New Year's Resolutions That Make A Difference
Notes
Transcript
Preliminary:
Preliminary:
Invite to Phil 3.
Here it is January 14th - the first month of the New Year is already halfway over - where does time go.
But it’s not too late to think about what you are going to do for the next 352 days?
Phil 3:7.
I want to talk to you about New Year’s Resolutions that make a difference
Lets read Phil 3:7-16
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, 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.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Introduction:
Introduction:
A Forbes study found more than one-third of Americans make New Year's Resolutions.
Other Researchers suggest that only 9% of Americans that make resolutions complete them. In fact, research goes on to show that 23% of people quit their resolution by the end of the first week, and 43% quit by the end of January.
Another study I read somewhere found that 60% of Americans don’t make New Year’s resolutions.
I’m not sure of the reason for this. Perhaps they believe it is a futile exercise with no real purpose.
Others may have made resolutions in the past and have failed to follow through with their commitments. So they wish to avoid the sting of failure again.
Others may feel there is nothing particularly special about a new calendar year. So there is no greater reason to make resolutions then than at any other time of the year.
Whether or not you choose to make resolutions, the beginning of a new calendar year seems to be a natural time for reflection, evaluation, renewal, and for some resolutions.
I have no idea what the date was on the calendar when Paul dictated his letter to the Philippian believers. However, in Phil 3 Paul resolves to do certain things. Remember that he is in chains - this was written while he was imprisoned.
At the time of writing, he may have even been chained to a Roman Guard.
1. Paul Resolved to Forget What Is Behind
1. Paul Resolved to Forget What Is Behind
Philippians 3:13 “...but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind,”
Certainly the Apostle Paul did not mean that everything in the past should be forgotten, literally.
In fact, he writes in Ephesians
11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
It is evident from this passage that Paul encourages his listeners to remember what they were without faith in Christ.
A lifelong awareness of our past, before our faith in Jesus Christ, leads to continuing thankfulness to God and motivation to continue our walk with Him.
In the Gospel o f Luke, there is the story of the woman who had lived a sinful life. She came into the house of a Pharisee with an alabaster jar of perfume.
As she took up her position behind Jesus, she began to wet His feet with her tears. She then wiped His feet with her hair and poured perfume on them.
When the Pharisee became indignant within himself over Jesus allowing himself to be touched by such a woman, Jesus responded with the story o f the moneylender.
He then made the beautiful point: “I tell you, her sins which were many have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little” (Luke 7:47).
It is critical, however, to not allow our past to preempt the living, active, and dynamic grace of God in the present.
It is important to remember what the grace of God has done for us, but not to allow life’s experiences in our memories to keep us from being all that God wants us to be in the present day.
A. Forget Memories of Past Self-Reliance
A. Forget Memories of Past Self-Reliance
Paul was determined to put behind him that part of his past that could lead him to faulty self-reliance:
4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Not only did Paul refuse to put his confidence in his elite past, but also refused to mourn its loss.
B. Forget Memories of Past Failures
B. Forget Memories of Past Failures
Paul also refused to allow his memories of past failures to keep him from experiencing the grace of God in the present moment. When writing to Timothy, Paul was well aware o f his sinful past and God’s mercy.
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
So often we allow our painful memories of failure to cripple our effectiveness in the present hour. Many times, even after we have repented and experienced God’s forgiveness, we are tempted to go on punishing ourselves.
Olympic skater Dan Jansen failed to win the gold medal in 1984, 1988, and 1992, before finally winning in 1996.
He relates how, when he was nine years old, he fell during a race and failed to win. He cried as his mother helped remove his skates and for the entire six-hour trip home. His father drove silently while Dan continued to softly cry in the backseat o f the car during the whole trip.
Finally, as they pulled into their drive and began to leave the car, Dan’s father spoke quietly to Dan: “You know, Dan, there’s more to life than skating around in a circle.”
We, as well, can allow life to get out of focus as we allow failures o f the past to dominate our attitudes and actions of today.
2. Paul Resolved to Press On
2. Paul Resolved to Press On
Paul says determinedly, Philippians 3:14 “14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
The word “press” is a strong word. According to Vine, “It is used as a metaphor from the footrace.” It speaks of effort and intensity.
In the film Chariots o f Fire you witness race after race. Eric Liddell, the missionary/runner, is depicted running with fiery intensity. He believes strongly that God has made him fast, and he runs for God’s glory.
There is a proper place for out-and-out determination to win the spiritual race o f life that God has set before us.
We must recognize our inadequacies to make it on our own.
We know that we must have the same grace of God that Paul was promised by the Lord.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
But coupled with that grace, we must, as Paul, resolve to press on.
A. Paul presses on because of unfulfilled wishes
A. Paul presses on because of unfulfilled wishes
Earlier in Phil. 3, Paul had outlined his desires in regard to a greater, closer, and deeper relationship to Christ.
He readily admits in verses 12 and 13 that his wishes are not yet totally fulfilled. His journey to his desired destination o f experience is not altogether complete:
Philippians 3:12 “12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”
B. Paul presses on because there is a prize to win
B. Paul presses on because there is a prize to win
Paul puts it this way
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
On the Australian coat of arms is a picture of an emu and a kangaroo. These animals were chosen because they share a characteristic that appealed to our forefathers. Both the emu and kangaroo can move only forward, not back. The emu’s three-toed foot causes it to fall if it tries to go backwards, and the kangaroo is prevented from moving in reverse by its large tail.
Going forward - pressing forward leads to one thing - the Prize and for Paul the “prize is Jesus”
In another letter, Paul relates
6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Paul’s greatest dreams, wishes, and goals would be realized and achieved when he joined Jesus Christ in another world.
C. Paul pressed on with confidence that he had a real partner
C. Paul pressed on with confidence that he had a real partner
Earlier in this letter Paul had encouraged his Philippian friends with his confidence that
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Paul says,
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Or another English Bible puts it, “I press on to take hold of that for which Jesus took hold of me.”
Paul must have had in his mind his Damascus road experience in writing these words.
Although it had been many years since that blinding light and wonderful voice of the Savior brought him to his knees, the experience was as fresh as if it were yesterday.
On that road, Jesus Christ took hold “apprehended” of Paul’s heart, mind, and body.
C. S. Lewis, speaking of his own conversion experience, tells about being surprised by God. In fact, he says that he was the most reluctant Christian in England.
No doubt Paul was shocked and surprised by the dramatic intervention in his life by the very One whom he persecuted. But Jesus changed Saul the persecutor into Paul the apostle.
Paul experienced an abrupt detour from the road of persecution to the path of salvation for himself and for many in the Gentile world.
Jesus Christ had intersected Paul’s life in a way that he could never forget.
If the Lord Jesus Christ would go to that extent to get Paul’s attention and change his direction, he would certainly be faithful until the end.
Paul recognized he was saved from his darkness, for life and eternity.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Paul resolved that he would not allow anything in his past to hinder him from reaching his goal.
Whatever it took, he was pressing on.
He knew that at the finish line of his life, he would find life forever with the One who had taken hold of him, Jesus Christ.
What about you and me? Oh I know January is already almost halfway over - but How’s your resolve for the New Year?
Are you determined to
Press on for the prize - Having a New Year’s resolution that makes a difference?