Soli Deo Gloria Short Sleeve Tee (Bella Canvas)

“Let us not be shaken by the tempests that arise, but let us always remain constant in our purpose; and stand as witnesses for the Son of God, seeing He is so gracious as to use us in such a good cause.”

—John Calvin; The Call to Witness

You might think The Call to Witness has a familiar ring to it—we actually discussed John Calvin’s “The Call to Witness” during Encouragement Week in 2022. This sermon excerpt never ceases to simultaneously bring me to my knees in conviction and set a fire in my heart to ardently live for Christ. Tears well up in my eyes each and every time. It’s a read I would encourage repeating every year to reorient your gaze. I would encourage you to read it even today.

Calvin uses the phrase “let us” 23 times in this excerpt. The exhortations given in this sermon are predicated upon our being recipients of grace through faith—the Gospel. The sermon text he draws these conclusions from is 2 Timothy 1:8-9:

“Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel, according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”

What is this purpose Calvin speaks of? The Westminster Shorter Catechism helps us remember:

Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.

Our purpose is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

As we often talk about (and even this week), there are struggles, doubts, bitter providences, sin…so many “tempests that arise” but we can remain unshaken, constant in our purpose—the general purpose to which we are called as human beings but also the specific purposes the Lord has called us to; our children, our spouses, our churches, the lost.

Psalm 16:8-9

“I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.”

• 100% combed and ring-spun cotton (Heather colors contain polyester)
• Fabric weight: 4.2 oz./yd.² (142 g/m²)
• Pre-shrunk fabric
• Side-seamed construction
• Shoulder-to-shoulder taping

Size guide