Perfect Mind: Holy Mind
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction:
Paul is speaking in terms of a race to express how we should be striving to live for Christ. Race have rout set with a start and an end. The start line represents the starting point, the beginning. Many stand at the start line visioning their victory. There are those visualizing that once they cross this start line they will next cross the finish line. Many start with hopes and aspirations that the finish is possible. The issue that some may deal with may impede them from finishing the race. Focus is needed to reach the end. This kind of focus is forced upon a race horse by being fitted with blinders to keep the focus ahead toward the finish line. We too need to stay focus and learn to be blind to the distractions around us and seek God and his righteousness. Run the race with great endurance seeking holiness.
Seek Perfection to Achieve holiness
Seek Perfection to Achieve holiness
Perfection is only achieved through Christ. We are to look forward to our better selves knowing who we are now.
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.
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.
Philippians 3:12-
Paul has not received perfect knowledge of Jesus.
Paul has not received perfect knowledge of Jesus.
Paul is still growing in wisdom and knowledge of the Lord.
Paul teaches us how we should never stop seeking to know the Lord all our life.
To know the Lord is to love and live to serve him in holiness.
(So press to know him)
Press toward perfection in Christ.
Press toward perfection in Christ.
Christ has made us whole by redeeming us from our sin. We are to peruse the Lord with great passion and desire. Jesus has redeemed us and we must walk in this grace and mercy in his forgiveness.
We have what Christ has put in us.
Press for what we do not have yet, but have access to behold.
Chris is our portion.
We are to live in the light we behold through Christ Jesus.
Press with great focus on Jesus.
Press with great focus on Jesus.
We need to adjust our eyes on Jesus.
We are to keep our eyes on Jesus because he is our goal.
Focus is to have God as the center of our attraction.
Make Jesus our center of attraction.
You will find Jesus is the center of your joy when you do this.
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:
Singular focus on pleasing God keeps us in the race to finish strong. Even in times of difficulties and attacks from our enemies we can trust in God and seek him who is our strength just as the Psalmist says in Psalm 27
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? 2 When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. 3 Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.
We will seek the God of our salvation and not loose focus as the psalmist shows us in verse 4 the 27th Psalm...
4 The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.
`
This singular focus should guard your heart and your life.
This singular focus should guard your heart and your life.
Our life belongs to the Lord. We were purchased with a price by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
Therefore...
8 If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
Focus to live for the Lord.
Focus to honor the Lord in all that you do.
Focus to serve the Lord all the days of your life.
4 The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.
This focus will also put is in focus of who possess us and what we have from being in his presence. The Lord’s presence brings us joy. We find joy from doing the will of the Lord. David shows us the joy of this singular focus to do the will of God in seeking the Lord even in times of difficulty he seeks to see the Lord.
God who is our salvation is the finish line .
God who is our salvation is the finish line .
We are to seek God and stay focused on him for out total salvation.
Already but not yet.
We are running this race with the finish in mind.
We should have heaven in our view.
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.
S
Our prize is a heavenly prize not from this world.
This world has nothing to offer us that is equal to what the Lord has for us.
This prize that we have is through Jesus.
God is calling us to him.
God is calling us to him.
Response to God’s call involves transformation. Come to the altar the the Father is calling. God is calling you to respond to his amazing grace in your life. God is calling you to grow in his spirit to serve him for his glory.
We are to continue to grow in the Lord.
Maturing is an ongoing process in our life.
God can strengthen you where you are weak.
Hold on to what you have already in Christ Jesus.
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.
Philippians 3:
Hear the call of God in your life.
What has he called you to do? ________________________
What is stoping your from following this awesome call?
Regain your focus and seek the finish line.
Set your eyes on the prize.
Remove the sin from your life with repentant living.
Conclusion: Open your heart to the Lord. Seek his face and stay focused on the prize of God that is in Christ Jesus. This prize is our resurrection, our redemption our eternal presence before the Lord.
We find this prize in Jesus alone. Therefore, put your eyes on Jesus and seek his face in all you do.