“pressing toward” christ in 2011. january 1, 2011

“Pressing Toward” Christ in 2011.

January 1, 2011

“Pressing Toward” Christ in 2011.

January 1, 2011

It seems that at the beginning of every year we stop to evaluate our previous year’s accomplishments and set goals for the new year.

It seems that at the beginning of every year we stop to evaluate our previous year’s accomplishments and set goals for the new year.

The exercise can be depressing if you set yourself up for some really big accomplishments last year that

were not realized.

The exercise can be depressing if you set yourself up for some really big accomplishments last year that

were not realized.

Many people just dig in and determine they will do better in this

new year.

Many people just dig in and determine they will do better in this

new year.

The past is past!

There is nothing we can do that is going to change anything that is in

the past.

The past is past!

There is nothing we can do that is going to change anything that is in

the past.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become

new.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJ)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become

new.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJ)

One of the great things about New Year’s celebrations is the hope the

new year brings. Hope of new adventures, new challenges, new

opportunities.

One of the great things about New Year’s celebrations is the hope the

new year brings. Hope of new adventures, new challenges, new

opportunities.

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ

Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have

apprehended; but one thing I do,

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ

Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have

apprehended; but one thing I do,

forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the

goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:12-14 (NKJ)




I will let you reminisce on your own time on what you could have done

or should have done last year.

But I would recommend that you not live your life looking through the rear

view mirror.

I will let you reminisce on your own time on what you could have done

or should have done last year.

But I would recommend that you not live your life looking through the rear

view mirror.

Rather than dwelling on the past, let’s…

Rather than dwelling on the past, let’s…

So as we put 2010 behind us and look forward to 2011, what do you

think lies ahead for you?

The reality is that we will control very little of what happens to us in 2011.

But we do control some things.

So as we put 2010 behind us and look forward to 2011, what do you

think lies ahead for you?

The reality is that we will control very little of what happens to us in 2011.

But we do control some things.

What do you think Paul was trying to teach us through this verse as we

apply it to a new year?

“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:14 (NKJ)

What do you think Paul was trying to teach us through this verse as we

apply it to a new year?

“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:14 (NKJ)

First, we must have a real relationship with Jesus.

The only reason we have the ability to let the past be the past comes

from the reality that we are declared “not guilty” because of what Jesus

did for us on the cross.

First, we must have a real relationship with Jesus.

The only reason we have the ability to let the past be the past comes

from the reality that we are declared “not guilty” because of what Jesus

did for us on the cross.

We do have a personal responsibility to make things right with the people we hurt along the

way.Scripture never says we can just

dismiss how we treat others.

We do have a personal responsibility to make things right with the people we hurt along the

way.Scripture never says we can just

dismiss how we treat others.

Often our greatest growth experiences take place when we

humble ourselves, admit our faults and ask for forgiveness from those

we hurt.

Often our greatest growth experiences take place when we

humble ourselves, admit our faults and ask for forgiveness from those

we hurt.

I believe the things we can forget are the personal disappointments of the year. Things we did or didn’t do that we wished could be different.

I believe the things we can forget are the personal disappointments of the year. Things we did or didn’t do that we wished could be different.

The key to having the power to do the right things in your life and the

capacity to forget the disappointments of the past are

found in a personal relationship in Jesus Christ.

The key to having the power to do the right things in your life and the

capacity to forget the disappointments of the past are

found in a personal relationship in Jesus Christ.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that

whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16 (NKJ)

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that

whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16 (NKJ)

Without Jesus you have to rely on your own power and strength.

Most of us know the limits of our own abilities. That is why most new

year’s resolutions will have been broken by January 31st.

Without Jesus you have to rely on your own power and strength.

Most of us know the limits of our own abilities. That is why most new

year’s resolutions will have been broken by January 31st.

Second, we should determine to see real spiritual progress

each year.

Our spiritual maturity depends upon our desire to “press toward” Christ. Maturity depends on our willingness to obey Him – to daily walk with Him.

Second, we should determine to see real spiritual progress

each year.

Our spiritual maturity depends upon our desire to “press toward” Christ. Maturity depends on our willingness to obey Him – to daily walk with Him.

It seems every year I try to encourage you to read through your

Bible in one year, or to memorize scriptures that are meaningful to

you.

It seems every year I try to encourage you to read through your

Bible in one year, or to memorize scriptures that are meaningful to

you.

