Pressing On: Overcoming Complacency in Spiritual Growth
Summary
On this special occasion of our second anniversary, we reflect on the theme "Complacency Kills," inspired by Philippians 3:12-14. As we gather to celebrate, we are reminded not to become content with past achievements but to press forward in our spiritual journey. The Apostle Paul, despite his significant contributions to the New Testament, acknowledged his need for growth, emphasizing that spiritual maturity is a lifelong pursuit. This message challenges us to examine our own spiritual complacency and urges us to strive for continuous growth in our relationship with Christ.
Paul's words remind us that spiritual growth is not reserved for an elite few but is a calling for every believer. Just as we expect physical growth in children, we should anticipate and pursue spiritual growth in our lives. Complacency, the enemy of growth, can lull us into a false sense of satisfaction, hindering our progress. We must resist the temptation to rest on past successes or become paralyzed by past failures. Instead, we are called to press on, forget what lies behind, and reach forward to what lies ahead.
To overcome complacency, Paul provides three key actions: pressing on, forgetting the past, and reaching forward. Pressing on involves taking personal responsibility for our spiritual growth, actively pursuing a deeper relationship with Christ. Forgetting the past means letting go of both failures and successes that can distract us from our current journey. Reaching forward involves focusing on the ultimate goal of standing face-to-face with Jesus, striving for the resurrection and eternal life with Him.
As we embark on our third year, let us not grow comfortable or complacent. Instead, let us be determined to press on, to grow in grace, and to become more like Christ. Our community, our families, and those around us need us to be salt and light, to shine brightly in a world that desperately needs the hope of Jesus. Let us forsake comfort and embrace the call to press forward, taking hold of the true treasure—Jesus Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- Spiritual growth is a lifelong journey, not a destination. Like the Apostle Paul, we must recognize our need for continuous growth and resist the temptation to become complacent. Our spiritual maturity will only be complete when we see Jesus face-to-face. [05:04]
- Complacency is the enemy of spiritual growth. It lulls us into a false sense of satisfaction, hindering our progress. We must actively pursue growth, taking personal responsibility for our spiritual journey and striving to become more like Christ. [06:10]
- Forgetting the past is essential for spiritual progress. Whether it's past failures or successes, focusing on them can paralyze us. We must let go of what lies behind and focus on what God is doing in our lives today. [22:02]
- Our ultimate goal is not earthly success but resurrection and eternal life with Christ. We must not settle for temporary achievements but strive for the higher calling of God, pressing on toward the goal of standing face-to-face with Jesus. [37:38]
- Our spiritual growth impacts those around us. As we press on, we become salt and light in our communities, influencing others for Christ. Our determination to grow in faith can lead others to know Jesus as Lord. [44:57]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:42] - Opening Prayer
[03:21] - The Danger of Complacency
[05:04] - Paul's Pursuit of Growth
[06:10] - Complacency as the Enemy
[07:06] - Expectation of Growth
[08:13] - Spiritual Maturity
[09:05] - Overcoming Complacency
[10:21] - Pressing On
[12:13] - Forgetting the Past
[13:34] - Justification and Sanctification
[16:18] - Personal Responsibility
[18:49] - Spirit-Fueled Growth
[20:01] - The Importance of Community
[22:02] - Looking Forward
[23:42] - Paul's Past and Transformation
[27:22] - Grace and New Creation
[34:54] - God's Work Today
[36:51] - Reaching Forward
[37:38] - The Goal of Resurrection
[42:29] - The Worth of the Struggle
[44:24] - Pressing On for Others
[45:49] - Closing and Call to Action
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Philippians 3:12-14
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean when he says he has not "already obtained" or "become perfect"? How does this relate to his call to "press on"? [03:21]
2. In the sermon, how is complacency described as an enemy to spiritual growth? What examples are given to illustrate this point? [06:10]
3. What are the three actions Paul suggests to overcome complacency, and how are they explained in the sermon? [12:13]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of community in spiritual growth? What analogy is used to emphasize this point? [20:01]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does Paul emphasize the need to "forget what lies behind"? How might focusing on past successes or failures hinder spiritual growth? [22:02]
2. How does the sermon interpret the "goal" Paul is pressing toward? What does this reveal about the ultimate purpose of spiritual growth? [37:38]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that spiritual growth impacts those around us? How does this align with the idea of being "salt and light"? [44:57]
4. How does the sermon explain the relationship between personal responsibility and the work of the Holy Spirit in the process of sanctification? [18:49]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current spiritual journey. Are there areas where you feel complacent? What steps can you take to "press on" in your faith this week? [09:05]
2. Consider a past success or failure in your spiritual life. How might focusing on this be affecting your current relationship with Christ? What can you do to shift your focus forward? [27:22]
3. Identify a specific way you can engage more deeply with your church community to support your spiritual growth. How can this community help you "press on"? [20:01]
4. What is one practical way you can take personal responsibility for your spiritual growth this week? How can you incorporate prayer or Bible study into your daily routine? [13:34]
5. Think of someone in your life who needs to see the light of Christ through you. How can your spiritual growth positively impact them? What specific action can you take to be "salt and light" in their life? [44:57]
6. Reflect on the ultimate goal of standing face-to-face with Jesus. How does this perspective change the way you view your daily challenges and spiritual journey? [37:38]
7. Are there any distractions or habits in your life that are hindering your spiritual growth? What steps can you take to minimize these distractions and focus more on your relationship with Christ? [39:36]
Devotional
Day 1: Spiritual Growth is a Lifelong Journey
Spiritual growth is not a destination but a continuous journey that requires dedication and perseverance. The Apostle Paul, despite his profound contributions to the New Testament, recognized his need for ongoing growth. He understood that spiritual maturity is a lifelong pursuit, and it is only complete when we see Jesus face-to-face. This perspective challenges believers to resist complacency and to actively pursue a deeper relationship with Christ. Spiritual growth is not reserved for an elite few; it is a calling for every believer. Just as we expect physical growth in children, we should anticipate and pursue spiritual growth in our lives. [05:04]
"Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God." (Hebrews 6:1, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to actively pursue spiritual growth, rather than resting on past achievements?
