Introduction

Welcome, dear friends, to our time of fellowship and worship. It's a delight to gather in the presence of our Lord, to share in His word, and to grow together in understanding and faith. We are here, not by chance, but because our loving Father has called us into His presence. He has a message for us, a message that will challenge us, inspire us, and ultimately transform us.

Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the book of Philippians, specifically Philippians 3:12-14. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, shares profound wisdom that will guide us as we strive to live a life that is pleasing to God. Let us listen attentively to these words: "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, 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, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

In these powerful verses, Paul invites us to a life of continuous progress in Christ, persevering through life's peaks and pits, and pressing on towards the prize. It's a call to action, a call to commitment, and a call to Christ.

Pursuing Progress in Christ

The Christian life is about the pursuit of progress, not perfection. It's about the journey, not the destination. It's about the process, not the product. This truth is a call to action, a call to commitment, and a call to Christ.

When we consider the life of Paul, we see a man who was continuously progressing in his relationship with Christ. Despite his past, despite his failures, despite his weaknesses, he was determined to press on. He was determined to grow. He was determined to become more like Christ.

This is the first aspect of pursuing progress in Christ. It's about recognizing our need for Christ. We need to be acknowledging our weaknesses and failures and relying on Christ's strength and power to help us overcome them.

Next is about forgetting what is behind it. It's about letting go of our past mistakes, failures, and regrets. Let’s refuse to let our past define us or limit us. It's about choosing to focus on the future, on the possibilities that lie ahead, on the potential that is within us.

Then we think about straining towards what is ahead. It's about setting our sights on the goal, on the prize. It's about being determined to reach that goal, no matter the obstacles we face. It's about being willing to endure hardship, to persevere through trials, to keep going even when the going gets tough.

The fourth aspect of pursuing progress in Christ is about winning the prize. It's about the reward that awaits us at the end of the race. It's about the joy of knowing that we have run the race well, that we have finished the course, that we have kept the faith.

Persevering through Life's Peaks and Pits

In the midst of our pursuit, we encounter varying landscapes ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO