Push Forward

Philippians 3:12–14 KJV 1900

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.

Introduction

Often times life hits us with obstacles. These obstacles comes in trials and tribulations. A runner that runs a 400 meters is different from the runner that runs a hurdle 110 meter race. The hurdle 110 meters runner’s race is even more different than the hurdle and water 3000 meters runner’s race.

It’s one thing to train to simply run in the 400 meters.

It’s a different thing to train for a 110 meters with hurdles.

The challenge gets even more difficult when training for a 3000 meter race with hurdles and water.

One may simply require speed, the other requires speed and timing, the last requires speed, timing, and strength.

One thing about hurdle runner you must stay focus on the getting to the next hurdle. You do not have time to think about the hurdle behind you for that hurdle is in the past.

If you cleared the hurdle

If missed the hurdle

It may have tripped you up a little

But you are still in the race, you must stay focused on the goal.

The hurdle of sickness my be ahead but, know you will overcome it and get to your goal.

The hurdle of finances my be ahead, but know you will overcome it, your goal is ahead.

The hurdle of bad decisions, with Christ Jesus, you still will overcome that too.

The hurdle might come in the form of haters, do you worry , stay focus it just another obstacle on the course

The hurdle of misunderstanding,

The hurdle of hostility,

The hurdle of jealousy,

The hurdle of sin.

Know that you are more than a conquer, and press toward the mark of your high calling.

Philippians 3:14 KJV 1900

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Push yourself forward, and encourage your neighbor, tell them ”Push forward!”

If we are to move forward throughout 2019, if we are to have any hope in 2019, we must Push Forward.

Paul says I must:

Count not myself that I have already apprehended

Consider not myself to have grasp

Understand that I do not have it all together.

I must understand that I do not have it all together.

(KJV 1900)

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

We must recognize that we all have some growing to do. There are some things I must work on in 2019, and there some things that you must work on too. No one has a monopoly on the gospel. So I should not criticize my fellow brethren short comings.

We may not sing like one another sing, We ought not to criticize ones singing.

We may not pray like one another pray, We ought not to criticize praying.

We may not praise like one another praising, We ought not to criticize praising.

We may not show love like one another shows love, We ought not criticize ones love.

We are so busy criticizing the message, we often miss the point message. (I am being criticized right now)

If I am not right then, God knows I am not right. It’s God that judges the heart.

Who am I to judge another man’s servant.

I have not got it all together myself, I am just pilgrim traveling through this land .

Count not myself that I have apprehended,

I need Jesus in my life!

We must do forget

If we are going to make Push forward we must forget,

epilanthanomenos - forget, neglect, overlook

we must overlook

what sis. so in so said about us

what was done for spite to you and I, in 2018 and beyond

how we felt when they didn’t shake my hand and looked me in the eyes.

Get it out of of your mind, leave all trash in the past.

ii. neglect all negativity in other words let it go,

So what if you had a bad year, let go

So if you had problems all year long, let it go

There was trouble on every side, yet Jesus was with you, you made it through, let it go

You might have tripped over a few hurdles but stay focused on the course

Do be like Lot’s wife and look back, but run this race like never before.

Leave behind the things that are behind. You can make it if you can forget those things behind.

Finally, we must reach forth

epekteinomenos - strain forward

When you are straining, you pushing yourself beyond your limits.

I know the bible say be content (KJV 1900)

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

It says to be content but not complacent

Haggai 1:2 KJV 1900

2 Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built.

We must give God our every effort if we are going to Push forward

We must strain ourselves for the Gospel’s sake

Nicodemus came by night - Nicodemus Pushed Forward to get to Jesus

Zacchaeus was of little stature, he climb into a sycomore tree - Zacchaeus Pushed Forward to get to Jesus

The women who had an issue of blood, had to push through the press - The women Pushed forward to get to Jesus.

Church if we are going to make it to our high calling we must push forward.

When times are good, push forward,

When times are bad, push forward,

When you feel like it, push forward,

When feeling down, push forward.

Push, Push, Push,

1. I’m pressing on the upward way, New heights I’m gaining every day; Still praying as I’m onward bound, “Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Refrain: Lord, lift me up and let me stand, By faith, on Heaven’s tableland, A higher plane than I have found; Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

Refrain: Lord, lift me up and let me stand, By faith, on Heaven’s tableland, A higher plane than I have found; Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

2. My heart has no desire to stay Where doubts arise and fears dismay; Though some may dwell where those abound, My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

(YEAH)

Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane (KJV 1900)

39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

He Pushed Forward,

I am so glad that he did.

He hung, bled, and die.

But that’s not all, He was buried in a borrowed tomb.

Early Sunday morning my Savior got up from the grave.

That not the end, when he ascended into heaven there was an angel there (KJV 1900)

11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Push forward!