Speaker: Pastor Sparks
Text: Philippians 3:12-14
-An optimist stays up past midnight to see the new year come in, the pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves
-Paul wrote this scripture while in prison
1. Everybody Has Errors In Their Past
- There are some things in your life you wish you could press 'backspace' on
- Paul was as religious as they come, but he still messed up!
- The reason I have an imperfect past is because of the junk/sin in my life
2. You Don't Have To Be In Bondage To Our Past
- Some of us stay stuck on the page of our mess ups
- We have bookmarked the page and we keep rereading the same page
- Paul said to forget what is behind and STRAIN towards what's ahead!
- You do not have to be a slave to what's behind you
3. No Matter Your Current Circumstances, You Can Start A New Chapter
- Colonel Sanders was 63 years old when he launched into KFC
- At 43, Circuit Court Judge Helen Shores Lee (first black civil circuit judge in Jefferson county) STARTED law school after a career as a clinical psychologist
4. Change Requires Intentional, Determined Effort
- All of us would get closer if all we had to do was sit & wait with our hands folded; Paul said we have to PRESS!
- You have to actively try to be better!
- We'll press for a ton of other things before we press to get things better with Christ
What do I do to make this relationship better? I HAVE TO BE CONTENT. To do that:
A. I have to turn the page on a casual relationship with Jesus
- No more DIY faith
- You have to be willing to be taught
- If you're not being fed, do you have an appetite?
- Stop being a decent devil
- The kingdom of God does not need any thugs or heavenly hustlers---Christ is supposed to change you!
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
- Stop worrying about keeping it real and just BE real!
- Stop acting like someone makes you come to church/work in the church
- If you're pressing, you ought to WANT to be and do in the church!
B. Turn the page on unforgiveness
- Move on and let it go!
- Some princes come with mud on their boots & know less than you, BUT they know how to love you the way you want to be loved---that's enough!
C. Turn the page on THAT sin
- Whatever your THAT sin is, stop it!
- You have to care more about your reputation!
- Don't present yourself one way but live another!
D. Turn the page on handling God's money your way
- You don't have to be rich to live well
E. Turn the page on being common
- Common means you're mediocre or of inferior quality; lacking rank or distinction
- Zig Ziglar: A rut is a grave with the ends kicked out
- We're not in a rut anywhere else in our lives (cars we drive, clothes we wear, techology, etc) but we're ok with an average relationship with Christ
Sermon Notes Courtesy of Deacon Anthony Sparks