Paul’s Success

13Brethren, I count not myself to have

apprehended: but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things which are behind,

and reaching forth unto those things which

are before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the

high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Phil.

3:13-14).

Paul’s SuccessA Sense of Personal UnworthinessQuick to admit imperfections

Not as though I had already attained, either were

already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may

apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of

Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:12).

26Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly, or

box like one who beats the air. 27Instead, I discipline

my body and bring it under strict control, so that after

preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified (1

Cor. 9:26-27).

Paul’s Success

Must See and Correct Faults22But be doers of the word, and not hearers only,

deceiving yourselves. 23For if anyone is a hearer of

the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing

his natural face in a mirror; 24for he observes

himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what

kind of man he was. 25But he who looks into the

perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a

forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will

be blessed in what he does (Jas. 1:22-25).

Paul’s SuccessSingleness of Purpose: “This one thing

I do” (Phil. 3:13).Divided Life: A Weak Life

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies… (Dan. 1:8).

he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways (Jas. 1:8).

Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem (Lk. 9:51).

Paul’s Success

Forgot the Past: “Forgetting those things which are behind” (Phil. 3:13).

No time to focus on the past:But Jesus said to him, No one, having put

his hand to the plow, and looking back, is

fit for the kingdom of God (Lk. 9:62).

Paul’s SuccessPressed Forward Toward the Goal

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:14).

Goal: Revealed in the Scriptures:Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so

great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb. 12:1-2).