Moving Forward: Embracing Faith and Overcoming Stagnation

Summary

### Summary

Good morning, church. Today, we embark on a new sermon series titled "Moving Forward," inspired by Philippians 3:12-14. Life is a journey filled with stages and transitions, much like a child growing from crawling to walking. This journey is unpredictable and requires faith, as we often encounter obstacles that can make us feel stuck, whether in our marriages, relationships, or spiritual lives. These obstacles can lead to a state of plateau, where we neither progress nor regress, but remain stagnant. This stagnation can affect not only our personal lives but also our church community, leading to a loss of vision and purpose.

Paul's letter to the Philippians offers us valuable advice for overcoming these challenges. First, he reminds us not to be discouraged by our current state, as none of us have "arrived" yet. Life is a journey, and our present situation does not define our future. Second, Paul advises us to forget the past—our failures, mistakes, and regrets—so that we can move forward. Holding onto past grievances only hinders our progress. Third, Paul encourages us to press on with determination and passion, much like Jesus did in His mission to save humanity. This requires a mindset that refuses to be deterred by obstacles.

In our marriages, Paul emphasizes the importance of continuous effort and unconditional love. Saying "I do" is just the beginning; maintaining a loving relationship requires ongoing actions and commitment. This principle applies to all areas of our lives, including our spiritual journey. We must continually seek God with passion and determination, knowing that He is our ultimate source of strength and guidance.

As we partake in Holy Communion, let us reflect on these teachings and seek forgiveness for any burdens we carry. Let us also forgive those who have wronged us, so we can move forward with a renewed spirit. May we, as a church, embrace unity and a common vision, allowing us to serve God and our community effectively.

### Key Takeaways

1. Life is a Journey of Faith: Life is unpredictable and filled with various stages and transitions. We must navigate this journey by faith, trusting that God will guide us through the obstacles we encounter. Our current state does not define our future, and we must remain hopeful and determined. [16:48]

2. Overcoming Stagnation: Both individuals and churches can experience periods of stagnation, where progress seems impossible. This state of plateau can lead to a loss of vision and purpose. To overcome this, we must recognize the need for change and take proactive steps to move forward. [20:58]

3. The Power of Forgetting the Past: Holding onto past failures, mistakes, and grievances can hinder our progress. Paul advises us to forget what lies behind and focus on what lies ahead. This act of forgetting allows us to move forward with a clear mind and heart, free from the burdens of the past. [38:25]

4. Continuous Effort in Relationships: In our marriages and relationships, saying "I do" is just the beginning. Maintaining a loving relationship requires ongoing effort, commitment, and unconditional love. We must continually work to keep the fire of love burning, just as Christ loves the church. [28:23]

5. Pressing On with Determination: To reach our goals, we must pursue them with passion and determination. Obstacles will come, but we must not let them deter us. Like Jesus, who faced numerous challenges in His mission, we must press on with unwavering commitment to our purpose. [46:35]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[03:10] - Announcements
[16:48] - Life is a Journey
[18:16] - Obstacles in Life
[20:58] - Stagnation and Plateau
[22:56] - Loss of Vision
[24:49] - Moving Forward
[27:13] - Determination to Shift
[28:23] - Continuous Effort in Relationships
[32:55] - Paul's Letter to Philippi
[34:26] - Advice from Paul
[38:25] - Forgetting the Past
[46:35] - Pressing On with Determination
[50:05] - Holy Communion
[52:27] - Great Thanksgiving
[56:00] - Offertory
[01:06:14] - Joys and Concerns
[01:12:28] - Benediction

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
- Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV): "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."

