Philippians 3:12-14

“Luciano, if you try to sit on two chairs, you will fall between them. For life, you must choose one chair.”
Father of Luciano Pavarotti

“I was blessed with a good voice by God. I think it pleased Him that I decided to devote myself to it. And now I think whether it’s laying bricks, driving a straight nail, writing a book, whatever we choose we should give ourselves to it. Commitment, that’s the key. Choose one chair.”
Luciano Pavarotti

Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors…
Acts 13:36

I. Focus on God’s Purpose.

Vs. 12: I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.
Romans 8:29

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4

II. Focus on God’s Perspective

Vs. 13: Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind…

“Every cat knows some things need to be buried.”
Ruth Bell Graham

III. Focus on God’s Plan

Vs. 13: …reaching forward to those things which are ahead…

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.
Psalm 37:23

You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book!
Psalm 139:16 (TLB)

IV. Focus on God’s Prize

Vs. 13: …I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.