Growing in Christ
Philippians 3:12-16
PHILIPPIANS 3:13b-14 (ESV)
But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
1. To grow spiritually we have to own our shortcomings
PHILIPPIANS 3:10 (NIV)
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
PHILIPPIANS 3:12a (ESV)
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect,
PHILIPPIANS 3:13a (NIV)
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.
2. To grow spiritually we must press into Christ
PHILIPPIANS 3:12b (NIV)
but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
PHILIPPIANS 3:14a (NIV)
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
1 CORINTHIANS 9:24-26 (NLT)
Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step.
PHILIPPIANS 3:12b (NIV)
but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
ROMANS 8:29a (NLT)
For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son,
PHILIPPIANS 3:13a (NIV)
But one thing I do:
3. To grow spiritually we need to forget the past
PHILIPPIANS 3:13b (NIV)
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
1st We have to forget our successes.
2nd We must forget our failures:
4. To grow spiritually we need stop comparing ourselves to others
PHILIPPIANS 3:15b (NIV)
And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.
PHILIPPIANS 3:16 (NIV)
Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
1st Are you growing in Christ?
2nd Have you begun walking with Christ?
ROMANS 8:30 (NLT)
And having chosen them, he called them to come to him.
