Finishing A Race With Our Heads Held High Philippians 3:12-14NKJB
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. 13 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, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul uses the analogy of a runner to describe the Christians spiritual growth. No living-breathing believer will reached their goal of Christlikeness, but like a runner in a race, we all must continue to pursue it.
To pursue means to begin to dream, to pursue means, to change your way of thinking and maybe your lifestyle, to pursue means, to reprioritize, to pursue means, to prepare.
Say this, “Preparation is the key.” An admirer of a famous person said, “So how did you become so successful?” The famous person replied, “About 40 years of training and staying committed.” ( Faithfulness and fruitfulness are synonymous.)
Philippians 3:12a Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on...
The Greek word for ‘Press on’ was used of a sprinter, and refers to aggressive, and energetic action. The runner pursued with all his might, straining every muscle to win the prize.
Testimonies: I entered several races in my twenties. Two that I have good memory of- first a Midnight Flight 10K Race. I prepared, stretched, ate good carbs, however, the humidity was 100% and halfway through the race the socks in my shoes were sloshing with water.
The second race was a 10K race, called the Hartwell Dam Race. Near the end of the race I was in second place for my age division. There was a boy about a hundred yards behind me, and I was about 500 yards to the finish line. Suddenly, this boys father begin to yell, “Run, push it, push it, run, run, run, run!” He did, and around 50 yards to the finish line he passed me.
1 Corinthians 9:24-26NKJ Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.
Many folks run their entire life for a perishable crown, However, it won’t be important to them, nor anyone else at the end, and if it is important, it won’t carry any internal value. But, if ‘one’ strives for the imperishable crown, it’s value will follow this person forever into eternity.
Therefore Presently, everything you do spiritually is preparing for eternity. Wow, that’s heavy duty when you think about it.
Jesus Christ chose Paul for the ultimate purpose of conforming Paul into His very own image.
Listen to Romans 8:29NLT For God knew his people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
Spiritually, what are you training for? Eternity? How are you training?
1 Timothy 6:12NKJ Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
* Again verse 12 say’s, Fight the good fight of faith, that means there is such a thing as fighting a bad fight of faith.
Not preparing. (No Devotions, prayer time, study of God’s word.)
No real purpose on this earth. What is a real purpose? It’s something that outlives you.)
No dream. (No Spiritual ambition or motivation.)
Why do we need to fight the good fight of faith? Why not just be satisfied with coming to church every week? Is that enough? What about future generations?
What about,“Where there is no vision my people perish”?
What’s going on in our community?
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among teenagers.
Homosexuality among teens is the new shocker.
3. Drinking and drugs are the norm at parties.
Anger and rage is rampant leading to violence and
rebellion.
Question: Where can our children go; where do our teens turn to for a refuge? How about the twenty somethings?
Listen to Proverbs 29:15-18NKJ The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. 16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases; But the righteous will see their fall. 17 Correct your son, and he will give you rest; Yes, he will give delight to your soul. 18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.
Remember this, vision begins at home, with our marriage, our children, our Church and job. P.H.
Philippians 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.
Listen to the writer of Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
How this race is won: Believing in a dream, preparation, training and discipline.
Here’s the wide scope of our vision and dream for Crane Eater Community Church.
To reach children and teens, drawing the parents in, as well.
Having a facility that will bless our community. (In our new sanctuary we have more than tripled in attendance.
Investing in our kids will propel CECC into another successful century.
Investing in the Kingdom of God. For a believer, our vision and purpose become eternal.
Souls saved, filled with good works, fruit and spiritual gifts.
The body of Christ excelling within and without through training, Bible school, evangelism, discipleship etc.
The stability of a faithful prayer force.
Teaching the young and old the authority Jesus has empowered them with through Jesus’ anointing.
(FYI- Did you know that the Crane is symbolic for longevity and spiritual enlightenment, LIFTING SOULS HEAVENWARD)
God wants you to get on board.
What are the ministries of CECC?
Year-round preaching and teaching of God’s word.
10AM Sunday school for all ages.
A new life changing Crane Eater and You, 6 week class.
A new marriage ministry- Committed. (Already making a big difference).
Doing everything with the values of Love, Prayer and Grace.
Wednesday night Community Dinner from 5:30 to 630PM
7PM AWANA on Wednesday, 7PM Adult Bible Study.
Children’s Church on children’s level. (Recently Spent 10,000 into this).
Active ladies ministry.
Active Men’s ministry. (Iron sharpens Iron).
Praise team praise. Voice, horns and strings, and Special events during the year such as revivals, hospitals Etc.
Missions. (Support of team missions and individual missions for our church body).
Full-time missionary support.
Benevolence. (Helping our own members, and strangers passing through as well as blood drives and food banks).
Out-Reach. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Back to School Bash, Truck or Treat, Youth Events, Marriage seminars, Special training for all types of ministries.
Audio and video ministries.
Money night Bible School
Tuesday night Intercessory prayer.
Thursday night Bondage Breakers.
Saturday work days. (Inside and outside).
Phase 1 of our building completed, and presently 1.3 million dollar phase two, family life center, kitchen and expansion of phase 1 sanctuary.
Joseph ministry. (Providing home grown food for our community).
Hospital visitation.
In home visitation.
Staff meetings (Calendar)
Council meetings. (Paying and doing more ministry).
Capitol Stewardship ministry (Pays for new building and ministries).
Our 55 Club (Senior’s making a difference together).
Hospice ministry. (Pastor Strickland).
MOPS (Mother’s of preschoolers).
Benediction. Come and stand with me at the altar if you want to share in this vision to reach our community and change our world.
