The Pursuit of Christ
Notes
Transcript
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. 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, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Introduction:
MAPS
Meditate/Memorize
Meditate/Memorize
Meditate: Read the Bible prayerfully, humbly and reflectively.
What is happening in this passage?
What does the passage teach about who God is, who we are, who Jesus is, and how we follow Him?
Memorize: Key verses, passages, and Chapters.
Apply
Head: How does the passage transform your thoughts?
Heart: How does this passage transform your desires?
Hands: How does this passage transform your actions?
Pray
Praise according to God’s Word.
Repent According to God’s Word
Ask according to God’s Word
Yield to God’s Word.
Share
Share what you have learned with your friends, family, and other people in your life.
Spend time talking about it with your fellow believers in the room.
Central Truth of the Text
Mature believers do not look to their past for salvation but are constantly pursuing Christ out of the love and saving faith they have experienced in Christ Jesus.
Mature believers do not look to their past for salvation but are constantly pursuing Christ out of the love and saving faith they have experienced in Christ Jesus.
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. 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, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
1. Mature believers strive for holy living in Christ.
1. Mature believers strive for holy living in Christ.
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.
because Christ has made them his own.
κατειληφέναι- Kateilephenai
Katalabano- to make something one’s own possession.
Because Christ has made us his possession, we strive for holy living.
Because Christ has made us his possession, we strive for holy living.
Therefore, because we are his children we strive to live a life that gives God glory.
12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Mature Christians protect the faith and lovingly correct those around them.
Mature Christians protect the faith and lovingly correct those around them.
3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Head: The Lord instead of giving up trying to live a holy life I need to remember to focus my mind on Christ so I can live a purer life.
Heart: It is easy to throw in the town from discouragement when I mess up. However, this passage reminds me that I don’t need to be discouraged; instead, continue pressing on with my pursuit of Christ so that I might live a holy life for the Lord.
Hands: I will need to make sure to read my Bible and pray. It is in these two disciplines that I will grow in holiness and will be able to continue my pursuit of Christ.
2. Mature believers cast aside their life before Christ.
2. Mature believers cast aside their life before Christ.
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,
as they pursue their future glorification with Christ.
Paul doesn’t consider that he has already obtained the ultimate gift of resurrection and glorification with Christ.
Paul doesn’t count his previous worship in judaism as something to look back on nor does he look to his sins such as persecuting the church as something to hinder him. Instead he says he is,
Straining forward to what lies ahead.
Which means, Paul is pursuing Christ whole heartedly.
Head: Believers are to focus their attention on the their present and future faithfulness to Christ, not on their past mistakes or even “successes.”
Heart: Believers absolutely must desire to live for Christ and serve him faithfully in their pursuits and dreams.
Hands: Believers, must examine every aspect of their current actions and answer the question does this give God glory? Does this draw me closer to the Lord?
As believers pursue their future glorification with Christ, we count all our previous acts as worthless.
Paul doesn’t consider that he has already obtained the ultimate gift of resurrection and glorification with Christ.
Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
“Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.””
Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
“Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,”
3. Mature believers focus their attention on the prize of Christ.
3. Mature believers focus their attention on the prize of Christ.
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
instead of the world around them.
Instead of focusing on the world around believers, mature christians solely desire to pursue and live for the Lord.
Head: I should look forward to the day Christ calls me home.
Heart: I should desire the Lord to use me everyday while I am here so I can accomplish all the Lord has for me to do before calling me to be with Him for all eternity.
Hands: I need to give up anything that pulls me away from the Lord and turn my attention to pursuing all the things that draw me closer to the Lord.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
instead of the world around them.
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.”
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
Paul tells Timothy the whole purposes of focusing on the prize is to bring as many as possible along with him.
Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Head: I should look forward to the day Christ calls me home.
“Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”
Heart: I should desire the Lord to use me everyday while I am here so I can accomplish all the Lord has for me to do before calling me to be with Him for all eternity.
Hands: I need to give up anything that pulls me away from the Lord and turn my attention to pursuing all the things that draw me closer to the Lord.
4. Mature believers remain centered in Christ.
4. Mature believers remain centered in Christ.
Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
Head: I should ask God to reveal all areas of my life that prevent me for being Christ focused.
Heart: I need to ask God to change my desires from the wants of this world to wanting God’s will for my life.
Hands: I will need to make sacrifices with my time. It means I will need to give up gaming, going out with the wrong kinds of friends, etc.
Closing:
The key verse and memory verse in this passage is:
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Invitation:
