October 26, 2025 | Ptr Marty Ocaya
God empowers us so we can accomplish His calling for our lives. Every one of us has a calling from God. All the Bible characters we’ve looked into the past few weeks fulfilled their callings. You have to make a decision: are you going to say “yes” to God’s “good, acceptable, and perfect” will or calling (Romans 12:2)? We’re not going to experience His perfect plan if we don’t obey His calling for all of us. God’s specific calling is attached to His general calling of gospel sharing and making disciples wherever you are. But is fear preventing you from obeying God’s call? We can’t experience God’s amazing plan for our lives if we allow our fear to take control. We must step into faith to experience the blessings of God’s calling for our lives!
Timothy was somebody who had fears stepping into God’s calling. Who was Timothy?
- Had a Greek father and Jewish mother
- Disciple of the Apostle Paul
- Joined Paul in his missionary journey in his late teens/early twenties
- Called to pastor the church in Ephesus
- He was young compared to the church leaders
- Ephesus was a place where false teachers were a huge problem
The young pastor was tasked to turn people away from wrong doctrines (1 Timothy 1:3). Timothy must have felt afraid, and Paul reminded him that how he responds will determine if they will look down on him or not (1 Timothy 4:12). Timothy was to set an example in how he lives his life to win their respect. Paul encouraged Timothy by saying that God has not given us a spirit of timidity (2 Timothy 1:7). How did Paul help Timothy turn fear into faith?
GOD’S GIFT
Paul was writing from prison, and in his final letter to Timothy, he reminded him of God’s gift (2 Timothy 1:5-6). This includes the gift of power, love and discipline (2 Timothy 1:7). We need these to fulfill God’s calling for our lives, including loving those we disciple. Discipline is needed to do the hard work of fulfilling God’s calling. God has given everything for us to be able to do what He called us to do (1 Peter 1:3). Paul reminded Timothy that the message we proclaim is the power of the gospel — the only message that can lead to our salvation (2 Timothy 1:8). We have the power of God to proclaim the gospel, so we don’t have to be afraid! God did not just save us so we can go to heaven, but also to fulfill His calling for us (1 Timothy 1:9). Paul knew that God is able to guard his life, through the Spirit and that’s why he wasn’t afraid (2 Timothy 1:12,14). Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit will be with His disciples to help us do His work (John 14:16-17). When God calls, He provides!
GOD’S GRACE
The grace of God was also available for Timothy — also a gift from God (2 Timothy 2:1). We don’t deserve the ability to share the gospel or make disciples; it’s only by God’s grace. Apart from the grace of God, we cannot fulfill God’s calling.
Like Timothy, God calls us to make disciples (2 Timothy 2:2). Our call from God is to be a good soldier for Christ (2 Timothy 2:3-4). Say “yes” to God’s call and be a soldier in the spiritual battle. But remember, we can’t do this apart from God — we get too easily distracted! We need to have the discipline of an athlete, work hard, and follow the rules to win the prize; and be like a hardworking farmer (2 Timothy 2:5-6). The ultimate showcase of God’s grace was the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross (2 Timothy 2:8-9). It is because of this undeserved grace that Paul was able to suffer hardship in fulfilling God’s call for his life. Because of God’s grace, you can turn your fear into faith.
GOD’S GUIDANCE
We have God’s Word to guide us as we fulfill His calling. Paul warned Timothy that times will be difficult in the last days, and this is why we need God’s guidance through the Bible (2 Timothy 3:1-3). There will be people even in church who will pretend to be Christians but do not truly love God (2 Timothy 3:4-5, 13). Paul reminds Timothy to “remember” everything that Paul taught him (2 Timothy 3:14). Paul mentored Timothy, even from prison. How about you? Who’s mentoring you? Are you discipled by the world, or by godly people? Corruption and other evil deeds are passed on by “mentors”. The only way to end that cycle is for us to be discipled by godly men and women who will pass on the Word of God to us, so we can be equipped to do what is good (2 Timothy 3:16-17). We have to be discipled by godly people, and we are to disciple others. Even our government leaders can be transformed into godly men and women if they are taught God’s Word and be discipled for Christ. Are you immersed in the Word of God? The Bible’s positive effect on people’s lives is tremendous! You can’t grow in Christlikeness if you are not immersed in God’s Word and discipled by godly people. “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” (Charles Spurgeon).
GOD’S GLORY
God’s glory awaits those who, by faith, fulfill God’s call so as Paul’s life was about end, he reminded Timothy to keep moving forward in every season (2 Timothy 4:1-7). Paul has given his all to fulfill God’s call, and he wanted Timothy (and all of us) to do the same. If we do, there’s a reward that awaits all those who long for His appearing (2 Timothy 4:8). There are many rewards in store for us in heaven, but the greatest of which is Christ Himself. That’s the ultimate motivation for fulfilling God’s calling. By His grace, step into faith and obey God’s will for your life.