Pressing Forward: Embracing Intentional Spiritual Growth

Devotional

Day 1: Intentional Growth Requires Discipline

Spiritual growth doesn't happen by accident. It requires a disciplined approach, where we intentionally seek God through prayer, Bible study, and setting faith goals. Discipline helps us stay focused and committed to our spiritual journey, even when external structures are no longer in place. Paul emphasizes the importance of pressing forward with discipline, using his own life as an example of continuous pursuit of God and His purposes. He warns against becoming stagnant and complacent, highlighting that true growth comes from a continuous pursuit of God and His purposes for our lives. [10:11]

2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV): "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to incorporate more discipline into your spiritual practices, such as setting aside dedicated time for prayer or Bible study?

Day 2: Forget the Past to Forge Ahead

Paul teaches us to forget what lies behind, whether it's our past ambitions, failures, or successes. Holding on to the past can hinder our progress. Instead, we should focus on what lies ahead, pressing forward with a mindset of growth and continuous improvement. This involves letting go of past mistakes and achievements that may hold us back and embracing the future with a forward-looking mindset. By doing so, we can fully engage in the unique calling God has placed on our lives and strive to fulfill His purposes. [14:53]

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: What past experiences or achievements are you holding onto that might be hindering your spiritual growth? How can you release them to focus on what lies ahead?

Day 3: Embrace Your Unique Calling

Each of us has a unique calling from God. We should not compare ourselves to others but strive to be the best version of ourselves that God has created us to be. Embracing our unique calling allows us to make a significant impact and fulfill God's purposes for our lives. Paul encourages us to discover and deploy our gifts, doing our best for God and making a difference in the world. By focusing on our unique calling, we can avoid the pitfalls of comparison and live a life that pleases God. [23:27]

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (ESV): "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone."

Reflection: What unique gifts and talents has God given you? How can you use them to serve others and fulfill your calling?

Day 4: Stay Hungry and Humble

Success can sometimes lead to complacency. Paul reminds us to stay hungry for more of God and His purposes, regardless of our past achievements. A humble and hungry heart keeps us pressing forward, seeking to grow and accomplish even greater things for God's kingdom. By maintaining a posture of humility and a desire for continuous growth, we can avoid the trap of complacency and remain focused on our spiritual journey. [29:57]

James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."

Reflection: In what areas of your life have you become complacent? How can you cultivate a humble and hungry heart to seek more of God and His purposes?

Day 5: Surround Yourself with a Supportive Community

Growth is best achieved in a supportive environment. Being part of a life group or a church community provides the encouragement, accountability, and support we need to thrive in our spiritual journey. We need people who will walk with us, pray for us, and help us stay focused on our growth goals. Paul emphasizes the importance of community and support, encouraging us to be part of a growth environment that fosters spiritual development. [46:05]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Who are the people in your life that support your spiritual growth? How can you actively engage with them to create a more supportive and encouraging environment?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to reflect on the importance of being in a growth environment, both spiritually and personally. We began by acknowledging God's greatness and expressing our gratitude for His love and mercy. We then delved into Philippians 3, where Paul emphasizes the need for continuous growth and pressing forward in our spiritual journey. Paul shares his own experiences and challenges us to adopt a mindset of intentional growth, urging us to forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead.

Paul's message is clear: spiritual growth requires discipline, intentionality, and a forward-looking mindset. He warns against becoming stagnant and complacent, highlighting that true growth comes from a continuous pursuit of God and His purposes for our lives. Paul uses his own life as an example, showing that despite his past achievements and failures, he presses on towards the goal of becoming all that Christ has called him to be.

We are reminded that our spiritual journey is not about comparing ourselves to others but about striving to fulfill the unique calling God has placed on our lives. This involves forgetting our past ambitions, atrocities, and even accomplishments that may hinder our progress. Instead, we are to focus on the upward call of God in Christ Jesus, seeking to live a life that pleases Him and makes a difference in the world.

