Messages and Notes

The Past Two Weeks::

• Identity and Purpose Ephesians 2:10 ‘For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. ‘
• Being a Living Sacrifice Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

How do we respond?

Galatians 6:9 NIV

‭‭Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

The “Therefore” in Ephesians 4:25:

Ephesians 4:2‭-‬3 NIV

2 ‬‬Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 

The Message

Ephesians‬ ‭4:25-32‬ ‭NIV

Ephesians 4:25 “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” 

Cross-references: 

• Zechariah 8:16: “These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts;” 
• Colossians 3:9: “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.”

Ephesians 4:26  “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,” 

Cross-references: 

• Psalm 4:4: “Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.” 
• James 1:19-20: “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”

Ephesians 4:27 “and do not give the devil a foothold.” 

Note: The idea of a “foothold” implies that the devil seeks entry points into a person’s life through vulnerabilities or sins that may seem small or insignificant but can lead to greater spiritual harm. This concept is about recognizing and managing one’s spiritual state to prevent negative influences from gaining any ground.

Cross-references: 

• James 4:7: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” 
• 1 Peter 5:8: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

Ephesians 4:28 “Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.” 

Cross-references: 

• Acts 20:35: “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” 
• 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12: “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”

Ephesians 4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” 

Cross-references: 

• Colossians 4:6: “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” 
• Proverbs 15:4: “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”

Ephesians 4:30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” 

Cross-references: 

• Isaiah 63:10: “Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.” 
• 2 Corinthians 1:22: “who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a deposit.”

Ephesians 4:31 “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” 

Cross-references: 

• Colossians 3:8: “But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” 
• James 1:21: “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”

Ephesians 4:32  “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” 

Cross-references: 

• Colossians 3:13: “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

These verses and their cross-references highlight principles essential for Christian community life, focusing on truth, temperance, productivity, and kindness as ways to live out one’s faith in daily

What not to do:

• Live like the Gentiles v 17
• Darkened Understanding v 18
• Harden Hearts v 18
• Loss of Sensitivity v 19
• Deceive Others v 25
• Don’t Live Angry  v 26
• Don’t Steal v 28
• Don’t Trash Talk (Unwholesome Talk) v 29
• Don’t Grieve the Holy Spirit v 30

What To Do:

• Live a Life Worthy of the Calling v 1
• Be Humble v 2
• Bear With Each Other v 2
• Be The Peacemaker v 3
• Speak The Truth in Love v 15
• Put Off the Old Put on the New Self v 22 – 23
• The New Attitude of the Mind v 24
• Speak the Truth v 25
• Take Out the Trash v 31
• Be Kind v 32
• Be Compassionate v 32
• Forgive as you have been Forgiven in Christ v 32

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

Dear Church Family,

Just a quick note to everyone that while we will be gathering for our in-person services this Sunday as normal, we will not be live streaming the service, as Margarette and I will be out of town attending Matthew’s wedding.

Deacon Jones will be presiding over the service and Paul Rideout will be our guest speaker for the day. Hope that you can make it to the in-person service this Sunday!

Blessings,

Pastor

Identity

• How God sees us (what matters most)
• How we see ourselves (self awareness)
• How others see us (community)

Purpose

• Life Roles (Who we are)  (Husband / Wife / Child / ?)
• Vocations (What we do) (Work / Student)
• Contribution (What we leave) (Serving others / what we leave behind /our Legacy)

‭2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV‬ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Identity and purpose are often deeply interconnected:

Identity Influences Purpose: Who you are often determines what you find important and what you decide to do with your life. For example, someone who identifies strongly with creativity may find purpose in artistic expression or innovation.

Purpose Shapes Identity: Conversely, the roles and objectives people take on can shape their identity. For instance, dedicating oneself to teaching can strengthen one’s identity as an educator and lifelong learner.

Purpose and Context of the Letter

Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians to address several key themes and concerns for the early Christian community in Ephesus. This community was a mix of Jewish and Gentile believers, and one of Paul’s primary goals was to foster unity among them, emphasizing that both groups were equal in Christ.

Unity in Christ: Ephesians is well-known for its emphasis on unity. Paul wanted to stress that both Jews and Gentiles were reconciled to God through the death of Christ and are part of the same spiritual family. This is evident in Ephesians 2:14-16, where Paul discusses how Christ has broken down the dividing wall of hostility between Jews and Gentiles.

