Title
A Holy Calling 神圣的呼召
Date
11/23/2025
Description
2 Timothy 1:9: He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.
提 摩 太 後 書 1:9: 神 救 了 我 们 ， 以 圣 召 召 我 们 ， 不 是 按 我 们 的 行 为 ， 乃 是 按 他 的 旨 意 和 恩 典 ； 这 恩 典 是 万 古 之 先 ， 在 基 督 耶 稣 里 赐 给 我 们 的 ， (page 1929)
2 Timothy 1:6,7: That is why I want you to remember the gift God gave you. God gave you that gift when I laid my hands on you. Now I want you to use that gift and let it grow more and more, like a small flame grows into a fire. 7 The Spirit God gave us does not make us afraid. His Spirit is a source of power and love and self-control.
提 摩 太 後 書 1:6,7:为 此 我 提 醒 你 ， 使 你 将 神 藉 我 按 手 所 给 你 的 恩 赐 再 如 火 挑 旺 起 来 。因 为 神 赐 给 我 们 ， 不 是 胆 怯 的 心 ， 乃 是 刚 强 、 仁 爱 、 谨 守 的 心 。 (pg 1929)
Psalm 27:14: "Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!"
詩 篇 27:14: 要 等 候 耶 和 华 ！ 当 壮 胆 ，
坚 固 你 的 心 ！ 我 再 说 ， 要 等 候 耶 和 华 ！(page 905)
Ephesians 2:10: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them
以 弗 所 書 2:10: 我 们 原 是 他 的 工 作 ， 在 基 督 耶 稣 里 造 成 的 ， 为 要 叫 我 们 行 善 ， 就 是 神 所 预 备 叫 我 们 行 的 。 (page 1895)
提 摩 太 後 書 1:9: 神 救 了 我 们 ， 以 圣 召 召 我 们 ， 不 是 按 我 们 的 行 为 ， 乃 是 按 他 的 旨 意 和 恩 典 ； 这 恩 典 是 万 古 之 先 ， 在 基 督 耶 稣 里 赐 给 我 们 的 ， (page 1929)
2 Timothy 1:6,7: That is why I want you to remember the gift God gave you. God gave you that gift when I laid my hands on you. Now I want you to use that gift and let it grow more and more, like a small flame grows into a fire. 7 The Spirit God gave us does not make us afraid. His Spirit is a source of power and love and self-control.
提 摩 太 後 書 1:6,7:为 此 我 提 醒 你 ， 使 你 将 神 藉 我 按 手 所 给 你 的 恩 赐 再 如 火 挑 旺 起 来 。因 为 神 赐 给 我 们 ， 不 是 胆 怯 的 心 ， 乃 是 刚 强 、 仁 爱 、 谨 守 的 心 。 (pg 1929)
Psalm 27:14: "Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!"
詩 篇 27:14: 要 等 候 耶 和 华 ！ 当 壮 胆 ，
坚 固 你 的 心 ！ 我 再 说 ， 要 等 候 耶 和 华 ！(page 905)
Ephesians 2:10: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them
以 弗 所 書 2:10: 我 们 原 是 他 的 工 作 ， 在 基 督 耶 稣 里 造 成 的 ， 为 要 叫 我 们 行 善 ， 就 是 神 所 预 备 叫 我 们 行 的 。 (page 1895)
Creator
Pastor: Mike Koger
Contributor
Hillside United Methodist Church
3737 US 80
Phenix City AL 36870
United States
3737 US 80
Phenix City AL 36870
United States
Transcription
A Holy Calling 2025
2 Timothy 1:6-9
It is fun to explain to our international church family just how important college football is here in the Southern United States.
“It’s not a matter of life or death, it is much more important than that”
Usually, we align ourselves with one school – one team – and then we stick with it, good years and bad years.
When people ask me, as they often do in the south, who I pull for in college football, I let them know I am a lifelong Georgia fan. I tell them I was “literally born a Georgia Bulldog.”
My mother and father went to school there, I grew up in Athens, and most of all, my dad was on the UGA football broadcast team when I was a wee young’un.
You can’t argue with that, can you?
Much MUCH more importantly, you and I, whether in the sanctuary or as a part of our online church family, are part of a bigger team with a much higher calling.
What is Our Mission? What is Our Purpose?
Nehemiah 2:17-18: “Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me.
They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.”
“Thankful people recognize the mission they have to fulfill and they rise and build.”
Why are we thankful?
vs 9: “He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.”
