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Finding Your Focus
by Pastor Richard Tow
January 1, 2017
Text: Philippians 3:12-14 NLB

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Description:

This message calls Christians to the optimism and commitment Paul expresses in Philippians 3. We accept the fact that we’re all work-in-process and none have fully attained. We put the past behind us in a healthy way and press into the future our Heavenly Father has prepared for us. This is a New Year’s Day message. 

 

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OUTLINE
Finding Your Focus for 2017
01-01-17

Intro:

A.    Text: Phil.3:12-14 NLB
“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection! But I keep working toward
that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be.  13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not
all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,  14 I        strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.”

B.     New Year’s Day: opportunity to access and possibly adjust our journey through life.
1. Time = gift from God
2. Each season of life has its opportunities (Eccl.3:1-8)

C.     Paul’s words in text provides mindset for embracing 2017.

I. Acknowledges his current position (Phil. 3:13).
“No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be…”
A.  Paul has been in ministry 30 years: yet he is still work-in-process. (Phi. 3:12)
B. This is comforting for us who have not yet attained either.

In 2016 focused on 2 Chron. 7:14 and we made some progress.
Yet we still need to make progress in 2017.

II. Acknowledges his need to focus on the future (Phil.3:13).

A.   A major weapon of Satan is depression and hopelessness.
But God has big plans for us (Jer. 29:11; Eph. 2:10)
B.  Paul states his focus in two ways.

(1) Forgetting the Past (3 kinds of things we need to put behind us).
> Past Accomplishments.
We cannot coast on these (Heb. 2:3; 2 Pet. 3:14).
> Past Failures.
We overcome by the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 12:11).
Put it under the blood and move forward (1 John 1:7-0; 2:1).
> Past Offenses (Rom. 12:19).
Not only resisting temptation to retaliate, but also desire for revenge.
(2) Looking to the Future.
What needs to happen in 2017? What will you believe for in 2017?
Paul wanted to know the lord better.
He did not ask for the obvious (get out of jail).

III. Acknowledges the need to press into his future. (Phil.3:14)
A.  Knew entry into God’s Plan would require some effort.
B.  Chose carefully how he would invest time and energy.
We will not drift through 2017!

 

QUESTIONS

1.     List three things you are thankful for in your personal life from 2016.

2.     List two things you are thankful for at Life Church in 2016.

3.     List two things you want to put behind you from 2016.

4.     List two things you want to add or increase in your personal life in 2017.
5.     List three things you would like to see happen in Life Church in 2017.