As we move forward, we are encouraged to be part of a growth environment, whether through personal devotion, life groups, or church activities. We are called to be disciplined, to seek God daily, and to surround ourselves with a supportive community that will help us grow and thrive in our faith. Let us press on with determination, knowing that God is with us and has equipped us with everything we need for life and godliness.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Intentional Growth Requires Discipline: Spiritual growth doesn't happen by accident. It requires a disciplined approach, where we intentionally seek God through prayer, Bible study, and setting faith goals. Discipline helps us stay focused and committed to our spiritual journey, even when external structures are no longer in place. [10:11]
2. Forget the Past to Forge Ahead: Paul teaches us to forget what lies behind, whether it's our past ambitions, failures, or successes. Holding on to the past can hinder our progress. Instead, we should focus on what lies ahead, pressing forward with a mindset of growth and continuous improvement. [14:53]
3. Embrace Your Unique Calling: Each of us has a unique calling from God. We should not compare ourselves to others but strive to be the best version of ourselves that God has created us to be. Embracing our unique calling allows us to make a significant impact and fulfill God's purposes for our lives. [23:27]
4. Stay Hungry and Humble: Success can sometimes lead to complacency. Paul reminds us to stay hungry for more of God and His purposes, regardless of our past achievements. A humble and hungry heart keeps us pressing forward, seeking to grow and accomplish even greater things for God's kingdom. [29:57]
5. Surround Yourself with a Supportive Community: Growth is best achieved in a supportive environment. Being part of a life group or a church community provides the encouragement, accountability, and support we need to thrive in our spiritual journey. We need people who will walk with us, pray for us, and help us stay focused on our growth goals. [46:05]
### [46:05]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:24] - Introduction to the Mini-Series
[03:44] - Importance of a Growth Environment
[05:01] - Lifelong Process of Development
[06:16] - Intentional Steps for Spiritual Growth
[07:30] - Paul's Pedigree and Spiritual Background
[08:54] - Pressing Forward with Discipline
[10:11] - Staying Out of Your Own Way
[11:57] - Forgetting the Wrong Things
[12:29] - Moving Decisively and Intentionally
[13:48] - Becoming What Christ Declared Us to Be
[14:53] - Straining Forward, Not Backward
[15:39] - Overcoming Past Obstacles
[18:25] - Putting No Confidence in the Flesh
[20:01] - Forgetting Ambitions and Comparisons
[21:25] - Paul's Past and Present Focus
[23:27] - Embracing Your Unique Calling
[24:08] - Discovering and Deploying Your Gifts
[25:10] - Doing Your Best for God
[26:16] - Learning from Experience and Wisdom
[27:36] - Overcoming Pain and Trauma
[29:08] - Renewing Your Mind
[29:57] - Staying Hungry and Humble
[31:17] - Maintaining an Innovative Mindset
[32:32] - Pressing On Towards the Goal
[34:42] - Spiritual Vision and Goals
[36:07] - Comparing to Christ's Holiness
[36:51] - Living a Life that Pleases God
[38:20] - Exceedingly Abundantly Above
[39:02] - Finding Purpose Beyond Achievements
[40:43] - The Entrepreneurial Mindset
[41:33] - Holy Discontent and Growth
[42:25] - Excitement for the Future
[43:15] - Call to Action and Ministry Involvement
[44:11] - Spiritual Growth and Life Groups
[46:05] - Importance of Community and Support
[47:19] - Leadership Development and Training
[48:35] - Men's and Women's Ministry
[49:46] - Mission Trips and Global Outreach
[51:17] - Invitation to Partner with the Church
[52:21] - Upcoming Events and Workshops
[53:37] - Closing Remarks and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Paul mean when he says he is "pressing on" in Philippians 3:12-14? How does he describe his approach to spiritual growth? [07:30]
According to the sermon, what are some reasons people stop growing spiritually after a certain point in their lives? [05:01]
What are the three things Paul encourages believers to forget in order to move forward in their spiritual journey? [16:45]
How does Paul describe the mindset of those who are mature in their faith in Philippians 3:15? [07:30]

