Reaching Forth - Pastor Stacey Shiflett
- Pastor Shiflett
- Jan 7, 2024
- 4 min read
Reaching Forth
Philippians 3
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.
Intro: Today is Vision Sunday. Tonight, we will get into our Vision for the church. But this morning, we will take a close look at our Vision for ourselves and tie it in with the new theme for 2024: FORWARD.
Though we do not find the word FORWARD in this passage, it is here without a doubt in meaning.
Paul was concerned about several things in these verses.
I. The Position that could be Improved – I have not apprehended
One of the biggest obstacles to moving forward is contentment with where you are.
Before a person, a church, a pastor, a congregation will be stirred to go forward, they must first become discontent with their current state.
Paul stated it clearly – I count not myself to have apprehended.
Paul used a math phrase – “I count” – meaning to calculate, to weight; to reckon; to compute
Paul did the math and didn’t like what it all added up to.
He wasn’t happy with the sum of his life.
He wasn’t content with what he had accomplished.
He wasn’t satisfied with the man that he had become.
He did the math, and recognized shortcomings.
Paul was clear in his belief that he had not “arrived.”
Notice verse 12:
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.
II. The Prize that should be Inspiring
What motivates you?
What challenges you?
It wasn’t the Preacher that motivated him.
It wasn’t the People around him that motivated him.
It wasn’t the Position that motivated him.
It was the PRIZE that motivated him!
Paul referred often to the prize of the believer.
The Prize of Crowns:
2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
1 Corinthians 9:25 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.
The Prize of Rewards:
1 Corinthians 3:14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
The Judgment Seat of Christ will be SERIOUS!
11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
FACT: The Judgment Seat of Christ is not going to be a group event. It will be personal. Just you and God.
We must ALL appear…that EVERY ONE…
III. The Pressing that must be Intentional
13 …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
“I press.” Paul didn’t wait for someone else to press him.
He didn’t ask those around him to press him.
He didn’t need a pastor or preacher to press him.
Paul said I press – this is something that is going on inside of me and motivates me.
He said THIS ONE THING I DO - Then he lists THREE things that he must do.
A. I must Forget some things - forgetting those things which are behind
Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
B. I must Focus on some things - reaching forth unto those things which are before
I believe Paul listed a few of “those things” in verse 10.
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
C. I must Fight for some things - I press toward the mark
This is not going to be a “walk in the park.”
You cannot achieve a closer walk with God without being willing to put forth the effort.
You cannot just think about it.
You cannot just lean toward it.
You cannot just read about it.
You cannot just know about it.
You cannot rely on others to push you there, or pull you there.
There must be an intentional and continual motivation for you to go further.
This is going to be a challenge; take effort; require diligence, commitment and faithfulness.
Notice the word PRESS that Paul used here:
Definitions of PRESS: (1828 Webster’s Dictionary)
To urge with force or weight; a word of extensive use, denoting the application of any power, physical or moral, to something that is to be moved or affected.
To squeeze; to crush (winepress)
To drive with violence; to hurry; (pressed for time)
To urge; to enforce; to inculcate with earnestness;
The pressing Paul mentions is a necessity simply because of the overwhelming opposition that you and I will encounter.
Our flesh is not going to want it.
The devil does not want it.
The world definitely does not want it.
Many of your friends and family will not want it – for themselves or for you.
But there must be a pressing motivation to go forward in your walk with God.
Looking back at the definition of PRESS, let me ask you this question:
How urgent is it to you?
How much physical and moral power are you exerting to go forward?
How important is it to you?
Are you even reaching forth? Or are your hands in your pockets, contented and satisfied with where you are spiritually?
