Knowing How to press

Ministered by the Holy Spirit through: Rev. Darryl K. Mason Sr.

Metropolitan UMC

October 4, 2020

Acknowledgements - Scriptural Ref:

PRAY FIRST!!!!!

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS!!!!

God, Pastor, Staff Ministers, Saints of God

Phil 3:4-14 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence.

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

word of God for- people of God you may be seated in the presence of God

As the Holy Spirit Guidance - I would like to talk about

Knowing how to press

Pray man, Pray!!

Intro - story

Intro

Talking Point 1

- As we look at our scripture today. We can help but be reminded of the world of athletics

- There is the bench press – weight is placed on a dumbbell (describe it – lay on the back)

- Military press (same but you push upwards – works the shoulders)

Talking Point 2

- Full court press (defensive basketball tactic – if run perfectly can prevent scoring

- But if not run correctly (It can leave you exposed team is spread thin)

Intro - Anti-thesis (the world view)

These are contrary points that you will disprove

Talking Point 1

- I want to suggest today that we as a body of Christ have been spread thin.

- We’ve tried to run a full court press on the devil but seems like we can’t win

- As people of God we want to answer our calling is Christians

- But we are challenged by life’s limitations

- We are challenged as we try to figure out a way on our own.

Intro - Thesis

(connect back to scripture storyline)

Recap the scripture story – retell and give the overview

As the Philippian church is being challenged by those who are denying Christ and seeking to hold onto Jewish rituals and customs, this passage is about Paul’s encouragement to the to continue striving in the midst of their circumstances and that they desire to truly know Christ and his suffering because that is what will give them the power to endure, press forward and move on.

Proposition

- What is the claim? (relevance for today)

The scripture wants us to do (what?) Know Christ intimately, His glory but most importantly understanding what it means to suffer for Christ.

The scripture wants us to do this by (how?)

Answering the high call in ministry and it know our mission as Children of God in God’s Kingdom.

The scripture wants us to take action towards who/what/whereby (to who?) To ourselves we should be striving to daily have an intimate relationship with Christ so that we know as much about Christ as we can.

- What is the focus? (pull from your exegesis form)

This passage centers around suffering for Christ so that we can realize the power of Christ and his resurrection.

which is the central, controlling and unifying theme of the sermon. One word here: knowing Christ intiamately

Spiritual intimacy in our Christian walk that will continually and daily birth who we are. is the idea that drives the theme.

­- What is the function?

The hearers will be change by the message because no matter how long they have known the Lord they can continue to draw closer to him and from that continue to experience the resurrection of Christ in their lives.

As a result, they will see their purpose in this world differently

People don’t realize that: knowing Christ intimately and his suffering will bring them the power of the resurrection in their lives.

They will have revelation ah, a-ha, moment about If they want things resurrecting they have to know Christ who will bring about the changes and new births in their situation.

Intro wrap and three points you will cover

This is a well know scripture:

We all want to get to the press. But Paul want to point out why we are able to press

Today God is/we must remember:

1. You can’t stand on your own shoulders

2. Trash for treasure

3. Are we there yet?

Transition from Intro to Point 1

***Good Transition here tie everything together**

Point 1 – You can’t stand on your own shoulders

4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.

Explain What biblical writer is saying – draw from your exegesis work..deep explanation.

- What is the claim? (relevance for today)

The scripture wants us to do (what?) Know Christ intimately, His glory but most importantly understanding what it means to suffer for Christ.

The scripture wants us to do this by (how?)

Answering the high call in ministry and it know our mission as Children of God in God’s Kingdom.

The scripture wants us to take action towards who/what/whereby (to who?) To ourselves we should be striving to daily have an intimate relationship with Christ so that we know as much about Christ as we can.

***try to develop two subpoints for each point…

Point 1 - Subpoint 1- Title….