Those things are only the foundation to true spiritual growth.

You cannot grow spiritually without letting God speak to your life

through His word.

Those things are only the foundation to true spiritual growth.

You cannot grow spiritually without letting God speak to your life

through His word.

Many Christians today want the spiritual experiences without

“pressing toward” Christ.

Let’s look at a story in the Bible that contrasts experience verses


Many Christians today want the spiritual experiences without


Let’s look at a story in the Bible that contrasts experience verses


For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet. The

woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to

cast the demon out of her daughter. But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be

For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet. The

woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to

cast the demon out of her daughter. But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be

filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the

little dogs.” And she answered and said to Him, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little

dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs.” Then He said to

her, “For this saying go your way; the demon has

filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the

little dogs.” And she answered and said to Him, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little

dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs.” Then He said to

her, “For this saying go your way; the demon has

gone out of your daughter.” And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter

lying on the bed.

Mark 7:25-30 (NKJ)

gone out of your daughter.” And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter

lying on the bed.

Mark 7:25-30 (NKJ)

This woman continued to “press toward” Christ. She understood that even the crumbs from a relationship

with Christ had more power than anything she could muster up on her

own.

This woman continued to “press toward” Christ. She understood that even the crumbs from a relationship

with Christ had more power than anything she could muster up on her

own.

This woman was not a Jew, but she understood the power a relationship

with Jesus offered.

Do you understand the power Jesus offers those who follow Him?

This woman was not a Jew, but she understood the power a relationship

with Jesus offered.

Do you understand the power Jesus offers those who follow Him?

“You didn’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I assure you, even if you had

faith as small as a mustard seed you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from

here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

Matthew 17:20 (NLT)

“You didn’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I assure you, even if you had

faith as small as a mustard seed you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from

here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

Matthew 17:20 (NLT)

Paul stated his desire this way.

“Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

and be found in Him, not having my own

Paul stated his desire this way.

“Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

and be found in Him, not having my own

righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by

faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being

righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by

faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being

conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection

from the dead.”


conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection

from the dead.”


If we really believed like the woman in the story, if we really understood like Paul, we would do anything to grow closer to Jesus every year.

It should be our life’s ambition to see real spiritual growth each year of our

life.

If we really believed like the woman in the story, if we really understood like Paul, we would do anything to grow closer to Jesus every year.

It should be our life’s ambition to see real spiritual growth each year of our

life.

So many new year’s resolutions are superficial, focusing only on the

temporal things of life.

So many new year’s resolutions are superficial, focusing only on the

temporal things of life.

Third, as we are willing, God will complete His work in us.

“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ

Jesus.”

Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

Third, as we are willing, God will complete His work in us.

“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ

Jesus.”

Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

What might it look like for God to do his work within you in 2011?

Here are a few things to watch for as you “press toward” God.

What might it look like for God to do his work within you in 2011?

Here are a few things to watch for as you “press toward” God.

God Will Begin To Stretch Your Imagination.

God Will Begin To Stretch Your Imagination.

“Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to

accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.”

Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)

“Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to

accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.”

Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)

God’s work in your life will always start with a dream, a vision or big

idea.

God’s work in your life will always start with a dream, a vision or big

idea.

God will give you the choice to determine how much He will be able

to do in your life.

You will come to a fork in the road where you will be given a choice:

to grow toward God or stay in your comfort zone.

God will give you the choice to determine how much He will be able

to do in your life.

You will come to a fork in the road where you will be given a choice:

to grow toward God or stay in your comfort zone.

I can not tell you how important this is. There is no spiritual growth

without risk. Pressing toward God means stepping out into the

unknown to accomplish His work in your life.

I can not tell you how important this is. There is no spiritual growth

without risk. Pressing toward God means stepping out into the

unknown to accomplish His work in your life.

Spiritual growth requires an investment of time, energy,

reputation and facing your fears. Without your willingness to take a

risk by faith, God simply can not do a lot in your life.

Spiritual growth requires an investment of time, energy,

reputation and facing your fears. Without your willingness to take a

risk by faith, God simply can not do a lot in your life.

As you “press toward” God, you will notice Him give you the desire to

be obedient to His instructions.

As you “press toward” God, you will notice Him give you the desire to

be obedient to His instructions.

“It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without

knowing where he was going.

