February 17, 2008 Summit AM

Having A Clear Purpose

Introduction

A. Phil.3:1-16

B. Question – Why are you a member of this congregation?

1. Grew up here – always been a member of this congregation.

2. Like the people – real connection & feel like I fit in here.

3. Like the leadership – their direction & core beliefs of congregation

C. Spiritually – Why are you a member of this congregation?

1. Reason other that your personal preferences?

2. Is there a clear spiritual purpose?

D. Pray

I. Jesus Had A Clear Purpose

A. Scriptures

1. Jn.6:35-40 – come to do the will of Him who sent me

2. Jn.12:27,28 – for this reason I came – to glorify God’s name

B. To accomplish this

1. Willingly emptied Himself – Phil.2:5-7

2. Always kept in close communication with his Father

3. Allowed nothing to deter His goals – Mt.4

C. Calls us to have a clear purpose – Lk.14:25-33

1. Count the cost – must be willing to leave everything & everyone

2. Must renounce all have

3. Taking our discipleship seriously

II. Paul Had A Clear Purpose – Phil.3:12-14

A. Fully aware of shortcomings

1. As much as Jesus had revealed to Him – wanted more

a. Special revelation on road to Damascus

b. Knew Jesus intimately – not enough

2. Knew he still struggled with his flesh

a. Rom.7 – mentally wanted to obey – flesh resisted

b. Wanted to experience as much of Jesus as possible

3. Knew there was more that he could experience spiritually

a. Not come automatically

b. Had to strive for – energetically seek it

c. I press on = to run; straining with utmost dedication

B. Vs.13 – this one thing I do

1. No Greek word – translators add because is implied

a. This was the one major focus of his life

b. His focus was completely upon Jesus

2. His spiritual discontent motivated him to pursue excellence

a. Such focus makes athletes succeed

b. Most just dabble – not fully focused = mediocre

c. No matter how much energy use – time devoted - double minded

C. Forgetting the past & focus on the future

1. Athletes can’t look back – past victories not guarantee future success

a. Patriots had an undefeated season

b. Giants not allow that to intimidate them

2. Past is not relevant – want matters is present effort

a. Stop looking at what you have done

b. Focus on what you are doing right now

3. I reach for the goal

a. Idea = to stretch the muscle to the limit

b. Like a runner at the finish line – last burst (all has into it)

c. Present tense = continued effort to achieve the impossible

III. The Challenge Before Us – Vs.15

A. We have been made spiritually perfect in Jesus

1. Heb.10:14 – His sacrifice made us perfect forever

2. 2 Cor.5:21 – have become the righteousness of God in Him

B. However – while here we need the same attitude as Paul

1. Striving for perfection – our clear spiritual purpose

2. Opportunity to make this congregation great

a. Take each one of us diligently pursuing perfection

b. All of us having one single purpose – glorify God

3. Trusting God will reveal the needed changes

a. Be very sensitive to His guidance – His word

b. Working together to finish the race before us

c. Living up to what we know – always seeking more of Jesus

Conclusion

A. Let’s get fully behind our goals – budget

1. Making God’s kingdom our 1^st priority

2. Let’s be all we can be spiritually

B. Pray