Day 2: Complacency is the Enemy of Spiritual Growth
Complacency can lull us into a false sense of satisfaction, hindering our spiritual progress. It is the enemy of growth, tempting us to rest on past successes or become paralyzed by past failures. To overcome complacency, believers must take personal responsibility for their spiritual journey, actively pursuing growth and striving to become more like Christ. This involves a conscious effort to resist the temptation to settle for where we are and instead press on toward a deeper relationship with Jesus. [06:10]
"Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." (Romans 12:11, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one area of your spiritual life where you have become complacent. What practical steps can you take to reignite your passion and zeal for growth in this area?
Day 3: Forgetting the Past is Essential for Progress
Forgetting the past is crucial for spiritual progress. Whether it's past failures or successes, focusing on them can paralyze us and prevent us from moving forward. Letting go of what lies behind allows us to focus on what God is doing in our lives today. This involves releasing the hold that past experiences have on us and embracing the new opportunities for growth and transformation that God provides. [22:02]
"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?" (Isaiah 43:18-19, ESV)
Reflection: What past experience or achievement do you need to let go of to fully embrace what God is doing in your life today?
Day 4: Our Ultimate Goal is Resurrection and Eternal Life
Our ultimate goal is not earthly success but resurrection and eternal life with Christ. We must not settle for temporary achievements but strive for the higher calling of God. This involves pressing on toward the goal of standing face-to-face with Jesus, focusing on the eternal rather than the temporal. By keeping our eyes on the ultimate prize, we can maintain the motivation and determination needed to persevere in our spiritual journey. [37:38]
"For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come." (Hebrews 13:14, ESV)
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from temporary achievements to the eternal goal of standing face-to-face with Jesus? What changes in your daily life would reflect this shift?
Day 5: Our Spiritual Growth Impacts Those Around Us
As we press on in our spiritual journey, our growth impacts those around us. We are called to be salt and light in our communities, influencing others for Christ. Our determination to grow in faith can lead others to know Jesus as Lord. By embracing the call to press forward, we not only transform our own lives but also become a source of hope and inspiration for those around us. [44:57]
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." (Matthew 5:14, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can your spiritual growth serve as a light to those around you? How can you intentionally influence your community for Christ this week?
Quotes
"I'm going to ask you to turn with me this morning to Philippians chapter 3. No, we're not going to be in Mark today. We're going to be in Philippians chapter 3, verses 12 through 14. I want to encourage us on this, our second anniversary, to not grow content." [00:00:05] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Are we, as the folks who comprise River Bend Church, are we complacent or satisfied with what God has done here at this church in the last two years? Those are really important questions, and the answers to those questions will determine a lot." [00:03:03] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"The enemy of that growth is complacency. That feeling of satisfaction where we decide that we have arrived and because of that we refuse to continue to grow." [00:06:10] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Complacency lulls us into a sense of satisfaction. And that is the satisfaction with where we are with Christ. And there are far too many people that are very content where they are with Christ." [00:09:19] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"If you're not growing in Christ it's because you don't want to grow. And have you ever talked to someone of Christ and that you can talk to and whatever you want to try to, you're content. You're complacent. How do we overcome that?" [00:11:18] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Grace has been poured on your life and whatever your failures were, you are no longer that person. You are a new creation in Christ. Amen. So we don't focus on our failures that are behind. Equally dangerous, though, are our successes that are behind." [00:27:40] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"The goal is to stand face to face with Jesus. And to be welcomed into the presence of God where you will spend eternity in a brand new resurrected body. Just like Jesus. That thing was cool, too." [00:38:48] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"what we take hold of that keeps us honest in our pursuit towards spiritual growth because it reminds us every day as we strive forward that we are not created for here and as we remind ourselves of that it goes right back to point number one it's a daily reminder that we must press on so that we are becoming more like Christ so that when we see him face to face he will say to us well done my good and faithful sir enter into your rest who wants to hear those words well done well done well done that's why we press on that's why we forget what's behind that's why we strain forward to take hold because it's worth it you do realize that the first millisecond that your eyes meet the resurrected Jesus when your eyes meet his in that moment it will all be worth it all the pain all the struggle all the ridicule everything you have to endure because of the name of Christ will be worth it in that moment" [00:39:53] (104 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"are you comfortable? Are you complacent? Are you satisfied? Are you satisfied with where you are in your relationship with Jesus? Oh, I hope not." [00:43:41] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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