KNOWING THE HOPE OF HIS CALLING
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: Ephesians 1:17-18
Key Verse: “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.” — Ephesians 1:18 KJV
Supporting Texts: Jeremiah 29:11; 2 Timothy 1:9; Romans 8:28-30; Philippians 3:13-14; 1 Peter 2:9; Hebrews 3:1; Ephesians 4:1-4.
Description: This message teaches believers to understand the hope, purpose, assurance, and glorious future contained in God's calling upon their lives.
INTRODUCTION
Every believer has been called by God for a purpose. Salvation is not merely an escape from sin and eternal destruction; it is an invitation into a divine assignment, a relationship with God, and a life that fulfils His purpose on earth. Paul therefore prayed that the eyes of the believers' understanding would be enlightened so that they might know “what is the hope of his calling.” There is a hope attached to every genuine divine calling.
Many people struggle because they know they are saved but do not understand why God saved them. When a person does not understand divine purpose, life can become directionless, and challenges can easily produce discouragement. But when the believer understands that his life is connected to God's eternal purpose, he can endure difficulties with confidence because he knows that his present circumstances do not determine his final destination.
The hope of God's calling gives us confidence about our identity, our assignment, our future, and our eternal destiny. It tells us that our lives are not accidental, our labour in the Lord is not wasted, and our future is not controlled by circumstances. God who called us has a purpose for us, and His grace is sufficient to bring that purpose to fulfilment.
1. GOD'S CALLING GIVES OUR LIFE DIVINE PURPOSE
God does not call people without purpose. Before He calls a person into an assignment, He already knows what He wants that person to accomplish. Therefore, understanding God's calling helps us move from merely existing to living intentionally for His glory.
Your profession may describe what you do for a living, but God's calling speaks of why He placed you on earth and how He wants your life to serve His eternal purpose.
a) You Are Called According to God's Purpose (2 Timothy 1:9) – God “hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling.” Your calling is rooted in God's purpose and grace.
b) You Are Created for Good Works (Ephesians 2:10) – You are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works which He prepared beforehand for you to walk in.
c) You Are Called to Bear Fruit (John 15:16) – Jesus chose and ordained His disciples to go and bring forth fruit that would remain. Your calling should produce lasting spiritual impact.
d) You Are Called to Glorify God (Isaiah 43:7) – God created His people for His glory. The ultimate purpose of your calling is that Christ may be glorified through your life.
Biblical Example: Moses initially thought his life had become ordinary after leaving Egypt, but God called him from the burning bush and revealed that he had been chosen to lead Israel out of bondage (Exodus 3:1-10).
2. THE HOPE OF HIS CALLING GIVES US CONFIDENCE IN GOD'S PLAN
The hope of God's calling means that believers can trust God's plan even when they cannot understand every step. God's calling is connected to His foreknowledge and purpose. He sees the end from the beginning.
There may be seasons when your journey looks confusing, but confusion in the middle of the journey does not mean God has lost the destination. The God who called you knows where He is taking you.
a) God Has Good Plans for His People (Jeremiah 29:11) – God declares that His thoughts towards His people are thoughts of peace and not evil, to give them an expected end.
b) God Works All Things Together for Good (Romans 8:28) – Even difficult experiences can become instruments in God's hands when we remain committed to His purpose.
c) God Completes What He Begins (Philippians 1:6) – He who began a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
d) God's Purpose Cannot Be Frustrated (Job 42:2) – God's plans cannot be defeated by human opposition, difficult circumstances, or temporary setbacks.
Biblical Example: Joseph's journey included betrayal, slavery, false accusation, and imprisonment, yet every stage was moving him towards God's purpose (Genesis 50:20).
3. THE HOPE OF HIS CALLING GIVES US STRENGTH IN DIFFICULT TIMES
Knowing that God has called you does not mean that you will never face trouble. In fact, many people who were greatly used by God passed through severe trials. The difference is that they understood that their trials were not the end of their story.
When you know the hope of God's calling, you can endure difficult seasons without abandoning your faith. You know that the God who called you is greater than the circumstances confronting you.
a) Do Not Fear Opposition (Isaiah 41:10) – God promises to strengthen, help, and uphold His people. His presence gives courage in the face of opposition.
b) Tribulation Produces Endurance (Romans 5:3-5) – Trials can develop patience, character, and hope when surrendered to God.
c) Present Suffering Is Not the End (Romans 8:18) – Paul declared that present sufferings are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us.
d) Keep Your Eyes on the Goal (Hebrews 12:1-2) – Believers must lay aside every weight and run the race with patience, looking unto Jesus.
Biblical Example: Paul suffered imprisonment, beatings, rejection, and persecution, yet he remained committed to his calling because he understood that his labour for Christ was not in vain (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
4. THE HOPE OF HIS CALLING REVEALS OUR GLORIOUS DESTINATION
God's calling has both a present assignment and an eternal destination. The believer is not merely called to accomplish something on earth; he is ultimately called into eternal fellowship and glory with Christ.
