1 Focusing Your Future Part One: Focus on the Right Race Pastor Joe Pursch Chinese Grace Bible Church January 9, 2011.

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Focusing Your FuturePart One: Focus on the Right Race

Pastor Joe PurschChinese Grace Bible Church

January 9, 2011

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Introduction

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Philippians 3:12-1612 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,

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14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.

16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

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1. Starting Point One: Run the ___________ Race

Greatest

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Philippians 3:1212 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.

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Philippians 3:1010 that I may know him and the power of his

resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

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1 Corinthians 9:24-2624 Do you not know that in a race all the

runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.

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Romans 8:28-3028 And we know that for those who love God

all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

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30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

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A. The First Lap: ___________ HimKnowing

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B. The Second Lap: ___________ HimTrusting

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C. The Third Lap: ___________ With HimSuffering

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D. The Fourth Lap: ________ For HimDying

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E. The Finish Line: ________ Like HimBeing

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2. Starting Point Two: Forget the _________ of the Past

Contests

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Philippians 3:1313 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,

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1 Timothy 1:12-1712 I thank him who has given me strength,

Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service,

13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,

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14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

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16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

17 To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

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2 Corinthians 11:3030 If I must boast, I will boast of the things

that show my weakness.

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A. The Contests of Spiritual __________Defeat

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B. The Contests of Spiritual ___________Domination

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3. Starting Point Three: Focus on the ______Finish

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Philippians 3:1414 I press on toward the goal for the prize of

the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

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Colossians 3:1-41 If then you have been raised with Christ,

seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

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3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

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2 Timothy 4:7-87 I have fought the good fight, I have

finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the

crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

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A. Press On . . .

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B. To Become More Like Christ . . .

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C. And Receive His Reward . . .

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D. At Heaven’s Celebration.

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4. Starting Point Four: Ignore How ________ Run

Others

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Philippians 3:15-1615 Let those of us who are mature think this

way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.

16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

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Philippians 3:1212 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.

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1 Corinthians 6:2020 for you were bought with a price. So

glorify God in your body.

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Hebrews 12:1-21 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so

great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

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A. ___________ Who You AreRespect

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B. ___________ Who He IsRealize

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C. ___________ What You’ve GainedRetain

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D. ______________ Why You StartedRemember

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Conclusion