Title: Keeping Focus
Theme: Showing how to face life’s challenges when they come
Text: Philippians 3:12-21
Introduction
At the begining of chapter 3 Paul talks about all the things he could brag about. Hebrew of Hebrews, etc. He had reason to boast. Yet in this section we see that his true dependance is not on self accomplishmentes but on Christ.
12 Not that I have already attained (have my whole life together), or am already perfected (have it made); but I press on (I keep going), that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me (that I may achieve the destiny in which Christ has already given to me).
13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended (I am not an expert at things, I am still learning); but one thing I do (I may not have much to go on or rely on, or know which way I should go but this is what I do), forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead (there is more ahead of me than there is behind me, I got more to achieve, more ministry to be done, more of Christ to live for, you are never to young or too old),
14 I press toward (my focus is a head of me, if you are ever going to achieve things in the future then there are many things from the past that has got to change, people has defined insanity as: “Doing the same the same way and yet expecting different results”) the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature (not everyone can understand what he is saying only those who are mature-those who are open to what God wants), have this mind (if begins in your mind, you have to convince yourself first, you cannot consistently walk in opposite of what is in here and here); and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.
16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. (there are people out there who you can trust, find them, mark them and follow them)
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: (and if they are enemies of the cross then they are your enemies)
Proverbs 1:1 ¶ Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season (just stay faithful and God will give you your season), Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper
19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame (they are impressed by everyone’s disdain or dislike for them); who set their mind on earthly things.
20 For our citizenship is in heaven (we live by a higher standard and have a higher purpose and have higher goals, we are not just here to get by but we are citizens of heaven, we are to be on our best behavior), from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
