My Personal Mission Series

NEW PURPOSE, RENEWED PURPOSE

Part 1—My Personal Mission

Philippians 3:10-20

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Pastor Brian Matherlee

Cowboy wisdom for a new year:

• Never kick a cow chip on a hot day.

• There’s two theories to arguin’ with a woman. Neither one works.

• If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin’.

• Never slap a man who’s chewin’ tobacco.

• Always drink upstream from the herd.

• Don’t kick a sleeping dog.

• The quickest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it back in your pocket.

Most common New Year’s Resolutions according to usa.gov

• Lose Weight

• Gain Weight

• Get out of Debt

• Save Money

• Get a Better Job

• Get Fit

• Eat Right

• Get a Better Education

• Drink less Alcohol

• Quit Smoking

• Reduce Stress

• Take a Trip

• Volunteer to Help Others

• Be Less Grumpy

• Be more independent

• Watch less violence

• Learn something new

Recent research shows that while 52% of participants in a resolution study were confident of success with their goals, only 12% actually achieved their goals. Men achieved their goal 22% more often when they engaged in goal setting, a system where small measurable goals are used (lose a pound a week, instead of saying "lose weight"), while women succeeded 10% more when they made their goals public and got support from their friends. (source: quirkology.com study)

5 GODLY GOALS

1. Know Christ (3:10)

a. Resurrection power-something done by God that is against human desire or ability.

b. Fellowship of His suffering-it is to be expected in a world opposed to God that we will suffer. Paul is speaking of embracing the suffering as a privilege in light of the fact that Jesus Christ suffered and died for him.

c. Like Him in His death-die to my self and live by God’s power

2. Press On (3:12)

a. In spite of obstacles

b. In spite of pain

c. In spite of opposition

d. Do this by sowing good practices

3. Forget the Past (3:13)

a. An 80 year old couple was having problems remembering things, so they decided to go to their doctor to get checked out to make sure nothing was wrong with them. When they arrived at the doctor’s, they explained to the doctor about the problems they were having with their memory. After checking the couple out, the doctor tells them that they were physically okay but might want to start writing things down and make notes to help them remember things. The couple thanked the doctor and left. Later that night while watching TV, the old man got up from his chair and his wife asks, "Where are you going?" He replies, "To the kitchen." She asks, "Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?" He replies, "Sure." She then asks him, "Don’t you think you should write it down so you can remember it?" He says, "No, I can remember that." She then says, "Well I also would like some strawberries on top. You had better write that down cause I know you’ll forget that." He says, "I can remember that, you want a bowl of ice cream with strawberries." She replies, "Well I also would like whip cream on top. I know you will forget that so you better write it down." With irritation in his voice, he says, "I don’t need to write that down I can remember that." He then fumes into the kitchen. After about 20 minutes he returns from the kitchen and hands her a plate of bacon and eggs. She stares at the plate for a moment and says, "I knew you were going to mess it up - You forgot my toast."

b. Don’t take it into account

i. Things I’ve been forgiven for

ii. Times I’ve tried and failed

iii. Good that I’ve already done

c. Consciously choose release

i. Grudges

ii. Habits

4. Secure a Hold (3:16)

a. In rock climbing there are all kinds of safety precautions that are taken to prevent disaster and keep you from losing too much ground.

i. One safety technique is the belay where a stationary climber provides protection by means of ropes, anchors and braking devices or techniques, to an ascending or descending partner. A static belay is when a fall is held fast. A dynamic belay is when a fall is brought to a gradual stop by allowing the rope to slide somewhat to not overload the anchor with the force of the fall.

ii. Another device is the Carabiner (Biner): Forged aluminum devices of various shapes (oval, D, etc.) with a spring-loaded gate through which a climbing rope can be threaded. Used to connect to protection or to provide connections in an anchor. The gate of a locking carabiner can be screwed or locked tight for increased security