2 Timothy 1:11-12 - Wed. PM
Many Christians spend so much time trying figure out the "What" and "Where" of God's calling for their lives. It's so easy to keep spinning our wheels Spiritually, when we really need to Just Look at the Basics of the Christian life and then MOVE on From there.
We've already learned from Paul's 2nd letter to Timothy, that the What and the Where of EVERY Christian's life should certainly involve NOT being ashamed of Christ. Being bold for the Lord, willing to suffer and sacrifice for the Lord should be common place for all Christians. If we can't get to the point of being willing to suffer and sacrifice for the Lord, then we're NEVER Going to find out the specifics, as to what God wants us to do with our lives or where God wants us to go.
The apostle Paul has told us that God has given Christians their marching orders and they don't involve Fear or being timid. But those Spiritual marching orders do involve being bold and going forth in God's power.
Tonight, we're going to look at YOUR Christian Duty and Christian Calling.
2Tim. 1:9, (God) who has saved us and called us with a holy calling,
The Christian who believes they get Saved and then are Free to go about their merry way, living life just as they please, DOES NOT understand God's Design for them. Yes, God saved you, but He also called you with a HOLY Calling
A Holy calling is to be set aside for God's Purpose
1Cor. 6:20, For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
1Cor. 7:23, You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.
Paul continues in v. 9... "not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,
God saved us for HIS purpose. Sometimes that's hard for us to deal with. In our flesh, we want to think, "I'm safe from Hell now, I'm secure in Christ... and then we PLAN our Lives out without ever asking God what He desires for us to do.
Every Christian should be asking:
God, What do you want me to do?
God, Where do you want me to go?
Look at the end of v. 9, "given to us in Christ Jesus before time began". Not only did God choose to Save you before the Foundations of the World, but He also had a calling for your life, a design for you.
Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations."
Is God still calling us today, in the church Age?
Gal. 1:15, But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace,16, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood,
God's Providence and Power is working in your life to accomplish His will and at the same time ALL of us are responsible to YIELD to our Calling, whatever that me be.
God's Eternal Purpose involves revealing Jesus Christ to us. see v. 10
v. 10, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ,
God's purpose also involved an Important act and truth that should change HOW we Live.
"who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,"
The fact that we (our soul, inner man) actually never dies, should CHANGE EVERYTHING about the way we live. Has your life changed and continued to change since you were saved? Is your life becoming more and more about what God wants you to do?
Concerning the Gospel, the message that brings life, Paul was given a calling.
v. 11, to which I was appointed (passive) a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
Question: Is it just pastors, teachers and evangelists that have a ministry calling?
These are Spiritual gifts. When God gives a gift He also gives a calling to use that Gift!
And we all have gifts were called to use. God never gives spiritual gifts without an expectation of those gives being used for His purpose.
illus: My Rusty Hammer - Many of you know that I've spent time in the past building homes, specifically as a framer. That trade certainly helped me through Bible College and has helped put food on the table while I was a church planter. When I was actively involved in building, the metal on my hammer was shining from constant use, but now it's very rusty because I hardly use the tool. I have the tool, but it's not in use. For some Christians, their spiritual gift is similar to my rusty hammer, they have it, but they,re not using it. Are your gifts rusty?
Paul is describing God's Eternal Purpose and Plan being worked out in the lives of Individuals. Just think of it this way, every Christian should being playing a part in this Grand Plan by yielding to God's calling in your life no matter what that may be.
None of us are too important and none of us are unimportant in God's plan.
What's your gift?
What's your calling?
Do you have a good idea as to how God is using you for His purpose? Just think about that for a moment. Think of yourself as a tool in the Lord's hand. How are you being used by Him, in the past, lately, in the future?
Paul, who understands his Christian calling and duty says in v. 12
12, For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
The apostle Paul understood God's purpose for his life. Paul understood that God did not simply save Paul so he could be saved from Hell and go to Heaven. Yes, that was part of God's plan, but not all of it. God's plans have details and those details involve callings for all Christians. That calling involves serving God with your spiritual gifts. If you've been living your Christian life believing that only pastors and missionaries have callings, you need to remove that thinking from your mind and your lifestyle. You also need to realize that there is no greater privilege than to serve the King of kings in the area He has called us.
2 Timothy 1:11-12 - Wed. PM