Interpretation Questions

Why is it important for believers to forget their past ambitions, failures, and successes according to Philippians 3:13-14? How can these hinder spiritual growth? [14:53]
How does the concept of "pressing on" toward the goal relate to the idea of intentional growth and discipline in the Christian life? [12:29]
What does it mean to embrace your unique calling from God, and how can this impact your spiritual journey and the lives of others? [23:27]
How can staying hungry and humble, as mentioned in the sermon, prevent complacency in one's spiritual life? [29:57]

Application Questions

Reflect on your current spiritual practices. Are there areas where you have become stagnant or complacent? What steps can you take to be more intentional about your spiritual growth? [05:01]
Think about a past failure or success that you are holding onto. How is it affecting your ability to move forward in your spiritual journey? What can you do to let go of it and focus on what lies ahead? [14:53]
Identify your unique calling from God. How can you embrace this calling more fully in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to live out this calling? [23:27]
Consider the role of discipline in your spiritual life. What specific disciplines (e.g., prayer, Bible study, fasting) can you incorporate or strengthen to help you grow spiritually? [10:11]
Evaluate your current community and support system. Are you part of a life group or church community that encourages and supports your spiritual growth? If not, what steps can you take to become part of such a community? [46:05]
Reflect on a recent achievement or success. How can you stay humble and hungry for more of God despite this success? What practices can help you maintain this mindset? [29:57]
Think about a specific area in your life where you need to press on and strain forward. What practical steps can you take this week to move decisively and intentionally in that area? [12:29]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "We are glad to know God, that you love us in spite of us God, we are glad to know God, you sent your son God, to die in our place God, because we couldn't do it in our own strength, in our own wisdom, in our own intellect, in our own resources God." [02:24] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "God is not past tense in my life but God is present tense in my life. And God is presently, it's not what God has done in my life, it's what God is doing in Not yesterday, not tomorrow, I'm expecting God to move in my life today because apart from Him I can do nothing." [06:16] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The Bible declares that God has given us everything we need for life and godliness. We don't have an inadequate faith. We don't have an insufficient faith. We don't have an incomplete faith. Peter says that God has given us everything we need for life and godliness." [10:56] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "When you do what you can do, God will do exceedingly, abundantly, above and beyond all you can ask, think, or imagine because you have submitted your crumbs to God. Bring God your lunch and see what God does with it. I'm a witness of what God can do." [25:31] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "How many of y'all believe the visions that God gave you 20 years ago, 30 years ago? How many of y'all still? Believe that God still can do it. How many of you all still believe that God can turn your limits into lemonade? How many of you all believe that God can still lift you up from the muck and miry clay?" [32:32] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "We have become stagnant as believers in Jesus Christ and we wonder why other people seem to be doing so well spiritually but we don't seem to have movement in our spiritual life. May I suggest that very often we don't have movement and growth in our spiritual life is because we are not intentional about our spiritual life." [05:01] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Paul says, forgetting the wrong things and forging the right way. Forgetting the wrong things and forging the right way. He says in verse 13, not that I have already obtained this or I'm already perfect. This term perfect, it doesn't mean that there are no flaws. It doesn't mean that you don't make mistakes. It doesn't mean that you don't go the wrong way." [11:57] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Are you rolling with some spiritual swag when you're rolling down the street? You know what I'm saying? Are you rolling with spiritual swag? Are you somewhere behind letting the devil whip you behind like you don't belong to Jesus Christ? Have you exchanged your life for Christ's life? Do you understand who you are in Him?" [12:58] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Are you living your life based upon the Lordship of Christ? Or are you living your life based upon your accolades in the flesh? Paul said, you know what? In the flesh, you know what? I achieved some stuff in the flesh. I had it going on in the flesh. People knew my name. But you know what? I'm not going to allow that to get in the way of where I'm going." [23:06] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "How well are you doing with what you've been afforded? Is that what you've done? Or what I've given you? So he says, I press toward the goal for the upward call. We've lost sight of the upward call of God. We've lost sight of living a life that pleases God. We've lost sight that God has left us here to make a difference for him." [36:07] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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