Temple Baptist Church - 1-5-2024
Philippians 3:13
Introduction:
A. I quoted the first part of what Paul said last Sunday: “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind.” This morning, I want to use the second part as they are “ONE THING” and go together. You cannot go forward while looking back and you can’t look back if you are to go forward. One is useless without the other.
B. “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
C. Forgetting—to put out of mind, reaching forth—to stretch, press—to pursue—toward the mark—a goal or finish line, the prize—a reward, of the high calling—a wonderful invitation, of God in Christ Jesus—the ultimate victory. That is a mouthful!
D. Last week, I hope that we PUT THE PAST IN THE PAST. To forget the things that are behind is good but not enough.
1. By “forgetting” we see that we do not forget them in the sense of never remembering again, but we do not let the past dictate our present or our future. The words “remember,” “remembered,” and “remembering” are used 214 times in your King James Bible!
2. The First Mention “remembered” is found in Genesis 8:1: “And God remembered Noah!” I am sure glad that God remembered to asswage the waters and get Noah off the Ark! Often, now that I am older, my mind reflects back through the years with a lot of fond memories.
3. We can reflect of the goodness of God, and we can reflect on our failures and STILL fail to learn from them. We can reflect upon our victories and have no victories in the present year.
4. But we can also just sit still this New Year, do nothing, and miserably fail again.
E. We also PUT THE FUTURE IN THE PRESENT! We can go on for God while living in spiritual victory. No, we do not know what we will face this year. There may be trials to go through, sickness to come upon us, poverty because of an unstable economy but we can be victorious. “This is the victory that over cometh the world, even our faith!” (1 John 5:4)
F. We can put the future in the present by:
1. Living for Christ today. Taking one day at a time by not crossing bridges before we come to them. A man once said that worry is “Earning interest on a problem that may never come.” One day at a time.
Matthew 6:31-34 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
2. Trusting Christ for tomorrow. Yea though I walk through the valley, I will fear no evil for He is with me!
Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
G. In 2025, I Want To Be Faithful to the Lord. “and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
H. This reaching forth and pressing toward the mark can only be accomplished in faithfulness. We need to be found faithful.
1. Let us be faithful to our Lord and Saviour! Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
2. Let us be faithful to our families. Ephesians 5:31-33 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. (32) This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. (33) Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Ephesians 6:1-2 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. (2) Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
3. Let us be faithful to our church. Acts 2:41-42 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (42) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
4. Let us be faithful to one another. Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day
Acts 2:44-46 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; (45) And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. (46) And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
5. Let us be faithful to our missionaries. Philippians 4:14-16 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. (15) Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. (16) For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
1 Thessalonians 5:25 Brethren, pray for us.
6. Let us be faithful to sinners. Romans 1:14-17 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. (15) So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. (16) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (17) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
7. Let us be faithful to the Word of God. Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
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