TEXT: 2 Timothy 1:7-1
READING: Romans 8:24-39
SUBJ: The calling of God considered as to its source, its nature, its objective, its motivation, and the effect on us as to attaining unto assurance.
AIM: That we might in every way be the more responsive to the Word of God and recognizing the call to holiness of life.
INTR: We again come to a passage that is often cited as a proof text for the sovereignty of God but suffers neglect of some things that are worthy of more thought and meditation.
1. The thoughts I would share in this message came to me as I read an article by Henry Morris on the nature of our calling. The seed having been sown provoked further meditation and consideration.
2. While we rejoice in knowing of divine sovereignty and the assurance that the Lord does all things well and is in control of all things, we do well to ask ourselves of the effect of these things on us as His children.
3. Thus, we would examine this passage with a view to bringing to consider the aim of God in calling us and so we begin.
THESIS: It behooves us to search as far and as deep as we might into the consideration of all that is true about God and especially as we see it brought to light in the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I. Some initial thoughts from Paul (vv. 7-8)
1. The anchoring character of the Spirit manifested in us; as power (ability), love (sacrificial), and a sound mind (that is of self-control.
2. Being so equipped Paul would have Timothy (and us) to be bold in the matter of the Gospel and to be unashamed (or confounded) by the imprisonment of Paul. He saw himself as the prisoner of Christ.
3. He urged him rather to be a participant in suffering the afflictions that would surely come, but it would be according to the power of God – and so laid the foundation which is the Gospel:
II. Saved and called (v.9)
1. Salvation is of the Lord, and we rejoice in learning of the provision that was made in the sacrifice of Christ our Lord – it is seen in the past tense and so we approach with repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
2. The Holy Calling considered:
1) That it is Holy as to its origin – it is God who has called – not according to works!
2) It is with a clearly defined purpose: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (Ephesians 1:4). “It is a call to be consecrated and separated unto God.”
3) It is a distinguishing call -- For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: (1 Corinthians 1:26).
4) It is a calling attended by hope. Paul’s prayer included this thought, The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, (Ephesians 1:18). See also Ephesians 4:4 (One hope of your calling).
5) It is issued to Holy Brethren: Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; (Hebrews 3:1).
6) Thus we are exhorted by Peter, Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: (2 Peter 1:10)
3. We note the blessedness to those who are the called: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
1) These are they who love God.
2) They are called according to His purpose!
4. And this was given us, in Christ, before the world began.
III. The confirmation of that Holy Calling (vv. 10-11)
1. God’s purposes have not always been known, but His purpose in salvation has now been made manifest by the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
1) He came into the world to save sinners!
2) He appeared as the Lamb of God (the divinely provided sacrifice for sin).
3) He appeared as “God manifest in the flesh.”
4) He appeared as the God-Man that we might have an advocate with the Father.
5) He who first appeared in Bethlehem of Judea is now reigning over all things.
