Sunday Morning First Service | Philippians: Joy in the Journey #7 | Pastor Bob Thomas

Nov 08, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: Pressing Toward Perfection Without Pretending Arrival

The Christian life isn’t about reaching a finish line but embracing the daily journey of growth. Like Paul, believers acknowledge they haven’t “attained” perfection yet refuse to settle for stagnation. Spiritual maturity comes through honest self-assessment and persistent pursuit of Christ, not performative righteousness. Even when past failures tempt us to quit, God’s grace invites us to keep moving. The Holy Spirit’s presence within guarantees we’re never left to grow alone. [51:38]

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: Where have you subtly believed you’ve “arrived” spiritually? What one step can you take this week to lean into growth instead of self-sufficiency?

Day 2: Trading Earthly Comforts for Eternal Weight

Moses’ story reminds us that temporary pleasures often disguise eternal poverty. Choosing Christ may mean walking away from culturally celebrated paths—success, comfort, or approval—to embrace unseen eternal riches. Like an athlete pressing weights, spiritual strength grows through daily resistance. What we release now shapes what we’ll carry into eternity. [59:43]

By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. (Hebrews 11:24-26, ESV)

Reflection: What “Egyptian treasure” still tempts your loyalty? How might releasing it free you to grasp Christ’s eternal reward?

Day 3: Assigning Regrets to Oblivion

God doesn’t recycle our past to build our future. Paul’s command to “forget what lies behind” isn’t spiritual amnesia but a refusal to let yesterday’s failures veto tomorrow’s faithfulness. Like dumping toxic waste, we release shame’s grip by trusting Christ’s finished work over our flawed history. What God calls forgiven, we dare not rehearse. [01:14:25]

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. (Isaiah 43:18-19, ESV)

Reflection: What past failure still narrates your story? How would living as “God’s new thing” shift your focus today?

Day 4: Crowns Awaiting the Persistent

Eternal rewards aren’t trophies for the elite but promises for the faithful. Every whispered prayer, unnoticed kindness, and resisted temptation accrues eternal weight. Like a runner eyeing the finish, maturity means living for the “well done” rather than the “well seen.” Our brief earthly struggles will birth everlasting glory. [01:27:10]

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. (2 Timothy 4:7-8, ESV)

Reflection: What mundane act of faithfulness feels insignificant? How does eternity’s perspective redefine its value?

Day 5: Ambassadors Parked in Royalty Spaces

Heaven’s citizens live as foreign representatives, not permanent residents. Like the preacher parking in royalty spots, believers access divine provision by embracing their ambassadorial identity. Earthly struggles lose their sting when we remember our true home’s resources. Our highest privilege is showcasing heaven’s culture in everyday spaces. [01:23:41]

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. (Philippians 3:20-21, ESV)

Reflection: Where do you most struggle to act as heaven’s ambassador? What earthly mindset needs replacing with your homeland’s truth today?

Sermon Summary

Paul’s words in Philippians 3 leave no room for the idea that a believer has arrived. Even Paul had not reached perfection. Christ had laid hold of him, and he was pressing on to take hold of everything Christ intended. God is not finished with any believer on this earth, regardless of age or ability. There is still room to learn, grow, pray, and make a difference.

The new birth changes the spirit, where the Holy Spirit takes up residence. That righteousness gives believers boldness to come to God for grace, even after they have messed up. But a changed spirit does not mean that every part of life is instantly mature. Growth takes a willingness to learn and the effort of building a relationship with God.

Pressing on means spending time with Jesus and bringing him into everyday life, including work, decisions, and recreation. Closeness to God helps loosen the hold of worldly things. Enjoyment becomes a problem when it takes over, steals precious time, and controls a person’s attention. Moses looked beyond Egypt’s treasures because he valued God’s reward more.

Paul’s call to forget what lies behind does not require amnesia or pretending that failure never happened. It means refusing to let confessed sin, regret, and bad decisions decide the future. Forgiveness and obedience are choices, not feelings. God can bring fresh life into dry places, and past failure does not exhaust his ability to work.

Maturity also stays open to correction instead of defending blind spots. Paul contrasts an earthly outlook, ruled by appetite and temporary things, with heavenly citizenship. Believers belong to heaven and represent that homeland on earth. Christ will transform their bodies, and their service is not forgotten. Those helped, faith kept through trials, and even a cup of water given in the Lord’s name matter to him. The call is to stand firm, keep growing, and press toward the reward ahead.

