Get In Line With God

Scripture Reading:  Philippians 3:3-17

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:12-14

You must make major adjustments in your life to join God in what He is doing.

1.      Avoid the path of pride that makes your think you don’t need God.  verses 3-9
         a.      You have sinned because all have sinned.
         b.      The wages of sin is death.  You have earned punishment.
         c.      Our “best” is like garbage compared to God’s “best.”
         d.      The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus!  God offers you salvation!

2.      Ask God to show you a godly role model: Find a person like Paul!
         a.      They model salvation by grace
         b.      They model humility
         c.      They model recognition of sin and repentance
         d.      They model sacrifice for God
         e.      They model priorities surrendered to Jesus

3.      Aim for The Mark precisely: verses10-11
         a.      Know Jesus
         b.      The power of resurrection
         c.      The fellowship of suffering
         d.      The eternal promise

4.      Adjust your path continually: verses 12-13
         a.      Not there yet
         b.      I am reaching
         c.      This is the main thing

5.      Apprehend your prize enthusiastically: verses 14-16
         a.      Focus on Jesus!
         b.      Forget the past!
         c.      Forge Ahead!
         d.      Find Maturity!

Review:
1.      Avoid the path of pride that makes your think you don’t need God.  verses 3-9
2.      Ask God to show you a godly role model: Find a person like Paul!
3.      Aim for The Mark precisely: verses 10-11
4.      Adjust your path continually: verses 12-13
5.      Apprehend your prize enthusiastically: verses 14-16