Pressing on Towards What's Ahead

Introduction:

Well, we’ve reached the end of one year and the beginning of a new year, and I have to say that I have never been happier for a year to end than this year.

There have been a lot of things happen this last year from record inflation and soaring home prices to a never ending battle with Covid and sickness.

There have been supply chain shortages, soaring fuel prices, and war in Europe.

The world seems like it is on fire right now and I think that most of us could say that we are ready for a new year.

The new year brings an opportunity for us to reassess things. I gives us an opportunity to set some goals for ourselves and try to improve ourselves, and we ought to do that with our spiritual goals as well.

This morning, I want us to take a look at what Paul has to say about getting a fresh start.

Philippians 3:12–16 ESV

12 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. 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.

Pray.

1. Leave the Past Behind (v.13)

We all mess up. We have to admit it. We will always mess up and that’s not an excuse, but we have to learn from the past and learn to leave the past behind.

What exactly is it that Paul is saying to leave behind.

First it’s any boasting or bragging in the flesh that we might do.

Paul listed his credentials in vv. 4-7.

Philippians 3:4–7 ESV

4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

None of the things we might think we have reason for boasting in count for anything.

But I don’t think it is a stretch to also say that we have to learn to get past our failures as well.

Even Paul said that the things he doesn’t want to do he does and the things he wants to do, he doesn’t do.

Any of you feel that way? Any of you just want a bunch of do-overs?

You know one thing that God has taught me over the last few months is that I need a lot of grace and I need to have a lot of grace for others.

I’m not saying that we ought not to hold each other accountable, but we sometimes are so tough on each other that we don’t leave room for grace.

We are going to need grace to get through this life. We are going to fail. But we can learn from our mistakes.

Forget the past, but don’t forget the lesson.

2. Press On Towards the Goal (v.14)

The second thing we have to do is press on towards the goal.

Do you make goals for your life? I have to say that I hate doing that. I feel like it’s tedious or sometimes it might feel silly.

But, goals are simply targets and the thing about a target is that even if you miss, you are farther down the road than where you sarted.

Look at what Paul says in v. 12.

Philippians 3:12 ESV

12 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.

What is it that Paul is trying to attain? It’s in the previous few verses.

Philippians 3:8–11 ESV

8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order 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 comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

3 goals he says he strives for:

Christ Himself

Righteousness that comes from Christ

Resurrection that comes through Christ

You can have Christ if you will come to Him at Calvary.

You can have a righteousness from Christ that comes with your salvation, but there is also a personal righteousness that you can gain through sanctification. That means being made holy as you walk with Christ.

Ultimately you can have the resurrection of Christ when you die because of what Jesus did for you at the cross.

3. Grow in Maturity (v.13-15)

What about your personal goals? All three of these ought to be our aim, but specifically what would you like to see this next year?

We need to grow in maturity but we have to have targets, or goals to shoot for if we are going to be successful.

Here are a few areas you might want to think about.

Do you have a plan for getting in the Word?

Do you have a goal for spending time in prayer?

Are you making plans to serve the Lord this year and use your spiritual gifts?

How can you share your faith better?

What about attending worship? Do you need to start attending more often? What can you do to make that happen?

4. Keep What Gains You’ve Made (v.16)

Paul challenges the church to keep what they have already attained.

What gains have you made last year?

You know we often tend to only celebrate the big victories in our life, but what little victories have you had?

Celebrate those victories and hold on to what you have attained already this last year.

Conclusion:

As we start this new year together, let’s resolve to help each other. Let’s encourage each other to keep pressing on towards the upward call of God in Christ. Let’s pick each other up when we fall down and dust each other off. Let’s remind each other of the gospel.

Jesus saved us while we were yet sinners. Do you need saving today? Trust in Jesus. Start your year off right by not only gaining a new start, but a new life.