We rest on that phrase today before we share in the Lord’s Supper. The call came to Paul from Jesus Christ, who was in heaven. He heard the call of God to go higher in life than he could have ever done on his own. No wonder Paul burst into praise time and again!

REJOICE in the Lord! Paul shows his heart and his direction in life. His heart belonged to God. Every step of his life in Christ was directed upward, that is, to a higher way of life and his final home waiting in heaven. What an example for us! No matter what might be happening in your life, ALWAYS REJOICE - Return to the source of your joy - Jesus Christ. Regain your focus and strength from Him who gave you real life! We have a call from God that leads us to heaven and to Him one day. Never forget that when problems come into your life.

This passage bursts into praise in one breath, and into battles of faith and practice in the next. Paul speaks from his heart. The upward call meant that every follower had to change their thinking. They had to leave where they were, to where Jesus Christ wanted them to be. He takes on two problems: will God’s grace be by our works or by faith in Him? And, will we try to impress God and others with our credentials or simply welcome His cross?

We must also be clear. Even today there are those who want to keep people in their own religious "law-boxes"; and those who like to impress others with awards and titles, rather than the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. Paul wasted no time: "beware of the dogs ...evil workers...the false circumcision." Certain teachers insisted that outward signs of salvation had to be done to show new converts were part of this new kingdom of God. These false teachers claimed gentile men had to be circumcised to be full members of the Christian church. Circumcision was thought to be a sign of the presence and power of God in that man’s life. An outward sign. Nothing more than good works!

The Law, good and holy, could never save us from the power of sin and death that comes from sin. The Law pointed to our wrongs and sinful behavior. It had no power or authority to take away the penalty we deserved...nor did Law empower us to break away from the power of evil that caused us to sin in the first place. Here is a perfect example of what the Law of God does: In Los Angeles in 1992, a parking control officer came upon a Cadillac that was parked where a street sweeper was to come that day.

The officer dutifully wrote out the ticket. Ignoring the man behind the driver’s wheel, the officer reached inside the open car window and placed the $30 citation on the dashboard. The driver of the car made no excuses, and no argument came, with good reason. The driver was dead from a gunshot to the head about 12 hours before. He was sitting up, but stiff as a board, slumped slightly forward with blood on his face. The officer, preoccupied with ticket writing, noticed nothing out of the ordinary. He got back in his car and drove away.

Many people around us are "dead in transgressions and sins." What should catch our attention most is their need, not their offenses. They don’t need a citation, but a Savior. At Christmas we do not sing, "Joy to the world, a new law has come," but, "the Lord has come." We do not sing, "That Lousy Law condemns me so.." but "Amazing Grace,... that saved a wretch like me." It is only by grace that we are saved through faith in Christ.

The second battle was about credentials or the cross. Paul dealt with it by using himself as example. Would the church get caught up in human achievement and performance? He listed his own credentials, if that was what counted. Today he would be Religion Man of the Year for all his great deeds. He called them "rubbish," that I may gain Christ, ...through faith in Him,..righteousness which comes from God on ... faith.." (v 8,9)

Recall the story of emperor of Europe several centuries ago. When he died his body was carried in a casket to the church where he had worshiped all his life. The lead casket bearer knocked three times on the closed church door. "Who’s there?" called a voice from within. "It’s Emperor Charles, ruler of seven kingdoms." But the doors remained shut. Again the casket bearer knocked. "Who’s there?" "It is Emperor Charles." The doors did not open. A third time the casket bearer knocked. "Who’s there?" "It is Charles, child of God." The doors swung open wide, as the service of worship and memorial began.

Outward signs and human accomplishments lead to death. When you study the geography of Israel two bodies of water always stand out - the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. The same Jordan River feeds both - but the Sea of Galilee shares the water it receives. The Dead Sea collects it all. One body of water leaps with fresh water fish - the other only lives up to its name - it is a Dead Sea. Be part of the Sea of Galilee, friends! That means we say YES to the Upward Call of God in Christ!

