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*Have a Happy New You *
Philippians 3:1-14
*Introduction*
An Indian, who was very unhappy, and disgruntled with himself, began to explain to his friend the inward battle, and struggle that he faced every day.
He said, "It seems as if two dogs are fighting within me:
One is a black dog; he is savage and very bad,
The other is a white dog, and he is gentle and very good, but the black fights with him all the time!"
His friend curiously asked him, "Which dog wins?"
The old Indian replied, "Which ever one I say 'sic him' to!"
I’m sure many, if not all of us, can relate to the inner struggle that this man fought.
As we come upon the dawn of another year, no doubt there are new goals, dreams, and ambitions that we will seek to pursue.
There are also unpleasant things of the past year that we would just as soon forget.
We talked about that last week.
Now, I want to make sure you don’t misunderstand me,
There’s nothing wrong with setting goals and dreams for the next year.
I’ve got several set for myself.
The reality is, most of the time, while we set out to make New Years' resolutions; we usually don't reach them because we've not made the essential New You solution.
Simply put, we can’t enjoy a Happy New Year, until we become a Happy New You!
*[READ TEXT]*
Focus on Phil 3:12-14
It is doubtful that Paul had in mind the New Year when he wrote this section of this letter to Philippi.
As a matter of fact, we know that he wrote it while serving time in a Roman prison cell.
However, I believe that in these three verses, we can glean something about Paul's new goals, that will not only help us to have a Happy New Year, but, also, to "Have a Happy New You!"
*I.
HE EVALUATES* (Phil 3:12)
In this verse, Paul evaluates his own life.
He has come to the place where he is taking a personal inventory, and evaluation of his life.
In this evaluation we see:
*He Admits* (Phil 3:12a)
We see, as he's taking inventory and evaluating his life, a very honest admittance of some things.
Second, he's being honest with himself, and with God.
He admits that he's not yet arrived as a Christian.
ATTAINED (lit.):
"to obtain, to receive, or to arrive"
PICTURE: Of vacationers who finally reach their destination
Paul has just spelled out his goal, in verse 10, to know Christ.
However, now he admits that he's not yet achieved, or arrived at that goal.
He hasn't arrived at the point of Perfection, or total Christ likeness
He knows Him, but not to the fullest extent possible.
He's experienced His power, but not the degree he desires
He's like Christ in His death, but he can still die more
Paul admits that he's yet to achieve this state.
His position is perfect, but his condition is not.
When we're saved, at the moment of regeneration, our position is fixed and perfect in Christ.
Nothing can change that.
However, our condition of sanctification is not yet perfect, but is to be improved upon every day.
That is what Paul is saying, he is growing closer, but he's not arrived yet.
The more he knew, and saw Christ, the more he saw his shortcomings.
Spurgeon: "The man who doesn't see his defects, will never enjoy his progress!"
Ray Stedman: "The soul of all improvement, is the improvement of the soul!"
Paul is very honest in admitting that there's still room for improvement in his Christian life.
That's His Admittance!
Then we see…
*He Desires* (Phil 3:12b)
FOLLOW AFTER (athletic term) (lit.):
"to be in hot pursuit of"
PICTURE: Of a sprinter stretching, and striving for the finish line
Paul now shows his goal, his desire, and his aspiration.
He's in hot pursuit to */"apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus."/*
APPREHEND (lit.):
"to grasp, to seize, and to lay hold of"
Paul wants to possess what he's been possessed for, and to grab on to that which grabbed him.
This isn't a half-hearted effort, but with all his heart he's in hot pursuit of this.
He desires to lay hold of Christ's purpose for his life.
His desire, his ultimate goal is to be more like Christ!
He Evaluates and then…
*II.
HE PRIORTIZES * (Phil 3:13)
Paul has evaluated himself, now he establishes his priorities.
He hasn't yet achieved the place that he wants to be with the Lord, but yet that isn't going to keep him from putting first things first.
Regardless of that, Paul says, */"this one thing I do"/*.
No fooling around here, but with determination, he is setting his mind on getting some things done.
ILLUSTRATION:
Demosthenes, born with a serious speech defect, became the greatest of all orators.
He determined to correct his defect and did so by speaking with pebbles in his mouth against the roar of the ocean.
This was not something that came easily, but something he knew that he had to do if he was going to overcome this impediment.
In much the same way, Paul now puts his mind, and is determined to establish a priority, and we see the:
*Priority Of Cancellation*
". . .
forgetting. .
."
This is a first step if he is to do things for God.
As painful as it may be, we may have to forget some things of the past life, or the past year if we're to do things for God, and reach new heights.
Roy Laurin: "We must deal with the past, or the past will deal with us!"
This isn't something achieved by mental magic, or by Houdini's wand.
It can only accomplished by Confession, and Correction!
Paul, had to establish this priority, before he could go on for God.
There were some things he had to forget.
He had to:
*Forget His Wealth* (Phil 3:5, 7)
He was rich in religious credentials, but he had to forget them.
*Forget His Wickedness* (Phil 3:6)
He was the chief persecutor of the church, he had to forget it
*Forget His Way* (Phil 3:9)
He realized that he couldn't get in on his good living.
He realized that adherence to the law wasn't good enough anymore
We too, like Paul, must put off, and cancel the past, if we're to do things for God in the future.
*Illustration:*
Two old college roommates met downtown one night.
They sat down in the lobby of the hotel and began to talk about old times.
Before they knew it, it was way past midnight.
They went home, both fearful of what their wives would say about their coming in so late.
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