SUMMER - June 4, 2023

(Philippians 3:12-14 NIV) Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: 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.
1) Take hold of ‘That’.
(Philippians 3:8-11 NIV) What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
(Psalm 115:1 NIV) Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.
(Matthew 6:33 NIV) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
(Philippians 3:13 NIV) …But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind…
2) Forgetting what is behind.
(Philippians 3:13 NIV) But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead
3) Straining towards what is ahead.
(2 Corinthians 3:6 NIV) He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
(Philippians 3:14 NIV) I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
4) We press on to win the prize.
(Acts 13:36 NIV) “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed.
(Ephesians 3:20 NIV) Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
(Ephesians 12:1-2 NIV) …And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.