though, I must tell you that this subject with which I am dealing is one that excites me and thrills my heart.

As I have meditated on this verse over the last few weeks, it occurred to me that only the God of all grace, only an infinitely gracious God would call such unworthy, sinful creatures to his eternal glory. It also occurred to me that only a Sovereign God of grace would call us to his eternal glory. If his calling us were dependent on something in us moving him to show us favor, it would never happen for we have all gone out of the way and are absolutely unprofitable. Though we will never equal God in his eternal glory, and that is not the idea in the verse, we shall partake of that eternal glory. In fact, spiritually, we have already partaken of it for we have been made partakers of the Divine nature. Of course, what we enjoy now is only manifest to our hearts and minds by the Holy Spirit.

I. THE BLESSED FACT: WE HAVE BEEN CALLED TO GOD’S ETERNAL GLORY

A. The fact of this calling is set forth as an incentive to practical holiness. 1 Peter 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. 1 Thessalonians 4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

B. The fact of this calling is set forth as an assurance of our eventual glorification and full conformity to the image of Christ. Romans 8:28-31 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

C. The fact of this calling is set forth in various salutations in Scripture.

1. In Paul’s greeting to the church in Rome. Romans 1:6-7 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: 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.

2. In Paul’s greeting to the church 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.

3. In Peter’s greeting to Pilgrims that were scattered abroad. 2 Peter 1:2-3 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.

4. In Jude’s greeting to those to whom he wrote. Jude 1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called.

D. The fact of this calling is set forth in an admonition to a young preacher to not be ashamed. 2 Timothy 1:8-9 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 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.

E. The fact of this calling is set forth in Paul’s rebuke of the Galatians for their allowing false teachers to bewitch them. Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel.

F. The fact of this calling was an incentive to Paul to keep pressing on in his service for the Lord. Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

G. The fact of this calling comes again in an assurance of God’s faithfulness. 1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

H. The fact of this calling is found again in an admonition to not abuse the liberty we have in Christ Jesus. Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

I. The fact of this calling is found in our text. 1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

J. The fact of this calling is again seen in Paul’s discussion of God’s sovereign election of Jacob and rejection of Esau. Romans 9:11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;).

K. The fact of this calling is set forth in Peter’s sermon on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ. Acts 2:39 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.

L. The fact of this calling is seen in Peter’s admonition to make our calling and election sure. 2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.

M. The fact of this calling is seen in Paul’s explanation concerning the difference in the ways men respond to the preaching of the gospel. 1 Corinthians 1:23-24 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

N. The fact of this call is found again in Paul’s discussion of the superiority of Christ as the Mediator of the new covenant. Hebrews 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

O. The fact of this call is found in Paul’s call to humility on the part of the Corinthian church members. 1 Corinthians 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.

P. The fact of this call is found in Paul’s call to the Thessalonians to walk worthy of their Divine call. 1 Thessalonians 2:12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

Q. The fact of this call is seen in the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Revelation 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

R. The fact of this call is found in Paul’s expression of gratitude for the election by God of the Thessalonian Christians. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

S. The fact of this call is found in Paul’s discussion of God’s absolute sovereignty in the bestowal of his favor. Romans 9:21-24 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, 24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

T. The fact of this called is clearly inferred in other Scriptures.

1. In Psalm 65:4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.

2. In Psalm 110:3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.

3. In John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

4. In John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

5. In Song of Solomon 1:4 Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.

6. In Song of Solomon 2:4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.

7. In John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

8. In John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

9. In Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

II. THE END OR PURPOSE OF THE CALL WITH WHICH WE ARE CALLED BY THE GOD OF ALL GRACE

A. It is a call out of great darkness into his glorious light. 1 Peter 2:9 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.

1. In our unregenerate state we walked in great darkness. Isaiah 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

2. In our unregenerate state we were under the dominion of darkness; we were in the kingdom of darkness. Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.

