Many Are Called Few Are Chosen
"For many are called but few are chosen." (Matthew 22: 14)
What does this scripture mean to you? The calling is a call to service as a servant for the Living God. There are many Gods but there is only one Jesus, therefore we must differentiate when we say god.
Consider what Jesus said of Saul of Tarsus before Jesus during his conversion: And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias, And he said, Behold, I am here. (Acts 9: 10, Key Bible KJV)
As you see from verse 10 Jesus called Ananias by name and pressed him into service. Jesus chose Ananias the disciple for this task and Jesus calls many of us for service; do we answer as Ananias or do we ponder the call as if something strange has come over us? or do we ignore the calling and wonder later what is happening in our life our spirit. It's called conviction and this is a good thing. Those that are not called do not suffer conviction they suffer guilt.
And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus: for behold, he prayeth, (Acts 9: 11)
Jesus gives Ananias the command. Jesus not only tells Ananias where to go, he also tells him what to do when he arrives and what to expect when he arrives. Jesus operates on this principle today. He calls us, gives us direction and tell us what to expect.
And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. (Acts 9: 12)
There is never any doubt about what Jesus does. When we are called as Saul of Tarsus was Jesus had told him where to go, what to do, and what to do and who to expect, therefore he waited. When those appear with self proclaim I am a prophet/prophetess with words claiming to be sent, you will know it before they arrive. There is an excellent chance it will be someone you may or not know. Whatever the situation may be it will be of a nature only you and God know.
Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. (Acts 9: 13)
Immediately Ananias casts a why me Lord, this man is evil. Often when Jesus calls us we hear him, but we aren't listening. Like Ananias saying to the Lord about what he heard as if the Lord cares about what any of us have heard; He wants us to obey. Consider anyone who lays down their life for another would steer you in the wrong direction. It is probable that a person would listen to another person before they would listen to the Lord.
Go thy way; for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. (Acts 9: 15, 16)
"Go," Jesus said. Not that you need an explanation, but I will give you one. Jesus states Saul of Tarsus is a chosen vessel for his purpose. To put it plainly, I have a job for you to do and you are the person I chose for the job. Jesus did not ask Ananias if he wanted the job or if he thought he could do the job. The only things Jesus asked Saul was, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" (Acts 9: 4). When we are chosen as Saul of Tarsus was, we are commissioned. When we are commissioned, Jesus equips us with this: For God hath not given us the spirit of fear: but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1: 7)
Ananias went his way and did as Jesus commanded him. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales; and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. (Acts 9: 17-20)
Ananias tone changed from "this man" to "Brother Saul." He let Saul know this did not come from him but Jesus, and he confirmed this with Saul by letting him know when you were on your way to Damascus, and Saul did not say a word because he got confirmation.
Not only did Saul received his natural sight but he received spiritual sight as well and he was empowered with the Holy Ghost because when Saul did open his mouth he was not spewing out persecuting words against Jesus, he preached Christ.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God. (Romans 12: 2)
Saul was transformed to do the will of God. His mind now renewed to preach Christ; the chosen suffer for Christ's sake. Suffering because you are in debt is not suffering for Christ sake, you are suffering because you did not pay your bills. Suffering for Christ's sake are those who are persecuted for spreading the gospel. You have a testimony when you tell someone who is debt how Jesus removed you from the suffering of being in debt.
We who are called consider this; I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3: 14) When this is accomplished you can; Do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4: 13)
There is no need to advertise self and who you are, it is about whose you are. Whose will shall be done.
What does this scripture mean to you? The calling is a call to service as a servant for the Living God. There are many Gods but there is only one Jesus, therefore we must differentiate when we say god.
Consider what Jesus said of Saul of Tarsus before Jesus during his conversion: And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias, And he said, Behold, I am here. (Acts 9: 10, Key Bible KJV)
As you see from verse 10 Jesus called Ananias by name and pressed him into service. Jesus chose Ananias the disciple for this task and Jesus calls many of us for service; do we answer as Ananias or do we ponder the call as if something strange has come over us? or do we ignore the calling and wonder later what is happening in our life our spirit. It's called conviction and this is a good thing. Those that are not called do not suffer conviction they suffer guilt.
And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus: for behold, he prayeth, (Acts 9: 11)
Jesus gives Ananias the command. Jesus not only tells Ananias where to go, he also tells him what to do when he arrives and what to expect when he arrives. Jesus operates on this principle today. He calls us, gives us direction and tell us what to expect.
And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. (Acts 9: 12)
There is never any doubt about what Jesus does. When we are called as Saul of Tarsus was Jesus had told him where to go, what to do, and what to do and who to expect, therefore he waited. When those appear with self proclaim I am a prophet/prophetess with words claiming to be sent, you will know it before they arrive. There is an excellent chance it will be someone you may or not know. Whatever the situation may be it will be of a nature only you and God know.
Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. (Acts 9: 13)
Immediately Ananias casts a why me Lord, this man is evil. Often when Jesus calls us we hear him, but we aren't listening. Like Ananias saying to the Lord about what he heard as if the Lord cares about what any of us have heard; He wants us to obey. Consider anyone who lays down their life for another would steer you in the wrong direction. It is probable that a person would listen to another person before they would listen to the Lord.
Go thy way; for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. (Acts 9: 15, 16)
"Go," Jesus said. Not that you need an explanation, but I will give you one. Jesus states Saul of Tarsus is a chosen vessel for his purpose. To put it plainly, I have a job for you to do and you are the person I chose for the job. Jesus did not ask Ananias if he wanted the job or if he thought he could do the job. The only things Jesus asked Saul was, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" (Acts 9: 4). When we are chosen as Saul of Tarsus was, we are commissioned. When we are commissioned, Jesus equips us with this: For God hath not given us the spirit of fear: but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1: 7)
Ananias went his way and did as Jesus commanded him. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales; and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. (Acts 9: 17-20)
Ananias tone changed from "this man" to "Brother Saul." He let Saul know this did not come from him but Jesus, and he confirmed this with Saul by letting him know when you were on your way to Damascus, and Saul did not say a word because he got confirmation.
Not only did Saul received his natural sight but he received spiritual sight as well and he was empowered with the Holy Ghost because when Saul did open his mouth he was not spewing out persecuting words against Jesus, he preached Christ.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God. (Romans 12: 2)
Saul was transformed to do the will of God. His mind now renewed to preach Christ; the chosen suffer for Christ's sake. Suffering because you are in debt is not suffering for Christ sake, you are suffering because you did not pay your bills. Suffering for Christ's sake are those who are persecuted for spreading the gospel. You have a testimony when you tell someone who is debt how Jesus removed you from the suffering of being in debt.
We who are called consider this; I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3: 14) When this is accomplished you can; Do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4: 13)
There is no need to advertise self and who you are, it is about whose you are. Whose will shall be done.
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