What Will You Do With 2022?

Philippians 3:12–14 NLT

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. 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, 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.

INTRODUCTION:

I- RECOGNIZE THAT YOUR LIFE HAS A HIGHER PURPOSE. (Philippians 3:12)

Philippians 3:12 NLT

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.

A- Jesus has a purpose for your life. (Philippians 3:12b)

Philippians 3:12b (NLT)

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.

“διώκω δὲ εἰ καὶ καταλάβω, ἐφʼ ᾧ καὶ κατελήμφθην ὑπὸ Χριστοῦ.”

1- διώκω: to move quickly and energetically toward some objective—‘to hasten, to run, to press forward, to press on.’

2- καταλάβω = to acquire, with the implication of significant effort—‘to acquire, to attain, to obtain, to take.’

Jesus saved each of us for a purpose.

Paul recognized that God had created and saved him for a purpose. (Galatians 1:15-16)

Then it pleased him to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles.

B- Every day is to be spent in the pursuit of Christ’s purpose. (Philippians 3:12a)

Philippians 3:12a (NLT)

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.

“Οὐχ ὅτι ἤδη ἔλαβον ἢ ἤδη τετελείωμαι,”

1- We must pursue Christ’s purpose because we have not achieved it yet.

2- The pursuit of fulfilling Christ’s purpose for our lives must be a continual pursuit.

II- REJECT THE URGE TO FOCUS ON THE PAST. (Philippians 3:13)

Philippians 3:13 NLT

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,

A- It is impossible to focus on the past and pursue Christ’s purpose for your present and future. (Philippians 3:13a)

Philippians 3:13a NLT

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,

“ἀδελφοί, ἐγὼ ἐμαυτὸν οὐ λογίζομαι”

1- Paul’s recognition that he had not achieved the goal kept him from focusing on the past.

2- Focusing on the past will keep us from focusing on what God has for us now and in the future.

a. If we think we have arrived, we will not be able to stay focused on the Lord and his goals for us.

A runner cannot focus on the race he has run, nor on the runners around him and successfully run the race in front of him.

(Hebrews 12:1)

Hebrews 12:1 NLT

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

B- The key to becoming what Christ wants you to be is being singularly focused on the pathway ahead. (Philippians 3:13b)

Philippians 3:13b NLT

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,

“κατειληφέναι· ἓν δέ, τὰ μὲν ὀπίσω ἐπιλανθανόμενος τοῖς δὲ ἔμπροσθεν ἐπεκτεινόμενος”

1- Notice that Paul emphasizes that he is hyper-focused.

“I focus on this ONE thing...”

Forgetting the past

looking forward to what lies ahead

2- We must put the past behind us.

3- We must focus on becoming what Christ saved us to become.

III- REFOCUS ON THE RACE GOD HAS GIVEN TO YOU. (Philippians 3:14)

Philippians 3:14 NLT

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.

A- Keep your eyes on the finish line. (Philippians 3:14a)

Philippians 3:14a NLT

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.

“κατὰ σκοπὸν διώκω”

1- We are instructed to keep our focus on the Lord, so he can lead us.

(Hebrews 12:2)

Hebrews 12:2 NLT

2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

2- Keeping our focus on Jesus at the finish line will impact how we run our race.

(Hebrews 12:3-4)

Hebrews 12:3–4 NLT

3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

B- Expend all of your energy on pursuing the eternal prize Christ has for you. (Philippians 3:14b)

Philippians 3:14b NLT

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.

“εἰς τὸ βραβεῖον τῆς ἄνω κλήσεως τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.”

1- We are to “press-on to reach the end of the race.”

“διώκω”= to move quickly and energetically toward some objective—‘to hasten, to run, to press forward, to press on.’

“κατὰ σκοπὸν” = toward the goal

2- We are to keep in mind that God is calling us to a higher prize than anything this world has to offer.

3- This means that our lives are lived with intentionality.

(1 Cor. 9:26-27)

1 Corinthians 9:26–27 NLT

26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

CONCLUSION:

When I think of the new year I have a question for you.

What will you do with 2022?

I urge you to remember the council of Paul:

RECOGNIZE THAT YOUR LIFE HAS A HIGHER PURPOSE.

REJECT THE URGE TO FOCUS ON THE PAST.

REFOCUS ON THE RACE GOD HAS GIVEN TO YOU.