Talking Point 1

- There are those in the church who are questioning who Christ is

- They insist that Christians must stick to the old Jewish law

- Look in Galatians 6 and you will see that Paul says its nothing

- They try to place value on ritual vs relationship

Talking Point 2

- They try to remind Paul of the ‘bad person’ he is/was.

Point 1 - Subpoint 2- Title…. Talking Point 1

- Paul then goes down his resume not to brag but to get them to understand.

- Circumcised on the 8th day-He was born a Methodist – his momma was a methodis.

- Pharasee (Phd of Jewish practice -

- Tribe of Benjamin – memberof the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

- Look at my twiiter, my facebook, my Instagram. I’m the real deal Jew!!

- By the way I had set out to kill these Christians! I persecuted them!

Talking Point 2

- 7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.

- But these was a Damascus road experience.

- It was not the church, or the education, or the frats or the organization.

- Song: Something got a hold of me.

- Not an invitation: But here is the question. Have you had a Jesus experience or a church experience??!!

- Paul says after He Jesus experience. Nothing else matters

- What is driving your inspiration? Is Jesus the center of your life??

Supporting Scripture

- Eph 4:22-24

22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Illustration-

- High school reunion-athletes tennis-music-singing-realize

- We noticed you have not put on any weight – You hair was short –

- What is your secret.

- I could not have done this by myself.

- I had a Coast Guard experience!

- It was at a Beach in Cape May New Jersey where my life change.

- It had nothing to do with my tennis or my music. While at boot camp had to throw the tennis away, the music away.

- If you gonna press on. Paul says have you had a Jesus experience. You can’t do it by yourself

We Can’t stand on our own shoulders!!!

Transition from Point 1 to Point 2

***Good Transition here tie everything together**

1. You can’t stand on your own shoulders

2. Dump all that is holding you down

3. Know Christ and move on

Point 2 – Trash for Treasure

8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

Explain What biblical writer is saying – draw from your exegesis work..deep explanation.

- What is the focus? (pull from your exegesis form)

This passage centers around suffering for Christ so that we can realize the power of Christ and his resurrection.

which is the central, controlling and unifying theme of the sermon. One word here: knowing Christ intiamately

Spiritual intimacy in our Christian walk that will continually and daily birth who we are. is the idea that drives the theme.

***try to develop two subpoints for each point…

Point 2 - Subpoint 1- Title…. Talking Point 1

- So Paul has this Christ experience – Damascus road

- He then begins to look back over his life

- Paul is a Pharasee – Bible Phd

- He begins to think

- He has studied the prophets, Isaiah, Jeriemiah, Ezekeil, Daniel. None of them have appeared to him because they are still in the grave it was only Jesus that was resurrected, only he has the power. Jesus is NOT just some other prophet.

Talking Point 2

- When Jesus shows up you begin to understand the difference between trash and treasure and you realize that

- Paul was persecuting Christians. He was as Jesus hater.

- He exchange the trash, the ritual, the education, hatred, the lying, the backbiting, the gossip. He throws it all away.

- Song that says:

I'm trading my sorrow I'm trading my shame I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord

I'm trading my sickness I'm trading my pain I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord

And we say yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord

- If we are going to be able to press on in Jesus we have to lay down the things in our life that are holding us down.

Supporting Scripture

2 Cor 5:17

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Illustration-

NO ILLUSTRATION HERE BECAUSE YOU HAVE TWO AT THE END.

THIS WOULD BE TOO MUCH

If you want to be able to press forward.

Then we must trade out trash to for the treasure That treasure is Jesus Christ

Transition from Point 2 to Point 3

***Good Transition here tie everything together**

Set up a good transition to your next point. Put something here that you will read!

1. You can stand on your own shoulders

2. Trade your trash for your treasure

3. Knowing and pressing

Point 3 – Are we there yet?

10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Explain What biblical writer is saying – draw from your exegesis work..deep explanation.

- What is the function?

The hearers will be change by the message because no matter how long they have known the Lord they can continue to draw closer to him and from that continue to experience the resurrection of Christ in their lives.

