Pressing On: Reaching Forward to God's Goal
Notes
Transcript
Pressing On: Reaching Forward to God's Goal
Pressing On: Reaching Forward to God's Goal
Bible Passage: Philippians 3:12–21
Bible Passage: Philippians 3:12–21
Summary: In this passage, the Apostle Paul expresses his determination to pursue the spiritual goal of knowing Christ fully and being transformed into His likeness, emphasizing the importance of forgetting the past and pressing on toward the future that God has called us to.
Application: This sermon can help Christians recognize the importance of focusing on their spiritual journey rather than their past failures or successes. It encourages them to strive for a deeper relationship with Christ amidst the distractions of life, inspiring them to embrace change and transformation.
Teaching: The sermon teaches that the Christian life is a journey that requires intentional effort and continual growth. It highlights the importance of setting our sights on eternal values and the ultimate goal of becoming more like Christ.
How this passage could point to Christ: Christ is at the center of our pursuit; He is the ultimate goal that Paul is urging believers to chase after. In every aspect of our journey, we are called to reflect Christ's character and to emulate His example as we move toward our heavenly reward.
Big Idea: In our walk with Christ, we must intentionally set our sights on the goal of knowing Him deeply and being transformed by His grace, pressing forward no matter what hurdles we face.
Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider delving into the historical context of Philippians using your Logos library, particularly the cultural significance of pressing forward in Greek athletic competitions. Also, exploring lexical studies on the terms 'forget' and 'press on' might provide deeper insights into their implications for Christian living. Additionally, examine commentaries that address Paul's views on sanctification and the believer's future hope to enrich your message.
Last week we left off with Paul telling us his goal: to know Jesus and the power of His resurrection and fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, assuming that he would somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.
As we dive into the Word of God today, we are encouraged by Paul’s example and encouragement. Paul encourages us to:
1. Press on with Purpose
1. Press on with Purpose
Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.
The very first thing that Paul says here is that he has not reached His goal, and that he is NOT perfect. Amen.
See these two go hand in hand: Reaching the goal he set would mean that he would now be perfect.
What does the word Perfect mean?
The word PERFECT means: COMPLETE!
Paul says he is not yet perfect. He says he has his eyes on the goal - which means his mind is set on the journey.
Paul’s determination to press on toward the goal for which God has called him reflects a Christ Centered focus on journey of a Christian’s life.
Notice what the Bible says:
But ONE THING I DO:
FORGETTING WHAT IS BEHIND
Reaching FORWARD to what is ahead.
In essence Paul says: I get some stuff wrong, because I am not perfect; but I have one thing down pretty good: i don’t focus on the past, I focus on the future.
The Bible says let go of your past. What past? ALL OF IT!
Don’t focus on your past failures. They do not define you!
Why not hold on to past failures?
Don’t focus on your past successes. They do not define you!
Why not hold on to past success?
There is nothing about your past that defines your future. Instead of clinging to past failures or successes, relentlessly pursue Jesus!
Before we go any further:
Don’t focus on past hurts.
We can’t dwell on them. They do not define us either. We are going to let go of the past. If other people want to hang on to it and bring it up; that’s on them, but it is not going to be what we do. We have more important things to do! THE BIBLE SAYS WE DO!
We are going to move beyond our comfort zones.
We are going to embrace growth, both personally and as a congregation.
And we are going to answer Jesus’ invitation to deny ourselves and follow Him !
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.
Brothers and Sisters: Press on with PURPOSE!
2. Pursue Unity in Maturity
2. Pursue Unity in Maturity
Therefore, let all of us who are mature think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this also to you. In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained.
One thing I firmly believe is that Christians are to own their faith. This is called MATURITY. The Bible gives us the example Paul gave, and tells us to maintain that same focus.
Resolve to grow in Christlikeness.
Listen: This Christian Journey is not a solo sport. God welcomes you into HIS FAMILY. He calls it HIS BODY. The Body is made of cells, body parts, different things for different purposes. The word FAMILY implies more than one.
Since we are called God’s family, we have a Father who we are to listen to. And over and over again we are told to be UNITED. That we are to pursue UNITY.
The Bible says that we are in this together, and we are to live to the truth that has been revealed to us.
What does this mean? It means that God reveals slowly over time. It is just like a child growing up and learning math. You start out with basic stuff : the concept of numbers. Then addition. Then subtraction. Then basic algebra, and on and on. One thing to like about Math: it doesn’t change. It is the same everywhere, always.
Just because Rhett hasn’t learned calculous does not mean calculous is lies. It may be confusing and ungraspable at his age, it is still calculous and part of math.
When you are on your Christian journey you will learn things over time. When you learn God’s truth, you better live it: that’s called honor God in obedience. That is part of discipleship. We are called to do this.
and then more and more you will learn.
We are to grow individually, and Congregational.
As we grow together and learn together, it strengthens the church and propels us to Spiritual maturity.
We are to: Press on with PURPOSE.
We are to: Pursue Unity in maturity.
3. Pattern Your Life Wisely
3. Pattern Your Life Wisely
Join in imitating me, brothers and sisters, and pay careful attention to those who live according to the example you have in us. For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame; and they are focused on earthly things,
Pattern you life wisely. We need to asses whose example we follow.
There are tons of examples out there. Some are following Jesus and when we follow their lead, we are led to Jesus.
Some, POLAR OPPOSITE.
We need to me mindful of the people we follow. The shows we watch. The things that impact our thinking. Because we are called by God, with a purpose.
Join in imitating me - Paul says: Imitate me as I imitate Christ. The entire goal of Paul’s life is christlikeness. That should be our goal.
And if we are following people who are not going in that direction, then we need to remove them from the position we have placed them in, in our life.
I am all about rest and relaxation, but this needs to be within reason. We need to avoid self-serving distractions, and align our life to Christian values.
Pattern your life wisely.
Because we are called to:
4. Prepare for Heavenly Transformation
4. Prepare for Heavenly Transformation
Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of his glorious body, by the power that enables him to subject everything to himself.
We live here on earth, but we are citizens of heaven.
As citizens of heaven, we are to live by the rules and laws of heaven.
As citizens of heaven we have rights and responsibilities.
Now a lot of Christians want the benefits of heaven, without the obedience commanded by Christ.
When we do that, we miss out on Christ’s transformative power, which shapes our Present life and our ETERNAL future.
Here is my question: if you do not want to live by God’s commands now, why would you want to be in His kingdom forever?
Brothers and Sisters we have a hope in Christ Jesus. This hope should serve as the anchor in our pursuit, helping us focus on eternal joy and promise.
When we focus on Christ, when we prepare for our heavenly transformation, it enables us to transcend all these earthly concerns that we build up.
Press on with purpose
Pursue Unity in Maturity
Pattern our life wisely
Prepare for our heavenly transformation
