Intentional Discipleship: Pressing On in Spiritual Growth
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the importance of intentional discipleship and the necessity of persistent effort in our spiritual growth. We began by reflecting on the dedication and discipline of Olympic athletes, drawing parallels to our own spiritual journeys. Just as athletes train rigorously to excel in their sports, we too must implement intentional strategies to grow in our relationship with God. This is not about earning salvation, which is a gift of grace, but about responding to that grace with effort and determination to become more like Jesus.
We delved into the life of Paul, who exemplified this persistent effort. Despite his past as a persecutor of Christians, Paul’s encounter with the resurrected Christ transformed him into a fervent ambassador for the gospel. His life was marked by extreme effort in the face of extreme adversity, and he pressed on towards the goal of knowing Christ more deeply and becoming more like Him. Paul’s journey teaches us that spiritual growth requires continuous effort and that we must not become complacent with past victories or be held back by past failures.
Paul’s message in Philippians 3 emphasizes that nobody stumbles into godliness. Just as showing up at the gym doesn’t automatically make you fit, merely attending church or making a profession of faith doesn’t ensure spiritual maturity. We must actively pursue growth, setting spiritual goals and developing plans to achieve them. This involves forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, much like an Olympic runner giving their all to cross the finish line.
In our spiritual race, we are encouraged to press on, not for the sake of earning salvation, but to live a life that reflects our new identity in Christ. This journey is a marathon, not a sprint, and requires maturity, perseverance, and a focus on the eternal prize. As we consider our next steps in our relationship with God, we are called to develop intentional strategies for growth, whether that’s through Bible study, prayer, serving others, or any other means that helps us become more like Jesus.
### Key Takeaways
1. Intentional Discipleship: Spiritual growth requires an intentional strategy, much like the rigorous training of Olympic athletes. Just showing up isn’t enough; we must actively pursue growth in our relationship with God. This involves setting spiritual goals and developing plans to achieve them. [42:07]
2. Persistent Effort: Paul’s life exemplifies the need for persistent effort in our spiritual journey. Despite his past and the adversities he faced, Paul pressed on towards the goal of knowing Christ more deeply. This teaches us that spiritual growth requires continuous effort and determination. [44:31]
3. Grace and Effort: Grace is not opposed to effort but to earning. Our salvation is a gift of grace, but our sanctification requires effort. We must strive to grow in our relationship with Christ, not to earn His love, but in response to His grace. [52:38]
4. Forgetting the Past: Paul teaches us to forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead. This means not letting past failures or successes define us but focusing on our new identity in Christ and the mission He has given us. [56:34]
5. Running the Race: Our spiritual journey is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires maturity, perseverance, and a focus on the eternal prize. We must press on, giving our all in the pursuit of knowing Christ more and becoming more like Him. [59:06]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[37:12] - Opening Prayer
[38:04] - Olympic Athletes and Spiritual Discipline
[38:57] - The Importance of Persistent Effort
[40:03] - What’s Your Next?
[41:23] - Exploring God’s Relationship with Us
[42:07] - Intentional Discipleship
[43:04] - Showing Up vs. Growing Up
[44:31] - Paul’s Example of Persistent Effort
[45:52] - Paul’s Transformation
[46:44] - Paul’s Sufferings and Determination
[48:27] - Pressing On in Adversity
[50:00] - Paul’s Motivation
[52:38] - Grace and Effort
[56:34] - Forgetting the Past
[59:06] - Running the Race
[01:09:03] - What’s Your Plan?
[01:09:55] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Philippians 3:7-14 - "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. 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."
2. Romans 6:1-4 - "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."
3. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 - "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul consider as "loss" for the sake of Christ in Philippians 3:7-8?