You have a holy calling on your life - and it already was there when you first opened your newborn eyes. Even before time began.
Things to focus on today:
share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God.
He has saved us and called us with a holy calling
not according to our works according to his own purpose and grace,
given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.
The change we want to see in our lives – our families – our community – our nation – starts with a new hope in our hearts. The change literally has to flow through us.
“I would have been without hope if I had not believed that I would see the loving-kindness of the Lord in the land of the living.”
This quote is from Psalm 27:13 and speaks to the importance of faith and hope - even in difficult times. It expresses the idea that without belief in God's ultimate goodness and a future in the "land of the living," a person would despair and lose hope.
The verse encourages perseverance, strength, and courage in the face of adversity by focusing on a confident expectation of God's faithfulness.
2 Tim 1:12 (Paul) “The confidence of my calling enables me to overcome every difficulty without shame”
If you’re still breathing – you’re still in this
“It is not over” (We walk by faith)
If you truly live by faith you believe that the battle is the Lord’s
Faith Sees – Faith Believes – Faith Steps Out
Psalm 27:14: Here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope. Yes, keep on waiting—for he will never disappoint you!
In today’s lesson, Paul wrote to Timothy, “I’m writing to encourage you to fan into a flame and rekindle the fire of the spiritual gift God imparted to you when I laid my hands upon you. For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy Spirit who gives you mighty power, love, and self-control.”
Spurgeon: “Every living saint has (their) charge to keep, (their) talent over which they are a steward. A measure of a gift is in all of us, needing to be stirred up.”
2 Tim 1:6: “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you…”
Methodist Hymnal: A Charge to Keep I Have
• “A charge to keep I have, a God to glorify”
• “To serve the present age, my calling to fulfill…”
Eph 2:10: "We are his workmanship"
As we close out 2025, if we are determined to still to “rise and build,” we must do it through God’s Power at work within us.
(2 Tim 1:9) “God saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace. He gave us this grace in King Jesus before all time and ages…”
“Not according to our works” – which reminds me (reminds most of us, no doubt,) of Eph 2:8: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Spurgeon: “Again, in order to shut out everything like boasting, the whole is spoken of as a gift. Do notice that, "purpose and grace which He gave us" — not "which He sold us," "offered us," but "which He gave us."
“God saved us and chose us to be his holy people. We did nothing to deserve this, but God planned it because he is so kind. Even before time began God planned for Christ Jesus to show kindness to us.”
As a Believer:
• You are Saved
• You have a Holy Calling
…and it is a gift of God
We are to be Christian soldiers – putting on the gospel armor – holy instruments of God’s reconciliation.
Are we up to the challenge? This is a tough season
Jesus said (John 16:33) “I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!”
In our scripture today, Paul says we are to “share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God.”
“fan into a flame and rekindle the fire of the spiritual gift God imparted to you”
This is our time to get strengthened and equipped
Psalm 90:12: Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Now is the time to feed our faith and starve our doubts
Embrace our total salvation by grace through faith
God gives the believer “the Holy Spirit who gives (us) mighty power, love, and self-control.”
The Living Word speaks to you and me in this hour just like it has in every hour and in every age – if we will listen and apply it
AMP: [For it is He] Who delivered and saved us and called us with a calling in itself holy and leading to holiness [to a life of consecration, a vocation of holiness]; [He did it] not because of anything of merit that we have done, but because of and to further His own purpose and grace (unmerited favor) which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago].
omnipotence: the quality of having unlimited or very great power. universal power
We serve an Omnipotent, Almighty God
Rev 19:6 - Then I heard what seemed to be the thunderous voice of a great multitude, like the sound of a massive waterfall and mighty peals of thunder, crying out: “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns!”
As a Believer:
• You are Saved
• You have a Holy Calling
…and it is a gift of God
They replied, “’Let us start rebuilding.’ So they began this good work.”
2 Tim 1:2: I pray for a greater release of God’s grace, love, and total well-being to flow into your life from God our Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ!
2 Timothy 1:6-9
It is fun to explain to our international church family just how important college football is here in the Southern United States.
“It’s not a matter of life or death, it is much more important than that”
Usually, we align ourselves with one school – one team – and then we stick with it, good years and bad years.
When people ask me, as they often do in the south, who I pull for in college football, I let them know I am a lifelong Georgia fan. I tell them I was “literally born a Georgia Bulldog.”