Identity in Christ: Paul was concerned with helping believers understand their new identity in Christ. This includes themes of being chosen by God, redeemed, and sealed with the Holy Spirit. He elaborated on how this new identity should shape their behavior and relationships within the community.

Living as Christians: Another key aspect of Ephesians is the practical guidance on Christian living. Paul instructed the Ephesians on how to live out their faith in their daily lives, emphasizing moral purity, domestic harmony, and mutual submission among believers, as well as spiritual warfare.

Ephesians 2:10 Direct Context

In Ephesians 2:10, Paul is reinforcing:

• The message that salvation is a gift from God, not a result of human effort
  • Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”).
• By stating that believers are “created in Christ Jesus for good works,” Paul emphasizes that their salvation should result in a life transformed by and dedicated to God, which is a natural response to the grace they have received.

The Passage

Ephesians 2:10 ‘For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. ‘

His Handiwork

The Greek word translated as “handiwork” is “poiēma,” from which we derive the English word “poem.” It suggests something artfully created and designed with purpose and care. In the context of this verse, it implies that believers are the result of God’s creative action and intentional design, much like a work of art.

To be God’s handiwork means to be created and fashioned by God with specific intent, reflecting His glory through one’s existence and actions, and living out a life of purpose that He has individually prepared. This concept is a cornerstone of Christian identity and purpose, grounding believers in the knowledge of their divine origin and destiny.

Created in Christ

2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” This verse reinforces the idea that in Christ, believers undergo a profound transformation.

Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” This expresses the notion of dying to one’s old self and living a new life through faith in Jesus.

To Do Good Works

James 2:17-18 – “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.” James emphasizes that faith should manifest in actions, reinforcing the Ephesians passage about living out faith through good works.

Prepared in Advance To Do

Jeremiah 1:5 – “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.

‭Psalms 139:16 NIV‬ Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Therefore

‭Hebrews 12:1 NIV‬ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 

‭1 Corinthians 9:24 NIV‬ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 

‭Philippians 3:14 NIV‬ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 

Note: Paul’s primary emphasis in Ephesians 2:10 is on the transformative power of God’s work in believers through Christ. His concern is that believers recognize:

We Must Remember That It Is:

God’s Initiative: Salvation and the ensuing good works are initiated by God, not by human merit or effort.

Purposeful Creation: Believers are created anew in Christ specifically to engage in good works, underscoring the idea that Christian faith is inherently active and practical.

Preordained Path: The good works that believers are to engage in have been prepared by God beforehand, suggesting that each believer has a God-given path to follow, which aligns with His will and purposes.

Through these teachings, Paul wanted to ensure that the Ephesians understood their faith as a dynamic and living response to God’s grace, aimed at uniting them in purpose and action under the lordship of Christ.

Key Takeaways

Identity in Christ: Believers are uniquely crafted by God, which affirms their worth and the intentionality behind their creation.

Purposeful Living: Being created for good works implies that Christian life is not passive but actively engaged in practices that reflect God’s goodness and love.

Divine Planning: The idea that these works are prepared in advance shows that God is intimately involved in the life of each believer, guiding and equipping them for the tasks He has set out.

In 1 Kings 19:5-21, we find Elijah at a pivotal point of personal crisis. After a victorious confrontation against the prophets of Baal, Elijah faces severe discouragement and flees from Queen Jezebel’s threats. This passage offers a profound look at how God meets His prophet in his moment of despair.

The Message

Verses 5-7: “Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat.’ He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.'”

Commentary: God’s provision of food and water for Elijah is reminiscent of His care for the Israelites in the wilderness, providing manna and quail (Exodus 16:35). This demonstrates God’s holistic care, acknowledging the physical basis needed for spiritual and emotional well-being.

Divine Intervention:God first addressed Elijah’s physical needs. While he slept under the broom tree, an angel touched him and provided food and water for him (1 Kings 19:5-7). This act of care shows the importance of attending to physical well-being as part of spiritual health.

Verses 8-9: “So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night.”

Commentary:Elijah’s journey mirrors the Israelites’ 40 years in the desert (Numbers 14:33) and Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-2), symbolizing a period of purification and preparation for a divine encounter.

Verses 11-13: “The LORD said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.’ Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.”

Commentary: This encounter emphasizes that God’s presence is not confined to dramatic displays. It parallels Moses’ experience on the same mountain, where God also used natural phenomena to reveal Himself (Exodus 19:18-20), but here emphasizes the still small voice, highlighting a personal and gentle communication.

