Joyful Completion IX

Read Phil. 3:12-21

Olympics - Athletes reaching forward

Do you long to be mature in your faith?

Not perfect, but strong and wise.

Paul, a servant of Jesus carried a holy discontent. He never felt as if he “arrived”.

“Do you best and forget the rest.”

Paul remembered his past struggles but he chose to have a short memory.

“I’m not complete” - being perfected.

“Take hold” - pressing toward a fixed point.

Paul chose to forget everything, leave it behind, and continue to walk towards Christian perfection.

Reach out and pursue the prize.

Philippi was in close proximity to Greece which exposed them to the Olympic games.

Forgetting the past is easier whenever we focus on the kingdom of God.

Matthew 6:33

“The Kingdom of God”

The place where God dwells with His people.

The kingdom is the place you have always dreamed of being.

According to scripture, we get to bring God’s kingdom to earth.

We have a homeland that his spurring us on forward.

“We are not here to get by.”

Paul encouraged the church to find their way by practicing what they know.

Don’t be mediocre or just seek to “get by”.

Look for “mature Christians”.

Until you get to a fuller light, put yourself around good Christian people.

Unhappy scenes can improve when our focus is correct.

Like Paul, they could put aside “man-made” righteousness.

Place themselves at the foot of the cross.

Throw off complacency.

Family Camp - No ever wondered where the blue team was.

We belong to a kingdom, motherland, a place that we we are headed.

This life will end, but those who dwell in His kingdom have eternal life.

We aren’t called to get by. We are called to join His movement.

It’s a deep and full life.

Our flesh and worldly people will distract us from our true purpose.

Mature believers focus on the kingdom.

“Our citizenship is in Heaven.”

Our earthly experience cannot crowd out the reality of heavenly citizenship.

We look forward to Jesus’ return and holy transformation.