Focusing on the Future - Lesson 4 - High Calling

Philippians 3:14, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”


Of the high calling of God.
Which is the end or result of that calling.
God has called us to great and noble efforts;
to a career of true honour and glory;
to the obtainment of a bright and imperishable crown.

It is a calling which is "high," or upward - that is,
which tends to the skies.
The calling of the Christian is from heaven, and to heaven.


Proverb 15:24, “The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.”


He has been summoned by God,
through the gospel of the Lord Jesus,
to secure the crown.

It is placed before and above him in heaven.
It may be his, if he will not faint or tire, or look backward.
It demands his highest efforts,
and it is worth all the exertions which a mortal can make
even in the longest life.


Ephesians 4:1, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,”

Are you walking in the vocation the Lord called you to?





Here is what Adam Clarke’s Commentary says about this verse …

“Among us, a man's calling signifies his trade, or occupation in life; that at which he works, and by which he gets his bread; and it is termed his calling, because it is supposed that God, in the course of his providence, calls the person to be thus employed, and thus to acquire his livelihood. Now, as it is a very poor calling by which a man cannot live, so it is a poor religion by which a man cannot get his soul saved. If, however, a man have an honest and useful trade, and employ himself diligently in laboring at it, he will surely be able to maintain himself by it; but without care, attention, and industry, he is not likely to get, even by this providential calling, the necessaries of life. In like manner, if a man do not walk worthy of his heavenly calling, i.e. suitable to its prescriptions, spirit, and design, he is not likely to get his soul saved unto eternal life. The best trade, unpracticed, will not support any man; the most pure and holy religion of the Lord Jesus, unapplied, will save no soul. Many suppose, because they have a sound faith, that all is safe and well: as well might the mechanic, who knows he has a good trade, and that he understands the principles of it well, suppose it will maintain him, though he brings none of its principles into action by honest, assiduous, and well-directed labor.”


Romans 11:29, “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.”

Are without repentance; will not be revoked. God will not change his determination, or fail to bestow the blessings that He has promised.

Has God made you a promise that you still wait for?





1 Corinthians 1:26, “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:”

Ye see your calling, brethren; in the character and condition of those who preach the gospel, and of those who embrace it. Not many wise--mighty--noble; not many who are so considered by worldly men, are called to preach Christ, or led to believe on him.


1 Corinthians 7:20, “Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.”

I believe that means we are to stay in the same profession after we are saved, provided it is a moral and useful one, and the providence of God does not call him to change it.

What does that verse say to you?





Ephesians 1:18, “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,”

Our eyes need to be opened.

Is there some lesson that the Lord is trying to teach you before He opens some door?





Ephesians 4:4, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;”

We know what the will of the Lord is.

What is His plan?





II Timothy 1:9, “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,”

Sounds to me like our plan is already set in stone, would you agree?





Hebrews 3:1, “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;”

We are a team, why do we knock each other down some times.

Doesn’t this verse say consider … Jesus?





II Peter 1:10, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:”

There are many verses we can read about the Lord guiding our feet.

Do we give our calling enough diligence or do we just fit it in when we can?





Life goes by very fast.
The past is over and cannot be changed.
But the present is with us and the future is before us,
and God is in us.

Forget what is behind;
forget the plans and dreams that can no longer be realized;
forget the missed opportunities and the mistakes.

God has plans for us.
Reach up for them;
press on for His goals;
look ahead and see Christ;
look ahead and see life—
real life,
eternal life.

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