THE UPWARD CALL! To follow Christ is to go a different direction - to be where He wants us to be. It means to think differently. I remember one time when I was traveling with my parents out in the desert. Suddenly, "Thump, thump." We heard the news that the left rear tire picked up a nail. When my dad tried to loosen the nuts holding the wheel, he couldn’t do it. Another traveler stopped to help. When he observed my dad’s frustration he said, "Those nuts are ‘reverse-thread’ nuts. They go the opposite direction." Sure enough. In minutes the tire was off, changed and we were on our way! Just when we think we have things figured out, they get changed! Life in Christ, it’s a little like a "reverse thread." Everything in our culture that seems right, in the Bible it comes out wrong. The way up is the way down. You want spiritual wealth? Admit to spiritual poverty. Ceremonies, titles and awards count for nothing in Christ’s Kingdom! One time a man who prided himself on being an atheist came to hear the famous D L Moody from Chicago. After, he said to Moody. "I’ve heard you. I just don’t believe your sermon, and I don’t believe in God." Moody just responded, "Tell me about this God that you don’t believe in. I may not believe in him either."

What kind of God do YOU believe in? Some will try to keep you down...wrapped in rules and regulations. Others will only recognize you if you have titles and awards and public fame. Kind of a "Dead Sea" life. But you will know the difference. Johnny Cash did. He received an award from the Country Music Association, then another award came from Youth for Christ. Johnny just smiled and said, "All I can say is all praise belongs to Jesus Christ." If your religion or your achievements are your only goal, you will never know what it THE UPWARD CALL of God in Christ Jesus is all about.

We are known to God by our relationship to Him, not by our man-made titles nor our credentials. We will be in heaven because of the stripes on the back of Jesus Christ, not by any stripes, badges or medals we have been awarded. Our personal confession: JESUS CHRIST IS MY LORD towers over all our personal assets in our upward calling!

So, we leave those who want Christ their way and respond to the UPWARD CALL. What does the upward call mean? It does not mean we get to LEARN MORE about Jesus Christ. It means WE GET TO KNOW HIM IN ALL OF OUR LIFE! God the Holy Spirit is determined that you and I know Him in every part of our lives. We identify with Him so much that we accept Resurrection power and suffering with joy!

The Upward Call in your life and mine is simply this: to know Christ in all we are and in all we do. Then, to pass on that great love to others no matter who they are. It is like being that Sea of Galilee. Tony Campolo tells of two teachers who had to guide the senior class through all the hurdles of the Senior Prom. One of the teachers, Guy Doud, confessed he did not like Senior Proms. So many people are left home that night. They are rejected and feel that way. Those who have everything going for them have the prom as a double ego-boost. Guy suggested to the seniors. "We can have your senior prom if you want. But how about putting on a dance for everyone over age 65? We’ll have it one month before the prom. If it doesn’t go well, we still have time to get the prom in."

The seniors agreed. Word went out everywhere by all means. The night of the prom came. It wasn’t supposed to start until 7:30. Old ladies started showing up at 6 pm. The boys finishing their sports were told to shower and get in to dance with the ladies. Appeals went to the boys of the junior and sophomore classes. "Get more guys over here to dance with these ladies." They danced until midnight! Everyone was told to go home. "Mr Doud, this was the best dance ever!" Of course! That’s the way the Lord works. We know Him and He leads us to open up His grace to all. You could almost hear the Lord say to Peter. "This is My kind of party."

The Upward Call will touch more people than you could ever imagine! When you know Him ...when He is everywhere in your life and through your life, others will want to be part of the Upward Call as well!

We are Easter people, "that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share in His sufferings,.." He is alive! Remember that singular truth. If you love Him, rejoice! We become more like the Sea of Galilee in all of life! We become GIVERS OF THE GRACE OF GOD!

Have you responded to the Upward Call of God in your life?

You know you have if...

a spirit of praise catches you by surprise through your day;

...if you live as though you ARE THE WILL OF GOD WHERE YOU ARE -

His available hands and feet...heart and head!

You begin to get the idea- you are responding to the Upward Call. You might find out that the joy and love that come your way will be like a wonderful party that you always wanted to attend. That is what it means to follow Him in the Upward Call.

This table set for us reminds us of that we KNOW HE IS HERE! He welcomes you and I to the table to refresh you with Himself right here. Then to follow Him and know Him all the way to heaven. The final stop on THE UPWARD CALL!