SERMON RECAP: Not perfect but pressing
April 27th, 2009 by Todd JohnsonPhil 3:12-14 ESV Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
This week we discovered Paul giving us one of those rare glimpses into his own personal & daily routine. This is how Paul lived.. this is how he functioned. He was going after something, or “someone” you could say. That “someone” is Jesus Christ, the One that made Paul His own. He went after Him with…
- A CONFESSION – Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect
- A PURSUIT – I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own
- A GOAL – I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul then gives us two very practical steps to take in order that we might press on & run well:
- Forget what is behind (Not allowing past accomplishments or failures to remain in sight)
- Strain forward to what lies ahead (running with our mouths open)
Anybody want to fill in some of the details that stood out to them?
Any personal application you have made?
Any observations to bring out even more from the passage?
It’s all yours.
Wrote this to soon… so changed it to this blogg…
Todd… we seniors were sharing after church about what you had said, “the Lord is not done with us yet.” We, some times feel, as if there is not much for us to do, soooo it was good for us to hear. We decided, it was just about as good as, a shot and a beer.!!! :}
Blessings..
Came away from Sunday morning overwhelmed and tired in the face of Eric Liddel’s story, just hardly knowing where to find the energy to begin to run the race the way he did.
Then this, in my reading this morning, from Deut. 30:
“Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.
“See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands…”
It goes on and it’s all awesome, but there were a couple things that hit me between the eyes… that the “how” is the same as it’s always been (love the Lord your God, walk in his ways, etc., etc.) and then this crazy thing in verse 14… “The word is very near you…”
Intended or not, that mention of the “word” spoke to me of Jesus and just reminded me that I’m asked to do none of this on my own.
That’s good stuff Sarah.
Thanks for sharing it.
I put the thought of “running with your mouth open” on one end of the scale, running in the wrong direction on the other, and standing dead still in the center. I’m on the positive side, but I confess a tendency towards more of a “casual stroll” then a dead-on sprint.
Time to pick up the pace!
Thanks for sharing that Sarah! Very encouraging indeed!
Suzanne pointed out something recently: While you walk or run with your eyes fixed on a point, watch what happens when you stumble and fall; your eyes leave that point. Sin causes us to lose sight. (She did a great job, actually dramatizing someone focused, then falling.)
Good job, Todd. I honestly don’t know how you can tell those Eric Liddel stories without breaking down, though. You must really focus.
I listened to Sunday’s message on my Ipod while lurching along on the elliptical machine at the gym.
The mental picture of the runner looking over his shoulder brought to mind C.S. Lewis’ observation that our sin is not in wanting more, but in wanting more than the other guy has.
The message moved to “real time” last night. I was one of several ladies asked to share some thoughts at the WOW potluck. I didn’t feel very confident about my talk.
After the program I caught myself literally looking over my shoulder when I overheard someone compliment my friend’s presentation. Then I began mentally trashing my performance simply because no one had said nice things to me. Talk about lame!
This morning I confessed my covetous jealousy and limped over to a friend’s house for some coffee and a post-race review. We prayed. It helped. I’m back on track!
I love your honesty, Crabby. Thanks.
I love her honesty too! In fact, I love her!!
Crabby, I was there Tuesday night, you were a blessing. I’ve heard it said that it is just as important to pray after we serve as it is before because the enemy will attack us from both sides.
Thanks a ba-zillion for the encouragement! I remember hearing Alistair Begg saying he sometimes has a strong desire to go to work for the post office on Monday mornings. That’s another reason why the Lord sent His boys out in pairs I suppose!
P.S. I love Mr. Crabby. He’s my boyfriend.