Living with Singular Focus on Christ's Calling
Summary
In our journey as Christians, we are called to live a life governed by a singular focus: the pursuit of Christ and His calling. This focus is not just a theoretical concept but a practical way of living that transforms our thoughts, actions, and entire being. The Apostle Paul exemplifies this life, pressing toward the goal with relentless dedication. He encourages us to adopt the same mindset, one that is not swayed by the world's philosophies or fleeting knowledge but is rooted in the eternal truths of God's Word. This singular focus is not a burden but a liberating call to live a life of purpose and meaning, guided by the revelation of God through Jesus Christ.
The Christian life is marked by a high calling, an upward calling that draws us out of the world's vices and into a life of holiness and purity. It is a call to be like Christ, to live a life that reflects His love, sacrifice, and dedication. This calling is not just about personal transformation but about being part of a greater story, a story that includes the heroes of faith who have gone before us. We are invited to join this glorious company, to walk in the footsteps of those who have lived lives of faith and courage.
The ultimate prize of this calling is the vision of God, the promise of seeing Him face to face and being transformed into His likeness. This is the hope that sustains us, the vision that compels us to press on despite the challenges and sacrifices. It is a vision that makes all earthly pursuits pale in comparison, a vision that fills us with a longing to know Christ more deeply and to be conformed to His image.
Key Takeaways:
- The Christian life is governed by a singular focus on Christ and His calling. This focus transforms our thoughts and actions, aligning them with the eternal truths of God's Word. It is not swayed by worldly philosophies but is rooted in the revelation of God through Jesus Christ. [42:29]
- Our calling as Christians is a high and upward calling that draws us out of the world's vices and into a life of holiness and purity. It is a call to be like Christ, reflecting His love and dedication in our lives. [51:43]
- We are part of a greater story, joining the heroes of faith who have gone before us. This glorious company of saints and martyrs inspires us to live lives of faith and courage, following in their footsteps. [54:08]
- The ultimate prize of our calling is the vision of God, the promise of seeing Him face to face and being transformed into His likeness. This hope sustains us and compels us to press on despite challenges. [56:07]
- The longing to know Christ more deeply and to be conformed to His image should be the driving force of our lives. This desire fills us with a passion for holiness and a commitment to live for Him above all else. [59:57]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[42:08] - The Christian's Singular Focus
[42:29] - Governed by God's Word
[44:02] - The One Rule of Life
[45:24] - The Apostle's Example
[46:08] - Motives for Christian Living
[47:08] - The High Calling of God
[48:07] - Christ as Our Example
[49:15] - The Sacrifice of Christ
[50:18] - Encouragement in Christ
[51:08] - The Upward Calling
[52:28] - Preparing for Glory
[54:08] - Heroes of Faith
[56:07] - The Ultimate Prize
[59:57] - Longing for Christ
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Philippians 3:12-14 - "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
2. Hebrews 12:1-2 - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."
Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what is the singular focus that should govern a Christian's life? How does this focus transform our thoughts and actions? [42:29]
2. What does the Apostle Paul mean by the "high calling" or "upward calling" of God in Christ Jesus? [51:08]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of heroes of faith in inspiring our Christian journey? [54:08]
4. What is the ultimate prize of our Christian calling as described in the sermon? [56:07]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of a singular focus on Christ challenge the way Christians interact with worldly philosophies and knowledge? [42:29]
2. In what ways does the "upward calling" of God draw Christians out of worldly vices and into a life of holiness and purity? [51:43]
3. How can the examples of heroes of faith, as mentioned in the sermon, serve as practical models for living a life of faith and courage today? [54:08]
4. What does it mean to be transformed into the likeness of Christ, and how does this transformation relate to the hope of seeing God face to face? [56:07]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current focus in life. Is it aligned with the pursuit of Christ and His calling? What steps can you take to ensure your focus remains singular? [42:29]
2. Identify one area of your life where worldly philosophies might be influencing your thoughts or actions. How can you root yourself more deeply in the eternal truths of God's Word? [42:29]
3. Consider the "upward calling" of God in your life. What specific changes can you make to live a life of greater holiness and purity? [51:43]
4. Think of a hero of faith who inspires you. How can you emulate their faith and courage in your daily life? [54:08]
5. What practical steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Christ and be conformed to His image? [59:57]
6. How does the hope of seeing God face to face influence your daily decisions and priorities? [56:07]
7. Identify a distraction in your life that prevents you from focusing on Jesus. What can you do this week to minimize that distraction? [59:57]
Devotional
Day 1: Singular Focus on Christ
In the Christian journey, believers are called to maintain a singular focus on Christ and His calling. This focus is not merely theoretical but a practical way of living that transforms thoughts and actions, aligning them with the eternal truths of God's Word. The Apostle Paul serves as an example of this relentless dedication, urging believers to adopt a mindset that is not swayed by worldly philosophies but is rooted in the revelation of God through Jesus Christ. This focus is liberating, offering a life of purpose and meaning. [42:29]
"For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." (1 Corinthians 2:2, ESV)
Reflection: What distractions in your life are pulling you away from a singular focus on Christ, and how can you realign your priorities today to center on Him?
Day 2: The High and Upward Calling
The Christian calling is a high and upward one, drawing believers out of the world's vices and into a life of holiness and purity. It is a call to be like Christ, reflecting His love, sacrifice, and dedication. This calling is not just about personal transformation but about being part of a greater story, joining the heroes of faith who have gone before us. It is an invitation to live a life that mirrors Christ's example. [51:43]
"Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work." (2 Timothy 2:21, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you actively pursue holiness in your daily life, and how can you reflect Christ's love and dedication in your interactions with others today?
