LOOKING FORWARD

Northern Advocate, 8 January 1938, Page 12

LOOKING FORWARD

Notes of sermon preached by Rev. R G. Bycroft at the Baptist Church Whangarei.

Text: “But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind. and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God. in Christ Jesus." — Phillip. 3:13-14.

THE apostle Paul gives to us in the opening verses of this chapter, the secret of his

greatness. He tells us what he once was. and declares that he now belongs to a company who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Jesus Christ, and have no confidence in the flesh. J

But there was a time, when he had every confidence in the flesh, when he boasted of his ancestry, of his exalted upbringing. Circumcised on the eighth day of the stock of Israel, cf the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, touching the law a Pharisee: concerning zeal; persecuting the Church; touching the righteousness of the law. blameless. What a pedigree? In those days, Paul had everything the Jews coveted. He was self-satisfied. But one day Paul met Christ, the scales fell from off his eyes, and he realised that he was a miserable sinner, and that only Christ could save him. He says: “The things that once were gain to me, I counted loss for Christ. Ye doubtless. I count all things loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do count them refuse, that I may win Christ. “That I may know Him, and the power- of His resurrection, and the following of His suffering. Brethren I count not myself to have apprehended. but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling cf God, in Christ Jesus.”

These passages breathe out the heart yearnings of this man of God, what he wanted to be by the grace of God. This passage seems to be appropriate for this time of the year. First let us make Paul’s aim our aim. One reason why folks do- not get very far in life is because they are without vision, without aim or objective in life. Paul had an objective, and never forgot it. He renounced all his most treasured possessions as a Jew, that he might win Christ. Christ was his objective. To gain it, he is willing to die, to self, and sin, to sink pride of race, birth and every cherished possession that Christ might be to him, all and in all. “That I. may win Christ.” Let that be your motto in this new year. Secondly, let us concentrate on this aim. “This one thing I do.” There is little use in having an objective, unless we concentrate upon it. To concentrate upon Christ does not mean living a life of exile. It is possible, and God intended, that we should follow our legitimate callings and yet concentrate upon it. An artist is distinguished from an amateur in the following way: an amateur only paints occasionally, whereas an artist paints constantly. There are far too many amateurs among Christians. Let us say—" This one thing I do.”

The Sabbath Hour

Thirdly, we are to forget those things which are behind. “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind.” The figure here is of Paul competing in the race. He has his eyes fastened on the goal; he knows that the look back, to see where his competitors were, or to gaze at tire spectators, would mean that he would lose valuable time, and perhaps trip and fall. The things behind must not be allowed to occupy his mind.

And there are some things that we must forget. If we do not they will obscure our vision of our Lord. Of course we must state here that there are some things that will do us good to remember. Let us remember God’s saving Grace. His goodness and mercies. that have surrounded us all our days. Let us remember His patience and long suffering.

But there arc some things we must forget. We must forget all sinful pleasures, . lest the remembrance of them should cause us to sin again. Let us forget our sinful companionships of past days, remembering God has said: “Be not deceived, evil companionships corrupt good morals.” Let us forget past hours of distinction. and success, lest it should cause us to have our hearts full of pride, and we may fall, remembering the Scripture hath said; “Let him who thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.” Let us forget past blunders and failures, lest they should so discourage us that they may spoil our peace of mind, and our service in coming days. Let us forget our past sins, knowing that if we have truly confessed our sins, God has forgiven, them, and blotted them out. “As far as the east is from the west, so far

hath He removed our transgressions from us.”

Let us forget other people’s failures. How large other folk’s faults and shortcomings are, and how insignificant cur own are! It would seem some people delight to parade ancient history, and are afraid that folk should have too good a reputation. The Word of God says: “He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets; therefore company not with him, that openeth wide his lips.” Let us forget the unkind things that others have said about us and let us remove all bitter feelings from our breasts. Let us forget our grief and sorrow. There is a grave temptation of turning our grief into an idol. There is nothing so harmful as self-pity. The following lines are taken from a facsimile of Dr. Chapman’s sermon notes of the last sermon he preached on December 15, ISIB, ten days before his death:

God holds the key of all unknown, and I am glad; If other hands should hold the key, Or if He trusted it to me, I might be sad. The dimness of my sight Makes me secure; For groping in my misty way. I feel His hand, I hear Him say. My help is sure.

A PRAYER Almighty God, we pray that Thou wilt guide us through the days of the coming year. Take from us that which will prevent us from doing Thy will and help us to serve Thee and cur fellowmen in love. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Suggested Reading: Philippians 3:1-16.