Forgetting Those Things that are Behind

Philippians 3:1-14
There were many things in Pauls past that could have hindered his Christian walk.

I: Some things Paul had to forget:
1. Confidence in the flesh.
a. “Circumcised the 8th day,” not like a prosolite.
b. “Of the stock of Israel, tribe of Benjamin.”
c. “As touching the law, a Pharisee.”
2. “Concerning Zeal”:
a. “Persecuting the Church.” Stoning of Stephen.
b. “Righteousnes which is of the law, blameless, filthy rags.”
c. “Those I counted loss for Christ.”

II: “I have suffered the loss of all things.”
1. He was not complaining, only rejoicing.
2. His own righteousness was not enough.
3. Family ties were broken.
4. Old friends became new enemies. He gave them up.
5. From a respectable position to the jails.
6. From plenty to hunger, cold & suffering.

III: “That I may know him.” (His reason for taking the loss, for the Pearl of great Price).
1. “Power of his resurrection.” Power over sin, death, and Hell.
2. “Fellowship of his suffering: willing to suffer with the cause of Christ. (He was not a rocking-chair Christian).”
3. “Conformable unto his death.” Dead to sin and alive unto God.

IV: “This one thing I do.”
1. Paul had a narrow 1 track mind in serving God. He had a goal, a vision that kept him on the beam.
2. He was unwilling to waste life majoring on minors.
3. “Forgetting the Past.” Unhampered by yesterdays remorse.
4. “Reaching forth unto those things which are before.”
a. A clear look into the future.
b. Hands outstretched to the task of tomorrow.
c. “I press toward the mark.” As a warrior or as an athelete presses the War or game.

“For the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ.”
“The wages of sin is death.”
“The gift of God is eternal life.”
“A crown of righteousness.”