2. According to Philippians 3:13-14, what is Paul's approach to his past and his future?
3. In Romans 6:1-4, what is the significance of being baptized into Christ's death and resurrection?
4. How does Paul describe his physical and spiritual state in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead in Philippians 3:13-14? How does this relate to our spiritual growth? [56:34]
2. How does the concept of grace and effort coexist in the Christian life according to the sermon and Philippians 3? [52:38]
3. What does Paul mean by "pressing on toward the goal" in Philippians 3:14, and how does this reflect his overall mission and purpose? [49:13]
4. How can the idea of "light and momentary troubles" in 2 Corinthians 4:17 help us maintain perspective during difficult times? [01:03:32]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Philippians 3:13-14, what are some past successes or failures that you need to let go of to focus on your spiritual growth? How can you start doing that this week? [56:34]
2. The sermon emphasized the need for an intentional strategy for spiritual growth. What specific spiritual goals can you set for yourself, and what plans can you develop to achieve them? [42:07]
3. Paul’s life exemplified persistent effort despite adversities. What are some challenges you face in your spiritual journey, and how can you press on through them? [44:31]
4. How can you incorporate the idea of grace not being opposed to effort but to earning into your daily walk with Christ? What practical steps can you take to balance grace and effort in your life? [52:38]
5. Considering Romans 6:1-4, how can you live out your new life in Christ more fully? What changes might you need to make in your daily habits or mindset?
6. Paul talks about the importance of not becoming complacent with past victories. What are some ways you can ensure you continue to grow spiritually and not rest on your laurels? [58:17]
7. The sermon mentioned the importance of having a plan for spiritual growth. What is one specific area in your spiritual life where you need to grow, and what is your plan to address it? [01:05:57]
Devotional
### Day 1: Intentional Spiritual Growth
Description: Spiritual growth is not a passive process; it requires intentionality and effort. Just as Olympic athletes train rigorously to excel in their sports, Christians must implement deliberate strategies to deepen their relationship with God. This involves setting spiritual goals and developing plans to achieve them. Simply attending church or making a profession of faith is not enough to ensure spiritual maturity. We must actively pursue growth, much like an athlete who trains daily to improve their performance. This intentional discipleship is about responding to God's grace with effort and determination to become more like Jesus. [42:07]
Bible Passage: "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable." (1 Corinthians 9:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: What specific spiritual goals can you set for yourself this week, and what steps will you take to achieve them?
### Day 2: Persistent Effort in Faith
Description: The life of Paul exemplifies the need for persistent effort in our spiritual journey. Despite his past as a persecutor of Christians, Paul’s encounter with the resurrected Christ transformed him into a fervent ambassador for the gospel. His life was marked by extreme effort in the face of extreme adversity, and he pressed on towards the goal of knowing Christ more deeply and becoming more like Him. This teaches us that spiritual growth requires continuous effort and determination. We must not become complacent with past victories or be held back by past failures. [44:31]
Bible Passage: "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead." (Philippians 3:12-13, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your spiritual life do you need to show more persistence and effort? How can you start today?
### Day 3: Grace and Effort
Description: Grace is not opposed to effort but to earning. Our salvation is a gift of grace, but our sanctification requires effort. We must strive to grow in our relationship with Christ, not to earn His love, but in response to His grace. This means that while we cannot earn our salvation through works, we are called to respond to God's grace with intentional actions that foster spiritual growth. This involves daily practices such as prayer, Bible study, and serving others, which help us become more like Jesus. [52:38]
Bible Passage: "For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love." (2 Peter 1:5-7, ESV)
Reflection: How can you respond to God's grace with intentional actions today? What specific steps will you take to grow in your faith?
### Day 4: Forgetting the Past
Description: Paul teaches us to forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead. This means not letting past failures or successes define us but focusing on our new identity in Christ and the mission He has given us. By letting go of the past, we can fully embrace the future God has for us. This involves a conscious decision to not dwell on past mistakes or rest on past achievements but to continually seek growth and transformation in our spiritual lives. [56:34]
Bible Passage: "Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14, ESV)
Reflection: What past failures or successes are you holding onto that might be hindering your spiritual growth? How can you let go of them and focus on your new identity in Christ?
