Your Past, Your Present, Your Future (KJV)
Philippians 3:13-14 (KJV)
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
I. Forget the Sins of the Past.
II. Reach for the High Calling of God in the Present.
III. Press Toward the Future Prize.
I. Forget the Sins of the Past. (vs. 13)
Phil 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind…
You can’t change the sins of the past.
The Bible says in Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Too many people today are living in the past. The Bible tells us in
2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
All things are become new. When you get saved you have a new desire. A desire to live for God. Many today come to the church and they want to add Jesus to their “lifestyle”. They want to be a Christian one or two hours a week at church and then live the life of sin all week. We are “new creatures” the bible says. We have a past life of sin. It is now time to forget the sin of the past and move forward for the cause of Christ.
II. Reach for the High Calling of God in the Present. (vs. 13,14)
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: …reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 …the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Today you can live for God. Jesus Christ came to save you from your sins. Paul says in 1Tim. 1: 12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Paul was the chiefest of sinners in the past. He names his sin in verse 13. In verse 16 he now says he is a pattern for others. In verse 12 counted faithful.
God is not concerned with what you did before you accepted Him. He is concerned with how you are living for Him now that you’re a Christian. You can be a pattern for others coming to Christ. You can be a fisherman of souls today. You can be faithful to the cause of Christ. I am greatly concerned for those who call themselves “Christians” and yet their present life is always in shambles. Year after year they continue to live as though nothing is different in their life. Our goal presently in everything we do is to life a life that brings honour and glory to God. If you are in an unspiritual rut this morning get out of the rut and serve the Saviour. Don’t let another day go by. Don’t let another week go by. Don’t let another month go by. And for some, Don’t let another year go by without turning your life over to the Master and live for Him.
III. Press Toward the Future Prize. (vs. 14)
Phil 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
The Future Prize doesn’t come from good works. The Future Prize comes from following Jesus Christ. Many look to themselves for the answer. We must look to Christ.
Hebrews 12:2 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus Christ endured the cross. What are you enduring for the cause of Christ today?
Jesus Christ despised the shame. Are you ashamed of him?
Jesus Christ is set down at the right hand of God the Father. Will you one day be in heaven too?
Where does the strength come from?
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
The strength to press on for Him comes from Jesus Christ himself. To many are trying to do it under their own power and not the power of God.
