One Month to Live- Letting Go to Grow
Philippians 3:10-14NLT
I heard a story about a mountain climber, while hiking on the edge of the mountain, he fell. On his way down, he reached out and grabbed hold of a tree limb that was growing out of the side of the cliff. While hanging there he looked down, suddenly he knew if he fell he would fall to his death. He looked up, and he said, "Is anybody up there?" God answered, and said in a booming voice, "I am here! I am the Lord, do you believe me?" He answered, "Oh, yes, Lord, I believe you. I really believe you. However I don't know how long I can hold on." God said to him, "That's all right, don't worry, I will save you. Just let go!” After a long pause the Man looked up to heaven, and said, "Is there anybody else up there?"
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
12 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. 13 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, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
In the event that our cabin pressure should change, an oxygen mask will be released from the overhead compartment. Please place the oxygen mask on yourself first before helping small children or others who may need assistance. - Airline Safety Announcement
Paul says, I want to know Christ- after years of learning under great Jewish teachers, Paul comes to the realization that if he is to know Christ, First, he has to put on his mask before he can ever help others.
Again Paul say’s, “I want to know Christ in the power of His resurrection.’ I want to participate in His sufferings, becoming like Him even in His death.”
If you are to grow you have to be willing to let go of the former to grasp the present.
Philippians 3:12-14TM I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. 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.
In short Paul say’s, “I’m letting go to grow; I’m not turning back!”
To grow you have to receive change. Not change for the sake of change, but change that lifts you higher, change that gives you a stronger desire to continue to grow and be more like Him.
C.S. Lewis said that too often we’re like children who settle for playing in mud puddles when the beauty and immensity of the ocean are just a few feet away.
Jesus said in Luke 12:48NLT But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.
Stop playing it safe; Stop being satisfied with the status quo, Stop justifying your conservative approach, let go and grow!
You have to decide you want to press into Christ knowing that more of Christ, brings extra gifts and fruit galore.
Say, “Fringe benefits!”
For you to press into Christ and accomplish authentic living you must become focused.
If you’re not healthy spiritually, physically, emotionally and relationally how can you move beyond yourself and invest in others? How can you help them with their mask if yours isn’t on?
1. For you to let go and grow, you must press into Christ to become more aware of the spiritual, you must love yourself.
Jesus said, Matthew 22:37-39TLB Jesus said to him, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest of the Laws. 39 The second is like it, ‘You must love your neighbor as you love yourself.’
Jesus points out, before you can truly love others, you must love yourself.
Pretty simple- “If you can’t find self-love, you won’t help others!”
2. For you to let go and grow, you must be healthy physically.
If you only had 30 days to live would you eat every forbidden food there is? But if you wanted to be alert and get the most of life, you’ll eat right and exercise.
1 Corinthians 6:19Phillips Have you forgotten that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you, and that you are not the owner of your own body?
I find two extremes: First, neglect- no vitamins, no exercise, lack of sleep, and eating junk all the time. Secondly, Overkill, over exercise, appearance becomes everything- Idolatry.
3 John 1:2NLT Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.
What’s the biggest challenge you face? Weight? Body image? Injury? Disease? Emotions?
3. The next crucial area where you must breathe first is in your emotional life
Most live by their feelings- They go to church, when they feel like it. They work hard, when they feel like it. They work at being a better parent, or spouse, when they feel like it.
“A huge part of maturing, is learning to acknowledge and experience your emotions without being controlled by them.” P.H.
2 Timothy 1:7ESV for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Self-control is the best definition for a sound mind!
One counselor said, “People who bury their emotions are trying to keep a beachball underwater.”
4. The whole reason you put your mask on first is to help others; therefore, you must be relationally connected.
Listen to Luke 10:29-37NLT The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.
31 “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32 A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.
33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’
36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.
37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”
Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”
William Shedd- A ship is safe in harbor but that’s not what ships are for.
The Priest, supposedly was too spiritual- too important. The Temple Assistant, was too tired, maybe burned-out. The despised Samaritan, had a good sense of being, spiritually, physically, emotionally and relationally, so he stopped to help.
You weren’t made to be self-sufficient and independent; You were created to help others!
Amos 3:3NLT Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?
Matthew 18:20NLT For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9NLT Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.
It’s time! It’s time to put your mask on, so you can touch others.
Benediction
