“Where Will You Be When You Get Where You Are Going”
Part 2
For the Believer When We get 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.
Pastor Ben Turner “If you’re going to hammer build something.”
The Resolutions of Jonathan Edward’s
(Written before age 20)
“The first and greatest homegrown American philosopher”
“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” (1741).
Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat Him, by His grace, to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to His will.’
1 – Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to the glory of God, and my own good, profit, and pleasure… To do whatever I think to be my duty… for the good and advantage of mankind in general. ”
4 – Resolved, Never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body less or more, but what tends to the glory of God…’
5 – Resolved, Never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can.
6 – Resolved, To live with all my might, while I do live.
7 – Resolved, Never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.
28 – Resolved, To study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly, and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive, myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.
43 – Resolved, Never, henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God’s.
46 – Resolved, Never to allow the least measure of any fretting or uneasiness at my father or mother.
70 – Resolved, (That) there be something of benevolence in all I speak. – (Edwards resolved to read these resolutions over once a week!).
For the Prize:
“Prize” (1017) (brabeion from brabeus = assign the prize in a public game) refers to a gift received as a prize or reward as result of having won in competition. It is a prize such as a wreath or garland bestowed on victors in the contests of the Greeks
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NKJV)
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.
27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
Do you want to win the race and set before you?
Then check your direction and make sure you are moving in God’s direction. Everyone goes somewhere in life.
Christianity is not about participation trophy, its about earning a trophy, a prize.
John Macarthur interprets the “prize” as:
“To be made like Christ…What’s going to happen when that upward call comes? You’re going to be like…Christ. The goal is the prize, the prize is the goal. So Paul says, “Look, the goal of my life is to be like Christ and that’s also the reward of my race”…some day I will be like Christ, that’s the prize that God gives to the one who runs the race. The goal is to be like Christ, perfection in Christ. The prize is to be like Christ, perfection in Christ. Someday we’ll be like Him for we shall see Him as He is”
1 John 3:2 (NKJV)
2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
Of the High Call of God in Christ Jesus:
“Upward” (507) (ano) means above or in a higher place. The idea of “a calling which is from heaven and to heaven.” The direction is away from self and toward new heights of spiritual attainment.
Romans 8:28-30 (NKJV)
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
Romans 9:23-24 (NKJV)
23 and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory,
24 even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
1 Thessalonians 2:12-13 (NKJV)
12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 (NKJV)
13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,
14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 3:1 (NKJV)
1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,
1 Peter 1:3 (NKJV)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1 Peter 4:12-13 (NKJV)
12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
1 Peter 5:10-11 (NKJV)
10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
2 Peter 1:3 (NKJV)
3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
C H Spurgeon in Morning and evening, October 11 Evening:
Test Your Calling:
Is it a “High Calling”?
“Has it ennobled your heart, and set it upon heavenly things?
Has it elevated your hopes, your tastes, your desires?
Has it upraised the constant tenor of your life, so that you spend it with God and for God?”
Acts 22:10 (NKJV)
So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’
Philippians 3:12-14 (NKJV)
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.
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,
I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
So, the question is: “Where Will You Be When You Get Where You Are Going?”
Will it be Crossing the finish line running your best or sitting on the side lines doing nothing?
PRAYER
Grant unto me grace, O Lord, that I may both perceive and know what things I ought to do and may also have grace and power faithfully to fulfill the same. AMEN.