“It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without

knowing where he was going.

And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith.

Abraham did this because he was confidently looking forward to a city

with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.”

Hebrews 11:8-10 (NLT)

And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith.

Abraham did this because he was confidently looking forward to a city

with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.”

Hebrews 11:8-10 (NLT)

Being obedient to God requires following His instructions even when

they may not make sense.

The reason God isn’t able to do more in our lives is because we are not obedient. We would rather tell

God what to do rather than ask God what He wants to do through us.

Being obedient to God requires following His instructions even when

they may not make sense.

The reason God isn’t able to do more in our lives is because we are not obedient. We would rather tell

God what to do rather than ask God what He wants to do through us.

“If you love me, obey my commandments.”

John 14:15 (NLT)

“If you love me, obey my commandments.”

John 14:15 (NLT)

The activity of God in your life is your choice.

You can sit around and watch history being made or you can take the initiative to participate in what

God is doing in the world.

The activity of God in your life is your choice.

You can sit around and watch history being made or you can take the initiative to participate in what

God is doing in the world.

As you “press toward” God, you will begin to understand what is at

stake.

As you “press toward” God, you will begin to understand what is at

stake.

“Don’t be misled. Remember that you can’t ignore God and get away with it.

You will always reap what you sow! Those who live only to satisfy their own

sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death.

“Don’t be misled. Remember that you can’t ignore God and get away with it.

You will always reap what you sow! Those who live only to satisfy their own

sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death.

But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the

Spirit. So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of

blessing at the appropriate time.

Galatians 6:7-9 (NLT)

But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the

Spirit. So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of

blessing at the appropriate time.

Galatians 6:7-9 (NLT)

Christians who are determined to “press toward” Jesus each year,

work at it inch by inch, knowing that one day they will reap a harvest of

blessing.

Christians who are determined to “press toward” Jesus each year,

work at it inch by inch, knowing that one day they will reap a harvest of

blessing.

You may be tempted to think that you have accomplished a level of success in life, but if what you are working for does not glorify God, then your accomplishments will

leave you with a feeling of dissatisfaction.

You may be tempted to think that you have accomplished a level of success in life, but if what you are working for does not glorify God, then your accomplishments will

leave you with a feeling of dissatisfaction.

As we “press toward” God, there will be many obstacles. That is why so many believers today live unfulfilled

lives. The obstacles to spiritual maturity seem too big to overcome.

So they just stop trying.

They would rather set simplistic New Year’s resolutions.

As we “press toward” God, there will be many obstacles. That is why so many believers today live unfulfilled

lives. The obstacles to spiritual maturity seem too big to overcome.

So they just stop trying.

They would rather set simplistic New Year’s resolutions.

When you “press toward” Christ, you will begin to care about the

spiritual well-being of others.

When you “press toward” Christ, you will begin to care about the

spiritual well-being of others.

“He said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is great, but the workers are so few. So

pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more

workers for his field.”

Matthew 9:37-38 (NLT)

“He said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is great, but the workers are so few. So

pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more

workers for his field.”

Matthew 9:37-38 (NLT)

The people in our community are in desperate need for what Jesus

offers. How much do you really care about the spiritual well-being of

those around you?

Do you see people and realize their fate in heaven or hell are hanging in

the balance?

The people in our community are in desperate need for what Jesus

offers. How much do you really care about the spiritual well-being of

those around you?

Do you see people and realize their fate in heaven or hell are hanging in

the balance?

As soon as we stop “pressing toward” Christ, we stop caring about the spiritual well-being of the people

around us.

As soon as we stop “pressing toward” Christ, we stop caring about the spiritual well-being of the people

around us.

Our greatest spiritual growth will occur when we “press toward” Christ

this next year.

As each year passes, our opportunities to grow spiritually also

passes.

Our greatest spiritual growth will occur when we “press toward” Christ

this next year.

As each year passes, our opportunities to grow spiritually also

passes.

I hear people every year commit that this will be the year that they focus

on their spiritual growth.

Will you make this year that year for you? There is a lot at stake for each

of us.

I hear people every year commit that this will be the year that they focus

on their spiritual growth.

Will you make this year that year for you? There is a lot at stake for each

of us.

Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to

all who have loved His appearing.

2 Timothy 4:8 (NKJ)

Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to

all who have loved His appearing.

2 Timothy 4:8 (NKJ)

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