1. Going For the Gold: Keeping the Prize in Sight! Philippians 3:8-14

2. Olympics in Sochi, Russia, Feb 7 th ! Goal: Gold, Silver, Bronze compare to all others, elimination Christian life/ race is different: 1. not in competition with others 2. as many as received Him -- Kingdom inclusion whosoever will may come! 3. Measure: knowing Jesus! Grace-based vs. performance

3. Pauls #1 Passion: Jesus Forever! Knowing Jesus Christ - vs 8 Be found in Him – vs. 9 Know: (vs 10) * Him * power of His resurrection * fellowship of His sufferings Goal: Eternity in the resurrection (vs 11)

4. So, What Are Measures of Spiritual Success? 1. Receive the prize/salvation – 2 Corinthians 6:2 * eternal home * new creature in Christ 2. Faithfulness in bearing fruit – John 15:5,8,16 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 3. Christ in you – a redeemed, restored image Romans 8:28-29 conformed to the image of His Son ** God works all things for this!

5. 2014: Become Deliberate in Pursuit of Jesus and His Purposes How well do you know Him? * His mercies His forgiveness? * His truth His hope? His holiness? The Power of His resurrection * Overcoming Sin – breaking the old habits The fellowship of His sufferings I die daily – 1 Cor. 15:31, Galatians 2:20

6. Diversions to the Training – Philippians 3:8 Possessions (Jesus) what will it profit a man… Mt 16:26 Paul: rubbish # 4657 skýbalon (from #2965 /kýōn, "dog" and #906 /bállō, "throw") – waste thrown to dogs, like filthy scraps of garbage (table-scraps, dung, muck, sweepings); (figuratively) refuse, what is good- for-nothing except to be discarded Biblical counter to materialism = systematic, sacrificial, generous giving

7. The Audience – Hebrews 12:1-2

8. The Legacy of Derek Redmund 1992 Olympics, Barcelona Fast time, first round of competition Semi-final race – top 4 advance to finals 250 meters from finish, hamstring snaps 65,000 spectators roar as he hobbles toward the finish in great pain… and THEN… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nifq3Ke2Q30

9. Crossing the Finish Line Derek Redmund, 1992, Barcelona

10. I Press On Toward the Prize of the Upward Call … 2013 ??? Awesome or Awful? Turning on the homestretch… * setbacks – errors in judgment, your own worst enemy moral failures, broken dreams, betrayal, bitterness, etc. Numbers 32:23 – sin will find you out NONETHELESS: I press on… * great victories and advances await!

11. We All Need the Father to Cross the Finish Line in Victory For I am confident in this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will see it through to completion to the day of Christ Jesus - Philippians 1:6