Press On

Open up your bibles to Philippians Chapter 3. I have titled the message this morning. “Press On”

So we only have a few messages left in the book of Philippians and this week is another one of those important passages in the Christian life.

Last week I focused on the Theology of Paul, and the confidence he had because of his faith in Jesus. He knew Jesus and Jesus alone saves. And for Paul that changed everything in his life from the way he thought about God, works, this life and the next.

So if Paul’s theology was Phil 3:1-11 then verses 12-21 is the application of his theology . Paul’s desire was to press on.

In fact if you look up some definitions of the meaning of press on you see it say to press on means to continue moving forward in a forceful or steady way.

Another says to press on means to continue to do something especially in a determined way.

This is the way Paul lived his life. With the motto of pressing on. There was that popular term that many may remember that said keep calm and carry on, Pauls motto would be Keep pressing on and carry on.

In fact as we make our way through the text this morning what I want you to see is

Believers are to live as citizens of heaven pressing on to become more like Jesus.

I want to read all of todays text this morning because all the points really are tied together throughout the passage.

It reads as following…

Philippians 3:12–21 ESV

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained. 17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Four points I want you to see this morning the first is this..

Believers press on knowing they always need to grow.

Paul makes it clear to the people of Philippi and us that Paul is not perfect he has not achieved what its truly like to be a faithful follower of Jesus though he is an example to others.

This is important for him to say this, because there was an idea that was believed to be going on that spiritual perfection was possible in this life. Even people that John Wesley thought this was possible, but this is not true. Perfection does not take place in this life, growth does, sanctification happens, but none of us will be perfect like Jesus in this life.

And this was a totally different way of thinking for Paul than what he used to think. If you remember last week in the text he called himself blameless, but the gospel when it changed his heart made him realize that I am further from God than I thought.

And he wants them to know this because he does not want the people of Philippi to stop pursuing Jesus. Pursuing Christ is a life-long journey.

No matter if you have been a Christian for 1 day, 1 year, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 plus years you will never come to a place where you dont need to grow.

and for the believer they should never want to stop growing, because like Paul if Christ has came and changed your heart he has made you his own.

Goes back to last weeks text. If Christ has come and changed your heart, died for your sins, and made you his own your natural response should want to be to grow in your faith in fact it should lead towards our next point.

Believers press on with the goal of becoming more like Christ.

This builds upon the first point. Part of becoming more like Christ is growing in your knowledge of him. And Paul says that he is making every effort to accomplish this…

He is not just getting by as a Christian, as a pastor, as a missionary he is running with this goal with this prize in mind. He is running to become more like Jesus, and running towards the destination of heaven.

The scripture speaks of the way we should run this race.

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 ESV

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

one more passage

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Listen to one mans take… Now that's passion! Running, exercising self-control, not running aimlessly, not boxing the air, disciplining one's body all of this displays the apostle's passion. Then the writer of Hebrews which could be Paul, in a book that emphasizes Christian perseverance, speaks of laying aside anything that doesn't help us run, as we fix our eyes on Jesus. Paul and the author of Hebrews are under no illusion that the Christian life is lived passively and effortlessly. If you want to grow in maturity, you need passion and discipline. Earning is not a good word for Christians because we can't earn any acceptance before God, but effort is a good word for those who have already been made new creations in Christ. We must pursue holiness (Heb 12:14) in this life by God's power.

And he is becoming more like Christ by forgetting what lies behind, and straining forward to what lies ahead.

You have heard the phrase life is not a sprint its a marathon. I been thinking about that as I close my second year as pastor here, because the reality is in a race what matters most is how you finish.

Paul said in the text we were in last week what his previous life looked like, and what did he do he held on to that… He reached often backwards instead of looking forward.

Churches do this all the time churches say this aint like it use to be and there may be some truth in that, but sometimes we spend more time reminiscing on the past and its accomplishes then moving forward.

We need to have this mindset like one guy I read this week says. Forget as we run. Forget as we run. I celebrate all the things the Lord has done in my life, but if I hold on to the past and never look forward how am i ever to going to finish the race.

at the same time forgeting what lies behind you can often be a good thing in ministry. We all have this past and we let the past minimize what we can do for the Lord today that was not Paul who was a murderer. He lived as though there was a prize in mind. Studying this week I was reminded to forget failures and run.

Forget past achievements and run.

Regarding past achievements I was reading in one place this week that These glory days that so many Christians talk about remind this one guy of Uncle Rico in the movie Napoleon Dynamite. He’s a middle-aged former athlete who lives in a camper van and regularly videos himself throwing a football. Don’t be uncle rico Move on with life in the present season.

I wanted to read that to you, because I believe God has something for you to do in this season of life that was not like the previous seasons, and if you hold on to the past you can never truly embrace the future. Run the race until the race is over.

