Pressing On: Embracing Growth and Spiritual Resilience
Summary
In our gathering tonight, we shared prayer requests and praises, reflecting on the blessings and challenges we face. We prayed for Ronald's family, acknowledging the comfort in knowing he is with the Lord, and we asked for strength and healing for those in need. We also prayed for the Gideons' upcoming evangelism efforts, seeking God's guidance and protection over their mission.
As we look forward to new initiatives, such as our upcoming Bible study and the experiment of holding four services in March, we recognize the growth and challenges our church faces. This growth is a blessing, but it also requires us to adapt and find new ways to accommodate everyone.
Tonight, we focused on the theme of "Keep Moving Forward," inspired by Philippians 3:13-14. This passage encourages us to forget what is behind and press on toward the goal of becoming more like Christ. We discussed the importance of aligning our goals with God's will, being honest about where we are in our spiritual journey, and continually striving for spiritual maturity.
I shared my philosophy of ministry, which involves helping everyone move toward the center of the target, representing mature Christian living. This involves encouraging people to trust Christ, grow in their faith, and use their gifts to serve others. We must keep our focus forward, avoiding distractions and not dwelling on past mistakes. Instead, we should lean into God's plan for our lives, trusting that He has a purpose for each of us.
We also discussed the importance of maintaining our spiritual progress and not losing ground in our walk with Christ. This involves being resilient in the face of challenges and forgiving those who may hurt us. By doing so, we can continue to grow in grace and be a light to others, enhancing our witness to a lost world.
Key Takeaways:
1. Aligning with God's Goals: To move forward spiritually, we must align our personal goals with God's will for our lives. This requires a commitment to discovering and pursuing His purpose for us, rather than being content with a passive faith. [28:25]
2. Honesty in Our Spiritual Walk: We need to be honest about where we are in our Christian journey. This involves self-reflection and recognizing areas where we need growth, as well as celebrating the progress we've made. [30:11]
3. Focusing Forward: Keeping our focus on the future and God's promises helps us avoid distractions and regrets from the past. By leaning into faith rather than fear, we can embrace the unknown with confidence. [35:33]
4. Resilience and Forgiveness: In our spiritual race, we must be resilient and forgiving, understanding that challenges and offenses will come. By maintaining a forgiving heart, we can continue to grow and not lose ground in our faith. [39:41]
5. Enhancing Our Witness: As we grow in grace, our lives become a testimony to others. By living out our faith authentically, we can draw others to Christ and be effective witnesses in a lost world. [48:13]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:57] - Sharing Prayer Requests
[05:11] - Announcements and Updates
[09:05] - Prayer for Ronald's Family
[10:21] - Upcoming Bible Study
[12:27] - March Service Experiment
[13:28] - Service Schedule Changes
[15:18] - Valentine's Banquet Details
[16:52] - Introduction to Philippians 3
[18:38] - Philosophy of Ministry
[20:16] - Moving Toward Spiritual Maturity
[21:26] - Growing in Christ
[22:28] - Using What You've Learned
[23:20] - Aligning Goals with God's Will
[28:25] - Making God's Goals Your Own
[30:11] - Being Honest in Your Walk
[35:33] - Facing the Future with Faith
[39:41] - Resilience and Forgiveness
[48:13] - Enhancing Our Witness
[49:19] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Philippians 3:13-14
Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean when he says, "forgetting those things which are behind"? How does this relate to the idea of pressing forward? [18:38]
2. In the sermon, the pastor mentioned a personal story about being told to "move forward" by a policeman. How did this story illustrate the sermon's theme? [16:52]
3. What are some of the challenges mentioned in the sermon that the church is facing due to growth? [12:27]
4. How does the pastor describe his philosophy of ministry, and what is the ultimate goal he has for the congregation? [20:16]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does aligning our personal goals with God's will help us in our spiritual journey? What might be some obstacles to achieving this alignment? [28:25]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being honest about where we are in our spiritual walk. Why is self-reflection crucial for spiritual growth? [30:11]
3. What does it mean to "lean into faith rather than fear" when facing the unknown? How can this mindset impact our daily lives? [35:33]
4. How does resilience and forgiveness play a role in maintaining our spiritual progress, according to the sermon? [39:41]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current spiritual journey. Are there any areas where you feel stagnant or need growth? What steps can you take to move forward? [30:11]
2. Consider a past mistake or regret that you find difficult to let go of. How can you apply the principle of "forgetting what is behind" to this situation? [18:38]
3. Identify a personal goal that you have. How can you align this goal with God's will for your life? What changes might be necessary? [28:25]
4. Think of a recent challenge you faced. How did you respond, and how might you approach a similar situation with more resilience and forgiveness in the future? [39:41]
5. Are there any distractions in your life that are hindering your spiritual growth? What practical steps can you take to minimize these distractions? [33:09]
6. How can you use your gifts to serve others in your community or church? Identify one specific action you can take this week to serve someone else. [22:28]
7. Reflect on your witness to others. How can you live out your faith more authentically to draw others to Christ? What specific changes can you make in your daily interactions? [48:13]
Devotional
Day 1: Aligning Personal Goals with God's Will
In our spiritual journey, aligning our personal goals with God's will is crucial for growth and fulfillment. This alignment requires a deep commitment to discovering and pursuing God's purpose for our lives, rather than settling for a passive faith. It involves actively seeking God's guidance through prayer, scripture, and reflection, and being open to His leading, even when it challenges our comfort zones. By aligning our goals with God's will, we can experience a more profound sense of purpose and direction, knowing that we are part of a greater plan. [28:25]
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)
Reflection: What specific personal goal can you align with God's will today, and how will you seek His guidance in this process?
