Determination (Spiritual Formation Part 4) Series

Determination

Philippians 3:10-14

1. Determination is the act of deciding definitely and firmly; also : the result of such an act of decision

A. It begins by releasing yourself from the past

B. Forgetting what lies behind (Verse 13)

C. The past can be our greatest enemy and our greatest friend.

D. It is an enemy when guilt of past sin is holding us to move forward

E. It is an enemy when comfort in the past is holding us to move forward

F. It is a friend when a both will be use for the Glory of God

G. Jesus said, No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God (Luke 9:62)

2. Determination is fixing or finding of the position, magnitude, value, or character of something: the act, process, or result of an accurate measurement

A. Fixing yourself in the present

B. Just one thing I do (Verse 13)

C. St Paul measured himself according to his present position

D. He also knows the magnitude, value or character that he should posses

1) Magnitude – He knows the extent and the importance of following Jesus

2) Value – He knows the cost of following Jesus

3) Character – He knows the things that requires on his attitude

3. Determination is a firm or fixed intention to achieve a desired end

A. Straining forwards to the future

B. But straining forward to what lies ahead (Verse 13)

C. I continue my pursuit toward the goal (Verse 14)

D. The prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus (Verse 14)

E. Run so as to win (1 Cor 9:24)

F. Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing. No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified (1Cor 9:26-27)

G. The Nike Story. King Darius (Persian), Athenians, Miltiades & Pheideppides (26 miles)

H. The Story of the Laborer, the bricks & the Cathedral