Introduction:
Some years ago, Isaac Stern, the famous violinist, was performing at Lincoln Center in New York. He was playing Mozart’s “Violin Concerto No 3 in G.” Zubin Mehta was directing the New York Symphony. Everything was going beautifully, until suddenly Isaac Stern, this musical genius, forgot the score. Right in the middle of it, he had a memory lapse, and forgot. He stopped, he got up from his chair and apologized to the conductor, apologized to his colleagues, and then went to the microphone and said, “I’ve had a memory lapse, I’ve forgotten my place. I owe it to Mozart to have the integrity to start again. Moreover, I owe it to all of my colleagues to start again, and I owe it to all of you who came here to hear great music to start again. I am sorry. I made a mistake. Will you allow me to start again?” Well, Lincoln Center burst out into thunderous applause. With that Isaac Stern returned to his chair. He glanced at the conductor and played it with awesome precision and beauty, that second time.
You have heard it said, “If I could do it over again, I would….” Then an explanation of what they would do differently. If we were honest with ourselves, we also would claim to have done things differently if we had the chance. Some may say:
I would spend more time at home and less time at work.
I would take more vacations.
I would read to my children more.
I would listen to my spouse more.
If I could do it over again, I would…
Well, we do have that chance. 2007 (2004) gives us that opportunity to do things differently than we did last year. We will have 365 days in the new year to do it differently. Of all the things that we could do differently this year, the one that should be at the top of our list is our relationship with God. Our relationship with God can grow more this year than last. When we look to improve our relationship with God, we can look to the advice that Paul gives from his own life. In Philippians, Paul shares how he approached life. He lived his life knowing that life was short and that he should make the best of his the years given him.
Read Philippians 3: 13-14.
To press on in 2007 (2004), I will …
1. Forget past failures v13
Paul knowing that he has not reached the goal before him, complete maturity in Christ, he says that he forgets what is in the past. He forgets those times that he has not reached the goal. He does not dwell on the failures but looks forward.
We are to forget about our past failures. There is no way to undo what has been done. The chapter is closed. Time keeps moving on. God is more interested in our future than He is our past. We are to forget the failures of last year and press on.
God says in Isaiah:
Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. (Isaiah 43:18 NKJV)
The Lord says, `Forget about what has happened before. Do not think about the past. (Isaiah 43:18 NCV)
To do that we are to--
Admit that we have failed.
Cf. Proverbs 28:13
He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
• The idea of covering is to hide or ignore
Learn for the failure.
Cf. 1 Corinthians 10:11
Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
To learn we must ask—
• Why did I fail?
• What can I do differently to succeed?
If we dwell on the past, we ignore the future.
Illustration:
In Disney/Pixar’s recent movie CARS, the tow truck named Mater (Made-er) had a unique gift. He could drive backwards and never hit anything. His secret he says is that he looks where he has been so he knows where he is going.
Unfortunately, that does not work to well in life. We can learn from the past, but to dwell on the past is to ignore the future.
2. Set my eyes on the prize v13
Paul knows that he has failed and adds that he looks forward to those things that are ahead, that are in the future. He does not let the past serve as an anchor to keep him from moving forward in his relationship with God. He sets before himself that prize that he strives to obtain, a mature relationship with God. As we learn from the past, we are to set our eyes on the future and the prize we want.
The writer of Hebrew says, Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2 NJKV)
We need to set before us a prize that we want to reach, a goal for 2007 (2004). With our goal before us, we can set out our plan to accomplish it.
Goal = to have a stronger relationship with God
** NOT MEASURABLE**
Instead = to read my Bible through in a year
= to spend 30 minutes a day talking to God
= to talk with a different person each week about my relationship with God
Then we need a plan:
• What steps can I take to reach that prize/goal?
• What resources do I need?
• Who can help me reach it?
• How long will it take?
Those that fail to plan are planning to fail.
3. Do not quit v14
As Paul shares his passion about reaching the prize of a strong relationship with God, he tells the church that he does not quit. He presses on toward the goal, and so can we. Press on in 2007 (2004) and do not quit.
Solomon writes, If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small (Proverbs 24:10).
World-class failures:
There was a guy, a general, who lost two-thirds of all the battles he fought in the American Revolution. George Washington. He won the war.
There was another guy who graduated 42nd out of a class of 43. Then he went out and conquered Europe. Napoleon.
There’s a guy who lost almost every election he ran for – 10 or 12 – until finally he was elected President. Abraham Lincoln. He lost more than he won.
Edison tried over 200 different elements before he figured out what was the right element to use in the light bulb. Over 200 failures before he had a success.
In 21 years, Babe Ruth hit 714 home runs but he struck out 1330 times. He struck out nearly twice as often as he hit a home run. He once said, "Never let the fear of striking out keep you from taking a swing."
Conclusion:
If we could do over the things of last year, the advice from Paul’s life will help, forget past failures, set our eyes on the prize, and do not quit. However, we cannot do this in our own strength. If we rely on ourselves, we will surely fail. We most turn to God and find strength in Him to press on.
Will you turn to God today for help to press on in 2004?
Will you learn from the past and then press on?
Will you set up goals and then press on?
Will you keep going and not quit?
