The Pace of Your Pursuit

  • Pastor Josh Smith
Are you stuck looking in the rearview mirror of your past, or are you pressing forward toward the future God has for you? Discover how to let go of what holds you back and embrace the race of faith with passion and purpose. Join us as we explore the transformative power of focusing on Christ and the heavenly prize that awaits.

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The Pace of Your Pursuit

Message Summary
Are you stuck looking in the rearview mirror of your past, or are you pressing forward toward the future God has for you? Discover how to let go of what holds you back and embrace the race of faith with passion and purpose. Join us as we explore the transformative power of focusing on Christ and the heavenly prize that awaits.
Key Scripture
“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
Philippians 3:13-14 NLT
Additional Scriptures

5 Day Devotional

Day 1

Day 1: Forgetting the Past

Scripture:
Philippians 3:12-14 NLT
I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Devotional:
Paul’s words remind us that our past does not define us. Instead, we are called to focus on the future that God has for us. Forgetting the past means releasing its hold on us, whether it be past failures, regrets, or even successes that keep us complacent. This act of forgetting is not about erasing memories but about choosing not to let them dictate our present and future. As we press on, we are encouraged to keep our eyes on the prize—eternal life with Christ.

Response Questions:

  1. What past experiences or identities are you holding onto that might be hindering your spiritual growth?
  2. How can you actively choose to focus on what lies ahead rather than what is behind?
  3. What does the “heavenly prize” mean to you personally?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for the strength to release past burdens and focus on the future God has for you.
  2. Ask God to help you see the areas in your life where you need to let go and trust Him more.

Day 2

Day 2: Pressing On with Purpose

Scripture:
Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

Devotional:
The race of faith is not a sprint but a marathon that requires endurance and focus. Hebrews encourages us to lay aside every weight and sin that hinders us. This involves a conscious decision to remove distractions and focus on Jesus, who is both the author and perfecter of our faith. By keeping our eyes on Him, we find the strength to persevere, knowing that He has already paved the way through His sacrifice.

Response Questions:

  1. What are the “weights” in your life that are slowing you down in your spiritual race?
  2. How can you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus amidst life’s distractions?
  3. What does it mean to you that Jesus is the “champion who initiates and perfects our faith”?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for the discernment to identify and remove the weights and sins that hinder your spiritual journey.
  2. Ask for the endurance to run the race with perseverance, keeping your focus on Jesus.

Day 3

Day 3: Running Together

Scripture:
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NLT
Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

Devotional:
Paul uses the metaphor of an athlete to describe the Christian life. Just as athletes train with discipline and purpose, we too must be intentional in our spiritual walk. This involves setting goals, maintaining focus, and being disciplined in our spiritual practices. Running together with others in the faith community can provide encouragement and accountability, helping us to stay on course and run with purpose.

Response Questions:

  1. How can you incorporate discipline and purpose into your spiritual practices?
  2. In what ways can you support and encourage others in their spiritual race?
  3. What does it mean to you to “run to win” in the context of your faith?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for the discipline to train spiritually and run with purpose in every step.
  2. Ask God to help you be a source of encouragement and support to others in their faith journey.

Day 4

Day 4: The Power of Community

Scripture:
Colossians 3:12-14 NLT
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

Devotional:
Community is a vital part of our spiritual journey. Colossians reminds us to clothe ourselves with virtues that foster unity and love. By making allowances for each other’s faults and forgiving as Christ forgave us, we create a supportive environment where everyone can grow. Love is the bond that holds us together, enabling us to run the race of faith in harmony with others.

Response Questions:

  1. How can you actively contribute to a loving and supportive community?
  2. What challenges do you face in forgiving others, and how can you overcome them?
  3. How does love bind us together in perfect harmony within the faith community?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for the ability to clothe yourself with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
  2. Ask God to help you forgive others and foster a spirit of unity and love in your community.

Day 5

Day 5: Citizens of Heaven

Scripture:
Philippians 3:20-21 NLT
But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.

Devotional:
As believers, our true citizenship is in heaven. This perspective shifts our focus from earthly concerns to eternal realities. We eagerly await Christ’s return, knowing that He will transform our mortal bodies into glorious ones. This hope encourages us to live with purpose and anticipation, aligning our lives with the values of our heavenly home.

Response Questions:

  1. How does knowing you are a citizen of heaven influence your daily life and decisions?
  2. In what ways can you live with a heavenly perspective amidst earthly challenges?
  3. What does the promise of a transformed body mean to you personally?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for a heavenly perspective that influences your thoughts, actions, and decisions.
  2. Ask for the hope and anticipation of Christ’s return to fill your heart and guide your life.

GrowGroup Guide

A weekly guide to carry the conversation beyond Sunday morning.

Opening Prayer: Begin with a prayer, asking God to open hearts and minds to His Word and to guide the discussion with wisdom and grace.

Introduction: Briefly summarize the sermon, highlighting the key theme of pressing forward in faith by letting go of past hindrances and focusing on the heavenly prize. Emphasize the importance of pursuing Jesus with passion and purpose.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does it mean to “forget the past” in the context of your faith journey?
    • Context: The sermon emphasized that forgetting the past means no longer allowing it to shape or paralyze your current pursuit of Christ. It’s about releasing the hold that past failures, identities, or expectations have on you, much like Paul did by focusing on what lies ahead.
  2. How can we practically “press on” toward the heavenly prize in our daily lives?
    • Context: The sermon used the metaphor of a race to illustrate the need for a sustained, passionate pursuit of Jesus. Discuss practical ways to maintain this focus, such as daily prayer, scripture reading, and community involvement.
  3. In what ways can our past identities or experiences hinder our spiritual growth?
    • Context: The sermon highlighted how past identities, like being known as “just Joseph’s son” for Jesus, can tether us to old expectations. Encourage sharing of personal experiences where past identities have been a barrier to spiritual growth.
  4. Why is it important to run this race with others, and how can community support our pursuit of Christ?
    • Context: The sermon pointed out that running with others can make the journey more efficient and fulfilling. Discuss the role of community in encouraging and holding each other accountable in the faith journey.
  5. What are some ways we can identify and let go of things in our “rearview mirror” that are holding us back?
    • Context: The sermon challenged listeners to identify what they are fixated on from their past that restricts their pursuit of Jesus. Encourage group members to reflect on and share what these might be and how they can begin to let go.

Scripture Reflection: Read Philippians 3:13-14 together. Discuss how this passage inspires and challenges each person in their current season of life.

Closing Activity: Encourage each group member to write down one thing they will commit to letting go of this week and one way they will actively pursue Jesus. Share these commitments with the group for accountability.

Closing Prayer: Conclude with a prayer, asking God to help each person let go of the past and press on toward the future He has for them, filled with hope and purpose in Christ.

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