Where Are Your Eyes?
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13 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, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
1. Eyes Down
1. Eyes Down
Paul’s mentality is to keep his focus on Christ
If it’s on himself he will fail
Israelites:
spies sent in to scope out the promise land
negative reports
Joshua and Caleb have faith (believed that what God had said would happen)
1 Then all the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night. 2 And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! 3 Why is the Lord bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4 And they said to one another, “Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”
Israel’s focus on themselves and their power
11 And the Lord said to Moses, “How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them?
God’s response
Peter:
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Peter declares that Jesus is the Christ (Anointed One)
21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
Mind not set on the things of God
ILLUS: Narcissism
APP: Eyes focused on ourself does not lead to life
Your circumstance
Your ability to perform
Your moral righteousness
24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
2. Get Your Eyes Up
2. Get Your Eyes Up
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul’s eyes are focused up!
His focus is on Christ
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Focus is Jesus
28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
ILLUS: MVP Hoisted up
APP: The charge of the upward call
1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
repent, believe, obey