How to Succeed in Life

Philippians 3:12–21 NLT

12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. 15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. 16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made. 17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. 18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. 20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.

Paul’s Pattern for Successful Living

1. Evaluation: Face my faults.

Philippians 3:12–13 NLT

12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,

Philippians 3:12 GNB

12 I do not claim that I have already succeeded or have already become perfect. I keep striving to win the prize for which Christ Jesus has already won me to himself.

Proverbs 28:13 GNB

13 You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you.

Question: Where do I need to change?

2. Elimination: Forget the former; let go of your past.

Philippians 3:13 NLT

13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,

Isaiah 43:18 NLT

18 “But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.

Here is what you need to forget

Your failures

Your successes

Luke 9:62 GNB

62 Jesus said to him, “Anyone who starts to plough and then keeps looking back is of no use to the Kingdom of God.”

Question: What memory do I need to let go of?

3. Concentration:Focus on the future.

Philippians 3:13 NLT

13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,

1 Corinthians 9:24 NLT

24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!

What is the goal?

2 Corinthians 5:9 NIV84

9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.

Paul’s goal was to please the Lord - in everything.

Question: What am I living for?

4. Determination: Fight to the finish; persistence.

Philippians 3:12–13 NIV

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

Acts 20:24 NLT

24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

2 Timothy 4:7–8 NLT

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

Three Suggestions from verses 15-16

Philippians 3:15–16 NLT

15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. 16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.

1. Be mature.

2. Be teachable.

3. Be persistent.

Paul gives two promises

If you don’t give up, you will reap a harvest

Galatians 6:9 GNB

9 So let us not become tired of doing good; for if we do not give up, the time will come when we will reap the harvest.

What God begins, God finishes!

Philippians 1:6 NIV84

6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.