Jorge Alvarado - Sunday message - Don't worry about what is behind and to the right or to the left, we can focus on Jesus now.  We know where we are going

Philippians. 3:11-14 (NIV) 

and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers, 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.

1 Cor. 15:57-58 (NIV) 

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

What are the valleys, mountains, crooked roads and rough roads in your life that John the Baptist is talking about. 

Can you do anything about it?

In preparing, it's good if you have received Jesus into your heart. 
Now it's time to mature and prepare by pressing into Jesus. 

How do we do that?

It has to do with humility, prayer, seeking and waiting, repenting.  Can you tell how humble you are?  How proud you are?  Can you tell if you are waiting for God? Is repenting affecting your behavior? Your perception vs. reality.

 

Jon Paden - Sunday Message

Let us draw near to God

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering because he is faithful

Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and to good works

Paul reminds the Corinthian church of his right as an apostle of Christ to them. After he establishes that right, he refuses to take advantage of it. He wants them to learn humility in order that their arrogance not destroy them.

Paul then shows the Church how he sets aside his personal advantage in order to focus on the work Christ has set out for his people. He calls the Church to do likewise.

Paul's own focus is to become all things to all men so that by all means "some may be saved."