Focusing Our Hearts
Oswald Chambers emphasizes the importance of forgetting our past to fully embrace the transformative power of Christ in our lives.
Oswald Chambers preaches about the importance of pressing forward in the Christian life, leaving behind past achievements and focusing on the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. He emphasizes that the gospel of grace enables believers to see their past as a tool for God's work, highlighting the transformative power of the Cross in removing the stain of memory. Chambers warns against being deceived by worldly philosophies and traditions that do not align with Christ, urging listeners to accept Jesus' astounding claims about Himself and to set their minds on heavenly things.
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"I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14
"When Paul says, 'forgetting those things which are behind," he is not referring to his past life; Paul never forgot that he had been 'a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man;' but he determinedly forgot all that he had attained to in the Christian life, because he was always pressing on to 'those things which are ahead.'" Oswald Chambers
The gospel of the grace of God takes the stain of memory from a worker, not by making him ignore the past, but by enabling him to see that God can make it of service in His work for God. "...unless we know the Cross of Christ as the power which takes the stinging stain out of memory and transforms it, we are of no use to others.
The gospel can never be preached by sinless lips, but only the lips of those who have been saved from sin by Atonement. Angels cannot preach the gospel....
"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." Colossians 2:8
"Am I prepared to accept Jesus Christ's view of Himself, or have I a point of view? Will I come to Jesus Christ just as I am and face the fact that He says certain astounding things about Himself?"
Will I come to Jesus Christ just as I am and face the fact that He says certain astounding things about Himself? ... Jesus Christ came to reorganize humanity from the inside through a tremendous tragedy in His own life called the Cross. And through that Cross every member of the human race can be reinstated in God's favor and enter into a conscious inheritance of the atonement.
"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." Colossians 3:1-3
"Your life is hidden with Christ in God!" When once we realize this, certain forms of doubt and perplexity vanish forever. If we set our affection on things above, those perplexities will never trouble us any more because we know the Lord Jesus, and He is not distracted by these present perplexities."
Thank God that the almighty power of Jesus Christ is for us. All power is vested in Him in heaven and on earth, and He says, 'Lo, I am with you always.' All the power of the deity of Christ is ours through His resurrection.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Understanding the importance of forgetting the past - Pressing towards the goal in Christ - The role of the Cross in transforming memory
- II points: - The necessity of acknowledging our past - The power of the gospel in our lives - The call to preach from a place of redemption
- III points: - Rejecting empty philosophies - Accepting Christ's view of Himself - Reorganizing humanity through the Cross
- IV points: - Setting our minds on things above - The assurance of our life hidden in Christ - The power of Christ's presence in our lives
Key Quotes
“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” — Oswald Chambers
“Your life is hidden with Christ in God!” — Oswald Chambers
“All power is vested in Him in heaven and on earth.” — Oswald Chambers
Application Points
- Reflect on your past but do not let it define your future in Christ.
- Embrace the power of the Cross to transform your memories into testimonies.
- Focus on spiritual truths to overcome earthly distractions and doubts.