SF577 - KEEPING THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING (Philippians 3 12-14)
SF577
KEEPING THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING
Philippians 3:12-14
INTRODUCTION
It is Difficult to Keep Focused...
In our Jobs
In our Marriages
In our Families
In our Church
Paul Accomplished much Because He Remained Focused...
He kept the main thing the main thing!
What is the Main Thing?
Matthew 22:37-39; 28:19-20
Three Major Tasks...
Exalt the Savior
Equip the Saints
Evangelize the Sinner
Let’s see how and why we are to do these...
1A. EXALT THE SAVIOR - WORSHIP (Mat. 22:37)
Hebrews 10:19-22
1B. What Worship Is...
Loving God with all that I am!
Drawing near to God
(Psalms 34:3) Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.
2B. How We Worship (19-21)
We come to church primarily to meet the Lord!
Worship is coming into God’s Presence through Jesus Christ!
The Temple Picture How This Works...
The Holy of Holies = God’s presence
The curtain (veil) = Jesus Christ
White linen = purity
Crimson = humanity/sacrifice
Blue = deity
Purple = Royalty
You must go through the curtain to get to the Holy of Holies
3B. Why We Worship
Because He is worthy
(Revelation 5:12) ... "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
Because you become like what you worship
(2 Corinthians 3:18) And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever‑increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
(Matthew 4:10) ... 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"
Worship always precedes service!
2A. EQUIP THE SAINTS - WORK
1B. Membership - “Baptize them”
“As Christians we’re called not just to believe, but also to belong” Rick Warren
(Hebrews 10:25) Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another‑‑and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
(1 John 2:19) They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.
Baptism symbolizes salvation and fellowship!
(Ephesians 2:19) Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household,
2B. Maturity - “Teach them to obey...”
Ephesians 4:11-16
3B. Ministry - “Love your neighbor...”
“Ministry is demonstrating God’s love to others by meeting their needs and healing their hurts.” Rick Warren
Every Christian is a minister!!
(Ephesians 4:12) to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
3A. EVANGELIZE THE SINNER - WITNESS
“Go and make disciples.”
Acts 1:8
1B. The Power To Evangelize (8a)
(John 12:32) But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."
(John 6:44) "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him,...
(Philippians 4:13) I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
2B. The Promise To The Evangelist (8b)
God has told us that we will be witnesses!
3B. The Place Of Evangelism (8c)
Must Begin at Home
Then it is can spread to the World!
APPLICATION
If Every Member of our Church was just like you...
Would we meet on Monday Nights?
Would we gather on Wednesdays?
Would we have Worship tonight?
Would we study God’s Word?
Would we pay our bills?
Would we have a Church?
Would we go to heaven?