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But One Thing I Do

Sunday, June 11, 2023
Pastor Jojo Ma

Weekly Bulletin | Worship Lyrics

Philippians 3:12-16

 

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Many people have never discovered that “one thing” that defines their lives, that defines their existence, that gives them drive and purpose. Many do not have a goal for their lives, many do not know the ‘one thing’.

 

I.          Be forthright [v12]
II.        Be forgetful [v13]
III.       Be focused [v14]
IV.       Be faithful [vv15-16]

I.         Be forthright [v12]
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

The Holiness Movement

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

1 Jn 1:8-10 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and tthe truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Have a humble and spiritual dissatisfaction, that’s a good thing. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. It’s a good thing to have a spiritual dissatisfaction because it drives us forward.

Tim Keller: “We only fully grasp the gospel when we understand, as Paul did, that we are the worst sinner we know.”

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

II.        Be forgetful [v13]
13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.

Pastor John MacArthur: “Paul made a break with everything in his past, both good and bad. Religious achievements, virtuous deeds, great successes in ministry, as well as sins, missed opportunities, and disasters must all be forgotten. They do not control the present or the future. Believers cannot live on past victories, nor should they be debilitated by the guilt of past sins. Churches are full of spiritual cripples, paralyzed by the grudges, bitterness, sins, and tragedies of the past. Others try to survive in the present by reliving past successes. They must break with that past if they are to pursue the spiritual prize. God is interested in what believers do now and in the future. ‘No one,’ declared Jesus, ‘after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God’ (Lk 9:62). The clearest vision belongs to those who forget the past.”

“You can’t drive forward looking in the rearview mirror.”

III.      Be focused [v14]
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Forget what’s behind, be focused on what’s ahead. My fellow believers, know your “one thing”.

What will matter is whether we ran for the prize, focusing on knowing Christ and bringing him glory every single day.

IV.       Be faithful [vv15-16]
15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Paul is content to say what he has to say and let the chips fall where they may. Paul is showing both trust in God’s power to change people and also humility in his inability to change people.

Paul is clear that the mindset all Christians should have is a resolve and focus to run the race and win the prize. There is no room in Christian living for apathy, idleness, lazyness, or slack. We cannot adopt a spectator mentality. We have to run the race to win the prize. Brothers and sisters, which of these describes you right now? Are you in hot pursuit of Jesus or are you slacking off, undisciplined, on cruise control toward heaven?

16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

16 However, let us keep walking in step with the same standard to which we have attained. [LSB]

Don’t fall for new fads. If it’s new, it isn’t true. New teaching is just old heresy. The Word of God doesn’t change. It is the unchanging standard. It is forever the same. Scripture is never old or outdated and it never expires. The Bible is more relevant and more important than anything on social media.

Detect them and reject them all. Stay committed to the unchanging, life-changing standard, the Word of God. There is no need for you to look anywhere else to pursue Christ and please God than the unchanging and life-changing Word of God.