Go Forward in 2014 – 05/01/14

1 Introduction

Phil 3:13-15 “But one thing I do”

· Last year is over – it will never come again!

· Last year we faced challenges, difficulties, pressures

· These are all “things which are behind” – they will never come again, it is a new year

· We are entering a new year – full of possibilities – “things which are ahead”

· God has planned this year for us – opportunities, people to meet, relationships, things to do

· Our part: Establish a clear focus in our personal life

· “One thing I do” → Paul had a clear focus – pursuit of following Christ – intimacy and obedience

2 Things to forget

vs 13 Forgetting “those things which are behind”

· “Forget” = 1950 =  to lose out of the mind, to let go awareness of, cease focussing on

· Don’t live in the past: successes and achievements or failures, offenses

Eg Acts 26:9-11

vs4-6 Paul had great personal achievements

Paul also had immense failures – wrong perspectives – persecuted believers

· Don’t make the things behind you the focus of your life!

Eg Mistakes, failures, disappointments, sorrows, offenses

Exod 14:15 “… why do you cry to me, tell the children of Israel to go forward”

· What do you need to let go of? Eg Bartimeus – beggars garment

· Bring it before the Lord. Ask Holy Spirit to reveal how you need to respond

3 Things to reach out for

vs13 “reaching forward to those things that are ahead”

· “Reaching” = NT1901 = to stretch out, to stretch forward

· Change and growth is always in the stretch

Eg Mk 3:3-5 Man with withered hand – “stretch forth your hand” – hand was turned inward

“stretch” – to extend self out beyond the normal limitations

· God has placed desires and dreams in your heart – what are they?

· What areas are you withered and inward looking?

· What areas do you need to stretch out in 2014?

· What areas do you need to grow in? Extend your faith in?

· What will you do to go beyond your comfort zone? Reach people?

4 Things to pursue

vs14 “I press towards the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”

· “Press” = NT1377 = to pursue, to flee, to follow after, to persecute

· Each of us has a race to run, a course to complete, a prize to win

· We are placed in Christ to represent Him – act on His behalf

· No one can run your race for you – make the focus of this year following Christ

Eg Heb 12:1-2 “Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”

· Don’t look around at what others do and let them set the standard

· John 21:21 “But Lord, what about this man? … what is that to you, you follow Me!”

· “Follow Me” → active pursuit of intimacy and obedience to Christ

5 Application questions

i) What is Holy Spirit saying to me?

ii) What do I need to let go of? – weight, destruction

iii) What do I need to focus on? – dreams, possibilities

iv) What will I do to act upon what God is saying to me? – steps to take

Note vs15 “Therefore, let us, as may as are mature, have this mind, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you”