Keeping Your Eye on the Prize

INTRO:

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Keep their eyes on the prize

To live is Christ, life is Jesus, we have to keep our eyes on the prize

The apostle Paul does the same in his letter to the church in Philippi

Philippians 1:12–14 ESV

12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Philippians 1:12-

What is Paul’s main goal?

The Gospel

The Gospel Causes Pain

I got two choices, both require pain One’s the pain of change and the pain of staying the same One of ‘em leads to joy, other one leads to shame One of ‘em leads to freedom, the other keeps me in chains I wear a cross and give You thanks for my blessings, ain’t that enough? Why you want everything? Can’t you leave this part of my life untouched? I thought following You meant I only had to say yes once Now everyday I wake up You give me some cross to take up - Andy Mineo (Tug of War)

The Gospel:

Requires a response

Response is going to cause pain

Is not safe

vs. 13, John the Baptist, the apostles, generations of Martyrs

The greatest gift

2 Samuel 6:22 ESV

22 I will make myself yet more contemptible than this, and I will be abased in your eyes. But by the female servants of whom you have spoken, by them I shall be held in honor.”

Ephesians 2:1 ESV

1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins

Ephesians 2:1,

Ephesians 2:4–5 ESV

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

Ephesians 2:

To follow the Gospel is not safe and can lead to hatred, imprisonment, or even death

The cause was and still is too great to miss

Paul kept his eyes on the prize, how?

Hebrews 12:2 ESV

2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus set the example of the cost of the Gospel, yet the reward was far greater than the suffering or the shame

Lead as You Follow

Philippians 1:14 ESV

14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Philippians 1:14

Where does Paul find his joy?

In the proclaiming of the Gospel

due to his imprisonment

boldness of the brothers

Paul doesn’t have a “6 steps to a more joyful you!”

one answer THE GOSPEL

it’s enough, that’s what others saw in him, the gospel was enough

You’re being watched as you’re watching - People watching at the mall

Someone is always looking up to you seeing what you do

1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV

1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Lead as you Follow - To Live is Christ

Lead as you Follow

2 Timothy 4:6–8 ESV

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:6 ESV

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.

In vs. 12 Paul finds joy in the midst of imprisonment. How would you have responded in the same circumstance, why? Why do we struggle to have the outlook as Paul in our sufferings?

Has there been a time that you suffered for your faith, if so, what happened? How did you handle the situation?

In vs. 14 Paul’s suffering led other to become bold for the Gospel, how did his suffering strengthen their resolve to proclaim the Gospel? How can your faith encourage those around you? How will you accomplish that this week?