Where On Earth Are We Going? Series

“The Amazing Race”

Where on Earth are we going?

Philippians 1:3-14

Phil 3:13 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. NIV

1 Cor 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run , but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. NIV

Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. NIV

How do we run?

Phil 1:3-14 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ-to the glory and praise of God. 12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

1) Reflect on where God took us last year.

v.3 I thank my God every time I remember you.

v. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.

v. 12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.

What has happened in the last year as a church?

What has happened in our lives in the past year?

2) Ask God to show us where He wants to take us this year.

a) It’s about advancing the gospel and completing His work for and in us!

v.12 what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.

v. 14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

v.6 …he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

What “work” does he want to mature in me this year?

Ministry?

Career?

Relational impact?

Small Group?

KTF Event?

Missions trip?

3) We must depend on God to get there!

v.6 …he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Phil 2:13 …for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. NIV

a) Even though it’s scary.

b) Even though my life is still messy.

Phil 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect…NIV

4) We can’t forget that we must race… as a spiritual team.

Phil 2:12 …continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling…

a) We have to remember it’s about each other.

v. 3 I thank my God every time I remember you.

b) We have to pray for each other.

v. 4 In all my prayers for all of you…

9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ-to the glory and praise of God.

c) We have to partner with each other.