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Have a Purposeful New Year! Philippians 3:12-14. What are we aiming for this year? What are our priorities? How will we reach them?. Big Idea… The New Year is a great time for us to align (or re-align) our priorities to God’s priorities for our lives. Big Picture of Philippians
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What are we aiming for this year? What are our priorities? How will we reach them?
Big Idea… The New Year is a great time for us to align (or re-align) our priorities to God’s priorities for our lives.
Big Picture of Philippians Historical Background- Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey (Acts 16) Themes- 1. The Gospel of Jesus Christ 2. Persevering in the Christian Life with JOY! Setting- Paul wrote Philippians while in Prison in Rome about 61 A.D. Tone- Very personal
Lessons from Philippians 3:12-14 • Knowing Christ is our #1 priority
Character Sketches of a Focused Life… > David (Psalm 27:4)
Psalm 27:4 “ONE THING I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord And to meditate in His temple.”
Character Sketches of a Focused Life… > David (Psalm 27:4) > Mary (Luke 10:38-42)
Luke 10:38-42 “Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; BUT ONLY ONE THING IS NECESSARY, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
Character Sketches of a Focused Life… > David (Psalm 27:4) > Mary (Luke 10:38-42) > Jesus (John 17:1-4)
John 17:1-4 “Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I GLORIFIED YOU ON THE EARTH, HAVING ACCOMPLISHED THE WORK WHICH YOU HAVE GIVEN ME TO DO.’”
“If anything has kept me on track all these years, it’s being skewered to this principle of central focus. You might remember my inverted triangle; there are many things I can do, but I have to narrow it down to the one thing I must do. The secret of concentration is elimination. Our flesh keeps right on trying to con us into sayings “yes” when we should say “no.” It will always be a struggle. It has been for me. Just wanted you to know that down the road where I am, it’s an A-1 priority. Keep your eye on the target.” Focused on Christ, Howard G. Hendricks
Lessons from Philippians 3:12-14 • Knowing Christ is our #1 priority • Seek progress, not perfection • Put no confidence in our flesh • Knowing Christ leads to maturity • Knowing Christ requires: a) His Power b) His Suffering • Don’t give up!!
What God taught me… • Pursue Intimacy with Christ (3:12-14) • I am a bondservant (1:1; 2:4-11) • Be Humble (2:3) • Serve (2:22, 25-30) • Express Joy (1:4, 18; 3:1; 4:4) • Be Content (4:11)
What can knock us out of the race? • Wrong priorities • Busyness • Distractions & “Stuff” • Temptations/Addictions/Sin • Doing the good but not the best
Goals for this year • Read through the Bible in a year • Daily Devotional- My Utmost for His Highest. See: www.gospelcom.net • Pick a verse for the year • Get in a small group- sign up today • Serve according to your giftedness
Pressing On Toward Maturity“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.” Philippians 3:12-14 from “The Message”