A Resolution Worth Keeping

Philippians 3:12-14

In a popular cartoon, the main character, MARVIN is making his New Year’s Resolutions:

1. Be more patient with my parents.

2. Be nice to my cousin Megan.

3. Eat my strained broccoli.

4. Sleep through the night.

Then, he looks at his fingers wrapped around a crayon and thinks: "Man, it’s tough to write with your fingers crossed."

Most people make some kind of resolution for the New Year. Some resolve to lose weight, work out, be kinder, work harder, etc. yet as we all well know most of these resolutions never make it past January. Today I would like to talk to you about "A Resolution Worth Keeping." A resolution is nothing more than setting a goal.

A motivational speaker recently discussed how he helps people understand the importance of clear goals. When Ken Olan is trying to communicate this thought, he divides his listeners into two groups. Both parties are given a puzzle with a certain time limit for getting all of the pieces into place. The puzzles are identical except that one group gets the box top to see what the puzzle is supposed to look like, the other group must piece it together without a picture to guide them. Without exception, enthusiasm remains high for those who can see what they are trying to accomplish, and morale plummets for those who flounder without a clear goal. Strategic leadership invariably makes certain that those who follow have a clear picture of what they are doing and where they are attempting to go.

Ken Olan, Houston Conference, Texas, Fall 1997

In Philippians 3, Paul discusses the most important goal a person can have, eternal life. Sometimes we lose sight of the goal. We get bogged down in the details of religion or in the strains of everyday life. Paul reminds us that as Christians we need to keep our goal in sight. Paul proclaims that there is one thing we must do as Christians. "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:13—14)

Making a New Year’s Resolution is easy, it’s keeping them that’s hard. As we examine our text we’ll notice three things Paul say’s are necessary for us to achieve eternal life.

MAIN BODY

I. To succeed you must have the right attitude. (forgetting what is behind)

A. One must not become complacent with past success. Heb. 4:9—11

B. One must not dwell upon past failure. 1 Cor. 6:9—11

II. To succeed you must make a concerted effort. (straining toward what is ahead)

A. The Christian life is a race.

1. The reward is in finishing the race.

2. 2 Tim. 4:6—8

B. Faith is more than belief faith is belief in action.

1. Galatians 5:5—6

2. James 2:14—26

III. To succeed you must constantly move toward your goal.

A. All men are doomed to destruction. Rom. 5:12

B. Christ came to give man eternal life. John 3:16—17

C. Success in life comes when your goal is heaven. Phil. 3:18—21

Mitchell Skelton, Minister—Midway church of Christ

http://www.TheLordsWay.com/Midway