ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

Friday February 10, 2017

“God the Father – the great Inviter”

1 Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,

To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ: - Jude 1:1

Called by God

A.        The Call of God

            1.  Old Testament Background

B.        General Calling

C.        Effectual Calling

          1.  Called by God the Father

There are many verses in the New Testament which indicate that the source of an invitation to become Christians lies in the Father. This has more practical relevance than we might ordinary notice. It implies that the Father lovingly invites us to himself. If we grasp this, we will be delivered from a deep-seated suspicion of God which continues to haunt many Christians. Sometimes in the past, the gospel has been presented in such a way as to give a distorted view of God, as though the father consented unwillingly and rather grudgingly to the salvation of men, only because of the insistent demands of his loving Son. But verses like Romans 1:6 – 7; 8:28; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 24; Hebrews 9:14 – 15; Jude 1, all indicate that God as the Father of Jesus Christ, is the great Inviter.

He loves us, calls us, saves us just as surely as does our Lord Jesus Christ.

This Day in Christian History:

February 10, 1751 – the evangelist John Wesley suffered a fall and was cared for by Mary Vazeille whom he married a week later. The marriage was “less than desirable”. John Wesley wasn’t present for her death or burial. Marriage is hard…even for giants in the faith.

Memory Verse:

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; - 1 Peter 2:9

Ka ko kimoutolu ko e ha‘a fili, ko e tu‘unga taula‘eiki fakatu‘i, ko e kakai tapu, ko e fa‘ahinga ‘oku ma‘ane me‘a tonu, koe‘uhi ā ke mou ongoongoa atu ‘a e ngaahi lelei ‘o ‘Ene ‘Afio, ‘a ia na‘a ne ui mai kimoutolu mei he po‘uli ki he maama fakaofo ‘a‘ana: - 1 Pita 2:9

Bible Reading Plan: (52 weeks; 5 days a week)

Week 6 – Exodus 16-31; Psalm 33, 109, 90; Eph 4-6; Phil 1-2