Day 3: Joining the Heroes of Faith
Believers are part of a greater story, joining the heroes of faith who have gone before them. This glorious company of saints and martyrs inspires Christians to live lives of faith and courage, following in their footsteps. The Christian life is not lived in isolation but in the context of a community of faith that spans generations. This connection to the past provides strength and encouragement for the present journey. [54:08]
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1, ESV)
Reflection: Who is a hero of faith in your life, and how can their example inspire you to live with greater faith and courage today?
Day 4: The Ultimate Prize
The ultimate prize of the Christian calling is the vision of God, the promise of seeing Him face to face and being transformed into His likeness. This hope sustains believers and compels them to press on despite challenges and sacrifices. It is a vision that makes all earthly pursuits pale in comparison, filling believers with a longing to know Christ more deeply and to be conformed to His image. [56:07]
"Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:2, ESV)
Reflection: How does the promise of seeing God face to face influence your daily decisions and priorities, and what steps can you take to keep this vision at the forefront of your mind?
Day 5: Longing for Christ
The longing to know Christ more deeply and to be conformed to His image should be the driving force of a believer's life. This desire fills Christians with a passion for holiness and a commitment to live for Him above all else. It is a call to pursue a deeper relationship with Christ, allowing His love and grace to transform every aspect of life. [59:57]
"That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death." (Philippians 3:10, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to deepen your relationship with Christ and allow His love to transform your life more fully?
Quotes
"that the Christian is a man whose whole life is indeed governed by that go this he puts in these words that may sound to you very ordinary and pedestrian but these are the words let us therefore as many as be perfect be thus minded and if in any other thing he be otherwise minded God shall reveal even this to you nevertheless where unto we have already attained let us walk by the same rule let us mind the same thing" [00:42:29]
"the Christian is a man who doesn't live according to his own thoughts nor his own ideas the Christian's life is not governed by the modern world by what the newspapers are saying but by what well by this book the same thing the one rule the Revelation which God has given us in his word through our Lord Jesus Christ here it is the one rule and therefore the Christian is a man who says well I don't care what the philosophers say my view of life is what I find in God's word" [00:44:02]
"he's got a definite goal and objective he's pressing after it he lives for it he strives after it he's governed by the book He's subject to it this is his only rule of life in thought and in conduct and lastly he tells us what makes him live life like this he tells us about his motives for living like this you know says Paul that is the story of my life ever since he laid his hand upon me on the road to Damascus" [00:45:24]
"the calling of God I press toward the mark for the prize of the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus why should you live this life well my friend the answer is this it's God who's calling you the Everlasting God it isn't man it isn't a human proposition it's the Everlasting God who's interested in you in your world he's a plan for it listen it's God's go what a reason what a motive but it is the call of God he says in Christ Jesus" [00:47:08]
"look at him who came into the world and gave himself Son of God born as a bab what will that you might be redeemed look at him and especially consider this that he was a man also with a one track mind there he is in heaven in all the glory from eternity but he's looked on Earth and he's seen human misery he's seen you he's seen me he's seen our failure our sin our shame he seen us and having seen it he says nothing can stop me here" [00:48:07]
"he's got his eye on one thing he's got got to be a man he's got to be subject to our infirmities he's got to be tempted in all points like as we are and he did it it cost him terribly the shame the agony the suffering it didn't matter he'd got his eye on this one thing and there I see him on the cross his disciples tried to stop him going there Peter said this shall not happen to you Peter pulls out his sword he says it's not going to happen to you" [00:49:15]
"the upward calling of God or you can translate if you like I press toward the mark for the prize of the Heavenly calling of God in Christ Jesus doesn't this appeal to you why should you be a Christian like this why should you be a man of one idea why should you allow nothing to divert you or to dis protect you why should you press and give us Thrive to arrive there but look at the calling it's a high calling it's an upward calling" [00:51:08]
"it's a call that calls you out of the sin and the evil and the vice of the world it's calls you from the World the Flesh the devil it calls you from gluttony it calls you from drunken it calls you from fornication it calls you from adultery it calls you from divorce it calls you from selfishness it calls you for everything that's making this world a hell it's an upward calling it elevates it purifies it washes it cleanses it renews it makes us like Christ" [00:51:43]
"look at those who've Dro this world before you Brethren says Paul be followers together of me and mark them which walk so as he have asked for an insample I must confess this appeals to me if I had no other reason for being a Christian this would almost be enough I'd like to be like the Apostle Paul I'd like to know what it is to have this knowledge of Christ I'd like to be able to walk through this world as this man did with his giant intellect" [00:54:08]
"here are the heroes who've gone before you along this road look at them be followers of me and all who live like this David Barak jeffa these are the men the great Prophets The Apostles the martyrs wouldn't you like to be like them you read of those simple Christians in the first century oh thank God when they were thrown to the lions in the arena that at last they were accounted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus" [00:56:07]
"the prize itself what is it it's this lessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God beloved now are we the children of God and we know not yet what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall see him as he is and we shall be like him is there anything to compare with that you who enjoy the world and want its glittering prizes and of time for everything but this can't you see what you're missing" [00:59:57]
"have you been gripped by the vision is your eye on the go are you out for this above everything refusing to be sidetracked to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings being made conformable unto his death if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection from among the dead is this the master principle of your life is this the main spring of your life is this your one motive is this your Supreme desire" [01:01:39]
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