Philippians 3:12-13 (NLT)
12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.
13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,
12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.
13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,
Intro:
What do you need to let go of to move forward?______________.
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The Apostle Paul was a master at staying focused. Lets look at is career:
A Pharisee (means separated) no one could find any fault in the way he followed the law.
zealously persecute the Church; That means He murdered people because of their faith in Jesus Christ and thought He was doing God a favor.
Paul Meets Jesus on the way to destroy the Church in Damascus his life is forever changed.
Out 27 New Testament books Paul writes 13, well 14 if you count Hebrews.
18 chapters of the book of Acts are dedicated to Paul.
Paul traveled over 13,000 hard miles preaching the gospel and planted over 14 churches.
Paul endured many hardships Paul was focused on his God given purpose, To Preach The Gospel.
This portion of scripture gives us some insight to what he went through. Paul is writing to the church in corinth the purpose of the letter is correction.
He says you guy’s think you have some things to brag about well I have some too. Paul was being sarcastic:
2 Corinthians 11:22-30 (NIV)
22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I.
23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.
24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.
25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea,
26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers.
27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.
28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.
23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.
24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.
25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea,
26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers.
27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.
28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.
Paul says I have learned some things, I have had all kinds of learning, He had an education from the classroom and from life, “But the greatest thing is to know Christ”. I have been a Pharisee, but the greatest thing is to be like Christ, My mission, my desire, my purpose is to accomplish all that Christ has for me to do.
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Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV)
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
It is the same for you and me………
- To know Christ: am i engaged deeply is the relationship?
- To be Like Christ: Am i developing His character?
- To accomplish His purpose for me: do you know your mission in life?
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Philippians 3:13 (NIV)
13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
Here’s the bottom line: You where saved for perfection.
- What did Paul need to forget? Galatians 1:13 (ESV)
13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it.
- I believe Paul thought about Stephen a lot.
Acts 7:58 (NIV)
58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Paul was now building the very thing he had once tried to destroy. Paul says it doesn’t matter if your life is a success or failure; keep going.
What do you need to forget?______________________.
Baggage; we all have it and it keeps us from reaching our full potential. as long as we hold on to it we can’t completely take hold of Christ. He works best when our hands are empty.
Here are something’s that you never need to forget…………………..
In Christ I am God’s…………………………….
- Possession: Genesis 17:8/ 1Cor 6:20
- Child: John 1:12
- Workmanship: Ephesians 2:10
- Friend: James 2:23
- Temple:1 Cor 3:16/ 6:16
In Christ I HAVE BEEN……………………………….
- redeemed by the blood: Rev 5:9
- set free from sin /condemnation: Rom 8:1-2
- forgiven: Col 2:13
- given a sound mind: 2 Timothy 1:7
- given the Holy Spirit: 2 Cor 1:22
- given great and precious promises: 2 peter 1:4
- In Christ I am ………………………………………….
- Free from the power of sin: Romans 6:14
- Going to Heaven: John 14:6
- The head and not the tail. Deut 28:13
In Christ I CAN…
• do all things through Christ: Philp 4:13
• always pray: Luke 21:36
• defeat the enemy: Rev 12:11
In Christ I CANNOT…
• be separated from God’s love Rom 8:35-39
• be moved Psalms 16:8
• be condemned 1 Cor 11:32
• be separated from God’s love Rom 8:35-39
• be moved Psalms 16:8
• be condemned 1 Cor 11:32
- Your life matters, you where saved for perfection.
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Hebrews 12:1 (GW)
1 Since we are surrounded by so many examples {of faith}, we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially sin that distracts us. We must run the race that lies ahead of us and never give up.
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1 Since we are surrounded by so many examples {of faith}, we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially sin that distracts us. We must run the race that lies ahead of us and never give up.
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Think with me for a moment?
What would your life look like if you let go of everything But Christ????????
Your family?
Your marriage?
Your finance’s
Your job?
Your health? How about this one; Your Church? Do you know what the answer is? If you can catch this You will be a world changer like Paul.
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- The only thing worth holding on to is CHRIST.
Philippians 3:13 (NIV)
13 “ But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,”
13 “ But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,”
Paul never lost his focus, from the day he met Jesus he stayed on his mission to “Preach the Gospel”. I believe if we focus on Jesus we won’t worry so much about what is behind us. And thats the way I see it in my market.
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