Key Takeaways

1. A Changed Spirit Still Needs Growth. The Holy Spirit’s presence in a believer does not mean that every habit, thought, and response has reached maturity. Righteousness gives access to God’s grace, not a reason to stop learning. A believer can come boldly after failure while remaining honest about the growth still needed. [51:38]
2. Closeness To God Changes Earthly Attachments. Pressing on takes the effort of spending time with God and bringing everyday life into that relationship. Work, recreation, and ordinary decisions become places to recognize his presence and ask for help. The issue is not simply whether an activity is enjoyable, but whether it has taken over and begun stealing the attention that belongs to him. [58:51]
3. Past Failure Cannot Decide The Future. Paul remembered his persecution of Christians, yet he refused to let that history determine his next step. Forgetting means assigning confessed failures to oblivion rather than continually giving them a place to control the mind. God’s forgiveness allows a believer to acknowledge what happened without treating regret as the final authority over what happens next. [1:13:58]
4. Maturity Leaves Room For God's Correction. The most mature believers are not those who have everything figured out. They stop defending blind spots and remain open to the Holy Spirit’s correction without receiving condemnation. Trust in God’s love makes it possible to face what needs changing and then take care of it. [1:17:21]
5. Heaven's Rewards Give Present Faithfulness Weight. Paul calls the believers he has helped his joy and crown, giving lasting significance to the work of helping others grow. Even a cup of water given in the Lord’s name is not overlooked. Faithfulness through trials matters to God, including the costly moments of service and love that receive little recognition on earth. [1:26:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[50:21] - Paul’s Call To Press On
[51:38] - A Changed Spirit And Continuing Growth
[56:06] - God Is Not Finished With Any Believer
[57:33] - Building A Relationship With God
[1:02:05] - When Enjoyment Takes Over
[1:08:47] - Forgetting What Lies Behind
[1:12:29] - Forgiveness Is A Choice
[1:15:16] - Fresh Life In Dry Places
[1:17:21] - Staying Open To Correction
[1:18:25] - Earthly Appetites And Eternal Rewards
[1:21:11] - Heavenly Citizenship And A Transformed Body
[1:25:47] - Standing Firm And Receiving The Crown
[1:27:58] - Prayer For Growth And Freedom From Regret
[1:30:01] - Prayer Partners And Invitation To Christ

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Philippians 3:12-14
“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, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” [50:45]

Hebrews 11:24-26
“By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.” [59:43]

Philippians 3:20-21
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” [01:21:15]

Observation questions

In Philippians 3:12–14, how does Paul describe both his unfinished growth and Christ’s involvement in his pursuit? What keeps him moving forward? [57:43]
In Hebrews 11:24–26, what did Moses give up, what did he choose instead, and what future hope shaped that choice? [59:43]
What part of Paul’s past illustrates why forgetting what lies behind cannot mean simply losing the memory of it? [01:09:21]
In Philippians 3:20–21, what present identity and future change does Paul describe for believers?

Interpretation questions

How does Christ’s having taken hold of Paul help explain the difference between pursuing spiritual growth and trying to earn God’s acceptance? [01:10:02]
How does Moses’ example help a believer distinguish between something enjoyable and something that has become too important? [01:02:05]
What is the difference between learning from a confessed failure and allowing that failure to decide a person’s future? How could those two responses lead to different choices? [01:14:31]
How should heavenly citizenship shape a believer’s approach to ordinary responsibilities and relationships on earth, rather than make those things seem unimportant? [01:21:45]

Application questions

Where do you see room for growth in a habit, thought pattern, or response? How does knowing that you can come to God for grace help you face that area honestly? [52:31]
Think about your work, home responsibilities, or recreation. What is one ordinary moment this week when you could pause to recognize God’s presence and ask for his help? [59:20]
Is there an enjoyable activity that may be taking more of your time or attention than you want it to? What change might help you enjoy it without letting it control you? [01:02:05]
Without sharing more than you feel comfortable sharing, is there a past failure or regret that still influences what you believe is possible? What next step could you take while trusting God’s forgiveness, even if the feelings linger? [01:14:31]
When someone points out something you need to change, what is your first response? What might help you listen for God’s correction without becoming defensive or feeling condemned? [01:17:29]
God does not overlook quiet acts of service and love. Who could you encourage, pray for, or help this week, even if no one else notices? How does the hope of his reward strengthen you to keep serving? [01:26:24]

Sermon Clips

45s

#PressOnward

“Now Paul doesn't have amnesia. You know, he's not forgetting history. He's just... The Lord has given him how to deal with it. Think about Paul's position. He persecuted Christians. He remembers Stephen dying. He's probably ministering to people that he's responsible for the imprisonment or the death of their loved one. And what's God have him do? Forget those things which are behind and press on for the high price.”

