Sermon Video:
Living Beyond The ‘Best I Can’ from Theotis Casey on Vimeo.
Sermon Audio:
Pastor Aaron E. Lavender
Sunday, January 7, 2018
“Living Beyond The ‘Best I Can’”
Philippians 3:13-15
Introduction:
In these verses from our text in Philippians, Paul gives up some insight into what genuine Christian living is all about. I want to point out three steps we can take to begin to develop a spiritually productive Christian life. Let’s look together for a few minutes at this thought, How To Live Beyond the “Best I Can.
In order for us to live beyond the best I can, there must be truthful evaluation; there must be devoted consecration; and, there must be purposeful determination.
I. To Live Beyond the ‘Best I Can,’ There Must Be Truthful Evaluation: Phil. 3:12a, 13a (see also vv.4-8)
A. Truthful evaluation results in renouncing our past (vv.4-7).
B. Truthful evaluation results in acknowledging our present (vv.7-8).
II. To Live Beyond the ‘Best I Can,’ There Must Be Devoted Consecration: Phil. 3:12b, 13b (see also vv.8-10)
A. A powerful experience – “the power of His resurrection”
B. A painful experience – “the fellowship of His sufferings”
C. A practical experience – “being made conformable unto His death”
III. To Live Beyond the ‘Best I Can,’ There Must Be Purposeful Determination: Phil. 3:13-16
A. Our resolution (vv.12-14)
1. “this one thing I do” –
2. “forgetting those things which are behind” –
3. “I press toward the mark” –
B. Our regulation (vv.15-16 – obey the rules)
CONCLUSION:
- We’re to completely shrink from spiritual pride; it is a deadly poison; it makes men satisfied with their present attainments; it prevents their progress in holiness; it leads to backsliding.
- We’re to always persevere in our knowledge & experience with Jesus Christ.
- We’re to always keep the prize of our high calling in Christ before our thoughts.
- We’re never to judge harshly those whose spiritual life may not be as advanced as ours; or those who are farther along spiritually than we are.