### Day 5: Running the Spiritual Race
Description: Our spiritual journey is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires maturity, perseverance, and a focus on the eternal prize. We must press on, giving our all in the pursuit of knowing Christ more and becoming more like Him. This journey involves continuous effort and determination, much like an athlete who trains for a long-distance race. By keeping our eyes on the eternal prize, we can stay motivated and committed to our spiritual growth, even in the face of challenges and setbacks. [59:06]
Bible Passage: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: What are some practical ways you can build endurance in your spiritual journey? How can you stay focused on the eternal prize amidst daily challenges?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Just because you made a profession of faith or just because you showed up today doesn't mean that you're going to become like Jesus as a result. Showing up is certainly important. I'm glad that you did. But showing up is not all that's needed to grow up in Christ because nobody stumbles into godliness. Nobody does." [43:43] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Grace is not opposed to effort, but to earning. Grace is not opposed to trying. Grace is not opposed to trying hard, to doing good work, to giving everything that you've got in service to Jesus Christ in response to who Jesus is and what he's done for you." [52:38] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Paul says, I want to run this race up until the day that I die. Such that the time I come to the end, I will cross over into eternity. And I will be embraced by Jesus Christ who will then say to me, well done. He says, I want my life to matter. Not just here on earth, but for all eternity." [51:48] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Paul emphatically declares here, I'm not done. I'm not dead yet. This is like the Monty Python scene, right? Where the guy is knocked out and he's like, I'm not dead yet, right? There you go. Anytime you can bring Monty Python in sermon, right? It's not in my notes, but it's like, I'll never forget it. So he's just like, I'm not done. So I press on." [48:27] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Paul's saying the stuff that you do here on earth, it matters. That what you do here can matter. For eternity. It can. Paul's like, man, that's what I'm after. He says, that's what's worth all the effort." [51:48] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Just because you showed up doesn't mean you're going to grow up. And this is true for, like... Probably any area of your life. You know, just because you showed up at the altar doesn't mean you're going to have a successful marriage. Just because you became a mother and father doesn't mean that you're going to be a great parent, like your kid showed up. But, okay, what do you do?" [43:04] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Paul had baggage. Paul's saying here, he says, look, I refuse to let my past keep its hooks in me. I refuse to let who I was define who I am now in Christ. Because Jesus Christ has made me his own. I am now defined by Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection for me. I am now a new creation in Christ. And so, therefore, all that stuff in the past, I'm going to leave it there. And I'm going to move on." [57:36] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Paul says, I want to run this race up until the day that I die. Such that the time I come to the end, I will cross over into eternity. And I will be embraced by Jesus Christ who will then say to me, well done. He says, I want my life to matter. Not just here on earth, but for all eternity. Paul's saying the stuff that you do here on earth, it matters. That what you do here can matter. For eternity. It can. Paul's like, man, that's what I'm after. He says, that's what's worth all the effort." [51:48] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Paul emphatically declares here, I'm not done. I'm not dead yet. This is like the Monty Python scene, right? Where the guy is knocked out and he's like, I'm not dead yet, right? There you go. Anytime you can bring Monty Python in sermon, right? It's not in my notes, but it's like, I'll never forget it. So he's just like, I'm not done. So I press on. And the Greek word used there is diako. It means to follow hard after something, to give it everything you've got." [48:27] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Paul's saying the stuff that you do here on earth, it matters. That what you do here can matter. For eternity. It can. Paul's like, man, that's what I'm after. He says, that's what's worth all the effort. There's a quote here by Dallas Willard. I'm going to read this to you. And you've got to pay close attention. Because if you don't catch it, your Christian faith will go on a wild tangent. Dallas Willard said this. Grace is not opposed to effort, but to earning." [51:48] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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