Our earthly service is connected to an eternal reward. This understanding gives significance to our obedience and helps us value eternal things above temporary possessions.
a) We Are Called to Eternal Glory (1 Peter 5:10) – The God of all grace has called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus.
b) We Are Called to Be With Christ (John 14:3) – Jesus promised that He would return and receive His people unto Himself so that they may be where He is.
c) We Have an Eternal Inheritance (1 Peter 1:3-4) – The inheritance prepared for believers is incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading.
d) We Shall Be Like Christ (1 John 3:2) – When Christ appears, believers shall be like Him because they shall see Him as He is.
Biblical Example: Abraham looked beyond earthly circumstances and lived as a stranger and pilgrim because he was looking for a city whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:9-10).
5. THE HOPE OF HIS CALLING DEMANDS A WORTHY WALK
Understanding God's calling should affect the way we live. Paul did not merely tell believers to know their calling; he later instructed them to “walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.”
A person who understands the greatness of God's calling cannot continue living carelessly. Divine calling demands spiritual discipline, holiness, humility, faithfulness, and obedience.
a) Walk in Holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16) – Because God who called us is holy, we must also live holy lives.
b) Walk in Love (Ephesians 5:2) – Those who have been called by Christ should demonstrate His love in their relationships.
c) Walk in Humility (Ephesians 4:1-2) – Our calling should produce lowliness, meekness, longsuffering, and patience with others.
d) Walk in Unity (Ephesians 4:3-4) – Believers should endeavour to maintain the unity of the Spirit because we share one calling and one hope.
Biblical Example: Samuel responded to God's call by saying, “Speak; for thy servant heareth” (1 Samuel 3:10). His response demonstrated readiness to hear and obey God.
6. THE HOPE OF HIS CALLING MOTIVATES US TO FULFIL OUR ASSIGNMENT
When we understand what God has called us to do, we must give ourselves fully to the assignment. There are many distractions in life, but divine purpose demands focus.
The apostle Paul understood his assignment and refused to allow persecution, comfort, or personal ambition to distract him. He considered fulfilling God's purpose more important than preserving his own convenience.
a) Forget What Is Behind (Philippians 3:13) – Paul refused to allow his past achievements or failures to determine his future progress.
b) Press Toward the Mark (Philippians 3:14) – He continued pressing towards the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
c) Remain Steadfast (1 Corinthians 15:58) – Because our labour in the Lord is not in vain, we must remain steadfast and committed.
d) Finish the Assignment (Acts 20:24) – Paul valued the completion of his ministry above his personal comfort and even his own life.
Biblical Example: Jesus declared at the end of His earthly ministry, “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do” (John 17:4). He fulfilled the assignment given to Him by the Father.
CONCLUSION
Knowing the hope of God's calling changes the way we see ourselves, our circumstances, our trials, our future, and our service. We are not people without direction. We have been called by God, redeemed by Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and appointed for a divine purpose. Our calling carries a hope that reaches beyond this present world into eternal glory.
Therefore, do not abandon your calling because of temporary difficulties. Do not measure God's purpose by your present circumstances. Keep your eyes on Jesus, walk worthy of your calling, remain faithful in your assignment, and trust the God who called you. The One who called you is faithful, and He will bring His purpose for your life to fulfilment.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, open my understanding to know the hope of Your calling upon my life, in Jesus name.
2. Lord, reveal Your divine purpose for my life and give me grace to fulfil it, in Jesus name.
3. Father, deliver me from every distraction that can hinder me from fulfilling my calling, in Jesus name.
4. Lord, strengthen me to remain faithful when I pass through difficult seasons, in Jesus name.
5. Father, let every opposition against my divine assignment be defeated, in Jesus name.
6. Lord, help me to walk worthy of the calling with which You have called me, in Jesus name.
7. Father, give me wisdom to recognise every divine opportunity connected to my calling, in Jesus name.
8. Lord, let my life produce lasting fruit for Your kingdom and bring glory to Your name, in Jesus name.
9. Father, give me grace to press forward and never abandon my divine assignment, in Jesus name.
10. Lord, preserve me to the end and let me finish my course faithfully and joyfully, in Jesus name.
PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS
1. Your spiritual eyes are enlightened, and you shall clearly understand the hope of God's calling upon your life.
2. You shall not wander without direction; the Lord shall order your steps according to His divine purpose.
3. Every power assigned to frustrate your divine calling shall fail, and you shall fulfil your God-given assignment.
4. Your present challenges shall not cancel your future; you shall come out of every difficult season stronger and wiser.
5. You shall receive divine strength to remain faithful to God even when the journey becomes difficult.
6. You shall walk worthy of your calling, and your character shall bring honour to the name of Jesus.
7. Every divine opportunity connected to your calling shall become visible to you, and you shall have wisdom to seize it.
8. You shall not die before fulfilling God's purpose for your life; you shall complete your assignment in strength and grace.
9. Your labour in the Lord shall not be in vain; your life shall produce lasting fruit for God's kingdom.
10. You shall finish your race faithfully, receive your eternal reward, and fulfil the glorious hope of God's calling upon your life, in Jesus' name.
