Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God. It is a joy to gather with you once more in this place of worship, where we come together to share in the fellowship of God's love and grace. Today, we stand on the precipice of a new understanding, a new revelation of God's plan and purpose for us. We are here to break boundaries, to become bold in our God-given calling, and to believe in the blessings of a life fully lived.

As we gather here in this sacred space, let us turn our hearts and minds to the words of the great Christian author, Aiden Wilson Tozer, who once said, "If you have believed but not obeyed, you have postponed your Christian life." This quote speaks to the heart of what we are about to discuss today. It reminds us that our character, shaped by our faith in God, is our true inheritance. It is something that cannot be taken away from us, no matter the trials or tribulations we may face.

Let us now look to the Scripture that will guide our time together. From the book of Philippians, chapter 3, verses 10-14, we read, "I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, 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."

From Psalm 37:34, "Hope in the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it."

From John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

And finally, from 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

Let us now bow our heads and hearts in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, as we gather here today, open our hearts to your word and your truth. Help us to break the boundaries that hold us back from living the abundant life you have promised us. Give us the courage to be bold in our calling, and the faith to believe in the blessings of a life fully lived in you. We ask this in Jesus' name, amen.

Transition. Today, dear friends, we are here to affirm that we are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us. Are we ready to embrace the fullness of life that God has promised us? Are we prepared to step into our God-given calling with boldness? Are we willing to believe in the blessings that come from a life fully lived in Christ? Let's find out together, as we break boundaries, become bold, and believe in the blessings of abundant life.

Breaking Boundaries for a Bountiful Life

In the book of Philippians, Paul speaks about his desire to know Christ in a profound and intimate way. He talks about participating in Christ's sufferings and becoming like Him in His death. This is a radical statement, a boundary-breaking declaration. Paul is saying that he is willing to step outside of his comfort zone, to go beyond the limits of what is considered normal or acceptable, in order to truly know Christ.

This is not an easy path. It involves pain, suffering, and sacrifice. But Paul is not deterred. He is determined to press on, to keep moving forward, no matter the obstacles in his way. He is focused on the goal, the prize that awaits him at the end of his journey. This is the kind of boundary-breaking determination and commitment that we are called to have as followers of Christ.

Now, let's consider the first aspect of this boundary-breaking commitment. It involves a willingness to suffer for Christ. This is not a popular or comfortable idea. We live in a world that values comfort, convenience, and ease. But the path to knowing Christ, to experiencing the power of His resurrection, often involves suffering. It involves hardship, trials, and difficulties. But these are not pointless or meaningless. They are part of the process of becoming like Christ, of being transformed into His image.

Next is the willingness to die to self. This is another challenging idea. We live in a world that promotes self-interest, self-promotion, and self-fulfillment. But to truly know Christ, we must be willing to die to our own desires, ambitions, and plans. We must be willing to surrender our lives to Him, to let Him take control and guide us according to His will and purpose.

The third aspect of this boundary-breaking commitment is the determination to press on, to keep moving forward, no matter the obstacles or challenges. This requires perseverance, endurance, and resilience. It requires a steadfast faith and trust in God, a belief that He is with us, guiding us and strengthening us every step of the way.

The fourth aspect of this boundary-breaking commitment is the focus on the prize, the heavenly inheritance that awaits us. This is not a worldly or materialistic prize. It is a spiritual and eternal reward. It is the promise of eternal life with Christ, the joy of knowing Him in a deep and intimate way, the peace and satisfaction of fulfilling our God-given purpose and calling.

Transition. Breaking boundaries for a bountiful life involves a radical commitment to knowing Christ. It involves a willingness to suffer for Him, to die to self, to press on no matter the obstacles, and to focus on the heavenly prize. It is a challenging and demanding path, but it is also a rewarding and fulfilling one. It is the path to a life of abundance, joy, and peace in Christ.

Becoming Bold in Our God-Given Calling

In the book of Philippians, the Apostle Paul provides us with a powerful image of what it means to be bold in our God-given calling ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO