The Joy of Successful Christian Living
Our text for today is found in Philippians chapter three. Please follow along with me as I read – Paul is speaking and he says:
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14 (NKJV)
In Philippians chapter three – Paul writes about succeeding in life. Today there are many people who talk about being successful in life. In fact the book stores are full of books on success. Everyone thinks the latest book will be the one to make their life full of meaning and purpose and solve all of my problems. The ironic thing to me that many books on success are written by people who have no track record of success. They have no real experience in the world – all they have done is wrote a book!
When I want to learn about success – I want to find someone who has done it! I want to look at somebody who has accomplished what I want to accomplish. I want someone who can lead by example. We learn much more about success – from models than we do from manuals.
So who is your model? Of course the Lord Jesus Christ is – but next to Him, the most successful Christian who ever lived would have to be the apostle Paul. He was an incredible man. He lived life to the fullest. He made his life count.
In Philippians chapter three Paul gives us a model for successful living. He encourages us to follow his example. In verse seventeen it says:
“Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.” Philippians 3:17 (NKJV)
How did Paul walk? What was his pattern? In today’s text – Paul explains four keys to successful living.
1. Face your SHORT-COMINGS
No-one here is perfect. No-one has it all together. It is important to remember this – you and I still have a long way to go. It is important to inventory your life. You've got to know where you are before you know where you want to go. Look for areas that need improvement. Paul said:
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.” Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” Philippians 3:12-13 (NKJV)
Paul is saying: "I don't claim to have it all together. I don’t claim to be a success. I don’t claim to be perfect – but I strive to move closer to Christ. I have a goal and I am trying to reach it.”
Paul’s statement is an amazing statement. Why? Because when Paul is writing this – he is an old man. If anybody had the right to claim he had arrived – if anyone could claim that he had it all together – it would be Paul. He wrote most of the New Testament. He – for the most part – single handedly spread Christianity throughout the Roman Empire. There is no doubt that He has made an incredible impact on the world. Yet Paul, at the end of his life, says "I don't have it all together. I haven't arrived yet. I'm not perfect. I'm still growing. I still have not achieved my goal."
Folks – here is a fact: Successful Christians Never Stop Growing
Successful Christians are always developing, growing, expanding, and learning. Even when Paul is an old man – he says, "I haven't arrived."
Folks let me tell you that this concept is contrary to much modern day theology that is being passed around today. Many Christians – and much preaching – will give you the impression that Christians never have any problems. They will give you the impression that they have “arrived”. That they have reached some state of sinless perfection – that they have no problems – that they have no worries – that they have no doubts – that they have no fears. But the longer I am a Christian – the more I grow as a Christian – the more that I examine my faith – the more I am convinced that I still need to grow in Christ.
As I have grown closer to Christ I have become more acutely aware of my own limitations – of my own inadequacies – of my own weaknesses – of my own faults and shortcomings – and I realize that I need Christ today more than ever. I can say: "Look how far I've come." But I also can say: "Look how far I have to go! I have not reached the goal – but I am on the journey." Paul was aware that he had not yet reached his final destination. Successful Christian living begins with looking at your short-comings – facing your faults – being honest with yourself. The Bible tells us:
“He who keeps his sins secret will not do well; but one who is open about them, and gives them up, will get mercy.” Proverbs 28:13 (BBE)
Folks be honest with yourself – face your shortcoming and realize you are a work in progress.
Point two.
2. Let go of your PAST
Many of us dwell on the past – and not only that – we replay the bad stuff over and over and over again. But Paul says – don’t manipulate your memories. In verse thirteen it says:
“One thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” Philippians 3:13 (NKJV)
Paul says if he is going to be all God wants him to be – he is not going to waste any his time dwelling on the past – but he is going to look forward to the things that lie ahead. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow is a day away – I need to dwell in the present and look forward to the future. My past is past. I need to let go of my guilt, grief, and grudges. I need to let go of the past so I can get on with the present. Success involves learning to forget. A passage from Isaiah in the Message Bible says:
"Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is! I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.” Isaiah 43:18-19 (MSG)
It is true that – as humans – our memories can linger with us a life-time. But the question is: How do you move on from your past? How do you put the past behind? How do I live beyond the “stuff” that has happened to me? Here is the key:
Don't let the past control you anymore. Don't let it have power over you or manipulate you.
Successful people learn from the past without dwelling in the past.
There is a big difference between letting go and holding on. Successful people learn from the past and once they learn the lessons they need – they let go and move on. They don't punish themselves about the past.
