Unfinished part 3

“What’s Important Now”

Opening:

I have lost hundreds of pounds!

Most diets become unsustainable

We can’t continue to eat in the way we did in order to lose the weight

Instead of a diet, we need to develop a lifestyle.

As a diet becomes short lived, a lifestyle remains constant.

Diets focus on a specific target number/Lifestyle focuses on the development of new thinking and behaviors

Diets experience short-term success/Lifestyle establishes long-term habits

Diets reduce/Lifestyle transforms

Jesus emphasized lifestyle in His teaching and example.

His parables teach us how a Kingdom lifestyle functions.

The Sower: a lifestyle of planting the Gospel message

The Leaven: a lifestyle that spreads throughout the dough

The Good Samaritan: a lifestyle of generosity and love

His example models what a Kingdom lifestyle looks like.

A lifestyle of Healing/deliverance

A lifestyle of eating meals with sinners

A lifestyle of teaching God’s Kingdom principles

Essentialism:

In his book Essentialism, Greg McKeown has a chapter entitled: “WIN”

At first glance, we may think that the chapter will inform us how to overcome any obstacle, win any race, or come in first.

Instead, he uses the word as an acronym, which stands for: “what’s important now?”

McKeown suggests that we must develop a lifestyle.

Throughout the chapter, he emphasizes the development of a lifestyle that develops an understanding of the “important” things in life.

He then proceeds to address the question: what is important now?

What is our “win”?

What is important now for Freedom Christian?

How we answer this question:

Will determine our decisions

We choose what we believe to be important

Will determine our direction

We chase what we believe to be important

Will determine our devotion

We commit to what we believe is important

What’s important now?

Developing a lifestyle of Holy Spirit empowerment is important now.

Developing a lifestyle of outward focus is important now.

Developing a lifestyle of living on mission is important now.

If we attempt to have a diet instead of a lifestyle:

A diet of Spirit empowerment will be short lived.

A diet of outward focus will have limited impact

A diet of living on mission will not accomplish the assignment given to us by Jesus

In contrast:

A lifestyle of Holy Spirit empowerment will fill us to overflowing.

A lifestyle of outward focus will draw us closer to the heart of God.

A lifestyle of living on mission will enable us to hold true to the message of Christ.

Sermon introduction:

The apostle Paul’s letter to Philipi

Philippians chapter 3

“Look out”

“Confidence in the flesh”

3:10 “That I may know Christ and the power of His resurrection”

Paul places importance on knowing Jesus.

Text: Philippians 3:12-16

English Standard Version

English Standard Version (Chapter 3)

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

Opening Observations:

“Not perfect but pressing”

“One thing”: the goal for the prize

“Let us hold true”

The press . . .

The only way to “press on” is to become more Holy Spirit empowered.

The verb “press” indicates the need for intentionality.

We do not press by mistake.

Jesus knew that in order for the disciples to accomplish His Kingdom assignment, they would need to intentionally pursue the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

They would need to develop a lifestyle of Holy Spirit empowerment.

Their pursuit was embraced in waiting.

A “diet” of pursuit will result in a short-lived “pressing on” only to be undone with life’s distractions and demands

A “lifestyle” of pursuit will result in learning how to “abide in Christ” and remain filled with the Spirit’s empowerment.

The goal . . .

The “upward call” will continue to lead us in an outward focus.

Why do I connect the directional word “upward” with the value of “outward” focus?

It is always the Father’s heart “that none should perish.”

As we go upward, we will automatically be led outward.

It is impossible to grow closer to the Father’s heart without a heightened passion to reach people with the message of Jesus

“Let us hold true”

“Holding true” will carry us forward in living on the mission of Jesus.

The concept of “holding true” has to do with “marching in rank”

It contains a military connotation indicating that we are to “fall in line” behind the leading of Christ.

Therefore, “holding true” will lead us in the footsteps of Jesus.

What we “hold” to is that which we have already attained.

The understanding here is that we hold on to the message of Christ, but we remain flexible in methodology.

The message remains the same; but the methodology is constantly changing.

In summary . . .

What’s important now is for us to develop a lifestyle of Holy Spirit empowerment.

The result will be an enabling to “press on.”

What’s important now is for us to develop a lifestyle of outward focus.

The result will be growing closer to the Father’s heart.

What’s important now is for us to develop a lifestyle of living on mission.

The result will be holding true to the message of Jesus yet flexible in methodology.

Call to Action: Embrace a Lifestyle of Kingdom Significance

Today we've explored not just the temporary results of diets but the enduring nature of a lifestyle focused on what's essential—the Kingdom lifestyle that Jesus both taught and modeled.

As we've learned, switching from a temporary 'diet' mentality to a 'lifestyle' approach isn't just beneficial; it's foundational to our faith and our walk with Christ.

So, what's important now?

It's to intentionally develop a lifestyle that reflects the values of the Kingdom: Holy Spirit empowerment, an outward focus, and living on mission.

These aren't just lofty ideals; they are practical, daily commitments that can transform how we live, how we serve, and how we impact the world around us.

I challenge each of you today:

1. Seek Holy Spirit Empowerment: Begin each day with a prayer for the Holy Spirit to fill you anew, to guide you in your decisions and interactions.

2. Cultivate an Outward Focus: Each week, find one way to serve someone outside your usual circle, reflecting Christ’s love in practical acts of kindness and generosity.

3. Live on Mission: Regularly remind yourself of the mission Christ has given us. Engage with scripture, participate in community outreach, and use your talents to fulfill the Great Commission.

We cannot afford to be content with short-lived spiritual highs or surface-level changes. Instead, we must commit to deep, sustainable transformation that not only changes us but also the world around us.

We must hold each other accountable, and encourage one another to press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Are you ready to ask yourself daily, "What's important now?" and align your actions with the answer?

Prayer . . .