Slide 1

STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! Phil. 3:12-16

Slide 2

2 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

Slide 3

3 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! Introduction: 1. 1.Point of text: Not obtained prize yetpressing on! Aware of past, always learning to press forward Focused on goal: Heaven Mature mind: stay on path, trust God to direct future course

Slide 4

4 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! Introduction: 2. Satans devices hinder False doctrine Focus on past sin & error with pride Focuse on past with despair Exaggerated self-righteousness Exaggerated self-condemnation Lose our way because lose focus on heaven

Slide 5

5 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! Introduction: 3. 3.Stay on path, press forward in 3 areas: As an individual Christian As a local church As a family

Slide 6

6 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! I. I.Pressing Forward as an Individual A. Requires Sober Self-Examination 1. Pauls sober self-exam Phil. 3:12-16 1 Cor. 9:24-27 2 Cor. 13:5-6

Slide 7

7 Phil. 3:12-16 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

Slide 8

8 1 Cor. 9:24-27 24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Slide 9

9 2 Cor. 13:5-6 5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.

Slide 10

10 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! I. I.Pressing Forward as an Individual A. Requires Sober Self-Examination 1. Pauls sober self-exam Phil. 3:12-16 1 Cor. 9:24-27 2 Cor. 13:5-6 2. 1 st examine self, then admonish others

Slide 11

11 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! I. I.Pressing Forward as an Individual B. Press On to Draw Closer to God 1. Bible study: listen to God Ps. 19:7-11

Slide 12

12 Ps. 19:7-11 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Slide 13

13 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! I. I.Pressing Forward as an Individual B. Press On to Draw Closer to God 2. Prayer: talk to God Phil. 4:6-7 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Slide 14

14 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! I. I.Pressing Forward as an Individual C. Press On to Grow in Godly Character 1. Build on faith 2 Pet. 1:5-7 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

Slide 15

15 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! I. I.Pressing Forward as an Individual D. Press On to Serve, Not to be Served 1. Follow Jesus example Jn. 13:12-15

Slide 16

16 Jn. 13:12-15 12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

Slide 17

17 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! I. I.Pressing Forward as an Individual E. Press On to be Pure from the World 1. Part of pure religion Ja. 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Slide 18

18 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! I. I.Pressing Forward as an Individual E. Press On to be Pure from the World 2. Part of pure religion Rom. 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Slide 19

19 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! I. I.Pressing Forward as an Individual F. Press On to Teach Others 1. Under the Great Commission Matt. 28:19-20 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Slide 20

20 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! I. I.Pressing Forward as an Individual F. Press On to Teach Others 2. Requires ceaseless efforts Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Slide 21

21 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! I. I.Pressing Forward as an Individual G. Press On: Fight to the End 1. As soldiers of Christ 1 Tim. 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Slide 22

22 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! I. I.Pressing Forward as an Individual H. As Individuals: Staying on Path, Pressing Forward?

Slide 23

23 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! II. Pressing Forward as the Church A. In Fulfilling Its Mission 1. Proclaim the gospel of Christ 1 Tim. 3:15-16

Slide 24

24 1 Tim. 3:15-16 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Slide 25

25 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! II. Pressing Forward as the Church A. In Fulfilling Its Mission 1. Proclaim the gospel of Christ 1 Tim. 3:15-16 Support preachers: 17 men June 2004-June 2005, 11 men in 8 U.S. states, 6 men in Philippines Written word Gospel meetings

Slide 26

26 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! II. Pressing Forward as the Church A. In Fulfilling Its Mission 2. Worship God, edify saints Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Slide 27

27 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! II. Pressing Forward as the Church A. In Fulfilling Its Mission 2. Worship God, edify saints Acts 2:42 Regular worship & classes Special classes Written word Gospel meetings

Slide 28

28 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! II. Pressing Forward as the Church A. In Fulfilling Its Mission 3. Benevolence to needy saints Acts 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

Slide 29

29 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! II. Pressing Forward as the Church A. In Fulfilling Its Mission 3. Benevolence to needy saints Acts 6:1 Among our own number Among saints in other places

Slide 30

30 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! II. Pressing Forward as the Church B. In Practicing Discipline 1. To save the erring saint 1 Cor. 5:4-5 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Slide 31

31 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! II. Pressing Forward as the Church B. In Practicing Discipline 2. To purify the church 1 Cor. 5:6-7 6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

Slide 32

32 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! II. Pressing Forward as the Church C. In an Uncompromising Stand for Truth 1. Stand like Ephesus 1 Tim. 1:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

Slide 33

33 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! II. Pressing Forward as the Church C. In an Uncompromising Stand for Truth 1. Stand like Ephesus Rev. 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

Slide 34

34 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! II. Pressing Forward as the Church C. In an Uncompromising Stand for Truth 2. Pergamos compromised Rev. 2:14-15

Slide 35

35 Rev. 2:14-15 14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

Slide 36

36 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! II. Pressing Forward as the Church C. In Uncompromising Stand for Truth 3. Stand for Bible pattern on autonomy of church, against institutionalism 4. Stand for truth on marriage-divorce-remarriage, against every false doctrine

Slide 37

37 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! II. Pressing Forward as the Church C. In Uncompromising Stand for Truth 5. Stand for all the counsel of God Acts 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

Slide 38

38 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! II. Pressing Forward as the Church D. In Sounding Out Gods Word to All Men 1. Use all avenues at home 2. April 2005 Philippine trip Preacher train class for 35, 100+ attend, denominational preachers converted 50+ baptized 3. Aug. 15-Sept. 1, 2005 Mindanao

Slide 39

39 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! II. Pressing Forward as the Church E. As a Church: Staying on Path, Pressing Forward?

Slide 40

40 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! III. Pressing Forward as a Family A. United by God, Cultivate that Union 1. From the beginning Gen. 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Slide 41

41 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! III. Pressing Forward as a Family B. Husbands Lead in the Way of God 1. Like Abraham Gen. 18:19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

Slide 42

42 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! III. Pressing Forward as a Family C. Husbands, Treasure Your Wife 1. Like fine china 1 Pet. 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Slide 43

43 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! III. Pressing Forward as a Family D. Gods Challenge to Whole Family 1. Each must press on Col. 3:18-21

Slide 44

44 Col. 3:18-21 18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

Slide 45

45 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! III. Pressing Forward as a Family E. How Press Forward: 1. Prayer & Bible study 2. Assemble with saints 3. Control temper & tongue 4. Firm, loving discipline 5. Provide physical needs, put spiritual needs first 6. Give children time, attention, training

Slide 46

46 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! III. Pressing Forward as a Family F. As a Family: Staying on Path, Pressing Forward?

Slide 47

47 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! Conclusion: 1. 1.Phil. 3:12-16 Powerful passage!

Slide 48

48 Phil. 3:12-16 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

Slide 49

49 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! Conclusion: 1. 1.Phil. 3:12-16 Powerful passage! Not obtained prize yetpressing on! Aware of past, always learning to press forward Focused on goal: Heaven Mature mind: stay on path, trust God to direct future course

Slide 50

50 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! Conclusion: 2. Stay on path, press forward in 3 areas: As an individual Christian As a local church As a family

Slide 51

51 STAYING ON PATH, PRESSING FORWARD ! Conclusion: 3. Must 1 st get on right path: As an erring saint: repent, confess, pray As an alien sinner: believe, repent, confess Christ, be baptized Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.