Reaching for What You Can't Reach

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Next week will be Family Trivia Game Night

Working on some other fun things to be doing…

Sibling Rivalry

transition into message & pray

Our passage tonight reminds me of that commercial a few years ago where there was a fisherman dangling a dollar in front of a girl wanting to get a purse?

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Our text tonight reminds me a little of that. Paul talks about how he is striving on towards a goal that he knows he won’t be able to reach. He encourages us to reach after this same goal because it is good for us, it is more valuable than anything else that we can pursue. It is growing in our knowledge of Christ and his power. It has lasting rewards. Nothing in this world can offer any kind of reward that will compare or last with what we have to gain through pursuing Jesus!

Christians must live their lives striving to take hold of their prize, making sure we aren’t focussed on earthly things.

Pressing forward toward the goal

As followers of Jesus, our goal should be to know Him more and gain the prize of seeing Him.

So sometimes I’ll have dreams where I’m being chased. It doesn’t happen often, but every now and then, I’m being dream chased. And in my sleep I can feel my heart beating like it’s going to explode and I’m freaking out because I’ve got to get away from whatever I’m running from, but something always happens when I’m dream fleeing; I’m in slow motion. And I know I am! In the dream I’m thinking, “why am I stuck?! Why can’t I run!?” I hope that it’s not just me, because I want other people to share in this terror with me! When I’m awake I laugh about this though, because all I can figure out is that the reason I’m running in slow motion is because I’m actually in bed trying to run while I’m under the covers! I don’t have any proof, but it makes sense right? When you get in bed tonight, try to run while you’re laying down under your covers and tell me it doesn’t feel like slow motion! I just hope I wake up one day after one of these dreams and Kristen says, “I got it on video last night!”

I think that picture helps us understand what Paul is talking about here. We’ve got to fight, strain, push toward our goal, knowing Jesus and seeing Him. But we won’t be able to get there in this world or this life. Even so, we must still strive for that goal and keep getting as close as we can!

Philippians 3:12–17 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. 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. Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

Go to notes in NT Journaling Inductive

It’s hard to grow closer to Christ. Not because he isn’t accessible, but because of all the things going on in this world that we let distract us. But Jesus has overcome these things!

By the power of the resurrection, that Paul just talked about and we just celebrated, we have what we need to press on after this goal, even when we know we won’t achieve it in this life. Just getting closer to it is sweet

Keep your focus on Jesus, learning and growing in Him. I’ve been saying it every week, but what an opportunity you have in this season to pour yourself into studying God’s Word and prayer to grow closer to Him!

We seek Him out in everything. If you’re wondering why God would allow a pandemic, don’t just wonder. Seek the answer out in God’s Word. Ask Him in prayer. Ask Him to help you trust Him in the midst of this. You should do this for everything in life!

And as God reveals Himself to you, don’t just sit there, happy in your understanding. Live your life according to what He’s revealed to you!

James 1:22 ESV

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

When God shows you that He will allow suffering in our lives to make us lean into Him, lean in! Call out in prayer!

When you understand how dangerous lust is, don’t just say, “ok, it’s bad.” Go out of your way to avoid it. Get rid of things that lead to temptation!

We hold true to what we’ve attained, pressing on toward the goal, imitating Christ and imitating those who imitate Christ.

This is the way those who are receiving the prize live. This is the reward you want, I promise! We will see why in the next session.

Intro the golf video

You’re a citizen or an alien.

We must be sure that our minds are not set on earthly things, but on our coming Savior!

Pilgrim’s Progress is an incredible book, a famous book, by a guy names John Bunyan.

It’s an allegory about a Christian’s journey through life and all the different struggles and joys of living as one focussed on Jesus in a world telling you to focus on yourself.

I absolutely suggest you read it! And what better time than now, when you can’t leave! In fact, I’ll even send you a copy if you reach out to me and promise to read it!

In this last section, Paul is telling us that we have got to know where our citizenship lies.

Philippians 3:18–4:1 ESV

For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Go to notes in NT Journaling Inductive

You’re either a citizen of this world and focussed on earthly things, or you’re a citizen of Heaven and eagerly awaiting when you see Jesus face to face.

This goes back to the famous quote from the leader of God’s people Joshua...

Joshua 24:15 ESV

And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Are you focussed on things of this world?

list a few

These are not necessarily bad things in themselves, but if our minds are set on them, that is bad.

Or are you awaiting the day you see your Savior Jesus?

Christians will be distracted by the world at times. Often really. But if you are more focussed on earthly things than on your Savior, there is a problem and you need to call on the Lord and ask that by the same power that enables Jesus to subject all things to himself, that you would be able to live a life characterized by looking to and longing for Jesus!

Citizens of Heaven must and will stand firm in the Lord!

We can only do this because of what Jesus did for us on the cross.