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FOLLOWING HARD AFTER GOD (9 OF 12)

by Bob Ingle

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-16
This content is part of a series.


Following Hard After God (9 of 12)
Series: Philippians
Bob Ingle
Philippians 3:12-16


(Video of City Slickers movie. Curly says key to life is 'one thing'.) It seems weird to say, but Cowboy Curly there was pretty biblical. The bible constantly draws people's attention to 'one thing'.

The Rich Young Ruler approached Jesus and asked how he might receive eternal life. Jesus said to him in Mark 10:21: ''ONE THING you lack...''.

Some close friends of Jesus were hosting a meal for Him in their home. Martha complained to Jesus because her sister Mary sat at Jesus' feet while she did all the cooking and cleaning. Jesus gently rebuked her by saying, ''There is only ONE THING worth being concerned about...''. (Luke 10:42)

On another occasion, Jesus miraculously healed a man who had been blind from birth. When questioned about who did this and how it was done, the man didn't have all the answers but joyfully proclaimed, ''ONE THING I do know. I was blind but now I see!'' (John 9:25)

The Psalmist, in his sincere desire to spend eternity in the house of God worshipping in the glory of God, writes in Ps. 27:4, ''ONE THING I ask from the Lord, this ONLY do I seek...''.

Then, in the heart of our text today, Paul instructs the Philippians how he has for over 30 years successfully navigated through a world full of distractions where he is still growing deeper and getting to know Christ better. Phil. 3:13: '...but one thing I do...I press toward the goal.' And what is that goal? To know Christ, to grow in Christ, to be like Christ, and eventually to be with Christ.

Last week, in v7-11, we learned that Paul considered everything in life garbage, rubbish, filth, skubala in comparison to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus. He put everything in his life into 2 columns:

Column #1: Skubala means 'dung, manure, or feces'. It means 'filthy and worthless'.

Column #2: Surpassing Worth means beyond worth. Beyond amazing, spectacular, and wonderful. Pr ...

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