Keep Your Eyes On The Prize

Introduction- Experiencing Failure

Most of us in this room have inevitably experienced failure at one point or another in our life. Or maybe you just need to live a little bit longer. But how did failure feel?

Illustration:  According to the United States International University-Africa’s vice chancellor, Prof Paul Tiyambe Zeleza:

You'll learn more from failure than from success

He said “I’ve learnt that in the scholarly world, one must stay committed, and avoid taking shortcuts.” 

You have to believe, and be passionate about excellence and quality. 

A lot of careers that exist today will not be there in future. 

To navigate the current economic period, you have to constantly adapt. 

Be resilient, because you learn more through failure than through success.

Illustration: “From Failure To Success:  Everyday Habits and Exercises to Build Mental Resilience and Turn Failures Into Successes” by Martin Meadows:

 The first step to tackling failure due to fear is to believe in your goal.  If you can’t develop the confidence within yourself, then develop the belief in yourself that the goal must absolutely be reached.  This by association would help you develop within yourself more conviction that your goal will come to pass. Finally, live in a fantasy world, adopting the belief that nothing is unlimited or impossible.  What matters most is accomplishing your goal or dream, not how long it has taken to accomplish the goal. In other words we need to develop patience in completing goals.  Remember even if you get there by crawling, you were still getting and reaching closer to your goal. Do not obsess about timelines, stay focused on completing and finishing the goal no matter how much time that it takes.  Eliminate every single distraction and double down on your key objective.

Illustration: Psychology Today Article (August 28, 2012) “Keep Your Eyes On The Prize” by Rick Hanson, Ph.D

The most important thing is to remember the most important thing

Know your purpose in life

Clarify your priorities

Put the big rocks in the bucket first

Stay focused on your priorities in important interactions

Take Care of yourself

Illustration 2:

Illustration 3:

Transition To Body- The servant Paul decides to clarify his priorities and stay focused on the priorities as he talks to the Philippian followers of Jesus Christ

Body- How To Keep Your Eyes On The Prize

Humility In Christ Guards Against Complacency

Philippians 3:12 ESV

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.

(Transition: Which ought to lead to a thankful heart which pursues Christ Jesus)

Since I not yet arrived, I have more work to do!

So I

Make It

Stretch Toward The Goal Of Christlikeness

And stop looking back dwelling on your past mistakes and failures

Philippians 3:13 ESV

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,

Illustrate:  Youth starting school and a new grade in a few weeks-  last year is over

Move Rapidly & Decisively Toward The Goal Of Christlikeness

Illustration: Fred Hammond’s “I Press” off the Purpose By Design album

Since you hooked up with the Savior And laid your life down, Didn't let nothin' fade you, 'Cause you were heaven bound.

The gentle rains in your life Just got an upgrade to a hurricane. In the hands of the Master, It seems like you gotta fight and scratch just to remain.

You're gonna make it to the end, Believe it, (until then...)

I press (say that you're gonna press, my friend), Still I press (You're gonna hang on in there till the end).

I press (You know the King of glory is with you), still I press (go in His name and He'll see ya through).

I press (You know the King of glory is with you), Still I press (go in His name and He'll see ya through).

I press.

I press.

[Verse 2:] My road is not always easy, nobody said it would be, and if you use the word perfect, I know you're not referring to me.

My road is not always easy, Nobody said it would be, And if you use the word perfect, I know you're not referring to me.

But here's what I do, forget the junk behind me, I set my sights on His high calling.

But here's what I do, Forget the junk behind me, I set my sights on His high calling.

And by faith, I'll apprehend, (until then...)

And by faith, I'll apprehend, (Until then...)

[Chorus]

Vamp 1: Till I become what He wants me to be, yeah, I press.

[Vamp 1:] 'Til I become what He wants me to be, yeah, I press.

This is the goal and the prize that I reach for, I press.

This is the goal and the prize that I reach for, I press.

Philippians 3:14 ESV

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Mark Of Servant Minded Christlikeness Is Sacrifice

Philippians

mature = pertaining to meeting the highest standard

sacrifices without a blemish

Philippians 3:15 ESV

Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.

Do Lose What You Have Already Gained In Christ

Philippians 3:16 ESV

Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Transition To Conclusion

Illustration: Fred Hammond’s “I Press” off the Purpose By Design album

Since you hooked up with the Savior And laid your life down, Didn't let nothin' fade you, 'Cause you were heaven bound.

The gentle rains in your life Just got an upgrade to a hurricane. In the hands of the Master, It seems like you gotta fight and scratch just to remain.

You're gonna make it to the end, Believe it, (until then...)

I press (say that you're gonna press, my friend), Still I press (You're gonna hang on in there till the end).

I press (You know the King of glory is with you), Still I press (go in His name and He'll see ya through).

I press.

My road is not always easy, Nobody said it would be, And if you use the word perfect, I know you're not referring to me.

But here's what I do, Forget the junk behind me, I set my sights on His high calling.

And by faith, I'll apprehend, (Until then...)

Vamp 1: Till I become what He wants me to be, yeah, I press.

This is the goal and the prize that I reach for, I press.

Conclusion

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

By Pete Seeger

Keep Your Eyes On The Prize

Paul and Silas bound in jail Had no money for to go their bail Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on Paul and Silas thought they was lost Dungeon shook and the chains come off Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on Freedom's name is mighty sweet And soon we're gonna meet Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on I got my hand on the gospel plow Won't take nothing for my journey now Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on

Close

Illustration:  Great hurdlers in the Olympics and how they do not focus on what is on the left and right.  Great hurdlers just keep focusing on running straight and getting to the finish line- even as they encounter hurdle after hurdle

Jesus and the hurdle will of the cross

Father if it is your will that this cup pass from me but nevertheless not my will but your will be done.

As Jesus set his face toward Jerusalem. As Jesus said three times in the Gospels and each a gospel account of going to Jerusalem and being crucified

I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back

Luke 9:57–62 ESV

As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Luke 9:57–59 ESV

As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”

Luke 9:47–52 ESV

But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.” John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.” When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him.