### Observation Questions
1. According to Philippians 3:12-14, what does Paul say about his current state and his goal? How does he describe his approach to moving forward?
2. In the sermon, what examples are given to illustrate the concept of life being a journey filled with stages and transitions? ([16:48])
3. What does the pastor say about the state of plateau in both personal lives and church communities? ([20:58])
4. How does Paul suggest we should deal with our past according to the sermon? ([38:25])

### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize that he has not yet "arrived" at his goal? How might this perspective be encouraging to believers who feel stuck or discouraged? ([34:56])
2. What does it mean to "forget what lies behind" and how can this act of forgetting help us move forward in our spiritual journey? ([38:25])
3. How does the concept of continuous effort in relationships, as discussed in the sermon, apply to our spiritual lives and our relationship with God? ([28:23])
4. What does it mean to press on with determination and passion, and how can we cultivate this mindset in our daily lives? ([46:35])

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life journey. Are there areas where you feel stuck or stagnant? What steps can you take to move forward in faith, trusting that God will guide you? ([19:45])
2. Think about a past failure or regret that you are holding onto. How can you begin to let go of this burden and focus on what lies ahead? ([38:25])
3. In your marriage or close relationships, what specific actions can you take this week to show continuous effort and unconditional love? ([28:23])
4. Identify an obstacle you are currently facing. How can you adopt a mindset of determination and passion to overcome it, much like Jesus did in His mission? ([46:35])
5. During Holy Communion, we are encouraged to seek forgiveness and forgive others. Is there someone you need to forgive or seek forgiveness from? How can you take a step towards reconciliation this week? ([50:47])
6. As a church community, how can we work together to overcome stagnation and embrace a common vision? What practical steps can we take to serve God and our community more effectively? ([24:49])
7. How can you develop a passion for seeking God in your daily life? What specific practices or habits can you incorporate to ensure you are continually pressing on towards your spiritual goals? ([49:36])

Devotional

Day 1: Navigating Life's Unpredictable Journey
Life is a journey filled with stages and transitions, much like a child growing from crawling to walking. This journey is unpredictable and requires faith, as we often encounter obstacles that can make us feel stuck, whether in our marriages, relationships, or spiritual lives. These obstacles can lead to a state of plateau, where we neither progress nor regress, but remain stagnant. This stagnation can affect not only our personal lives but also our church community, leading to a loss of vision and purpose.

Paul's letter to the Philippians offers us valuable advice for overcoming these challenges. First, he reminds us not to be discouraged by our current state, as none of us have "arrived" yet. Life is a journey, and our present situation does not define our future. We must navigate this journey by faith, trusting that God will guide us through the obstacles we encounter. Our current state does not define our future, and we must remain hopeful and determined. [16:48]

Hebrews 11:8-9 (ESV): "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise."

Reflection: Think about a current obstacle in your life. How can you trust God to guide you through it, even if the path ahead is unclear?

Day 2: Recognizing and Overcoming Stagnation
Both individuals and churches can experience periods of stagnation, where progress seems impossible. This state of plateau can lead to a loss of vision and purpose. To overcome this, we must recognize the need for change and take proactive steps to move forward. Stagnation can be subtle, creeping into our lives and making us feel comfortable with the status quo. However, God calls us to a life of growth and transformation.

Recognizing stagnation is the first step towards overcoming it. Once we identify areas in our lives where we feel stuck, we can seek God's guidance and take intentional steps to move forward. This might involve setting new goals, seeking accountability, or making changes in our daily routines. By doing so, we can reignite our passion and purpose, both individually and as a church community. [20:58]

Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you feel stagnant. What proactive steps can you take this week to move forward and reignite your passion?

Day 3: The Power of Forgetting the Past
Holding onto past failures, mistakes, and grievances can hinder our progress. Paul advises us to forget what lies behind and focus on what lies ahead. This act of forgetting allows us to move forward with a clear mind and heart, free from the burdens of the past. When we dwell on our past mistakes, we can become paralyzed by guilt and regret, preventing us from embracing the future God has for us.

Forgetting the past does not mean ignoring it or pretending it never happened. Instead, it means releasing its hold on us and choosing to focus on the present and future. By doing so, we can experience God's forgiveness and grace, allowing us to move forward with renewed hope and purpose. [38:25]

Isaiah 43:25 (ESV): "I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins."

Reflection: Reflect on a past mistake or failure that you are holding onto. How can you release it to God and focus on the future He has for you?

Day 4: Continuous Effort in Relationships
In our marriages and relationships, saying "I do" is just the beginning. Maintaining a loving relationship requires ongoing effort, commitment, and unconditional love. We must continually work to keep the fire of love burning, just as Christ loves the church. Relationships, whether with a spouse, family member, or friend, require intentional actions and a willingness to invest time and energy.

