One Thing I Do

Philippians

Philippians 3:13–14 NKJV

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

Goals

God is pursuing you and wants a closer relationship with you.

Reaching goal. Look at some of the past expeditions.

1. Think of Edmund Hillary and Tenzig Norgay on their 1953 expedition to be the first to summit Mount Everest, 29,028 feet above see level. The planning, the conditioning, and the perseverance it must have taken to achieve this goal. Add Picture….…

2. Think of Lewis & Clark in 1804. For two years, they travelled 10-20 miles a day to go from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean. 8000 miles. They had to overcome many obstacles, but pressed on to achieve the goal.

3. Think of a marathon runner and the preparation that goes into finishing the race. Careful about their diet, always pushing a little further beyond the perceived limits. Straining to compete in the 26.2 mile race.

4. Other goals such as teaching your child to walk and ride a bike. How about that potty training thing.

5. 1980 US Olympic Hockey Team , “Mentally tough and Goal Oriented” Add Picture… Get Story right....

Intro

Today we are going to explore and investigate Paul ‘s comment “..but one thing I do” and the “goal” and “prize” that he was pursuing.

1. First, we have to identify the goal/prize. What is the goal?

2. Second, we will discuss the process to reach the goal. How do we get there? We will spend most our time here.

3. Third, we will discuss the apprehension of the prize. When do we reach goal?

1. Identifying the Goal

Philippians 3:7 NKJV

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.

Philippians 3:8 (NKJV)

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

Philippians 3:9 NKJV

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;

Philippians 3:10–12 NKJV

that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 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.

What is the Goal?

Knowing Christ Jesus, Eternal life with Him

2. Identifying the Process

Philippians 3:8–9 (NKJV)

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 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;

Lord I need You, O I need You

Every hour I need You

My One Defense,

My Righteousness

Oh God, How I need You

Start = Justification

All have sinned. All are in need of a Savior. Jesus took our sin upon Him, took on the penalty of sin for us, that we might be made right before the Father. The Father Sees us through Jesus’ sacrifice. Just as if had never sinned. Wow.

It doesn’t end here, look at the next verse

Philippians 3:10 (NKJV)

that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

May know Him—present tense— process

Sanctification

Let’s talk about sanctification. This is where most of us have been living for some time.

John 17:17 (NKJV)

Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

Purging ourselves of worldliness and sin

Making us Pure, Holy, Righteous

Refiner’s Fire

To set Apart

Philippians 3:13 (NKJV)

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,

Forgetting what?

Start with verse 5-6

1. past self, past failures, standing in community, reputation, position in workplace, broken relationships, past failures……

2. Once saved-same thing. position in the church, accomplishments, successes, relationships, glory days……

Attain, Apprehend, Reaching, Pressing

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 NKJV

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Hebrews 12:1–2 NKJV

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

It is not physical, but It’s a spiritual Striving, Attaining, Reaching, Pressing

Not by might, Not by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord

Discipline Yourself

Set time aside to know Him

Get to know the Sword of the Spirit

Getting to know the power of His resurrection—Holy Spirit

Know the Word = Know Christ

No Word = No Christ

God speaks through His Word

3. Reaching the Goal and Prize

from vs10—that I may attain to the resurrection of the dead, becoming like Him, being with Him, knowing Him fully—

1 John 3:1–3 NKJV

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

1 Corinthians 13:12 NKJV

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

Philippians 3:20–21 NKJV

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

When?

When do we reach the goal??

We reach the goal and attain the prize when we pass through that door of death, or we are caught up with him in the clouds. The glorification of our bodies.

Conclusion

Goal—Knowing Him/Eternal Life

Process—Justification, Sanctification

Result—Glorification

Reflection/Challenge

1. Have you been on the sidelines of the race for too long? Join the Race

2. Have you stopped striving, straining, reaching, pressing on? You may be in danger of dropping out of the race and being sidelined

3. Are you pressing on toward the goal with everything you have? Ask God for grace and strength to continue.

What is God saying to you?

He still speaks. His Word will not return void.

The Lord who Sanctifies

The Lord Thy Savior

The Lord our Righteousness

Church, we are living in the period of the New Covenant, that was prophesied over 2000 years ago.

Jeremiah 31:34 (NKJV)

No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”

Knowing Him is crux of the New Covenant.

Song——Knowing You(All I once held dear)

https://youtu.be/oxpPIa-BskY?si=G6y5oaaslM1W6eV1

Song——When I survey the wondrous cross

https://youtu.be/2Aq9KISzaAo?si=G1fY9rtFPCuZQBih