God’s Gentle Presence: After his initial rest and nourishment, Elijah traveled to Mount Horeb and took shelter in a cave. Here, God revealed Himself not in dramatic displays as on Mount Carmel, but in a “gentle whisper” (1 Kings 19:12). This encounter reminds Elijah (and readers) that God is not only found in extraordinary events but also in quiet, subtle ways.

Verses 15-18: “The LORD said to him, ‘Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.”

Commentary: God’s instructions for Elijah to anoint new leaders and a prophetic successor not only provide direction but also show that Elijah’s mission must continue beyond his lifetime, similar to Jesus commissioning His disciples in Matthew 28:19-20.

Recommissioning:Following this gentle encounter, God gave Elijah new tasks, including anointing new kings and appointing Elisha as his prophetic successor (1 Kings 19:15-16). This recommissioning helped redirect Elijah’s focus from his fears and failures to purposeful action and reaffirmed that his life and mission were far from over.

Verse 21: “So Elisha left the oxen and ran after Elijah. Then he took his cloak and rolled it up and struck the water with it.”

Commentary: Elisha’s immediate response signifies his readiness to embrace the prophetic call. The transfer of the cloak from Elijah to Elisha symbolizes passing the mantle of prophetic authority, reminiscent of Moses passing leadership to Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:7-8).

Community and Succession: By instructing Elijah to anoint Elisha as his successor, God addressed Elijah’s sense of isolation by providing him a companion and successor in his prophetic ministry (1 Kings 19:19-21). This partnership not only alleviated his loneliness but also ensured the continuity of his work.

Key Takeaways

• God’s Comprehensive Care: This passage illustrates that God cares for His servants’ physical and spiritual needs, ensuring they are fully equipped for their divine missions.
• God’s Presence in Subtlety: Elijah’s experience teaches that divine revelations are not limited to dramatic events but can also occur in quiet, subtle ways.
• Continuity of God’s Work: Through the commissioning of successors and new leaders, the story emphasizes that the work of God is larger than any single individual and is meant to continue across generations.
• Immediate Obedience: The readiness of Elisha to follow Elijah’s call underscores the importance of immediate and decisive action when responding to God’s purposes.

More Than Conquerors

Love (31–39). The Spirit of God makes the love of God real to us (5:5; John 14:23–27). The Father is for us (vv. 31–32), the Son is for us (v. 34), and the Spirit is for us (vv. 26–27). Nothing can separate us from His love. Is there any reason why we should not be “more than conquerors”?

“The Holy Spirit longs to reveal to you the deeper things of God. He longs to love through you. He longs to work through you. Through the blessed Holy Spirit you may have: strength for every duty, wisdom for every problem, comfort in every sorrow, joy in His overflowing service.” T. J. Bach

Romans 8:31: God’s Unfailing Support

Verse: “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Cross-Reference: Psalm 118:6 – “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

Application: Embrace a life of bold faith, knowing God’s unparalleled support makes opposition null.

Romans 8:32: Assurance of God’s Provision

Verse: “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”

Cross-Reference: Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

Application: Trust in God’s willingness to provide for your every need, rooted in His sacrificial love.

Romans 8:33-34: Our Righteous Standing

Verse: “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”

Cross-Reference: Hebrews 7:25 – “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”

Application: Rest in the assurance of your salvation and the effectiveness of Christ’s intercession on your behalf.

Romans 8:35-37: Love That Overcomes

Verse: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Cross-Reference: John 16:33 – “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Application: Stand firm amid trials, empowered by the victory and love of Christ that surpass all obstacles.

Romans 8:38-39: The Inseparability from God’s Love

Verse: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Cross-Reference: Ephesians 3:18-19 – “…may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ…”

Application: Find peace and courage in the unbreakable bond of love between you and God through Christ.

Key Takeaways:

• Unmatched Support: God’s support is unparalleled; knowing He is for us should inspire unwavering confidence in His providence.
• Providential Love: The sacrificial gift of Jesus is the utmost evidence of God’s love and a promise of His provision in our lives.
• Righteous Assurance: Our justified status and Christ’s intercession provide a firm foundation for our faith, free from condemnation.
• Victorious Love: The love of Christ empowers us to overcome any trial, affirming our identity as more than conquerors.
• Eternal Security: The certainty that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ offers enduring peace and assurance.

