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The Upward Call of God

Text: Philippians 3
8 December 2013

Introduction:

1. Paul as an effective servant of God

a) Faithful

b) Fruitful

2. Challenges and Goals of YC 2013

a) To understand God’s Call

b) To appreciate His Call

c) To respond appropriately

d) To live well as people who are called of God

3. The concept of “Calling”

a) An internal tugging of the heart and mind
b) It can be felt
c) It can be a powerful experience
d) It can be a life-changing experience
e) It can lead to great blessings from God

4. Going South

a) Calling from our Self (Ego)
b) Calling from the world
c) Calling from friends
d) These calls if not understood well can cause us “to go south”
e) Many have gone south and are entrapped by sin

5. Going North

The Upward Call of God

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:14

THE CALL OF GOD

1. As a goal

2. As a prize

THE UPWARD CALL OF GOD

1. It is from God

2. It is in Christ Jesus

IT IS A CALL THAT AFFECTS OUR LIFE

1. Logically

a) Understanding
b) Enlightenment

2. Through experience

a) Changes seen in life
b) Liking the changes

3. Through conviction

a) Desirous of further changes
b) Determination to make effective changes

4. Through reflection

PAUL’S ASSESSMENT OF GOD’S CALL IN HIS LIFE

1. Confidence in the flesh Philippians 3:3-7

a) No notion of God’s Call
b) Zealous but lacking in knowledge
c) Gained social recognition and prestige

2. Call of God

a) To know Christ
b) To know His salvation
c) To serve Him

3. Counting all but loss for the knowledge of Christ

a) Excellence of the Knowledge of Christ
b) Power of God evidenced in the resurrection of Christ
c) The fellowship of His suffering