Pressing On In a Positive Direction
Series: Life In a Great Community
June 22, 2008 Pastor Bill Bump
The closer a person comes to Jesus and a realization of His love and power, the more that person feels the need to grow.
1. Paul indicates that spiritual growth is a demanding process.
Paul makes clear that our salvation comes by faith and not our own effort. However, this is never an excuse for laziness in our spiritual lives.
2. Paul says our spiritual growth will involve a correct self-estimate.
Philippians 3:12 (NLT)
I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection! But I keep working toward the day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be.
To grow spiritually Paul says we must understand that spiritual growth is a need. We must not think we have arrived at perfection.
3. Paul says our spiritual growth will require a single-minded zeal for change.
Philippians 3:13 (NLT)
No, dear friends, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race…
We are to avoid the dwelling on past failures that hinder our present efforts and future progress in drawing close to Jesus.
We are to forget past successes that will impede our spiritual growth because of pride.
4. Paul says our spiritual growth will involve an absorbing goal.
Philippians 3:14b (NLT)
...and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.
Spiritual growth is an absorbing desire to obtain the goal and receive the prize which God declares He has for us.
Conclusion:
As participants in the gospel, we are to live life in one way: We are to forget the past with all of its failures and successes and stretch out to the future of growing closer to Jesus. Like an athlete with every nerve and muscle taut, with our body thrust forward, with our eyes firmly fixed on the goal of spending eternity in heaven.
