Our Personal Desire and Dedication
Notes
Transcript
Our message and teaching today comes from the book of Philippians 3:9–14 written by the Apostle Paul.
Our message and teaching today comes from the book of Philippians 3:9–14 written by the Apostle Paul.
To be a success in anything you do, you must have desire. Someone has said there are three qualities needed to be a success: (1) desire, (2) dedication, (3) determination. Paul had all three of these. We have desire by choice; we have dedication by choice; we have determination by choice. Success or failure is the result of how we choose to “fine tune” these qualities. Of course the end result as I preached on last week is to Love our Father and to love our neighbors, friends, each more with the Love like Jesus loves us.
To be a success in anything you do, you must have desire. Someone has said there are three qualities needed to be a success: (1) desire, (2) dedication, (3) determination. Paul had all three of these. We have desire by choice; we have dedication by choice; we have determination by choice. Success or failure is the result of how we choose to “fine tune” these qualities. Of course the end result as I preached on last week is to Love our Father and to love our neighbors, friends, each more with the Love like Jesus loves us.
Personal Righteousness. Do any of us ever feel a little “a little bit better than most?” Cocky, Prideful, a little arrogant? “I did that! or maybe I studied there, or maybe I have this degree.
Personal Righteousness. Do any of us ever feel a little “a little bit better than most?” Cocky, Prideful, a little arrogant? “I did that! or maybe I studied there, or maybe I have this degree.
Self-righteousness just doesn't get it. Philippians 3:9 “.....and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.” Man is born a sinner. Romans 3:23 “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” He is not righteous until he is “of Christ.”
Self-righteousness just doesn't get it. Philippians 3:9 “.....and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.” Man is born a sinner. Romans 3:23 “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” He is not righteous until he is “of Christ.”
Salvation and righteousness only comes through Faith in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8–9 “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” So......We cannot earn salvation. We have been given salvation through Jesus on the Cross.
Salvation and righteousness only comes through Faith in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8–9 “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” So......We cannot earn salvation. We have been given salvation through Jesus on the Cross.
Do we even want a Personal Relationship with Jesus? Do we even want to go to the trouble and all the work to maintain this relationship? Its easy to put Jesus on the back burner isn’t it? “well he is always with me right?
Do we even want a Personal Relationship with Jesus? Do we even want to go to the trouble and all the work to maintain this relationship? Its easy to put Jesus on the back burner isn’t it? “well he is always with me right?
Philippians 3:10–11 “10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!”
Philippians 3:10–11 “10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!”
We need to Know His person. Jesus is holy and we are instructed to be godly and Holy. We read in the book of Hebrews 12:14 “Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.”
We need to Know His person. Jesus is holy and we are instructed to be godly and Holy. We read in the book of Hebrews 12:14 “Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.”
We need to be seeking to Know His plan. Psalm 143:10 “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.”
We need to be seeking to Know His plan. Psalm 143:10 “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.”
We need to be seeking to Know His power. His power can change us, our actions, our choices, our focus. Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.”
We need to be seeking to Know His power. His power can change us, our actions, our choices, our focus. Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.”
Are we seeking to Know His passion for us? He has compassion for the lost. I think there are times when we love to “grovel” in being lost. Maybe we get more attention that way. Maybe we love rolling around in that great big mud hole of pity and selfishness. Matthew 9:36 “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
Are we seeking to Know His passion for us? He has compassion for the lost. I think there are times when we love to “grovel” in being lost. Maybe we get more attention that way. Maybe we love rolling around in that great big mud hole of pity and selfishness. Matthew 9:36 “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
Are we seeking the wisdom and knowledge to understand the Supernatural, the power of the Holy Spirit “And the power of His resurrection?” John 10:10 “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”
Are we seeking the wisdom and knowledge to understand the Supernatural, the power of the Holy Spirit “And the power of His resurrection?” John 10:10 “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”
John 14:19 “Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live.”
John 14:19 “Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live.”
Are you ready this morning to make a Personal Resolve for Jesus? A focused commitment? From today on To be seeking Jesus?
Are you ready this morning to make a Personal Resolve for Jesus? A focused commitment? From today on To be seeking Jesus?
We must daily be Faithful. Paul tells us: Philippians 3:12 “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.”
We must daily be Faithful. Paul tells us: Philippians 3:12 “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.”
We must daily forget our shortcomings and move forward in our faith or do we want to “waller” and roll around in our self pity? Philippians 3:13 “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,
We must daily forget our shortcomings and move forward in our faith or do we want to “waller” and roll around in our self pity? Philippians 3:13 “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,
Will we be Firm in our journey to seek Jesus? Philippians 3:14 “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Will we be Firm in our journey to seek Jesus? Philippians 3:14 “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
In verse 14, “I press” means dedication; it means determination. I press toward the prize—eternal life. Paul kept his eye on the goal. Are we determined, are we dedicated to seek and follow Jesus here at St. Paul's?
In verse 14, “I press” means dedication; it means determination. I press toward the prize—eternal life. Paul kept his eye on the goal. Are we determined, are we dedicated to seek and follow Jesus here at St. Paul's?
In the Christian life we have a choice of being a success or a failure. Whether we succeed or fail depends on our daily choices. These choices will either help or hinder us in our decision to follow Jesus. Too many Christians allow others to make choices for them. They follow others, They follow the crowd. In Matthew 7:13-14 again Jesus directly tells us:
In the Christian life we have a choice of being a success or a failure. Whether we succeed or fail depends on our daily choices. These choices will either help or hinder us in our decision to follow Jesus. Too many Christians allow others to make choices for them. They follow others, They follow the crowd. In Matthew 7:13-14 again Jesus directly tells us:
13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. AMEN
13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. AMEN