Romans 8:31-39, with its profound themes of divine support, love, and security, stands as a monumental assurance of the believer’s position in Christ. It encourages a life lived in confidence of God’s unwavering commitment to His people.

‭Mark 16:1-7 NIV‬ When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. [2] Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb [3] and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” [4] But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. [5] As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. [6] “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. [7] But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ ”

He arose (1–8). Because they forgot His resurrection promises, the women were in sorrow and worrying about the future: “Who will roll away the stone?” When they learned that Jesus was alive, their first response was fear and not faith; but then they became the first heralds of the Resurrection. The angel had a special word for Peter (v. 7) who was no doubt still grieving his sins. The living Christ gives you something to rejoice in, something to talk about, and something to look forward to. He goes before you!

Easter is of paramount importance to Christians for several reasons, reflecting the core of Christian faith and theology.

Here are three central reasons to rejoice in Easter:

Resurrection of Jesus Christ:

• Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead on the third day after His crucifixion.
• This event is the fulfillment of the promises made in the Old Testament and the definitive proof of Jesus’ divine nature.
• The resurrection is central to Christian belief because it demonstrates Jesus’ victory over sin and death, affirming the belief in life after death for all who believe in Him (1 Corinthians 15:17-20).

Foundation of Christian Faith:

• The Apostle Paul stated that if Christ has not been raised, the Christian faith is futile, and believers are still in their sins (1 Corinthians 15:17).
• The resurrection is thus foundational to the Christian faith; it validates Jesus’ teachings, His sacrificial death for the sins of humanity, and His claims of divinity.
• Without the resurrection, the crucifixion would be the end of the story, making the hope of salvation and eternal life void.

Promise of Eternal Life:

• Easter embodies the promise of eternal life for Christians.
• The resurrection of Jesus is seen as the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep (died in faith), promising believers resurrection and eternal life with God.
• This hope of resurrection and new life begins now through spiritual renewal and transformation and culminates in the believer’s own resurrection to eternal life (John 11:25-26).
• Easter, therefore, is not just a historical event to be remembered; it is a current reality that influences how Christians live their lives, offering hope, joy, and the promise of redemption and renewal.

For The Believer, Easter Means:

• God can move mountains
• Split seas
• Restore life
• Roll away stones

The Message:

Peter (the redeemed) states it well:

1 Peter 1:3‭-‬9 NIV

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Note: The new birth is the work of the Holy Spirit not human will (see Jn 3:3–8).

• John 3:3 NIV. Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. ”

6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

• Philippians 4:4‭-‬5 NIV Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Closing

Here’s a brief overview of key witnesses and what is known or traditionally believed about their fates:

Mary Magdalene: According to the Gospels, she was the first to see Jesus after his resurrection (Mark 16:9, John 20:11-18). Tradition says she spent the remainder of her life preaching the gospel before dying a natural death.

Peter: The first of the apostles to see Jesus after his resurrection (Luke 24:34, 1 Corinthians 15:5). According to Christian tradition, Peter was martyred in Rome under Emperor Nero, crucified upside down at his request, as he did not feel worthy to die in the same manner as Jesus.

The Twelve Apostles: Although Judas Iscariot was no longer among them, the remaining apostles saw Jesus on multiple occasions after his resurrection (Luke 24:36-49, John 20:19-29). Most of the apostles are believed to have been martyred for their faith, except for John, who is traditionally thought to have died of old age in exile.

Thomas: Initially doubting the resurrection, Thomas believed after seeing Jesus and touching his wounds (John 20:24-29). Tradition holds that Thomas preached the gospel in India and was martyred there.

James: Jesus appeared to his brother James (1 Corinthians 15:7). James became a leader in the early church in Jerusalem and was eventually martyred.

Paul: Although not a witness to the resurrection, Paul experienced a vision of the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19), which led to his conversion. He became a pivotal figure in the spread of Christianity and was eventually martyred in Rome.

The accounts of these encounters and the lives of those who witnessed the resurrected Jesus have been a foundational part of Christian tradition and belief.

Close

The phrase “to all who call upon His name” closely echoes a passage found in Romans 10:13 of the New Testament, which states:

“For, ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'”

This verse is a quotation from Joel 2:32 in the Old Testament, which similarly states:

“And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has said, even among the survivors whom the LORD calls.”