Introduction:
1. Point of text:
a. Not obtained prize yet—pressing on!
b. Aware of past, always learning to press forward
c. Focused on goal: Heaven
d. Mature mind: stay on path, trust God to direct future course

2. Satan’s devices hinder:
a. False doctrine
b. Focus on past sin & error with pride
c. Focus on past with despair
d. Exaggerated self-righteousness
e. Exaggerated self-condemnation
f. Lose our way because lose focus on heaven

3. Stay on path, press forward in 3 areas: a. Individual Christian b. Local church c. Family

I. Pressing Forward as an Individual
A. Requires Sober Self-Examination
1. Paul’s sober self-exam: Phil. 3:12-16; 1 Cor. 9:24-27; 2 Cor. 13:5-6
2. First examine self, then admonish others
B. Press On to Draw Closer to God
1. Bible study: listen to God Ps. 19:7-11
2. Prayer: talk to God Phil. 4:6-7
C. Press On to Grow in Godly Character
1. Build on faith: 2 Pet. 1:5-7
D. Press On to Serve, Not to be Served
1. Follow Jesus’ example: Jn. 13:12-15
E. Press On to be Pure from the World
1. Part of pure religion: Ja. 1:27; Rom. 12:2
F. Press On to Teach Others
1. Under the Great Commission: Matt. 28:19-20
2. Requires ceaseless efforts: Acts 5:42
G. Press On: Fight to the End
1. As soldiers of Christ: 1 Tim. 6:12
H. As Individuals: Staying on Path, Pressing Forward?

II. Pressing Forward as the Church
A. In Fulfilling Its Mission
1. Proclaim the gospel of Christ: 1 Tim. 3:15-16
a. Support preachers: U.S., foreign
b. Written word
c. Gospel meetings
2. Worship God, edify saints: Acts 2:42
a. Regular worship & classes b. Special classes c. Written word d. Gospel meetings
3. Benevolence to needy saints (Acts 6:1)
a. Among our own number b. Among saints in other places
B. In Practicing Discipline
1. To save the erring saint (1 Cor. 5:4-5)
2. To purify the church (1 Cor. 5:6-7)
C. In an Uncompromising Stand for the Truth
1. Stand like Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:3; Rev. 2:2)
2. Pergamos compromised (Rev. 2:14-15)
3. Stand for Bible pattern on autonomy of church, against institutionalism
4. Stand for truth on marriage-divorce-remarriage, against every false doctrine
5. Stand for all the counsel of God (Acts 20:27)
D. In Sounding Out God’s Word to All Men
1. Use all avenues at home
2. Spread the gospel in our own state & nation
3. Look beyond our nation for opportunities to spread the gospel around the world
E. As a Church: Staying on Path, Pressing Forward?

III. Pressing Forward as a Family
A. United by God, Cultivate that Union
1. From the beginning (Gen. 2:24)
B. Husbands Lead in the Way of God
1. Like Abraham (Gen. 18:19)
C. Husbands, Treasure Your Wife
1. Like fine china (1 Pet. 3:7)
D. God’s Challenge to Whole Family
1. Each family member must press on (Col. 3:18-21)
E. How Press Forward:
1. Prayer & Bible study
2. Assemble with saints
3. Control temper & tongue
4. Firm, loving discipline
5. Provide physical needs, put spiritual needs first
6. Give children time, attention, training
F. As a Family: Staying on Path, Pressing Forward?

Conclusion:
1. Phil. 3:12-16 Powerful passage!
a. Not obtained prize yet—pressing on!
b. Aware of past, always learning to press forward
c. Focused on goal: Heaven
d. Mature mind: stay on path, trust God to direct future course

2. Stay on path, press forward in 3 areas:
a. As an individual Christian
b. As a local church
c. As a family

3. Must first get on right path:
a. As an erring saint: repent, confess, pray
a. Must first get on right path: As an alien sinner: believe, repent, confess Christ, be baptized (Acts 22:16)

By Ron Halbrook