Phil. 3:7-16 A collective paraphrase
Alan Benntt
3 introductory remarks…
Follows on from what Ken shared from Phil 1 last week.
Change the “I” to “We” and “Us” Told to imitate God and Paul !(4;9 and 1 Cor.4)
We are now in year 11 of the 21st century. 11 is a progressive number, it takes us beyond the plateau that 10 can easily become. (our 11th grandchild is due this week!) To me it sets us on an exciting journey across an unknown gap before we come to 20. Using the words of Francis Schaeffer, an inspiring Christian apologist of 40-50 years ago, it is a “Great leap of Faith” I want to see Calvin CC excited about launching into that leap this year. We have the security of knowing that God has brought us through 10 years of this new century intact and with our heads held high. Remember all the doom and gloom of Y2K, computers crashing and planes falling out of the sky.! That negative thinking is way behind us now.
I want us to move on from there with a spring in our step, with faith burning in our hearts and with the number 11 in our minds, hearts and on our lips.
- We want to know Christ (more). Closer relationship. More than 10 years ago. More than last year. How much more? +11 minutes more, 11 times aware of Him per day more. 11 more verses per day Bible reading. Whatever way we can measure our relationship with Jesus, let’s add to that in some way that will bring GROWTH in that relationship. This relationship with Jesus growth is foundational for all else. For several weeks now Peter has left us with the phrase, “It’s all about Jesus” ringing in our ears. Today it is a collective response these verses are asking for, WE want to know Jesus more.
Power of His resurrection surely means the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Yes Lord, we want more of that too. What would happen if Calvin church experienced 11% more HS activity through this year?
That could be an interesting goal in the light of the Ian Malin’s seminars coming in March 25-27. We need to be sure that all of our church based activity is HS led, has resurrection like power at it’s heart.
Fellowship of sharing. Christ suffered in order that the Church would come into being. The church will go on growing as we fellowship more and more. Share more and more together, perhaps spend 11 minutes more chatting after church before going home..
Like Him, reminds us that it is a sacrifice. This same verse reminds us that our lives are not wasted. Christians and the church spend their lives looking forward (11) to eternal life with no regrets.
- Not that we have already obtained. That’s right. We have only got to 10, Here we must stock take. Just like shopkeepers and farmers and even politicians! One of the many legacies Pastor Peter leaves with us is a “
Healthy Church
Jesus planted this church here 50 years ago. Pastor Peter has led this church forward over past 20 years. Jesus not only contacted us but He also contracted with us to grow His Calvin Community Church. We dare not pull back and deny Jesus the direction and purpose He has for this church. His purpose is growth. 11+, 11x, 11%. Certainly not 11-
So how do we advance, make progress through 2011 ?
- One thing we do… actually 3.things…
a) Forgetting the past. Learn from it and then leave it. We must put 2010 and all previous years behind us. We are now in 2000+11 (Illus from TH )
In Christ, God forgives and forgets – sins in the deepest sea.
b) Strain towards..application of mind and muscle. Ref Col
c) Press on…into 2011 and beyond . To be positive.
A word about being positive…NOTE. I am not preaching PPT !
“Hello, how are you today?, “Not too bad” = means “good” because the prize ahead is heaven. I fear that on arrival there and Jesus shows us the mansion He has prepared for us we will say “not too bad” !!
- All about being mature in Christ. This dosen’t mean dowdy or satisfied, proper and respectful. God forbid that a mature church is looked upon as being middle aged. I don’t want it ever said that Calvin is middle aged (fat, flabby and past it’s prime) as it could easily be labeled by comparison with the human frame. Rather it means we are progressing in Christ, still growing, still learning, still excited about being a dynamic Christian church in this Gore community. I want to cheer and encourage every member here today, fresh back after the summer break, who are picking up the ongoing activities of this church and giving their time and energy once again in service to God. They are well into their 11+ exams and are going to be blessed with an 11x+ or % increase in fruitfulness and joy in their hearts. Let us all join them and…
Live up to v10… what is already attained by rejoicing in what has been so far achieved .here at Calvin and everyone of us being involved and doing that same 11 bit more across every avenue of ministry that this church is doing and that is yet to be added to. May God energise us as we start with our Great leap of Faith into 2000 +11
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