5 Steps To The Pursuit of God's Will. Part 1

words within the [....] are the Greek or Hebrew transliteration of the English word they follow
words within the (....) are the phonetic pronunciation of the Hebrew or Greek transliteration they follow

**Pray that you; keep your heart on where you're going, your eyes on where you are and grace on where you've been.

Text: (13. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.Phil. 3:13-15 (KJV)).

Three stations in life: where you've been, where you are and where you're going......let's break down our text:

1. Keep forgetfulness on where you've been. (13. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind,...

A. Paul is making it simple for the Phillipians and for us....this one thing I do....stop making the adventure of following God complicated!

1. Forgetting- [Epilanthanomai]- (ep-ee-lan-than'-om-ahee)- to forget, neglecting, no longer caring for, forgotten, given over to oblivion, i.e. uncared for.

A. This requires us to be proactive (17. They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon Neh. 4:17 (KJV)). . Take the promises of the Word of God and use them as tools and weapons to position you in a "for getting your past" frame of mind. (3. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4. (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ II Cor. 10: 3-5 (KJV)).

1. (....3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: What does this mean? It means that the only part of transformation (2. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Rom 12:2)). that you and I are involved with is the changing of our mind! (.....and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ)

B. Thought: [Noema]- (no'-ay-mah)- a mental perception, thought, an evil purpose, that which thinks, the mind, thoughts or purposes.

1. It's not individual thoughts we are contending with but rather categories of thinking. What thoughts do you allow when thinking of the opposite sex, your spouse, your children, people who have hurt you, politics, your money, authority, your past, where you are right now, your future?

2. Obedience: [Hupakoe]- (hoop-ak-o-ay)- obedience, compliance, submission

1. Keep your eyes on where you are. (......and reaching forth unto those things which are before,)

A. (23. The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Ps. 37:23 (KJV)).

1. Steps: (Hebrew) [Mitsad]- (mits-awd)- step, companionship

A. This speaks of not only being someplace but being there with someone else. Who might that be? Hmmm.....

1. Ordered: (Hebrew) [Kun]- (koon)- to be firm, be stable, be established, to be set up, be established, be fixed, to be firmly established, to be established, be stable, be secure, be enduring, to be fixed, be securely determined.

A. This is the day, this is the time, this the place, this is the step that God has made for you...where you are....that is if you have a spiritual mind. (6. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Rom. 8:6-7 (KJV)).

B. As we can see, if ones mind is still processing their thoughts through the old nature...then where you are is probably not where you should be and you cannot see where you're going and can only see clearly where you've been! Your past is haunting you, the cloud of futility hovers over you and darkness is all you see for your future.

1. Keep your heart on where you're going. (14. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3:14 (KJV)).

A. (2. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb. 12:2 (KJV)).

1. It's meaning speaks to Jesus enduring the cross to receive the joy, so the joy was on the other side of the cross.

2. A lot of things are going to happen from where you are to where you are going. (10. Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 11. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. James 5:10-11 (KJV)).

3. (20. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. Matt. 6: 20-22 (KJV)). Keep your eye on the prize. The prize is not the cross and the prize is not the joy....the prize is the will of God.

A. The treasures in heaven come from the fulfillment of God's will for us here on earth. (10. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13. Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire I Cor. 3: 10-15 (KJV)).

1. So by not fufilling God's awesome will for our lives we lose a blessing here on earth as well as in heaven! It's not worth it!