Forgetting, Reaching, Pressing -- Part 4
"Reaching Forward-- Part 3"
Jan. 24, 2016
Phil 3:13-14 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are
ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
I. Review: reaching forward in 2016
Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
A. There are four basic areas in which we can reach forward and set goals: intellectual
(includes wisdom), physical, spiritual, and social.
B. Video of Scrat from the Ice Age movies illustrates in a humorous way how elusive some
things are and that we must persist in reaching for them. (Gal 6:9 do not grow weary while doing good)
II. Seven things I'm reaching forward to in 2016
1. To move God's heart more and be moved by His heart more. (Isa 62:4, Ps. 16:3, SoS 4:9)
2. To grow in my love for God and people. (Mt. 22:37-39)
Mt. 22:37-39 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all
your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and
great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor
as yourself.'
3. To be more of a man of one thing Ps 27:4 "One thing have I desired..." This
involves being more focused in my times with God in prayer, in beholding Him, and in
meditating in His Word. (2 Cor 3:18, Josh 1:8, Rom 12:2)
Lyrics to the song "Heart After You" by Luke Wood. "I want to stand in Your counsel to sit at
Your table, And speak to You face to face as a friend. I want to stand in Your fire wherever Your
eyes fall, May You find me faithful to Your heart. Let me be found with a heart after You. May
Your eyes find this heart loyal to You. May You be all that's on my mind all of the time. Let
my heart be torn in two until Your will is mine, dearly Beloved of my soul."
4. To walk in more divine power, so I can demonstrate God's love more effectively to others.
The word "grace" in Scripture means "divine power", not natural human ability.
Acts 4:33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection
of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. (Acts 1:8)
1 Cor 15:10 -- But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward
me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but
the grace of God which was with me.
Phil 2:13...for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good
pleasure.
5. To be more effective as a pastor (Psalm 23) (2 Tim 4:5)
6. To walk in greater righteousness and holiness
2 Tim 2:22 ....Pursue righteousness....with those who call on the Lord with a pure
heart."
1 Tim 6:11- 12 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness,
godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on
eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in
the presence of many witnesses.
7. To be more generous in giving tithes, offerings, and alms.
Prov. 11:24 There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who
withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty.
Lk 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken
together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same
measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Isa 43:18-19 Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of
old. 19 Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not
know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.
III. Why should we reach? Why not just be content with where we are with God?
A. Jack Deere: "The world teaches never be content with where you are materially, but be content
with where you are spiritually. The Bible teaches the opposite: be content with where you are materially,
but never be content with where you are spiritually.
Phil 4:11-13 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I
am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere
and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to
suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Mt. 5:6 ... "blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness...."
B. Four reasons to reach forward and press toward the mark. (taken from Joshua 1)
1. For the people's sake -- 1:6
2. For your sake -- 1:7
3. For God's sake -- 1:9
4. For the rebel's sake -- 1:18
1 Jn 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the
love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of
the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is
passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.