The Joy of Looking Forward

The Joy of Looking Forward

Pastor Terry Wilcox

Philippians 3:12-16

Philippians 3:12-16
“The good old days”??

It is the  that worries us!

Matthew 6:34

Paul had another perspective: Joy results from “…straining toward what is ahead…” – v.13b

1. Paul had a sanctified  – Philippians 3:12-13
   Paul compared himself with  and Jesus

   As one who was “mature” in Christ, he also knew that God was not done  him.

   Two dangers of self-evaluation:
     a. Thinking ourselves than we are.
     b. Thinking ourselves than we are.

2. A compelling focus. –  v.13b
   “But one thing I do” – NIV
   “I do have one compelling purpose” – TPT
   “But I focus on one thing” – NLT

   There is nothing more important than pursuing God’s plan for  !

3. Joyous believers focus on  . 
   “To forget” in the Bible means not to be by or  by. – Hebrews 10:17
   “To forgive and forget” is a nice cliché, but it doesn’t reflect reality.
4. Achieving any worthwhile goal requires .
   The Greek verb translated “I press on” carries the idea of  . – Philippians 2:12

   Two attitudes to avoid:
     a.  must do it all.
     b. must do it all.

Personal Notes