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Going For the Gold: Keep ing the Prize in Sight ! . Philippians 3:8-14. Olympics in Sochi, Russia, Feb 7 th !. Goal : Gold, Silver, Bronze compare to all others, elimination
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Going For the Gold:Keeping the Prize in Sight! Philippians 3:8-14
Olympics in Sochi, Russia, Feb 7th! Goal: Gold, Silver, Bronze compare to all others, elimination Christian life/ “race” is different:1. not in competition with others2. “as many as received Him” -- Kingdom “inclusion” “whosoever will may come! 3. Measure: knowing Jesus! Grace-based vs. performance
Paul’s #1 Passion: Jesus Forever! Knowing Jesus Christ - vs 8 Be found in Him – vs. 9 Know: (vs 10) * Him* power of His resurrection* fellowship of His sufferings Goal: Eternity in the resurrection (vs 11)
So, What Are Measuresof Spiritual Success? 1. Receive the prize/salvation – 2 Corinthians 6:2 * eternal home * new creature in Christ 2. Faithfulness in bearing fruit – John 15:5,8,16 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 3. Christ in you – a redeemed, restored image Romans 8:28-29 “conformed to the image of His Son” ** God works “all things” for this!
2014: Become Deliberate in Pursuit of Jesusand His Purposes How well do you know Him? * His mercies His forgiveness? * His truth His hope? His holiness? The Power of His resurrection * Overcoming Sin – breaking the old habits The fellowship of His sufferings “I die daily” – 1 Cor. 15:31, Galatians 2:20
Diversions to the Training – Philippians 3:8 Possessions (Jesus) what will it profit a man… Mt 16:26 Paul: “rubbish” # 4657 skýbalon (from #2965 /kýōn, "dog" and #906 /bállō, "throw") – waste thrown to dogs, like filthy scraps of garbage (table-scraps, dung, muck, sweepings); (figuratively) refuse, what is good-for-nothing except to be discarded Biblical counter to materialism = systematic, sacrificial, generous giving
The Legacy of Derek Redmund1992 Olympics, Barcelona • Fast time, first round of competition • Semi-final race – top 4 advance to finals • 250 meters from finish, hamstring snaps • 65,000 spectators roar as he hobbles toward the finish in great pain… and THEN… • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nifq3Ke2Q30
“I Press On Toward the Prize of the Upward Call … “ 2013 ??? Awesome or Awful?Turning on the homestretch…* setbacks – errors in judgment, your own worst enemy moral failures, broken dreams, betrayal, bitterness, etc. Numbers 32:23 – sin will find you outNONETHELESS: “I press on…” * great victories and advances await!
We All Need the Father to Cross the Finish Line in Victory “For I am confident in this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will see it through to completion to the day of Christ Jesus” - Philippians 1:6