Pursuit of Righteousness Part 3: Pressing Forward

Pursuit of Righteousness

Part 3: Pressing Forward!
Pastor Ray-ann Dela Fuente
July 12, 2026

Opening Verse:
“But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:11-12 NLT

Introduction:
Welcome to an amazing Sunday here at River of Faith! Today we are in week three of our brand new series I entitled "The Pursuit of Righteousness." You have probably heard the phrase that says "The Pursuit of Happiness?" There is no mention ever in the Scriptures that we should pursue "happiness". As a matter of fact everything that makes us happy is temporary and easily replaced and forgotten. The Bible actually commanded us to pursue "righteousness" instead because it is what really leads us closer to God! Part 3 is entitled "Pressing Forward!"

Main Pointers:
“Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith. Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved. For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure- blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.” Philippians 3:1-9 NLT

1. Always rely on what Christ has done for you.

A. Paul in this chapter spoke from his own personal testimony. He was still very much upset with the false teaching of circumcision to be saved. This time he used his own example to make the work of Christ truly the centerpiece of everything that happened that changed his life.
B. “This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!" Jeremiah 9:23-24 NLT

2. Press on towards the goal.

“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.” Philippians 3:12-16 NLT

A. Even the apostle Paul admits that perfection was not the goal but finishing the race. To know Christ and become more like Him. Learn to celebrate the small things that you've overcome because of your faith in Christ. Hold on to the progress no matter how small you think they are! Move forward!!!
B. “For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.”
Romans 8:29-30 NLT

3. We are citizens of heaven pursue heavenly things.

“Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.”
Philippians 3:17-21 NLT

A. Your conduct will always show who's god you're really serving. Everything you are pursuing tells a lot about what your goal in life really is.
B. “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.”
Colossians 3:1-4 NLT

Conclusion:
Press on forward!!! What a powerful charge by the apostle Paul telling us to forget the past and move towards the goal of knowing Christ and becoming more like Him! There is no greater goal in life than to finish this race with eyes fixed on Jesus longing to hear the words "well done my good and faithful servant!"