Sunday Sermon

Reaching the Goal Dave Shaner January 5, 2003

Introduction: In 2003, will God's purposes be fulfilled in you? All want to win the greatest of all races and have God work in and through us.

Text: Philippians 3:12-15

¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 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, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.

What is the secret for success?

I. _______________ - 3:12-13

A. He was never satisfied with his attainments.

B. Be warned of false estimates of ourselves and our spiritual condition.

1. Revelation 3:1 - Sardis

To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.

2. Revelation 3:17 - Laodicea

You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

3. Revelation 2:9 - Smyrna

I know your afflictions and your poverty--yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

II. _______________ - 3:13a

A. "One thing I do" - an often-used phrase

Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."  - Mark 10:21

...but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.  - Luke 10:42

He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"  - John 9:25

B. It is so easy to get distracted.

...so I sent messengers to them with this reply: "I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?"  - Nehemiah 6:3

III. _______________ - 3:13b

A. We cannot look back.

Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."  - Luke 9:62

B. We break the power of the past by living for the future.

IV. _______________ - 3:14

A. I press on - describes a hunter pursuing his prey.

B. Two extremes to avoid:

1. I must do it all.

2. God must do it all.

V. _______________ - 3:15-16

A. It is not enough to run hard, we must also follow the rules.

B. I Corinthians 9:24-27

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

C. II Timothy 2:5

Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.

Conclusion: II Timothy 4:6-8

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

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