Not Ashamed 3 - of God's Call

Reading: 2Timothy 1:3-12
That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.   2Timothy 1:12 (NIV)

I.   Called to a Holy life (v.9)

     A.  Set Apart for a special purpose

           1.  We are called to a holy calling

                 a.  Not just Paul and Timothy
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

                 b.  Not just missionaries and pastors

           2.  Some tasks seem more holy, at least on the surface. But what really counts is how we are or aren’t being faithful and responsive to God in the tasks he has given us to do.

     B.  God calls us to holiness out of His Grace

           1.  We are called to a holy calling, but not because we are qualified for it.

                 a.  The whole point is that we really are inadequate to the task, but that inadequacy doesn’t matter.

           2.  It is grace that rescues us from sin, and that same grace allows us the privilege of sharing in God’s mission in the world.

           3.  We are called to a holy calling, a sacred calling (there are no secular callings).

                 a.  Whatever it is God calls us to do, our responsibility is to do it for Him

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

     C.  Not ashamed to be Different

           1.  In the exercise of my holy calling, I will remain holy in as much as I am able.

           2.  I will wash dishes, or repair cars or fill orders, or build houses as if I were doing these things for Jesus himself. Because, in every way that matters I am.

           3.  This will make me look different. I’m not looking out for number one, I’m not trying to fit in as one of the girls or one of the boys, I’m not motivated by greed or power.

                 a.  People will notice. Some won’t like it.

II.  Called to use the gifts we Have (v.6)

     A.  Our gifts are meant to be Developed

           1.  To help us fulfill our holy calling God gives us gifts.

           2.  When Paul tells Timothy to fan his gift into flame, he means to say that these gifts are meant to be developed.

                 a.  Fanning this gift into flame means nurturing what’s already there

           3.  We get better at using our gifts over time

     B.  Our gifts are meant to be Used

           1.  If God gives you your own horn don’t be afraid to blow it!

           2.  Don’t neglect your gifts! (Like the man with one talent, who buried it rather than risk his master’s anger.)

     C.  No Timidity in using God’s gifts

           1.  Since God gave me this gift, I know He wants me to use it, so I won’t let Him down.

           2.  Since God gave me this gift, I will not withhold my gift from the Church

                 a.  Even if some don’t like my gift, even if some question my motives, even if using my gift puts me in a position of leadership.

           3.  Since God gave me this gift, I will use it in the power of the Spirit, with the love of God in my heart and with God’s help, I will discipline myself to use it only for His glory and honor.

III. Called to a particular Purpose (v.12)

     A.  God guards us in Every way

           1.  Even though Paul was suffering, he knew God was guarding him. Huh?

           2.  Paul’s suffering didn’t mean God had left him. His suffering only offered the opportunity to separate the temporary from the everlasting.

     B.  We each have our Own calling

           1.  God has a purpose for every person in this room. God wants faithful house wives and faithful nurses, faithful farmers and faithful grocers, faithful loggers and faithful builders, faithful teachers and faithful students.

                 a.  You are set apart for a special purpose and in the end the question won’t be “Why didn’t you do something different?” it will be “How did you live your holy calling in what you did do?”

           2.  The word “calling” is a word that implies communication. God talks, we listen.

                 a.  We listen imperfectly at best.

                 b.  It is more important to be faithful to what we believe God is calling us to, than to be correct about what God is calling us to.

                 c.  You cannot steer a ship that isn’t moving. God usually makes his calling clear as we are in motion, with hundreds of course corrections. It’s a good idea to be listening for those too!

     C.  Content with the calling I have

           1.  No “calling envy” allowed. We can be tempted to believe that we aren’t as important to God or the church because we don’t have the calling that someone else has.

           2.  We might admire someone else’s faithfulness in their calling and make the mistake of thinking that we could only be faithful if we had the same calling.

           3.  Whatever God calls us to do, let’s do it with joy, and with complete faithfulness to our God who gives us such a great privilege.

The Bottom Line:

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