Unconditional love means loving others despite their flaws and imperfections. It means choosing to forgive, support, and encourage one another, even when it is difficult. By doing so, we can build strong, healthy relationships that reflect God's love and grace. [28:23]

Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

Reflection: Think of one specific action you can take today to show unconditional love to someone in your life. How can you invest in this relationship with ongoing effort and commitment?

Day 5: Pressing On with Determination
To reach our goals, we must pursue them with passion and determination. Obstacles will come, but we must not let them deter us. Like Jesus, who faced numerous challenges in His mission, we must press on with unwavering commitment to our purpose. Determination involves a mindset that refuses to be deterred by obstacles and remains focused on the goal ahead.

Pressing on with determination requires us to rely on God's strength and guidance. It means trusting that He will provide the resources and support we need to overcome challenges and achieve our goals. By doing so, we can fulfill the purpose God has for our lives and make a positive impact on those around us. [46:35]

2 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV): "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing."

Reflection: Identify a goal or purpose you are passionate about. What steps can you take today to pursue it with determination and trust in God's guidance?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Friends, you may recall with me, for example, when a baby, a child is born. The journey of life begins. And to reach our destination, we have to move forward. And you will see that baby will go through different stages of life. The baby will start by, I mean, crawling. And the baby will start, I mean, making a few steps until the baby will start to walk. And they will start to make some few words until, I mean, they will start to talk as everyone else. And with that, the journey continues." [16:48] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "You know one thing, though, in that journey? We really do not know how, I mean, the journey, this journey unfold. It is a journey that we live by faith. We go through that journey by faith because we do not know even one thing that can happen in the few next minutes. We really do not know, but we live by faith." [18:16] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Let us move forward as children of God. No matter what obstacles we face, no matter what things that we have experienced in our life, we have to move forward. And what we simply need when we come to that point of saying that now I need to move forward, what we simply need is determination. Determination to make a shift in whatever area of life, and say, I'm not going to stay here, but I want to move to the next level." [27:13] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "You know, friend, it is a time for us to move forward. And here I'm just speaking for us as a church. This is, I mean, this is the time for us to move forward. This is the time for us, I mean, to say no to staying stagnated. This is the time for us, I mean, to say no to staying frustrated because of what happened in the life of the church. You just come at that point whereby you say that enough is enough." [24:49] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And the reason why is because God loves you. God loves you. God loves you too. And He needs all of you. Together we can make a difference. But when we are finger pointing we will do nothing. And we will continue to disintegrate and divide the church for unnecessary things that will not bring positive fruit in our community. God is saying forgive and forget about it." [44:04] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "And what we also know about that journey, this journey, is simply that there will be some obstacles along the journey. We can hit the rock in any area of our life. We can hit the rock in our marriage. We can hit the rock in our relationships. We can hit a rock in our spiritual life. You know, we've been, I mean, going, walking together with the Lord. And at one time, we just feel like we are really very empty. We no longer want, I mean, to be empty. We no longer want to walk with the Lord the way we used to do. We just feel empty." [18:16] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "In fact, I mean, when we are at that place called plateau, that is the place mainly in the life of the church, we lose the vision. We just going, we just, I mean, start to go through the motion. But we do not have the vision. We no longer know what is really, I mean, making us be who we are. We no longer know what is making us to do what we need to do because we are just going through the motion." [22:56] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "And what Paul is saying here is that I'm not coming to you with this advice as though I have already arrived. I don't want you to think that I'm already there. No, I'm not yet there. And I really appreciate this. Why do I appreciate this word? Simply because to hear this kind of word from a person like Paul, recognizing that he too should not be discouraged because he has not yet arrived. That is really very amazing." [35:26] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Remember to forget your past. I really love this. And Paul says, I don't consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. And here what he is saying, the advice itself, you will find it in the next phrase whereby he says that, but one thing I do, forgetting. And you may want to ask, what does it mean to forget? It simply means to lose it out of your mind. You take it out of your mind. You decide not to recall it, not to pay attention to it." [38:25] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And finally. Press on and reach forward. And we find it in verse 12. 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. What does it mean? To press. Well what does it mean? I mean what does press mean? It simply means to pursue something with passion. To chase after something. To run with enthusiasm." [46:35] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?