INTRODUCTION:

       A.  READ:  II Timothy 1:8-10

            1.  Who Saved us?  JESUS.

            2.  Called us with a Holy Calling:

                 a.  II Thess. 2:14 - Gospel.

                 b.  James 1:18 - Word.

                 c.  I Peter 1:23 - Word.

            3.  NOTE:  No small still voices.

       B.  Not according to our works.

       C.  But according to God's:

            1.  Purpose.

            2.  Grace.

            3.  Given in Jesus before time began.

       D.  Today, let's discover the facts behind this Holy Calling.

   I.  APPEARING OF OUR SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.

       A.  Speaks of the INCARNATION.

            1.  Jesus was/is eternal.

                 a.  John 8:50-58.

                 b.  John 1:1-3.

            2.  Jesus came to our realm.

                 a.  John 1:14.

                 b.  Phil. 2:5-8.

       B.  How does the APPEARING (Incarnation) relate to the Holy Calling?

            1.  Jesus became man - knows how WE feel; live.

                 a.  Advocate. 

                 b.  High Priest.

                 c.  Sacrifice - (Heb. 10:5) - a body.

                 d.  Representative of Deity on earth.... John 1:18.

                 e.  Made Jesus a historical fact -- not a myth.

  II.  WHO ABOLISHED DEATH.

       A.  Made physical death of no effect.

            1.  Heb. 2:13-18.

            2.  John 5:28-29.

            3.  I Cor. 15:55-57.

       B.  Abolished CONDEMNATION (death penalty) for sin.

            1.  Rom. 7:4-6.

            2.  Rom. 8:1-2.

 III.  BROUGHT LIFE AND IMMORTALITY TO LIGHT.

       A.  Life.

            1.  John 1:4.... eternal life.

            2.  John 4:10-14.

            3.  Eph. 2:1.

            4.  II Cor. 5:17.

       B.  And Immortality to light.

            1.  The resurrection was a concept in times past -- not an easily proved
                  fact. (without available revelation).

            2.  I Cor. 15:53.

            3.  I Cor. 15:20.

            4.  Phil. 3:20-21.

            5.  I Thess. 4:13-17.

            6.  Rom. 8:11, 23.

  IV.  THROUGH THE GOSPEL.

       A.  Redemption is through the gospel.

            1.  Rom. 1:16.

            2.  I Cor. 15:1-4.

       B.  The gospel -- only avenue to salvation.

   CONCLUSION:

       A.  We are saved by a Holy Calling... The gospel of Jesus Christ who
             appeared, abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light
             through the gospel.

       B.  Have YOU heeded the Holy Calling.