June 21st, 2025
Many are Called but few are Chosen Series
Pastor Ray-ann Dela Fuente
June 22, 2025
Part 1: Caller ID - Matthew 22
Opening Verse:
“I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered.” Proverbs 1:24-25 NLT
Introduction:
Welcome to an amazing Sunday here at River of Faith! We are Starting a new series today that I entitled "Many are Called but Few are Chosen" In this series we will learn about the general calling of God to all humanity to repent and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. We will also learn about our own individual calling and spiritual gifting that God has given us and how we can use it in serving God for His kingdom!
When was the last time that you've got a call? In this day and age it seems like we get more text messages and emails rather than an actual call on the phone. Nevertheless, when your phone rings you have the option to weather or not pick it up or miss the phone call. Part 1 of our series is entitled "Caller Id."
Main Pointers:
“Jesus also told them other parables. He said, “The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify those who were invited. But they all refused to come! “So he sent other servants to tell them, ‘The feast has been prepared. The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the banquet!’ But the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business. Others seized his messengers and insulted them and killed them.” Matthew 22:1-6 NLT
1.It's a great reminder that not all who hears listens, not all who are invited comes, and many are called but only few are chosen.
This is a part of the series of parables that Jesus spoke to illustrate what the kingdom of God will be like when he returns. The moral of the story is that God is constantly seeking us but only few are willing to be sought out.
There's at least three kinds of people that were described in this parable. One who doesn't have time to attend, one who just hostile to the king, and one who did not belong there.
“That is why the Holy Spirit says, “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled, when they tested me in the wilderness. There your ancestors tested and tried my patience, even though they saw my miracles for forty years. So I was angry with them, and I said, ‘Their hearts always turn away from me. They refuse to do what I tell them.’”Hebrews 3:7-10 NLT
2. The chosen responds to the call.
“The king was furious, and he sent out his army to destroy the murderers and burn their town. And he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren’t worthy of the honor. Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’ So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with guests.” Matthew 22:7-10 NLT
The banquet was ready and the King was upset so the invitation went out to those who are willing and available and they filled up the banquet halls.
“So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:10-11 NLT
3. Jesus can always spot the pretenders.
“But when the king came in to meet the guests, he noticed a man who wasn’t wearing the proper clothes for a wedding. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?’ But the man had no reply. Then the king said to his aides, ‘Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ “For many are called, but few are chosen.””
Matthew 22:11-14 NLT
This is a clear evidence that God knows who are his and no one can come on their own merit. Doesn't matter how good you looked for the banquet. Jesus can spot the imposters.
“For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up." John 6:44 NLT
Conclusion:
How important is God's calling in our lives. In this series we will have an opportunity to respond to the call. To understand the call , and to live our lives according to the call of God. Are you ready? Are you listening? Are you chosen? We will see!
Pastor Ray-ann Dela Fuente
June 22, 2025
Part 1: Caller ID - Matthew 22
Opening Verse:
“I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered.” Proverbs 1:24-25 NLT
Introduction:
Welcome to an amazing Sunday here at River of Faith! We are Starting a new series today that I entitled "Many are Called but Few are Chosen" In this series we will learn about the general calling of God to all humanity to repent and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. We will also learn about our own individual calling and spiritual gifting that God has given us and how we can use it in serving God for His kingdom!
When was the last time that you've got a call? In this day and age it seems like we get more text messages and emails rather than an actual call on the phone. Nevertheless, when your phone rings you have the option to weather or not pick it up or miss the phone call. Part 1 of our series is entitled "Caller Id."
Main Pointers:
“Jesus also told them other parables. He said, “The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify those who were invited. But they all refused to come! “So he sent other servants to tell them, ‘The feast has been prepared. The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the banquet!’ But the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business. Others seized his messengers and insulted them and killed them.” Matthew 22:1-6 NLT
1.It's a great reminder that not all who hears listens, not all who are invited comes, and many are called but only few are chosen.
This is a part of the series of parables that Jesus spoke to illustrate what the kingdom of God will be like when he returns. The moral of the story is that God is constantly seeking us but only few are willing to be sought out.
There's at least three kinds of people that were described in this parable. One who doesn't have time to attend, one who just hostile to the king, and one who did not belong there.
“That is why the Holy Spirit says, “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled, when they tested me in the wilderness. There your ancestors tested and tried my patience, even though they saw my miracles for forty years. So I was angry with them, and I said, ‘Their hearts always turn away from me. They refuse to do what I tell them.’”Hebrews 3:7-10 NLT
2. The chosen responds to the call.
“The king was furious, and he sent out his army to destroy the murderers and burn their town. And he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren’t worthy of the honor. Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’ So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with guests.” Matthew 22:7-10 NLT
The banquet was ready and the King was upset so the invitation went out to those who are willing and available and they filled up the banquet halls.
“So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:10-11 NLT
3. Jesus can always spot the pretenders.
“But when the king came in to meet the guests, he noticed a man who wasn’t wearing the proper clothes for a wedding. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?’ But the man had no reply. Then the king said to his aides, ‘Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ “For many are called, but few are chosen.””
Matthew 22:11-14 NLT
This is a clear evidence that God knows who are his and no one can come on their own merit. Doesn't matter how good you looked for the banquet. Jesus can spot the imposters.
“For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up." John 6:44 NLT
Conclusion:
How important is God's calling in our lives. In this series we will have an opportunity to respond to the call. To understand the call , and to live our lives according to the call of God. Are you ready? Are you listening? Are you chosen? We will see!
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