Day 2: Honesty in Our Spiritual Walk
Being honest about where we are in our Christian journey is essential for spiritual growth. This honesty involves self-reflection and recognizing areas where we need improvement, as well as celebrating the progress we've made. It requires a willingness to confront our weaknesses and seek God's help in overcoming them. By being truthful with ourselves and God, we can develop a more authentic faith that is grounded in reality and open to transformation. This honesty also fosters a deeper relationship with God, as we invite Him into every aspect of our lives. [30:11]
"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your spiritual life do you need to be more honest with yourself and God, and what steps can you take to address this today?
Day 3: Focusing Forward
Keeping our focus on the future and God's promises helps us avoid distractions and regrets from the past. By leaning into faith rather than fear, we can embrace the unknown with confidence, trusting that God is leading us toward His purposes. This forward focus encourages us to let go of past mistakes and failures, understanding that they do not define us. Instead, we are called to press on toward the goal of becoming more like Christ, continually striving for spiritual maturity and growth. [35:33]
"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 3:13, ESV)
Reflection: What past regret or distraction do you need to release today to focus more fully on God's promises for your future?
Day 4: Resilience and Forgiveness
In our spiritual race, resilience and forgiveness are vital. Challenges and offenses will come, but maintaining a forgiving heart allows us to continue growing in grace and not lose ground in our faith. Resilience involves trusting God through difficulties and remaining steadfast in our commitment to Him. Forgiveness, on the other hand, frees us from the burden of bitterness and allows us to reflect Christ's love to others. By embodying these qualities, we can navigate life's challenges with grace and emerge stronger in our faith. [39:41]
"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." (Colossians 3:13, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life do you need to forgive today, and how can you begin to extend God's love and forgiveness to them?
Day 5: Enhancing Our Witness
As we grow in grace, our lives become a testimony to others. By living out our faith authentically, we can draw others to Christ and be effective witnesses in a lost world. This involves demonstrating the love, compassion, and truth of Christ in our daily interactions, allowing others to see the transformative power of the Gospel in our lives. Our witness is enhanced when we live with integrity and purpose, reflecting the character of Christ in all we do. [48:13]
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally let your light shine today in a way that draws others to Christ?
Quotes
"First of all, my job as a pastor is to get everybody to move towards the center of that target. If the center of that target represents mature Christian living, then, then my job, if when they come in from outside, I don't know where they are, so I begin to talk to them and try to figure it out." [00:20:01]
"There's not but one way to grow in Christ and that's to read your Bible, pray every day and you'll grow, grow, grow. That's the only way to do it. You know, you can't just listen to sermons. You can't just come to church. You can't just go to Sunday. All of those things are helpful and all of those things build you up but you must have a personal relationship with your Bible." [00:21:26]
"Make God's goals your own goals. Look down, take your Bible. I don't have this on the screen. So take your Bible. I promised I was going to help you start using your Bible a little bit more. So I want to do that. Look in verse number 12, if you will. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect or mature." [00:27:16]
"Most people, most Christians have stopped struggling to discover God's will. Most Christians are just content. We have such a spectator Christianity in 2025. It's incredible. Christianity was never designed for us to come and see it and listen to a preacher and go home and do nothing." [00:28:45]
"Be honest about where you are in your Christian walk. Where are you? Paul said, I hadn't, I hadn't made it yet. I haven't arrived yet. So many Christians today are so snooty because we think we've arrived. I don't need to go. I don't need, you know, no, we would never say, oh, I'm, I'm there. But our behavior says, I don't need anything else." [00:29:50]
"Get rid of distractions in your life. There's some things, and I'm not going to dwell here long, because I'm just going to let the Holy Spirit do his work. Here's what Paul said right here. Let me read verse 13 for you. He says in verse 13, Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended, but this one thing I do." [00:33:09]
"Forget what's behind. You know, the devil trips us up with what's behind. All of us have got junk in the past. There's nobody in here, none of us, that don't have something that we say, man, I wish that hadn't happened. I wish that, I wish I could go back to that time and take a different fork in the road or make a different decision." [00:34:12]
"Keep striving for the goal to achieve. Victory. Had he just kept his eyes on the prize, had he just kept his eyes on the finish line, he would have won the prize. Can I say this evening, keep your eyes on the finish line. There's a prize. There's a crown to be won. There's a prize. Keep going strong. Stop looking back." [00:38:17]
"Don't lose ground in your walk with Christ. It's easy to back up. If you're not careful, how many people have you gone to church with through the years that were faithful that you know that today they're out of church? How many do you know? Lots of them. The woods are full of them." [00:38:40]
"Grow up. Grow up. Grow up. Get some thick skin. And forgive. I like what my friend Richard Bolin used to say. He used to say, I just need to carry a big old basket of forgiveness and just sling it all over everybody. Just sling forgiveness. And you'd have to know Brother Richard to understand what he's talking about. Just sling forgiveness everywhere." [00:40:23]
"Your life is not a light that others see. Regardless of whether you're living for Him or not, people see you. People hear you. They know your language. I mean, if you're a, you know, everybody can come to church and not cuss. Well, most everybody. But you go to work. How is your vocabulary at work?" [00:45:07]
"It enhances our witness to a lost world. If we'll keep leaning in and we'll keep growing, you can't help people. People will be drawn to you. You won't have to look for opportunities to witness. If you'll just keep leaning in, God will bring people by you. You'll just be amazed at what God will do with you, through you, and by you." [00:48:30]
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