As a result, they will see their purpose in this world differently

People don’t realize that: knowing Christ intimately and his suffering will bring them the power of the resurrection in their lives.

They will have revelation ah, a-ha, moment about If they want things resurrecting they have to know Christ who will bring about the changes and new births in their situation.

***try to develop two subpoints for each point…

Point 3 - Subpoint 1- Title…. Talking Point 1

- It is important in verse 10 to understand the meaning of the word “know” we shall learn a Greek word. Ginosko (does not mean to know intellectually but through an experience)

- It is the same understanding in Genesis. Adam knew his wife and she bear a son (experiential knowing – not all together something sexual but more so intimately)

-It means understanding as a result of an experience.

- Paul says that when we have this level of knowing, we will have life’s experience where we will lose friends because of our stand for Christ. We will be talked about because of our intimacy with Christ. We will endure all manner of evil we understand the suffering for Christ

- But Rev. I’ve got that.

1. You can stand on your own shoulders

2. Trade your trash for your treasure

3. Knowing and pressing

Talking Point 2

- Are we there yet? I’m ready to press on.

- 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

- We press on with the understanding that

1. You can stand on your own shoulders

2. Trade your trash for your treasure

3. Know Christ and his suffering that you still have not arrived but that you must keep pressing while God give you breath.

- We are not there yet but we are on our way!!

Illustration for point 3-

- 1st trip to Kings Dominion – grew up at Ocean View amusement park.(boring)

- Asking daddy are we there yet??!!

- Just getting to the parking lot. As I we drove up. I saw the roller coasters and the rides. I forgot about the past.

- Just getting there was my reward.

- We are blessed now as we can see Christ in our lives, we share in but we also experience the victory of a resurrected life.

Breaking the four-minute barrier was first achieved on 6 May 1954 at Oxford University's Iffley Road Track, by British athlete Roger Bannister,[6] with the help of fellow-runners Chris Chataway and Chris Brasher as pacemakers.[7]

Two months later, during the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games hosted in Vancouver, B.C., two competing runners, Australia's John Landy and Bannister, ran the distance of one mile in under four minutes. The race's end is memorialised in a photo, and later a statue, of the two, with Landy looking over his left shoulder, just as Bannister is passing him on the right. Landy thus lost the race. The statue was placed in front of the Pacific National Exhibition entrance plaza.[8]

New Zealand's John Walker, who with a 3:49.4 performance in August 1975 became the first man to run the mile under 3:50, ran 135 sub-four-minute miles during his career (during which he was the first person to run over 100 sub-four-minute miles), and American Steve Scott has run the most sub-four-minute miles, with 136. Algeria's Noureddine Morceli was the first under 3:45. Currently, the mile record is held by Morocco's Hicham El Guerrouj, who ran a time of 3:43.13 in Rome in 1999.

Illustration closing/celebration

Transition from Point 3 to recap

Recap Action and Summarize your 3 points

1. You can’t stand on your own shoulders

2. Trash for treasure

3. Are we there yet?

Point 1- recap – action -summary

Recap Action and Summarize your 3 points

Point restated here..say it_____

As a result we will _________

Point 2- recap – action -summary

Recap Action and Summarize your 3 points

Point restated here..say it_____

As a result we will ________

Point 2- recap – action -summary

Recap Action and Summarize your 3 points

Point restated here..say it_____

As a result we will _________

Invitation

"Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness.

Right now I accept that Jesus is my Lord and savior.

I believe that Jesus died for my sins and that you raised Him to life.

Right now, I confess that Jesus is my Lord and savior and will follow Him from this day forward.

In the name of Jesus. Amen."

Altar Call- GO TO NEXT PAGE

Altar Call- MAKE SURE YOU MENTION NAMES ON PRAYER LIST

(Did you do the invitation?)

Final words

1.Annoucement recap

2. Ask to share on Facebook

3. Bible study yes or no??

Benediction (NEXT PAGE)