3. We were in such darkness that, without Divine assistance, we could not even comprehend the light. John 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

4. What is so sad is, that in our fallen state we loved the darkness in which we sat and did not really know we were in such darkness. John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

5. Walking in this darkness we did not even know where we were going. John 12:35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

6. One of the tasks of God’s churches and preachers is to turn men from this darkness. Acts 26:17-18 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

7. When the God of all grace calls one of his people to his eternal glory; he calls us out of our great darkness into his glorious light and the light of his glory.

B. This call of the God of all grace is a call out of bondage into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

1. Our bondage was a bondage to Satan. Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

2. We were in the prison of sin and Satan. Isaiah 42:7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

3. We were captives in Satan’s prison. Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.

4. We were captives in a pit wherein there was no water. Zechariah 9:11 As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.

5. This bondage is so great that men do not even realize they are in bondage. John 8:32-34 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

6. God has called us out of this terrible bondage into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Romans 6:16-18 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

C. This call of the God of all grace is a call from fellowship with the world into the fellowship of Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

1. Our fellowship is with the Father and his Son. 1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

2. Can your mind grasp that wonder of God’s grace that we who were so far separated from him by our sins should be called into blessed fellowship with him?

3. And, we have the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. 1 John 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

D. This gracious calling is also a call to peace.

1. In our natural, unregenerate state we know no real peace. Romans 3:17 And the way of peace have they not known.

2. We are called to peace with God and peace from God. Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

3. We are also called to peace with one another. 1 Corinthians 7:15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.

E. We who were unholy by nature have been called to holiness. 1 Thessalonians 4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 1 Peter 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.

F. We are called to glory and virtue. 2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. 1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

G. We are called into the grace of Christ. Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel.

1. It is through his grace that we are saved. Acts 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

2. His grace is exceedingly abundant. 1 Timothy 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

3. Through his grace we are rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

4. He is full of grace. John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

5. We have been made partakers of that fulness of Christ. John 1:16-17 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

III. THE NATURE OF THIS CALL WITH WHICH WE ARE CALLED BY THE GOD OF ALL GRACE

A. It is a call that is founded in God eternal purpose of grace. 2 Timothy 1:8-9 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 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.

B. It is a sovereign call that is designed to give God all the glory.

1. This is seen in the fact that God calls whom he will. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

2. This is evident from the fact that it is the Sovereign God who does the calling. Romans 9:11-13 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

C. This calling is irrevocable.

1. God never repents of or revokes his call to his elect. Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

2. This is assured by the fact that he who calls us to salvation is absolutely faithful. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

D. It is the high calling of God. Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

E. This calling is a holy calling. 2 Timothy 1:9 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.

1. God is holy in all his works. Psalm 145:17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.

2. An infinitely holy God could never issue a call that was not holy. 2 Timothy 1:9 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.

F. This call is a heavenly calling. Hebrews 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.

G. It is a calling in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 7:22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant.

H. It is a calling that is grounded in the merits of Christ. 1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

1. Our redemption is in Christ. Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

2. There is no condemnation in Christ. Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

3. The love of God comes to us and stays inseparably with us in Christ. Romans 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

4. We are sanctified in 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.

5. We of are God in Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.

6. We were blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ. Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.

7. We were chosen in Christ. Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.

8. We are accepted in Christ. Ephesians 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

9. We were begotten in Christ. 1 Corinthians 4:15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

10. When we die we will fall asleep in Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

11. In the resurrection we will be made alive in Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

12. Our whole ground of rejoicing is in Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

13. I have listed here only 12 of those many spiritual blessings which are ours in Christ to illustrate the importance of this calling to eternal glory which is in Christ Jesus.

I. It is a calling that is of grace. Galatians 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace.

J. It is a gospel call. 2 Thessalonians 2:14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

CONC: Thank God, the God of all grace, that he has called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus. How blessed you are if you have been called into this glory. If you have not, I pray that God may be pleased to call you by his grace and bring you to see the Lord Jesus Christ as the only and all-sufficient Saviour of sinners.

This page last updated Friday, March 04, 2011