Pressing On Toward Maturity

1
Pressing On Toward Maturity
2
Big Idea The New Year is a great time for us
to align (or re-align) our priorities to Gods
priorities for our lives.
3
Big Picture of Philippians Historical
Background- Pauls 2nd Missionary Journey
(Acts 16) Themes- 1. Persevering in the
Christian Life with JOY! 2. The Gospel of
Jesus Christ Setting- Paul wrote Philippians
while in Prison in Rome about 61 A.D. Tone-
Most personal of Pauls letters
4

• Lessons from Philippians 312-14
• Knowing Christ is our 1 priority

5

• Character Sketches of a Focused Life
• gt David (Psalm 274)

6

• Psalm 274
• ONE THING I have asked from the Lord, that I
  shall seek
• That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all
  the days of my life,
• To behold the beauty of the Lord
• And to meditate in His temple.

7

• Character Sketches of a Focused Life
• gt David (Psalm 274)
• gt Mary (Luke 1038-42)

8

• Luke 1038-42
• Now as they were traveling along, He entered a
  village and a woman named Martha welcomed Him
  into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who
  was seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His
  word. But Martha was distracted with all her
  preparations and she came up to Him and said,
  "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me
  to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to
  help me." But the Lord answered and said to her,
  "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered
  about so many things BUT ONLY ONE THING IS
  NECESSARY, for Mary has chosen the good part,
  which shall not be taken away from her."

9

• Character Sketches of a Focused Life
• gt David (Psalm 274)
• gt Mary (Luke 1038-42)
• gt Jesus (John 171-4)

10

• John 171-4
• Jesus spoke these things and lifting up His
  eyes to heaven, He said, Father, the hour has
  come glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify
  You, even as You gave Him authority over all
  flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He
  may give eternal life. This is eternal life, that
  they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus
  Christ whom You have sent. I GLORIFIED YOU ON THE
  EARTH, HAVING ACCOMPLISHED THE WORK WHICH YOU
  HAVE GIVEN ME TO DO.

11

• If anything has kept me on track all these
  years, its being skewered to this principle of
  central focus. You might remember my inverted
  triangle there are many things I can do, but I
  have to narrow it down to the one thing I must
  do. The secret of concentration is elimination.
  Our flesh keeps right on trying to con us into
  sayings yes when we should say no. It will
  always be a struggle. It has been for me. Just
  wanted you to know that down the road where I am,
  its an A-1 priority. Keep your eye on the
  target.
• Focused on Christ,
• Howard G. Hendricks

12

• Lessons from Philippians 312-14
• Knowing Christ is our 1 priority
• Seek progress, not perfection
• Put no confidence in our flesh
• Knowing Christ leads to maturity
• Knowing Christ requires
• a) His Power
• b) His Suffering
• Dont give up!!

13

• What does maturity look like?
• Submission (11 27-11)
• Humility (23)
• Service (222, 25-30)
• Joy (14, 18 31 44)
• Conflict Resolution (42)
• Contentment (411)
• Living out the Great Commandment
• Committed to the Great Commission

14

• What can knock us out of the race?
• Wrong priorities
• Busyness
• Distractions Stuff
• Temptations/Addictions/Sin
• Doing the good but not the best

15

• Goals for this year
• Read through the Bible in a year
• Daily Devotional- My Utmost for His Highest. See
  www.gospelcom.net
• Pick a verse for the year
• Get in a small group
• Serve according to your giftedness

16

• Time is the mother of eternity. Today molds
  tomorrow and, when all the todays and tomorrows
  have become yesterdays, they will have determined
  our destiny, because they will have settled our
  characters.
• Alexander Maclaren (1826-1910)

17
Pressing On Toward Maturity I'm not saying
that I have this all together, that I have it
made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for
Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me.
Friends, don't get me wrong By no means do I
count myself an expert in all of this, but I've
got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us
onwardto Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not
turning back. Philippians 312-14 from The
Message