As humans we tend to remember things we should forget and forget things we should remember. We hold on to the bad memories that we should let go of and we tend to let go of the memories that we should remember. Here are two things from your past that you have to deal with:
A. Your failures
Many Christians go over the bad stuff in their lives – over and over again. If you have sincerely asked God for forgiveness – He has forgiven you. The Bible says in First John:
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (NKJV)
The problem is – God has forgiven us – but we don’t forgive ourselves – we hold on to the past. Paul says "I have learned from the past and it makes me a better person in the present." He didn't set around beating himself up – having a pity party. The truth is – everybody has blown it at some point. We all have things in our past that we regret. There are skeletons in everyone’s closets. Let us learn from them and become better because of them. Nothing you do will change your past. The past is past – learn from it and let it go.
The second thing you have to deal with is:
B. Your successes
Learn from them too but don’t let them hold you back. It's so easy to live in the past – because of the successes we have made. We start to think - "I've got it made! I have done so much that I have nothing to worry about." But the “good old days” might not be enough to meet the needs of today. The problem with success is that it tends to make you complacent and fills you with pride. Then you stop growing and learning and when that happens – you are going to fail. Jesus said:
“Whoever starts to plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62 (GW)
You can't drive a car looking only looking in the rear view mirror. You can’t move forward when you are looking backward. You've got to look forward to move forward. Bad things may have happened to you – good things may have happened to you – but God has greater things in store for you. Keep moving forward.
That brings us to point three.
3. Focus on the FUTURE
If all you do is forget the past – you may just have amnesia. Just having amnesia – doesn't make you successful. Successful people are goal oriented. They focus on the future. Paul said:
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 (NKJV)
The Message Bible says it this way:
“Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.” Philippians 3:13-14 (MSG)
Successful people strive for a goal – they are goal oriented. Paul is goal orientated – he has a single priority! He is looking “onward – to Jesus.” Folks most Christians are spreading themselves out to thin – they are trying to do a hundred different things at the same time. They are the “Jack of all trades – but the master of none.” Paul says that the successful Christian life is goal orientated and single focused. Our goal should be to please Jesus. The Bible says:
“Don't you realize that everyone who runs in a race runs to win, but only one runner gets the prize? Run like them, so that you can win.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 (GW)
Living a successful Christian life takes effort. We need to have a clear goal in mind. In his second letter to the Corinthians Paul wrote:
“Whether we live in the body or move out of it, our goal is to be pleasing to him (Jesus).” 2 Corinthians 5:9 (GW)
There is no more rewarding goal in life – than to please God. The question each one of us should ask is: “What am I living for?” What is your goal in life? What is most important to you? Focus on pleasing Christ. Focus on the future and –
4. Fight to the WIN
It is not enough just to have a goal in mind – you must also have the determination to reach that goal. Absolutely nothing worthwhile in life happens without effort. Paul said:
“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 (NKJV)
Go ahead and circle the word “press”. This word in the Greek means to pursue – as a hunter would pursue its prey. Paul had determination – he had persistence – he had commitment – he was going to reach the goal no matter what. He was fighting to win. Successful people in this life are just ordinary people with extraordinary amount of determination. They don't know how to quit. They keep on – keeping on. They never give up.
Paul said he is not going to stop – he is not going to give up – he is not going to quit. Paul said he was going to finish what he started. Paul is writing in Second Timothy when he says:
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 (NKJV)
Wouldn’t you like to be able to say: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
Perhaps some of you today are thinking of giving up. Perhaps some of you are thinking of quitting – your job – your marriage – your relationship with your family. Some of you are saying: “I’ve had it – enough is enough.”
I would encourage you today to keep on. I would encourage you to keep fighting the fight – keep running the race. I am not going to tell you that life is easy. I am not going to tell you that there will be no more battles to fight – that there will be no more struggles – that there will be no more challenges. But I will tell you that striving toward the goal of being pleasing to Jesus Christ – is well worth the effort.
Paul said "I am not going to quit. No matter what happens, I'll never give up. I want God's best for my life and I'm going to complete what He's called me to do.” Paul is an example for us all. He is a role model.
And folks – here is a fact that should encourage you: God will never give up on you
He will never leave you or forsake you. In fact Paul wrote in the book of Philippians:
“I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 (HCSB)
What God starts – He finishes. He does not leave you out on a limb. You do your part and God will do His part. You do your best and He'll do the rest. In Galatians we are told:
“Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap (a harvest) if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)
Don't give up. Don't give up on your marriage. Don’t give up on life. Don’t give up on your dream. You will reap a harvest at the proper time if you do not give up. God wants you to live a successful Christian life. Fight the fight – run the race – put you faith and hope in God.
(I would like to thank Richard Warren for the sermon starter ideas.)
