Steady Growth

Text: Philippians 3:12-16 (NIV)
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.[1]

I.        Introduction:

II.      Maintain A Steady Realization: I Am Not Finished

A.       Realize You Are Not Finished Growing

B.      Realize You Are Not Finished Striving

C.      Realize You Are Not Finished Chasing

III.   Maintain A Steady Resolve: I Am Not Quitting

A.      Resolve to Keep One Concern: Focus

B.       Resolve to Keep One Direction: Forward

1.       Leaving Behind Covered Ground

2.       Leaning Ahead To Continued Growth

C.      Resolve to Keep One Goal: Finish

IV.    Maintain A Steady Refusal: I Am Not Retreating

A.      Do Not Back Away from Insight: light from the Wise

B.      Do Not Back Away from Illumination: Light from Above

C.      Do Not Back Away from Improvement: Light from the Past

V.      Conclusion:

----

[1] The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984.