Focusing Your Future Part Two: Focus on the Right Race

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Focusing Your FuturePart Two Focus on the Right
Race

• Pastor Joe Pursch
• Chinese Grace Bible Church
• January 23, 2011

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Introduction
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Philippians 312-16 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,
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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.
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1. Starting Point One Run the ___________ Race
Greatest
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Philippians 312 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.
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Philippians 310 10 that I may know him and the
power of his resurrection, and may share his
sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
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1 Corinthians 924-26 24 Do you not know that in
a race all the runners run, but only one receives
the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all
things. They do it to receive a perishable
wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not
run aimlessly I do not box as one beating the
air.
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Romans 828-30 28 And we know that for those who
love God all things work together for good, for
those who are called according to his purpose.
29 For those whom he foreknew he also
predestined to be conformed to the image of his
Son, in order that he might be the firstborn
among many brothers.
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30 And those whom he predestined he also called,
and those whom he called he also justified, and
those whom he justified he also glorified.
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A. The First Lap ___________ Him
Knowing
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B. The Second Lap ___________ Him
Trusting
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C. The Third Lap ___________ With Him
Suffering
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D. The Fourth Lap ________ For Him
Dying
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E. The Finish Line __________ Like Him
Becoming
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2. Starting Point Two Forget the _________ of
the Past
Contests
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Philippians 313 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,
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1 Timothy 112-17 12 I thank him who has given me
strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he
judged me faithful, appointing me to his service,
13 though formerly I was a blasphemer,
persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received
mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,
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14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me
with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of
full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the
world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
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16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in
me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display
his perfect patience as an example to those who
were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To
the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only
God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
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2 Corinthians 1130 30 If I must boast, I will
boast of the things that show my weakness.
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A. The Contests of Spiritual __________
Defeat
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B. The Contests of Spiritual ___________
Domination
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3. Starting Point Three Focus on the ______
Finish
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Philippians 314 14 I press on toward the goal
for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ
Jesus.
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Colossians 31-4 1 If then you have been raised
with Christ, seek the things that are above,
where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your minds on things that are above, not
on things that are on earth.
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3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with
Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life
appears, then you also will appear with him in
glory.
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2 Timothy 47-8 7 I have fought the good fight, I
have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown
of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous
judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only
to me but also to all who have loved his
appearing.
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A. Press On . . .
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B. To Become More Like Christ . . .
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C. And Receive His Reward . . .
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D. At Heavens Celebration.
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4. Starting Point Four Ignore How ________ Run
Others
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Philippians 315-16 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.
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Philippians 312 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.
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1 Corinthians 620 20 for you were bought with a
price. So glorify God in your body.
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Hebrews 121-2 1 Therefore, since we are
surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let
us also lay aside every weight, and sin which
clings so closely, and let us run with endurance
the race that is set before us, 2 looking to
Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before him endured
the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at
the right hand of the throne of God.
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A. ___________ Who You Are
Respect
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B. ___________ Who He Is
Realize
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C. ___________ What Youve Gained
Retain
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D. ______________ Why You Started
Remember
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Conclusion