2. Isaiah 11:1-2, 10 “There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him,...” “And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious.”

3. Isaiah 42:1, 6 “Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.” “I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles,”

4. Isaiah 49:6 “Indeed He says, ‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

5. Isaiah 55:3-5 “Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you – the sure mercies of David. Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people, a leader and commander for the people. Surely you shall call a nation you do not know, and nations who do not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, and the Holy One of Israel; for He has glorified you.”

6. THE CHURCH THE FRUIT OF GOD’S CALL

7. God calls men today to Himself by the gospel of Christ (2 Thess. 2:13-14). Paul preached the good news of Christ (Acts 17:1-4). Understood it to be the word of truth (1 Thess. 2:13). The church was established. The same gospel is still God’s power to convict sinners (John 16:8, 13), to produce faith (John 20:30-31) and to save (Rom. 1:16).

8. Obedient responders to God’s call compose the number of Christ’s called-out. The spiritual fellowship of the Lord’s church is the called-out body of Christ. ekklessia – “a calling out of” A spiritual assembly or congregation summoned for a reason, a purpose and a function determined and governed by its Builder, Savior and Head

9. Obedient responders to God’s call compose the number of Christ’s called-out. The New Testament identification of this calling out being of God and of Christ points to who is the originator, founder, owner and authority. Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 1:2; 1 Thess. 1:1 The Lord’s gathering of saved believers is distinct, unique, special and different from any other calling.

10. The calling of the “called-out” of Christ is a spiritual vocation. The church of Christ is the body of Christ composed of members whose purpose and vocation is anew in God (Col. 1:18). Added to the Lord (Acts 11:24; 2:41). Steadfastness to apostolic teaching, spiritual fellowship and worship (Acts 2:42; 11:26). Sanctified in Christ to be saints (1 Cor. 1:2) Ephesians 2:19-22; 4:20-23