How Can I Run Like Paul When I Feel Like Elijah?
“I press on to make it my own because Christ Jesus has made me His own”
Sermon Summary
In Philippians 3, the apostle Paul urges the saints to forget what lies behind and to press onward to the upward call of God. Writing from prison, he reminds us that despite his accomplishments and sufferings, he has not yet arrived at perfection. He emphasizes the importance of forgetting what lies behind—both the good and the bad—and straining toward what is ahead. This is not about ignoring our past but understanding that through Christ's atoning work on the cross, our sins are forgiven, and we are free to move forward without the burden of past failures or successes.
Paul's message is clear: our ability to press on is rooted in the fact that Christ has already taken hold of us. This divine grace is both our goal and the means by which we pursue it. We are encouraged to reach out for Christ because He has already reached out for us. This truth is a source of strength and hope, especially when we feel like Elijah, sitting under the broom tree, overwhelmed by the journey ahead.
Elijah's story illustrates that even the most faithful servants of God can experience moments of despair and exhaustion. Yet, it is in these moments that God draws near. The pre-incarnate Christ met Elijah under the broom tree, providing sustenance and strength for the journey. This encounter reminds us that God sees us in our struggles, meets us in our lowest points, and equips us for the path ahead.
As we reflect on these scriptures, we are reminded that our hope and strength come from Christ, who has already laid hold of us. We are encouraged to let go of the past, trust in God's provision, and press on toward the future with confidence in His sustaining grace.
Key Takeaways:
1. Forgetting the Past: To move forward in our Christian journey, we must let go of both our past failures and successes. This is not about denial but about embracing the freedom and forgiveness offered through Christ's atoning work on the cross. Our past does not define us; Christ's grace does.
2. Christ's Hold on Us: Our ability to press on is rooted in the truth that Christ has already taken hold of us. This divine grace is both our goal and the means by which we pursue it. We reach out for Christ because He has already reached out for us, providing us with the strength to continue.
3. God Sees Us in Our Struggles: Like Elijah under the broom tree, we may feel overwhelmed and alone. Yet, God sees us in our struggles and meets us in our lowest points. His presence is a source of comfort and strength, reminding us that we are never truly alone.
4. Provision for the Journey: God knows the journey is too great for us to handle on our own. He provides the spiritual nourishment and strength we need to press forward. Our insufficiency is met with His sufficiency, enabling us to fulfill His call on our lives.
5. Hope in Christ: Our hope is anchored in the fact that Christ has already laid hold of us. This assurance allows us to press on with confidence, knowing that He is with us, strengthening us for the journey ahead. Our hope and strength are found in Him alone.