Paul says But one thing I do. Notice that language one thing I do… What is the one thing he does.. He pursues Jesus. Remembering that he has been taken hold by Jesus. He is pressing on because he knows he needs to grow, he is owning the faith he has, he is forgetting the past and straining forward for this prize. the greatest prize of all which is Christ himself.

I dont run anymore, but when I did I know the best thing I could have done as a runner is to keep my eyes on the finish line. If there is just one thing we do as believers in Christ it must be focusing on the finish line on the grace on the upward call that has been giving to us by Jesus himself, and if we keep on our eyes on Jesus than we will be more like Christ.

But to help us do that along the way Paul says we need something else … Take note of my third point today.

Believers press on by following faithful people who model Christ for them.

Paul has driven that point home already in this book. He says.. Join in imitating me.. Paul is the faithful example of one who in fact presses on. One who is earnestly seeks to be more like Christ.

A few weeks back I preached on two faithful men. Timothy and Epaphroditus who lived lives worthy of gospel focused on the task they were given.

And in chapter 2 Paul gave Jesus as the greatest example for us. And Paul wants the people of Philippi to keep there eyes on those who walk like Jesus.

Now this is hard sometimes for me, but I am suppose to be an example of what it looks like to be a Christian. For the many Parents and grandparents in the room our kids and grandkids should look to you as an example of what it looks like to live for Christ.

One man I was reading this week said Christianity is not just taught its also caught.

I see that in my little girls own behavior now even though she is three. If she will talk to you she may bring up Jesus. She says she loves Jesus. Why is that because in our home, and our church we talk about Jesus we make much of Jesus though we are not perfect she sees Jesus in our lives.

In fact she loves the song that we sing Hallelujah for the Cross. She calls it the Jesus song, if someone like my daughter sees my wifes and I’s example dont you think other people are watching yours…

For years before I was a pastor I use to go to Chick fil a I taught a bible study there for years on Saturday morning, and after that ended I love to just go and read my bible and many conversations happened just because people seen my example there.

Man people see when we pray, and give, and help others, and as Christians each and every one of our jobs is to display Christ everywhere we go. That is one of those Amen or ouch things for us, because this is a weakness for many of us including myself.

The best way you can be an example is following the word of God.

And we should want to follow Godly examples, and in turn we should be Godly examples, because Paul warns the people of Philippi and us about these people who are not an example.

I am convinced part of the biggest problem we have in churches is there are not enough examples for us to follow, and so we get caught up with all these bad examples of people who Paul says he told them about in tears… These people are not ones who take Pauls words seriously, who don’t take the word of God seriously these are people are people who claim Christ yet live apart from his teachings. It breaks Pauls heart.

Friends as a Christian nothing upsets me more than when professing Christians act more like the world than non believers do. And that tore Paul apart as well. It breaks my own heart when I do that.

Because if your a Christian and you are doing non Christian things that causes people to stumble. Its something we all have to work on and seek the Lord on together.

Paul describes these people who are not examples as enemies of the cross of Christ. Thats strong language. These are people who pretended to be of the faith, but they comprised the truth so much they ended up being enemies of the work of Jesus upon the Cross.

He does not end there though he goes in detail about these people who are enemies of the cross…

He first says their end is their destruction. Paul says this because the people who are false teachers false examples will one day suffer damnation.

These people are driven by their belly meaning their lustful appetites are what they seek to the serve not God. They seek to do whatever feels right and good to them.

There is a danger for us here because this is what our society teaches. Do what makes you feel good, this is what the Romans did as well. Our diets are built upon this, and so often so is our faith.

Paul says they glory in their shame. Friends listen to the words of one Scholar that should hit home for alot of us… They enjoy and celebrate what offends God and should be avoided. Don't follow the examples of those who glory in things like sexual sin, greed, disrespect, and laziness -as we often see in our culture. Even though sex before marriage is prevalent and considered normal, it's still shameful. Even though we call a strip club "The Gentlemen's Club," it's still shameful and depraved. Even though marriages break down because money matters more than a sacred covenant, resist this shameful pattern. Even though laziness is viewed as a personality trait and is displayed regularly in sitcoms, it's wrong. In Proverbs laziness is wickedness, not something to be accepted.

Even though pornography is present and accessible, you shouldn’t participate in shameful, secretive works of darkness. By participating in such practices, you not only deaden your own soul, but you also perpetuate more sin because sin always affects others.

Don't worship the god of your stomach and glory in shame. Lift up your eyes. Find the superior joy Paul has been describing in this letter.

Press on to know Christ. Get your vision of life from Scripture, and submit the whole of your life to the whole of the Bible in order to glorify God and flourish as you were intended to flourish.

