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Antioch, California, United States
John is the under-shepherd of Agape International Church & Ministries Inc, Antioch, California and the President of Agape International Ministries Foundation, Inc (www.agapebfm.net) John has been a Preacher, Bible Teacher, Counselor and a mission-minded servant of God from 1984 till the present time. Married to Alice since 1987, he enjoys being a father to 2 sons and 1 daughter. He is available to preach, participate in evangelistic crusades and revivals, lead or participate in a Marriage Enrichment program internationally. John preaches on a weekly radio broadcast called "KNOW THE TRUTH" (Based on John 8:32)and the broadcast is aired every Sunday at Radio KDIA 1640AM. The broadcast is also accessible through the website of the radio station: www.kdia.com. You can follow him on twitter @agapebfm

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Going from Here to There

Going from Here to There

Text: Philippians 3:12–16
Philippians 3:12–16 (NIV) 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

Introduction:
 “Personally, I’ve never understood inactivity. Why a person would sit when he could soar, be a spectator when he could play, or atrophy when he could develop…(it) is beyond me!”—Bill Hybels, Willow Creek Church





1.   We must not be Constricted by our Past

Philippians 3:13 (NKJV) 13 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,


Cf. Philippians 3:2–8; Luke 9:62; Luke 17:32; Genesis 19:26; Exodus 14:15; Isaiah 43:18; Hebrews 10:17; 1 Timothy 1:12–17

Forgetting the past “… simply means that we break the power of the past by living for the future. We cannot change the past, but we can change the meaning of the past”. --Warren Wiersbe



2.   We must not be Complacent about our Present Achievement

Philippians 3:12–13 (NKJV) 12 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. 13 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,

“Restlessness and discontent are the first neccessities of progress.”
—Thomas A. Edison

COMLACENCY IS THE ENEMY OF ADVANCEMENT
“The first play is not to make “there” sound wonderful. The first play is to make “here” sound awful.” Bill Hybels

Seven Last Words of the Church-- "We've  never done it like that before."-- Ralph Neighbour,

1 Corinthians 15:3–11;

3.   We must Concentrate on Whatever it would take to Move us from Here to There
Philippians 3:12–14 (NKJV) 12 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. 13 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, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Cf. John 10:27; Philippians 4:13; John 15:5; 1 Corinthians 9:24–27; Ecclesiastes 9:11; Hebrews 12:1–3

CONCLUSION:
“Aim to achieve the goal God has set for you. Spare no cost in the quest. Spare no effort in your pressing toward the mark of knowing Christ.”-- Jerry Horner






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