Reaching Forward. Philippians 3:13,14... forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward.

Reaching ForwardReaching Forward

Philippians 3:13,14

Philippians 3:13,14

. . . forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

New King James Version

ReviewReview

1. What life in Christ is primarily about

2. Forgetting what is behind

3. Reaching forward to what is ahead

4. The mind of the mature Christian

5. The prize of the upward call of God in Christ

Jesus

Pressing Toward the Goal

Pressing Toward the Goal

Reaching Forward – 6Reaching Forward – 6

“Pressing”

What Does It Mean?

1. Determination – decisiveness, commitment

2. Diligence – hard work

3. Perseverance – never giving up

Galatians 6:9Galatians 6:9

Message of HebrewsMessage of Hebrews• Hebrews 3:6

• Hebrews 4:1

• Hebrews 4:9-11

• Hebrews 6:11,12

• Hebrews 10:23

• Hebrews 10:36-39

• Hebrews 12:1,2

Do We Have What It Takes?

Do We Have What It Takes?

Matthew 13:18-23

Some have simply not chosenthe kind of character that’s necessary

No ROOT

CHOKED with worldly concerns

God is Not NeutralToward Our NeedsGod is Not NeutralToward Our Needs

• God can work in us what is well pleasing in His sight– Hebrews 13:21; Jude 24,25

• God is a faithful God– 1 Peter 4:19

• Whatever God expects us to do, He will help us do– Philippians 4:13

God eagerly awaits the chance to bless the person whose heart is turned toward

Him

Don’t Despise the Daily Grind

Don’t Despise the Daily Grind

• Grateful for the workthat God gives us

• Patience continuancein doing good - Romans 2:7

Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage

is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying,

“I’ll try again tomorrow.”

It’s the daily strivingsthat count, not themomentary heights

We Must Undergo “Training”

We Must Undergo “Training”

Training = teaching to follow

Spirit willing, flesh weak

Matthew 26:41

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Discipline

One Thing We Can Always DoOne Thing We Can Always Do

Whatever else we can or can’t do,there is always one thing we can do

We can refuse to give up!

The positive choice is always possible

My Prayer for YouMy Prayer for YouMake Him the Source, the Center, and the One who

encompasses every delight of your soul. Refuse to be satisfied

any longer with your meager accomplishments. Aspire to a higher, a nobler, and a fuller

life. Upward to heaven! Nearer to God!

-- Charles Haddon Spurgeon

My Challenge to YouMy Challenge to You

1. Never stop reaching for the future God wills for you in this life

2. But above all, never stop reaching for heaven

Set Your Hope FullySet Your Hope Fully

1 Peter 1:13

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be

brought to youat the revelation of Jesus Christ

We won’t get to heavenwithout disciplined thinking

What I Hope You’ll DoWhat I Hope You’ll Do

What is the one thing that,if you did it consistently,would make the greatest

difference for good in your relationship with God?

Do it!

Reaching ForwardReaching Forward