And with that, we have a lot to get to, and so I'll invite you, if you're not already there,

to turn to Philippians the third chapter. Our text today is going to be verses 12 through 16.

If you're able, I'll ask you to stand. You can follow along as I read. If not, that's a right

where you're seated is fine. The Apostle Paul is writing to

the church there in Philippi, and by the Spirit of God says, verse 12, not that I have already

obtained all this or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus

took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, verse 13, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it,

but one thing I do,

forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

All of us, verse 15, then, who are mature, should take such a view of things.

And if on some point you think differently,

that too God will make clear to you.

Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

Let's pray if you would join with me.

We'll ask God's blessing on our understanding.

Loving Heavenly Father, we are so grateful to you for this time that we have together in your word this morning.

And we're also very grateful to you because the Holy Spirit is the one who gives us understanding and opens up the eyes of our understanding to hear what it is that you would have us,

your church, to hear.

So Lord, we're going to ask you to speak very clearly into our lives in and through your word. We ask you for this in Jesus' name. Amen. You can be seated. Thank you.

So what I want to talk about today is something that I believe is one of the most destructive dynamics in our lives as Christians.

And it's that of what has happened in the past

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