This is the third message of Pastor Chuck Bernal's series TRACTION. This message discusses how we can get "unstuck" from the things that keep us from moving forward. Using the story of Paul and his personal struggles, he reveals 8 practical steps from Philippians 3 that will move us forward in 2016. This message was delivered on Sunday, January 24, 2016.

1. Pastor Chuck Bernal – Part 3 – January 24, 2016
REMEMBERING WHAT WE’VE ALREADY LEARNED ABOUT TRACTION!
DAVID:He got stuck because he _____________________________ on thepast
THE ISRAELITES:They got stuck because they _________________ thefuture
PAUL’S STORY: I’M STUCK & I NEED SOME TRACTION RIGHT NOW!
I need something more . . . the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I
obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I
decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My
decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me
and gets the better of me every time. It happens so regularly that it’s predictable . . . I’ve tried
everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything
for me? Isn’t that the real question? (Romans 7:17-21, 24 – Msg)
WHAT PAUL DISCOVERED CHANGED HIS LIFE & CAN CHANGE YOURS
I do not mean that I am already as God wants me to be. I have not yet reached that goal, but I
continue trying to reach it and to make it mine. Christ wants me to do that, which is the reason
he made me his. Brothers and sisters, I know that I have not yet reached that goal, but there is
one thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead, I keep trying to
reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above. All of
us who are spiritually mature should think this way . . . we should continue following the truth
we already have. (Philippians3:12-16 – NCV)
STEP 1: A ______________________ – Own up to where you are right now
I do not mean that I am already as God wants me to be.
I have not yet reached that goal . . .
ASK: What is currently keeping me stuck where I am?
STEP 2: C _______________ – Make the choice to move ahead in your life
I continue trying to reach it and to make it mine . . . I keep trying to reach the goal
ASK: Am I really ready to make the changes I need to make?
STEP 3: T _________________ – Knowthat Christ has called me to do this
Christ wants me to do that, which is the reason he made me his . . .
and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above.
ASK: What is God’s purpose and what is He calling me to be and to do?

2. STEP 4: F _______________________ – Knowwhat is trulyimportant and do it
There is one thing I always do.
ASK: What are my “big rocks”?
STEP 5: S ___________________ – Don’tbedefined or defeated by yourpast.
Forgetting the past . . .
ASK: What in my past is holding me back or weighing me down?
STEP 6: S ___________ – You’vegot to do whatever it takes to moveahead
Straining toward what is ahead . . .
ASK: What specific things do I need to do in order to reach my goals?
STEP 7: C _____________________ – You keep moving ahead no matter what
I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize . . .
we should continue following the truth we already have.
ASK: Once I get started, what do I need to do to keep the momentum?
STEP 8: G __________________ – Spiritual maturity fuelsspiritual momentum
All of us who are spiritually mature should think this way!
ASK: Am I growing in my relationship with Christ daily? If not, why not?
TO GAIN TRACTION YOUR NEED THE RIGHT INTERACTION
I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real
question? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things
right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am
pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different. (Romans 7:24-25 – Msg)
I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13- GW)
“No chance at all if you think you can pull it off by yourself.
Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it. (Luke 18:27- Msg)
DAVID:He got stuck because he focusedon the past
THE ISRAELITES:They got stuck because they feared the future
STEP 1: ADMIT – Own up to where you are right now
STEP 2: COMMIT – Make the choice to moveahead in yourlife
STEP 3: TRUST – Knowthat Christ has called me to do this

3. STEP 4: FOCUS – Know what is trulyimportant and do it
STEP 5: STOP – Don’tbe defined ordefeated byyour past.
STEP 6: START – You’vegot to do whatever it takes to moveahead
STEP 7: CONTINUE – You keep moving ahead no matter what
STEP 8: GROW – Spiritual maturity fuelsspiritual momentum