My mother and father went to school there, I grew up in Athens, and most of all, my dad was on the UGA football broadcast team when I was a wee young’un.
You can’t argue with that, can you?
Much MUCH more importantly, you and I, whether in the sanctuary or as a part of our online church family, are part of a bigger team with a much higher calling.
What is Our Mission? What is Our Purpose?
Nehemiah 2:17-18: “Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me.
They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.”
“Thankful people recognize the mission they have to fulfill and they rise and build.”
Why are we thankful?
vs 9: “He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.”
You have a holy calling on your life - and it already was there when you first opened your newborn eyes. Even before time began.
Things to focus on today:
share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God.
He has saved us and called us with a holy calling
not according to our works according to his own purpose and grace,
given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.
The change we want to see in our lives – our families – our community – our nation – starts with a new hope in our hearts. The change literally has to flow through us.
“I would have been without hope if I had not believed that I would see the loving-kindness of the Lord in the land of the living.”
This quote is from Psalm 27:13 and speaks to the importance of faith and hope - even in difficult times. It expresses the idea that without belief in God's ultimate goodness and a future in the "land of the living," a person would despair and lose hope.
The verse encourages perseverance, strength, and courage in the face of adversity by focusing on a confident expectation of God's faithfulness.
2 Tim 1:12 (Paul) “The confidence of my calling enables me to overcome every difficulty without shame”
If you’re still breathing – you’re still in this
“It is not over” (We walk by faith)
If you truly live by faith you believe that the battle is the Lord’s
Faith Sees – Faith Believes – Faith Steps Out
Psalm 27:14: Here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope. Yes, keep on waiting—for he will never disappoint you!
In today’s lesson, Paul wrote to Timothy, “I’m writing to encourage you to fan into a flame and rekindle the fire of the spiritual gift God imparted to you when I laid my hands upon you. For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy Spirit who gives you mighty power, love, and self-control.”
Spurgeon: “Every living saint has (their) charge to keep, (their) talent over which they are a steward. A measure of a gift is in all of us, needing to be stirred up.”
2 Tim 1:6: “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you…”
Methodist Hymnal: A Charge to Keep I Have
• “A charge to keep I have, a God to glorify”
• “To serve the present age, my calling to fulfill…”
Eph 2:10: "We are his workmanship"
As we close out 2025, if we are determined to still to “rise and build,” we must do it through God’s Power at work within us.
(2 Tim 1:9) “God saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace. He gave us this grace in King Jesus before all time and ages…”
“Not according to our works” – which reminds me (reminds most of us, no doubt,) of Eph 2:8: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Spurgeon: “Again, in order to shut out everything like boasting, the whole is spoken of as a gift. Do notice that, "purpose and grace which He gave us" — not "which He sold us," "offered us," but "which He gave us."
“God saved us and chose us to be his holy people. We did nothing to deserve this, but God planned it because he is so kind. Even before time began God planned for Christ Jesus to show kindness to us.”
As a Believer:
• You are Saved
• You have a Holy Calling
…and it is a gift of God
We are to be Christian soldiers – putting on the gospel armor – holy instruments of God’s reconciliation.
Are we up to the challenge? This is a tough season
Jesus said (John 16:33) “I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!”
In our scripture today, Paul says we are to “share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God.”
“fan into a flame and rekindle the fire of the spiritual gift God imparted to you”
This is our time to get strengthened and equipped
Psalm 90:12: Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Now is the time to feed our faith and starve our doubts
Embrace our total salvation by grace through faith
God gives the believer “the Holy Spirit who gives (us) mighty power, love, and self-control.”
The Living Word speaks to you and me in this hour just like it has in every hour and in every age – if we will listen and apply it
AMP: [For it is He] Who delivered and saved us and called us with a calling in itself holy and leading to holiness [to a life of consecration, a vocation of holiness]; [He did it] not because of anything of merit that we have done, but because of and to further His own purpose and grace (unmerited favor) which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago].
omnipotence: the quality of having unlimited or very great power. universal power
We serve an Omnipotent, Almighty God
Rev 19:6 - Then I heard what seemed to be the thunderous voice of a great multitude, like the sound of a massive waterfall and mighty peals of thunder, crying out: “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns!”
As a Believer:
• You are Saved
• You have a Holy Calling
…and it is a gift of God
They replied, “’Let us start rebuilding.’ So they began this good work.”
2 Tim 1:2: I pray for a greater release of God’s grace, love, and total well-being to flow into your life from God our Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ!