Embracing Our Identity and Calling in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Our Calling: Proclaim, Represent, and Instruct the Gospel

Every follower of Jesus is not only saved but also appointed to a holy calling: to proclaim, represent, and instruct others in the gospel. This calling is not reserved for a select few but is woven into the very identity of every believer. Whether in times of prosperity or hardship, in public or private, we are called to be heralds of the good news, ambassadors of Christ, and teachers of His truth. Living out this calling is not an optional add-on to our faith; it is the very expression of our new life in Christ, and when we embrace it, we step into the fullness of who we are meant to be. [15:23]

2 Timothy 1:11-12 (ESV)
“For which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.”

Reflection: In what specific way can you proclaim, represent, or instruct someone in the gospel today—at home, work, or in your neighborhood—and what might be holding you back from stepping into that calling?

Day 2: Faithfulness Despite Shame and Suffering

Living out our calling as followers of Jesus will inevitably bring us into conflict with the values and expectations of the surrounding culture. At times, this will mean facing shame, rejection, or even hostility for associating with Christ and His message. Yet, like Paul, we are invited to wear this suffering not as a mark of disgrace but as a badge of honor, knowing that our allegiance to Jesus is worth any cost. The world may try to define what is honorable or shameful, but our true honor comes from standing firm in Christ, even when it is costly. [23:46]

Matthew 5:11-12 (ESV)
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Reflection: Where in your life do you feel pressure to distance yourself from Jesus or His ways to avoid shame or discomfort, and how might you choose to stand firm in Him today?

Day 3: Knowing Jesus: The Foundation of Unshakeable Confidence

Paul’s unashamed boldness in the face of suffering flows from a deep, personal knowledge of Jesus—not just knowing about Him, but truly knowing Him. This relationship is the bedrock of our faith; when we know the One in whom we believe, we find a confidence that cannot be shaken by circumstances or opposition. The more we know Jesus—His character, His promises, His presence—the more we are empowered to live courageously and faithfully, no matter what comes our way. [34:18]

Philippians 3:8-10 (ESV)
“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally deepen your personal knowledge of Jesus this week—through prayer, Scripture, or another practice—so that your confidence in Him grows?

Day 4: God Guards Our Calling and Future

We can live boldly for Christ because He is able to guard everything entrusted to us—our calling, our circumstances, our very lives—until the very end. God is not only powerful; He is present in our past, present, and future, holding every moment and every outcome in His hands. This means that no matter what we face, we can trust that He is already there, working for our good and His glory. Our security is not in our ability to control the future, but in the One who is already present in it, faithfully keeping all that concerns us. [45:08]

1 Peter 1:3-5 (ESV)
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life or future that you are anxious about, and how can you entrust it to God today, believing that He is already present and guarding it?

Day 5: Loved Completely—Past, Present, and Future

God’s love for us is not based on our performance or our ability to perfectly live out our calling. He knows every mistake we have made and will make, as well as every act of faithfulness, and He loves us fully in all of it. Because God is present in every moment of our story—past, present, and future—His love for us is complete and unchanging. This assurance frees us from striving for approval and empowers us to live boldly and authentically for Him, knowing that we are already fully known and fully loved. [48:21]

Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Reflection: Is there a past failure or fear of future failure that makes you doubt God’s love for you? How can you rest today in the truth that you are fully known and fully loved by Him, right now?

Sermon Summary

Paul’s final letter to Timothy is written from a place of deep love, urgency, and personal sacrifice. He writes as a spiritual father to his beloved son in the faith, Timothy, who is pastoring a church in Ephesus that is struggling under the weight of cultural pressure and internal compromise. The city of Ephesus, prosperous and influential, is pressing its values of individualism and self-determination onto the church, causing many to drift from the distinctiveness of the gospel and even to distance themselves from Paul, now imprisoned and considered shameful by Roman standards. Timothy is caught in the crossfire—rejected by the culture, misunderstood by his own church, and tempted to shrink back from his calling.

Paul’s encouragement is not a call to mere duty, but a reminder of identity. He affirms Timothy’s calling, rooted in the faith passed down from his grandmother and mother, and reminds him that to follow Jesus is to be appointed—called, assigned—to the gospel. This appointment is not reserved for apostles or preachers alone, but is the shared identity of every believer: to proclaim, represent, and instruct others in the gospel. Paul unpacks these roles, showing that to “preach” is to herald the message of the King, to be an “apostle” is to serve as a delegate or ambassador with the authority of Christ, and to “teach” is to instruct others in the way of Jesus. Every follower of Christ is called to live out these aspects, not as a separate task from their identity, but as the very expression of it.

Yet, Paul is honest about the cost. To live out this calling is to invite suffering, shame, and opposition from a world whose values often stand in stark contrast to God’s. Paul himself is in prison because he has refused to distance himself from Jesus and the gospel. But he declares, “I am not ashamed,” not because he is immune to fear or embarrassment, but because he knows the One in whom he has believed. Paul’s confidence is not in his own strength, but in the character and faithfulness of Jesus. He knows that Jesus is able to guard everything entrusted to him—his calling, his suffering, his future—until the very end.

This deep, personal knowledge of Christ is the foundation for perseverance. Paul’s life and writings reveal a Savior who is present in our past, present, and future; who holds all things together; who loves us completely, knowing every failure and every victory. Because of this, we can live boldly, unashamed, and faithful to our calling, trusting that God is already waiting for us in every tomorrow.

Key Takeaways

1. Our Calling Is Our Identity To follow Jesus is to be appointed to the gospel—not just as a task, but as the core of who we are. Proclaiming, representing, and instructing others in the gospel is not an optional add-on to our faith; it is the natural outflow of our new identity in Christ. When we separate our sense of calling from our identity, we miss the fullness of life and freedom God intends for us. [20:57]
2. Faithfulness Will Bring Opposition Living out our calling will inevitably bring us into conflict with the values of the surrounding culture. Every culture has its own definitions of honor and shame, and the way of Jesus will sometimes be seen as foolish, offensive, or even dangerous. Rather than seeking to avoid shame or suffering, we are invited to embrace them as part of our witness, knowing that our allegiance is to a higher kingdom. [23:46]
3. Confidence Flows from Knowing Christ, Not Ourselves Paul’s unashamed boldness does not come from self-assurance or willpower, but from a deep, experiential knowledge of Jesus. He knows the One in whom he has believed—His character, His promises, His presence in every circumstance. This kind of knowing is transformative; it anchors us when we are tempted to shrink back, and it empowers us to persevere when the cost is high. [32:40]
4. God Is Present in Our Past, Present, and Future The God we serve is not merely aware of our future—He is already there. He holds our entire story, from beginning to end, and is actively guarding what He has entrusted to us. This means that no circumstance, suffering, or failure can surprise Him or separate us from His love and purpose. Our confidence is not just in God’s power, but in His presence at every point in our journey. [45:08]
5. We Are Loved Completely, Even in Our Weakness God’s love for us is not contingent on our performance, our courage, or our success in living out our calling. He knows every failure and every triumph—past, present, and future—and loves us fully in all of it. This complete, unwavering love frees us from striving and shame, and invites us to live boldly and authentically as His ambassadors, trusting that He is able to keep us to the very end. [48:21]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Paul’s Imprisonment and Relationship with Timothy
[03:45] - The Cultural Pressures Facing the Ephesian Church
[06:30] - Remembering Our Salvation and Holy Calling
[09:50] - Paul’s Appointment to the Gospel
[12:09] - What It Means to Be Appointed: For All Believers
[15:23] - Proclaiming, Representing, and Teaching the Gospel
[18:52] - The Great Commission: Making Disciples
[20:57] - Suffering as a Consequence of Calling
[23:46] - Shame, Honor, and Cultural Opposition
[26:20] - The Modern Shame/Honor Dynamic
[28:36] - Paul’s Refusal to Distance Himself from Christ
[31:12] - The Cost of Faithful Witness
[32:40] - The Foundation: Knowing Whom We Have Believed
[34:18] - What Paul Knows About Jesus
[38:46] - Christ: The Alpha, Omega, and Present One
[40:46] - God Guards What Is Entrusted to Us
[45:08] - God’s Presence in Our Future
[47:15] - God’s Complete Love for Us
[48:21] - Living Boldly in Light of God’s Love
[50:30] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

2 Timothy 1:11-12 (ESV) — > "for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me."

Observation Questions

According to Paul in 2 Timothy 1:11-12, what three roles does he say he was appointed to, and how does he connect these roles to his suffering?
In the sermon, what cultural pressures was Timothy and the Ephesian church facing that made it difficult to live out their calling? [[06:30]]
How does Paul describe the difference between being “ashamed” and “not ashamed” in the context of his imprisonment and the gospel? [[28:36]]
What does Paul say is the foundation for his confidence and perseverance, even in the face of suffering? [[32:40]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul emphasize that his calling to preach, represent, and teach the gospel is not just for apostles or preachers, but for every believer? How does this shape our understanding of Christian identity? [[12:09]]
The sermon describes how Paul’s confidence is not rooted in himself, but in knowing Jesus personally. What does it mean to “know whom I have believed” rather than just “know what I believe”? [[32:40]]
Paul says he is “not ashamed” even though his circumstances are shameful by cultural standards. What does this teach about the relationship between faithfulness to Jesus and the world’s definitions of honor and shame? [[23:46]]
The sermon highlights that God is present in our past, present, and future. How does this truth affect the way we face uncertainty or suffering? [[45:08]]

