living a life that matters

last week - perfectionism

Recap - We are not perfect.

We have sin from the past and the everyday sin (Give examples).

1 john - without sin he is a liar.

Like a weight, we can often be living in the past, depressed, dragging around shame and guilt (always living defeated).

‘Roman’s 3;23 if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness

Philippians 3:9 “Paul says” not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ

Where does our Right standing before God come from?

Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, was reminded one day of a vicious deed that someone had done to her years before. But she acted as if she had never even heard of the incident.

"Don't you remember it?" her friend asked.

"No," came Barton's reply, "I distinctly remember forgetting it."

Jeremiah 31:34 - For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”

Isaiah 1:18 “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.

Psalms 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Micha 7:19 You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.

Story: God posted a No Fishing Sign.

It is finished.

In Gods Sight = We have been made perfect.

Hebrews 4:15-16 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

The Lamb of God without spot or blemish - The perfect sacrifice and atonement for our sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace.

in Jesus Name

Read - Philippians

The New King James Version Chapter 3

7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Pressing Toward the Goal

12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Questions and Observations

1 - What specifically is Paul counting loss?

Confidence in the Flesh.

Confidence in the flesh to do what?

Even before Paul was a very driven person and desired to be successful in

To be good enough, rightousness that comes from the flesh.

2 - So that he main gain what?

Christ, To be found in Him, Rightousness that comes thru Faith.

Richard Nelson - Gift Card Story

Its a Gift, Righteousness comes thru faith.

Titus 3: 5-7 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.

3 - We have the opportunity to know him, his resurrection power, the fellowship of his sufferings and to be conformed to his death and attain the resurrection from the dead.

In order for something to be resurrected what does it have to do first?

Die

John 12:24 - Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

We all have people we know that needs Jesus > Kids - Clayton needs Jesus but what we are really saying.

Marriage- There is a dying and suffering that takes place in order to love unconditionally.

In order for Christ to be the Lord in your marriage - you have to be out of the way.

In the passage:

Spent a-lot of time in school, He was Roman, he Pharisee of Pharisee. (He was very Successful)

Everything he did, all that he was. Paul Gave up everything (Expound).

So that he may gain Christ & so Christ may accomplish what he wants to accomplish in Pauls Life.

Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Comments?

4 - What is Paul pressing forward for?

Read

Vs 14 - I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus

1 Corinthians 9: 24-27 - 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. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

What the Prize?

Maybe Not - The point in the entire context is not about receiving eternal life or going to heaven when Paul dies, but is instead about being faithful and useful to God in what God wants to accomplish in Paul’s life. The prize is not eternal life, for eternal life is a free gift of God.

The prize, or the crown, is significance in the Kingdom of God, blessing in his life and ministry, and praise from God when he stands before Him for a life well-lived in His service.

I don’t know about you but I want to live a life that matters.

A life that makes a difference for what really matters.

We cant all be missionaries but wherever God has placed you, You have the opportunity to serve him and make him the Lord of our life as much as we are able and know how.

K&C MAYBE