God Is Calling You Higher
Pastor Doug Heisel – October 18, 2026
Philippians 3:13-14 – Forgetting the things which are behind, and reaching forward to the things which are ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Two observations:
1. Paul never SETTLED for good enough.
2. His commitment to his CALLING included inspiring others to RISE HIGHER in theirs.
I Timothy 4:12 – Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
I Timothy 4:14 – Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
I Timothy 4:16 – Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
What if…
1. We all believed we were not just called to salvation, but also to SERVICE and SIGNIFICANCE?
2. We all believed we were GIFTED, not just for our own benefit, but for the benefit of His CHURCH?
3. We all could see into the FUTURE and know how our choices today had impacted others for ETERNITY?
2 Timothy 4:1-5 – In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
Life Group Discussion & Questions
BREAKING THE ICE:
What is an early idea or dream you had related to a future career? How long did you hold onto it?
DIGGING IN:
This Sunday was about our Higher Calling. Read Philippians chapter three before answering the following questions:
1. What distractions or obstacles does Paul refer to in this passage? What additional distractions or obstacles do we have today?
2. As it relates to your spiritual growth, what helped you grow and kept you from settling for “good enough”. Explain.
3. What are some ways you are currently participating in building the church? What things are still in your heart or mind to do?
BRINGING IT HOME:
Don’t let fear, distractions or temptations keep you from God’s best. Keep gathering, growing, and going so that we become and do all God has for us.