Application Questions

The sermon says our calling to proclaim, represent, and instruct others in the gospel is not an “add-on” but the core of our identity in Christ. In what areas of your life do you tend to separate your faith from your daily identity? What would it look like to integrate your calling more fully? [[20:57]]
Paul warns that living out our calling will bring opposition and even shame from the culture. Can you think of a time when you felt pressure to hide or downplay your faith? How did you respond, and what might you do differently next time? [[23:46]]
The pastor shared honestly about his own hesitation to share the gospel with neighbors, even as a pastor. What are some specific fears or barriers that keep you from proclaiming or representing Jesus in your context? [[28:36]]
Paul’s confidence comes from knowing Jesus, not from self-assurance. What are some practical ways you can deepen your personal knowledge of Jesus this month? [[32:40]]
The sermon says God is already present in our future and knows every failure and every victory. How does this change the way you view your past mistakes or your anxieties about the future? [[45:08]]
God’s love is described as complete and not based on our performance. Is there an area where you feel you have to “earn” God’s approval? How can you remind yourself of His unconditional love this week? [[48:21]]
Think of one relationship or situation where you can intentionally proclaim, represent, or instruct in the gospel this week. What is one step you can take, even if it feels small or risky? [[40:46]]

Sermon Clips

If there is some thing that makes you able to say, I'm not ashamed, I'd like to know what that thing is. Because I'm not there. I would like to feel that confidence. And then Paul says, absolutely, I'm not done with the sentence. Okay, now I told you there's a sentence in this set of verses that I believe is the foundational reality that if we can learn to know and believe this, stand firm on this, if this comes to be our actual belief, everything else will fall into place. Let us enter that sentence. Here it says, but I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed. [00:32:42] (43 seconds) #KnowingGodUnshakable

I know the one in whom I believe. I know him. I have a knowing of him. And what Paul is saying is, once you know him in a knowing, you can't really undo that. You can't really say, I know him now. I know who he is. But yet, I'm not going to be able to associate with him when it gets hard. He's like, no, I know too much. That's what Paul's saying. I know too much. [00:34:18] (26 seconds) #HopeInWhatIsComing

What Paul is saying there is, whatever my circumstances have been in life, and I've had them all, turns out Jesus is enough. I don't need them. He's not saying, I can endure them because Jesus strengthened me. He's like, Jesus is my strength. Jesus is my everything. I have come to understand that Jesus is enough. [00:38:19] (18 seconds) #GodIsAlphaOmegaPresent

Here I know the one in whom I believe. And then it says this. Here we go. And I am convinced, I am convinced, confident, that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. So much here, but it will only take a second to go through it because it's so obvious. Who is able? Jesus. Why? Because I know him. Paul says, I know him. And here's what I know about him. He is able to guard until that day. What is that day? In scripture, that day represents when time and space comes to its end. Jesus returns and he makes all things new. [00:41:05] (44 seconds) #EmpoweredToProclaim

There is no day in which we cannot do this. So when we choose not to, we can at least with authenticity say, the opportunity was there, I just chose today not to live in it. Thank goodness that my sonship is intact regardless of what I choose that day. But my identity, empowered by the Spirit of God, God is to be called to proclaim, to instruct, to represent, and when I do that, I live in the fullness of who I am. [00:43:56] (29 seconds) #GodIsInOurFuture

``He knows you not just as you are today, complete. He knows you as you ever were, and he knows you as you ever will be, and he loves you there. He has the most complete sense of the totality of who you are because he knows every dumb thing you will ever do, not because he knows the future, but because he's already there, and he knows every brilliant thing you'll ever do, and he doesn't love you anymore because you've done them. He loves you right now in the completeness of all of that. [00:48:17] (26 seconds) #FaithToDare

So if that doesn't empower me to not feel embarrassed and go do it, then nothing will. And so for me, it comes down to this. Will I tomorrow run and knock on the door of every one of my neighbors every day? Probably not. Will I still feel all of these things? Probably. But what I'm going to work toward is this, placing in my heart and mind this clarity so that I remember it every day. Here it is, very simple. I am convinced that the one in whom I believe, whom I know, I am convinced that he is able to guard until the last day what he has entrusted to me. And so I can live by faith and dare to associate with him regardless of the cost that might come. [00:49:07] (54 seconds)

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