44s

#NewCreation

“I can remember expecting perfection after I got saved. That's what caused me to go down for prayer to get saved over and over again because I was expecting too much, expecting everything to change. But what changed was my spirit. And once you have that understanding that your spirit, soul, body, it's your spirit on the inside that changed, but it changed remarkably. In fact, the Holy Spirit took up residence on the inside of your new creation spirit and lives there. The third person of the Godhead lives inside of you, inside of your spirit.”

33s

#ChooseToObey

“It's a choice. Well, I'll I'll do that when I have the feeling. It's not a feeling to obey god. I make a choice. That's what I'm gonna do. Same thing forgiving someone. Repentance or or forgiving someone is a choice. It's not a feeling. If you're way down the feeling, you might not get the feeling. You make the choice.”

36s

#PurposefulPrayer

“no matter your age, god something fresh with you. There's something you can do. Well, I can't... I'm not as mobile. I can't do this wherever. Can you still pray? Pray then. You're making a difference. Prayer makes a difference. There's something that you can do. A believer never arrives at perfection. Number two, maturity in Christ comes to those who press on.”

32s

#GrowWithGod

“And you have to pray... You mean it takes some effort? Yes. It takes some effort. What's the effort? Build your relationship with God. Spend time with him. Same you would in a marriage. How do you build your life? By spending time together, sharing your heart together. Put effort into your walk, your life with Jesus. Put time into your relationship.”

45s

#HeavenlyRewards

“You press on in your relationship with God. Things are happening negative in in this world, in in your life. What do you do? You keep looking to the reward at the end of this. When you stand before Jesus, there's a reward that you get as you live for him. And this in this life, you're rewarded. We don't earn anything by our good works, but you know what? When you get to heaven, you're rewarded on them. Where you followed scriptures, where you obey God, there's reward in heaven.”

32s

#LetGoAndGrow

“Wisdom, maturity, forgetting those things which were behind. If you keep looking back, you can't go forward. Forget the regrets. Anybody have any regrets? We all have regrets. We've all made bad decisions, failures, mistakes. Whatever it is, you've got to let it go. We've all missed it. We all fall short of the glory of god.”

54s

#ForgiveAndMoveForward

“We choose, Lord, to receive your total forgiveness, and we forgive ourselves. And we choose to forget those things in the past and press forward in you, knowing that you will reward us. Know that you have a glorified body awaiting us. And there will be a grand reunion when we all get together with those that have gone before us. We thank you, father. We thank you, Jesus, that we're moving and always growing towards more and more maturity in you, and we give you thanks and glory in Jesus' name.”

45s

#FaithInEveryMoment

“So the the key here, you can still do... You can you can still play golf there and just take Jesus with you to play golf. Start getting him connected into every part of your life. You're not to have any area control but talk to him. You know, Jesus is always present with us, but are we present with him? Do we recognize him? Are we aware of him in our everyday life? Because he's with us. He's in us.”

47s

#NeverStopGrowing

“always be moving towards learning and growing in God. There's no end to your growth in God. That's one thing I love about him is it doesn't matter how many times I've read a scripture, He can speak something brand new out of that scripture that just... It does something to you. In fact, the e... Eternity is not long enough to grasp You're not gonna learn all about God in eternity because eternity can't hold God.”

54s

#HeavenIsHome

“We live on this earth as, aliens. You know, this is not our home. This is not... We're not home. Our citizenship is in heaven, and we get an ambassadorship. Ambassadorship. It's a great place of study. But, all the benefits, like, were placed here as ambassadors representing homeland, but all provision, all supplies, everything come from home. Heaven heaven to us. That means that we're to not look earthly, but to look heavenly. Look to God.”

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