When our examples in this life our sin based how can we expect to have Holy responses… Let me say that again…

Paul ultimately says these enemies of the cross set their minds on earthy things.. Have you ever thought that the enemies of the cross have you more worried about your bank account, the size of your house, what car you drive, where you go on vacation, the clothes you wear, where you go to school, where you work, and all these others things that it just take our eyes off Jesus enough where we elevate them to an improper place.

Friends this is not our ultimate home. In fact the last point this morning is this…

Believers press on living as citizens of heaven

Saw a picture this week that had a dripping faucet on top representing just a drop of water representing this life, and on the bottom it had a picture of the ocean representing eternity, the scripture says life is but a vapor. Life is short folks so we should live in light of eternity, live in light of our true citizenship.

Just to put into in perspective during that time Scholars called Philippi a little Rome, they also said to be a citizen of Philippi was to be a citizen of Rome. Rome belonged to Caesar, so the people of Philippi had to live in light of being under the control of what he wanted. But Paul makes it clear believers true citizenship is in heaven.

Paul wants them to live in such a way that makes them identify with heaven rather than Rome. Everywhere there is Christians in this world should be little glimpses of heaven, Something I read this week said People should look at the words and deeds of believers and say, “You aren’t from here are you? You can tell them my citizenship is in heaven. Im just passing through…

Think about that friends, many of us care more about our nationally being american than our own heavenly home. Not that its bad to be an american truly its a wonderful gift from the Lord, but its better to belong to heaven.

C. S. Lewis said in his book Mere Christianity… If you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next.... Its its since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this…

Thought provoking words by Lewis isn’t it.. How many of us truly live with heaven in mind. Old pastor of mine use to talk alot about having an eternal perspective.

Have we lost our witness as a church because we have lost our focus to where we belong? And the fact that we do not live as though we belong to Jesus live as though heaven is our home. .

We should live as though we are already in the place where we are going… Could you imagine, truly… imagine what it would be like…

Spurgeon like C.S. Lewis makes you think he said… We should, in fact, seek while we are here to keep up the manners and customs of the good old fatherland. Our very speech should be such that our citizenship should be detected. We should not be able to live long in a house without men finding out what we are. There should be a ring of true metal about our speech and conversation, so that when a brother meets us, he can say “You are a Christian, I know, for none but Christians speak like that, or act like that.” “You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus, because even your accent reveals who you are

Paul ends this passage by saying we may be citizens of heaven but we are awaiting our savior the Lord Jesus Christ who saves us will deliver us from this world, and he not Ceasar is Lord over all and because he is who he is he will transform our lowly body to be like him.

We get Jesus as this great prize as well being made into his image and the to add the icing on the cake he is going to transform us into his very image. This is a dramatic change.. To take this lowly broken body and turn it into something glorious.

Our new bodies will be in the same form as Christ glorious body. This new body is described in 1 Cor 15.. This body is a spiritual body, guided by the Holy Spirit. It will be unblemished, perfect health, unlimited energy is display the likeness of Jesus Christ. We will not have the power he has but the text says we will be changed by the power Jesus has..

Jesus has the power to save, and to change. Remember back in chapter 2 that all things even the Lord Caesar are under his control, so dont you think that he can even raise your lowly body.

I always when I witness to people say if you believe Genesis 1:1

Genesis 1:1 ESV

1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

you can believe that Jesus who the scripture says all things are subject to him came into his own creation the second person of the Trinity born of a virgin lived a life that we can never live perfect sinless truly blame-ness to the point of death even death on the cross, a death fit for the worst criminals Jesus took on that death? Why to glorify the Father to die for your sins to take your place, and as we learned that death and resurrection accomplished the salvation for his children, and the Father gave Jesus the name above all names, so that everything is subjected to him, and because he holds that power he can even raise your lowly body from the grave, and transform it to have life.

So the question is do you believe that today? Have you trusted that he has done that for you.. If not come to him today with the confidence knowing he can save even you, knowing he can raise you from the dead and he does that to all who repent ( Turn away from sin and believe. )

For the believers in here I want to close with a story I read this week…

Perhaps you're familiar with the movie Chariots of Fire. It's about two runners in the 1924 Olympics, one being Eric Liddell, a Christian. He makes the often-quoted statement, "I believe that God made me for a purpose. But He also made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure." Paul, too, felt the pleasure of running for the prize, and he's commending this way of life to us. Eric Liddell would later serve on the mission field, running for something greater than a gold medal. As you run for the prize, may you feel God's pleasure too. Fix your eyes on Jesus, the One who ran for "the joy that lay before Him" (Heb 12:2). Run for the pleasure of Christ, the One who took hold of you. Let us reach forward until we see Him. When we see Him, we won't regret having made every effort to know Him more and more in this life. We won't regret having lived in view of our true citizenship. Every day we are getting closer. Keep running until you see Him

Let us pray…