(Clip) Never Be Satisfied With Your Spiritual Growth
Zac Poonen urges believers to never be satisfied with their spiritual growth but to continually press forward toward Christlikeness, just as Paul exemplified in Philippians 3.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of continuous spiritual growth and progress in the Christian walk, drawing inspiration from Philippians 3 where Paul expresses his relentless pursuit of knowing Christ and pressing towards the mark. Paul's attitude of not being satisfied with his current spiritual state serves as a challenge for believers to constantly strive for deeper conformity to Christ, leaving behind past achievements and focusing on areas that still need transformation.
Full Transcript
Page to another, to another, to another, never stopping but continuing, Paul says in Philippians 3, he says first of all in verse 8, I count everything in this world as loss compared to the value of knowing Christ. That is how he comes to saying, I'm pressing towards the mark, verse 12. I haven't attained it yet, verse 13, but I press towards the goal, verse 14.
I forget what lies behind, verse 13, and reach forward to what lies ahead. I see two things there. One, first of all, he's not satisfied with his spiritual growth.
Now I want to urge all of you, my brothers and sisters, never be satisfied with your spiritual growth. I was born again 58 years ago, but I can say before God today, I'm not satisfied with my spiritual growth. Because I see areas in my life where I'm still not perfectly like Christ.
So I want to be like Christ in those areas also. There are areas where God has helped me to overcome certain things. But if I keep looking back at those things, oh, I've overcome this, and I've overcome this, and I've overcome this.
Those who look back in a 100 meters race will never win. Those who keep looking back even in a marathon race will not win. Paul says, I reach towards the goal.
I don't keep looking back saying, how many miles have I covered? I don't keep looking back saying, what all have I overcome? The best way to hinder your spiritual progress is by looking back and congratulating yourself on what all you've accomplished. Paul says, no, I forget. Verse 13, I forget what lies behind.
And I'm reaching forward. And if some of those things you heard today, maybe some of those areas you've already achieved something, good. Don't look back and congratulate yourself.
Just press on. Look at the areas where you have not conquered and move on. I mean, it's just like in a school.
If a child is in the sixth standard, he doesn't keep revising addition and subtraction and glories that in second standard he got 100%, or third standard he got 100%. He'll never make any progress that way. A good student is actually going ahead of his class and reaching forward and saying, I want to think of the things in mathematics and science I've not yet learned.
In fact, I want to go ahead. So that's what Paul says, I press toward the goal.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Paul counts all things as loss compared to knowing Christ
- He presses toward the goal of spiritual maturity
- He forgets what lies behind and reaches forward
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II
- Never be satisfied with your current spiritual growth
- Recognize areas where you still need to grow in Christlikeness
- Avoid looking back and congratulating yourself on past victories
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III
- Spiritual growth is like progressing in school subjects
- Keep moving forward to learn new things in your spiritual life
- Press on toward the goal without complacency
Key Quotes
“I want to urge all of you, my brothers and sisters, never be satisfied with your spiritual growth.” — Zac Poonen
“The best way to hinder your spiritual progress is by looking back and congratulating yourself on what all you've accomplished.” — Zac Poonen
“Those who look back in a 100 meters race will never win.” — Zac Poonen
Application Points
- Regularly evaluate your spiritual life and identify areas needing growth.
- Avoid dwelling on past spiritual victories or failures and keep moving forward.
- Set new spiritual goals to continually grow in Christlikeness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I not be satisfied with my spiritual growth?
Because spiritual growth is a lifelong journey and there are always areas where we can become more like Christ.
What does Paul mean by forgetting what lies behind?
He means not dwelling on past successes or failures but focusing on the future goal of Christlikeness.
How can I press toward the goal in my spiritual life?
By continually seeking God, identifying areas for growth, and not becoming complacent with past achievements.
Is it wrong to celebrate spiritual victories?
It’s good to acknowledge God's work, but one should not become complacent or stop progressing because of them.
What practical example does Zac Poonen use to explain spiritual growth?
He compares it to a student progressing through school, not revisiting old lessons but moving forward to learn new material.