W E L C O M E T O T H E J A C K S O N S T R E E T C H U R C H O F C H R I S T

P L E A S E T U R N O F F C E L L P H O N E S

Philippians 3:12-14 Not that I have

already attained, or am already

perfected; but I press on, that I may lay

hold of that for which Christ Jesus has

also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do

not count myself to have

apprehended; but one thing I do,

forgetting those things which are

behind and reaching forward to those

things which are ahead, 14 I press

toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

THE ABUNDANT LIFE -CHALLENGE

CHALLENGE

A. We all face different challenges in life.

B. Phil 3:13b-14 but one thing I do, forgetting those

things which are behind and reaching forward to

those things which are ahead, I press toward the

goal for the prize of the upward call of God in

Christ Jesus.

C. Paul refers to 3 challenges in this passage.

1. A forgotten past. “Forgetting things behind”

2. A fearless tomorrow. “Prize of the upward call”

3. A focused present. “I press toward the goal”

D. I am not afraid of tomorrow for I have seen

yesterday and I love today.

I. A FORGOTTEN PAST

A. Phil 3:4-1 4 "Though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. but what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ ….. but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind ….."

I. A FORGOTTEN PAST

B.Heb 8:12 "For I will be merciful to their

unrighteousness, and their sins and their

lawless deeds I will remember no more."

C.We can’t have the abundant life if we are holding on to the past.

II. A FEARLESS TOMORROW

A. Mat 6:25-34 ""Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? "So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; "And yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. >>>

II. A FEARLESS TOMORROW

"Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' "For after all these things the gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

II. A FEARLESS TOMORROW

B.2 Tim 1:12 For this reason I also suffer

these things; nevertheless I am not

ashamed, for I know whom I have believed

and am persuaded that He is able to keep

what I have committed to him until that

day.

C.We are all fascinated with the future

because that is where we will spend the

rest of our lives.

D.We can’t have the abundant life if we are fearful of tomorrow.

III. A FOCUSED TODAY

A.2 Cor 6:2 "For he says: "In an acceptable

time I have heard you, and in the day of

salvation I have helped you." Behold, now

is the accepted time; behold, now is the

day of salvation."

B.John 9:4 ""I must work the works of Him

who sent me while it is day; the night is

coming when no one can work."

III. A FOCUSED TODAY

C. Just a tiny little minute Only sixty seconds in it Forced upon me, cant refuse it. Didn't seek it, didn't choose it, I must suffer if I lose it, Give account if I abuse it. Just a tiny little minute, But eternity is in it.

D.How we live today will determine how we view the past and the future.

E. If we want the abundant life we must focus on being right with God today.

THE ABUNDANT LIFE?

A.CLEAR CONSCIENCE

B.COMMITMENT

C.CONFIDENCE

D.CHEERFULNESS

E. COMPANIONSHIP

F. CHALLENGE

1. Have you forgotten your past?

2. Are you concentrating on the present?

3. Are you confident of the future?

G. NEXT WEEK - CHARACTER

HAVE A CHALLENGE MEETING WEEK