I. We Must Prioritize our Relationship with the Lord (vs. 7-11)

A. We Can Know Jesus Personally

“Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent’.”
John 17:1b-3

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep my Word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.’ ” John 14:23

B. We Can Know Jesus Progressively

“What is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” Ephesians 1:19-21

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.”
Ephesians 3:20

II. We Must Part with the Things of the Past (vs. 13b)

A. Let Go of the Sins of the Past

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”
1 Timothy 1:12-17

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
2 Corinthians 5:17

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

“ ‘Come now, and let us reason together,’ says the Lord, ‘Though your sins are as scarlet they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be as wool.’” Isaiah 1:18

B. Let Go of the Sufferings of the Past

“Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Please come closer to me.’ And they came closer. And he said, ‘I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life…God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt.’ ”
Genesis 45:4-5, 7-8

C. Let Go of the Sorrows of the Past

“He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.” Isaiah 53:3-5

D. Let Go of the Successes of the Past

“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”
-C.S. Lewis

III. We Must Pursue God’s Calling (vs. 12-14)

“No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62

“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1c-2

“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:1-2

“The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13

A. It’s Requirement

B. It’s Reward

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but an imperishable.”
1 Corinthians 9:24-25

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
2 Timothy 4:7-8

*****Reading List******
Monday: Colossians 3:1-4
Tuesday: Ephesians 3:14-21
Wednesday: 2 Corinthians 5:14-19
Thursday: Luke 9:57-62
Friday: Hebrews 12:1-3
Saturday: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Sunday: 2 Timothy 4:3-8