SQUAD GOALS — Our Goal = Growing in Christ (Philippians 3:12-16)

Series: Squad Goals – Study through Philippians

Speaker: Tim Perkins

Date: February 27, 2022

Message Title: Our Goal = Growing in Christ (Philippians 3:12-16)

(Philippians 3:12-16 NIV) Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, 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, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

1. To grow spiritually: we have to our shortcomings.

(Philippians 3:10-11 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, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

(Philippians 3:12-13a NIV) Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.

Spiritual growth starts with 2 things…

1. An that we haven’t arrived yet.
2. A to be different than we currently are.

2. To grow spiritually: we must 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.

Press: to move quickly and energetically toward some objective

(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, 

Dallas Willard said, “Disciples are those who, seriously intending to become like Jesus from the inside out, systematically and progressively rearrange their affairs to that end, under the guidance of the Word and the Spirit. That is how the disciple lives.”

 (Matthew 6:33 NIV) But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

3. To grow spiritually: we need to the past.

(Philippians 3:13b NIV) But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

(Philippians 3:13b NIV) But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

What do I need to forget?

1. We have to forget our successes.

 (Philippians 3:13b NIV) But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

2. We must forget our failures.

(Philippians 3:13b NIV) But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

4. To grow spiritually: we need stop ourselves to others.

(Philippians 3:15 NIV) All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.

Love them enough to…

1. Tell them the truth.
2. Demonstrate the truth with your life.
3. Pray for them.
4. Leave them in God’s hands.

John Wesley – Catch on fire for God and people will come for miles to see you burn.

(Philippians 3:16 NIV) Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

(Romans 8:30 NLT) And having chosen them, he called them to come to Him. 

NOTES