|
Biblical references in Gahanna-Jefferson Church of Christ's nondenominational sermon outlines are linked directly to text of the King James version of the Bible. Bible quotes you hear in the streaming audio may be from the New King James version of the Bible.
Click Here To Start Audio
To encourage all of us to continue to press toward our goal. Text: Philippians
3:12-14.
Introduction.
1. We have reached a time of year (New Year's) when everyone looks back on the past year and sets goals for the new.
2. As Christians, how should we view the start of a new year?
3. I think that Paul gives us a great example to follow in Philippians
3:12-14.
Body.
I. Paul realized that he had not arrived.
A. Think about the implications of this
1. Paul was an inspired Apostle of God (1
Corinthians 14:37). "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord."
2. He had endured countless persecutions for Christ (2
Corinthians 11:23-28). "Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches."
3. He Had started many congregations (Acts
16:5). "And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily."
4. Yet he still said that he was not yet perfected (1
Corinthians 9:27). "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."
B. We need to realize, like Paul, that we have not yet arrived.
1. As individuals.
a. There is always room for improvement (1
Corinthians 10:12). "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."
b. We all must continue to grow (2 Peter
3:18).
c. We all have sin in our lives (1 John
1:10). "If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."
d. Too often, we judge ourselves against other members of the church.
e. Christ should be our ultimate standard (1
Peter 2:21). "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps."
2. As a congregation.
a. Sometimes it is easy to get complacent.
b. We see that our building is almost full and we don't try to grow.
c. We have just enough money so we don't give any more than is necessary.
d. We must realize that, as a congregation we have not arrived.
II. Like Paul, we must Press On!
A. Press On toward what?
1. V.12. Christ had chosen him to preach the gospel and save souls
(Acts
26:16-19). "But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision"
2. His goal was to achieve that same prize.
3. V.14. Says that he presses toward the goal for the prize.
a. This carries with it the idea of a runner keeping his eye on the finish line.
b. We should look to Jesus (Hebrews
12:1-2). "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
c. Our ultimate goal is heaven.
B. How does Paul go about pressing toward the prize?
1. He forgets those things which are behind (Philippians
3:13).
a. This is not saying that we should not learn from our past (1
Corinthians 10:6). "Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted."
b. It is saying that we shouldn't become complacent because of our past achievements.
c. Sports teams always have to worry about a let-down after a big victory.
d. Judaizers, during Paul's time, taught a "Plateau" religion.
e. We must make sure that we do not become complacent because of our past achievements.
f. Doing so will cause a "let-down".
g. As we go into the New Year, let's forget our past achievements.
2. He reaches forward to those things which are ahead.
a. Rather than dwelling on the past, he looks to the future (Luke
9:62). "And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
b. Paul had the attitude: "What more can I do."
c. We must be the same way.
(1) How can I grow individually?
(2) How can I help the church to grow?
(3) Who else can I bring to Christ?
d. There is nothing wrong with setting goals and striving for them.
Conclusion.
1. We have not yet arrived!
2. But let us forget those thing which are behind.
3. And let us Press On!
-- Ralph Price (Streetsboro
Church of Christ), December 2001 --
|
