Partakers of the Heavenly Calling

Text: Hebrews 3:1
“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.” — Hebrews 3:1 (KJV)

1. What Does It Mean to Be Partakers of the Heavenly Calling?
The phrase “partakers of the heavenly calling” speaks of believers who have been invited by God into a divine relationship through Jesus Christ. It’s not just an earthly invitation — it’s a heavenly calling, one that comes from above and leads us upward.

This calling is from heaven, through Christ, and to glory.

2 Timothy 1:9 — “Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”

2. The Nature of the Heavenly Calling
(a) A Call to Relationship
It begins with God calling us to Himself — not to religion, rules, or rituals, but to a living relationship.
1 Corinthians 1:9 — “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”

(b) A Call to Holiness
Heaven’s calling always leads to transformation. The one who answers God’s call cannot stay the same.
1 Peter 1:15 — “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.”

(c) A Call to Glory
The end goal of this calling is glory — eternal life in God’s presence.
Romans 8:17 — “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

3. Consider Christ — The Center of Our Calling
“Consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.” To consider means to fix your thoughts on Him — to continually focus on His example, His faithfulness, His sacrifice, and His intercession.
Christ is both the messenger (Apostle) and the mediator (High Priest) of this heavenly calling.
Hebrews 4:14 — “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.”

4. The Responsibility of the Partakers
To share in the heavenly calling is a privilege — but also a responsibility. We must live worthy of that calling.
Ephesians 4:1 — “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.”

That means:

• Holding fast our confession of faith (Hebrews 4:14)
• Encouraging one another daily (Hebrews 3:13)
• Keeping our eyes on Christ, not the world (Hebrews 12:2)
• Living as citizens of heaven, not of this world (Philippians 3:20)
  
  

5. The Reward of the Heavenly Calling
There is joy and hope in answering God’s call. This calling carries the promise of eternal inheritance and fellowship with Christ.
Philippians 3:14 — “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

The prize is not earthly wealth or fame — it’s the fullness of eternal life, the glory of being with Christ forever.

6. Final Thoughts
To be partakers of the heavenly calling is to share in everything that Christ offers — His life, His suffering, His purpose, and His glory. It’s a calling that lifts us above the noise of this world and anchors us in the hope of heaven.

Let us, then, keep our eyes on Jesus, walk worthy of His calling, and encourage one another as fellow partakers until the day we see Him face to face.

Key Scriptures Recap:

• Hebrews 3:1 — Partakers of the heavenly calling
• 2 Timothy 1:9 — Called with a holy calling
• 1 Corinthians 1:9 — Called into fellowship with Christ
• 1 Peter 1:15 — Called to holiness
• Romans 8:17 — Called to glory
• Philippians 3:14 — The prize of the high calling
• Ephesians 4:1 — Walk worthy of your calling