Philippians 3:12-4:1

INTRO

Last week we studied the first half of Philippians chapter 3, and we saw Paul's testimony.

Who can recall from last week what were the three aspects of his testimony, which are the same for all of us as believers?

(Who we were / What Christ has done / Who we are now)

What is something else we learned last week or that you remember standing out to you?

Remember, Paul says whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss. And this evening, as we continue in verse 12, we will see where he fixed his attention.

Let’s pray together.

In 1741 John Wesley preached a sermon called, “Christian Perfection” from Philippians 3, and referencing the mention of the word “perfection” from the text, Wesley attempted to argue that the believer can attain sinfulness, in this life. Is that the case? Is Paul saying we need to attain, to achieve, to reach that pinnacle here, and once we do we can look back? No. As we will see from these verses, until we put on immortality, we will still war with the flesh, with our sin. But our focus must not be backward, but heavenward, as we await the return of our King.

We're going to be going all the way to chapter 4, verse 1, and what I'd like us to do is actually start there first.

4:1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

The NASB says, "in this way stand firm in the Lord".

The CSB says, "In this manner stand firm in the Lord".

The KJV says, "so stand fast in the Lord".

The question is in what way, in what manner? Or, put more directly: How Do Believers Stand Firm in the Lord?

It sounds like Paul has just answered this question, in the preceding verses. So if you're taking note tonight, we are going to answer that question: how do believers stand firm in the Lord? with three answers from the text.

Their minds are fixed on the rewarding goal (vv.12-16).

Their eyes are fixed on good examples (vv.17-19).

Their hope is fixed on the future glory (vv.20-4:1).

Let’s begin in verse 12, and look at how

1. Their minds are fixed on the rewarding goal (vv.12-16).

Can someone please read verses 12-16?

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.

Paul says, "NOT" that I've already arrived. Remember, in verse 11 he says that he wants to somehow attain to the resurrection from the dead. He wants to keep being conformed to Jesus' death, putting to death the misdeeds of the body and rising again to spiritual life. But here in verse 12 he's making sure the church in Philippi (and we) understand that he has not yet arrived at that place. He's not yet perfected.

Paul says, "I've got the best religious balance sheet. I'm throwing that away and trying to just simply know Jesus and get closer to Him. But I'm not even there yet."

Isn't that wildly encouraging?? That you and I are not yet perfected? It is so funny how many people are looking for the "perfect" person. The "perfect" spouse, the "perfect" kids, the "perfect" neighborhood, the "perfect" school, the "perfect" church (haha thankfully we've got that one locked down :).

When he says "perfect”, Paul isn’t referring to some state this side of heaven where we are perfect, sinless, and have it all together, but he IS talking about growing and maturing.

So that's why he says, "but I press on".

The Greek word is fascinating. It could be translated: to pursue, to zealously follow, to move quickly and energetically toward some objective—‘to hasten, to run, to press forward, to press on.’

My favorite definition, however, is this: To chase after a person. Isn't that awesome??

"I'm pressing on" - what does that mean? I'm pursuing someone! I'm after something and nothing else will detract me from it.

Jesus used the word in Luke 17:23 speaking about people in the last days who will tell you they see the Messiah. He warned, "Don't go after them or follow them. Don't pursue or chase after their foolishness."

Our life can be summed up as one relentless pursuit. We are all chasing after, running after, pursuing after something.

In other translations, the second half of verse 12 reads, "I press on that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus laid hold of me."

"obtained" is the Greek word "katalambano". It comes from two Greek words, katá = down + lambáno = take. It literally means to take eagerly; to seize, to possess or to attain. It can picture seizing one with a hostile intent. To take hostage. To detain or take into custody. Here Paul uses it figuratively to describe taking a firm grasp to the point that it is it has been made one's possession.

Paul wants to catch hold of it and pull it down, like a football player who not only wants to catch his man, but wants to bring him down and make him his own (and receive credit for the tackle!). Paul wants to appropriate and make his own that for which Christ caught Paul and made him his own. What was that? To be perfect as His heavenly Father is perfect. To be fully mature. It was Christlikeness that Paul was pursuing after. It is absolute Christlikeness that he says that he has not yet captured and pulled down so as to make his own.

Jesus caught Paul on the road to Damascus, on his way to persecute Christians. Jesus apprehended him and said, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”

In that moment, Jesus had apprehended Paul. Paul was now captivated by Jesus for a purpose. Jesus seized me, apprehended me, for a purpose. I have to ask myself daily: Am I pressing on to catch that same purpose, to seize what the Lord has in store for my life? Are you?

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,

I do not count myself to have apprehended. Paul is so honest here. He hasn't yet fully arrived. But he has a methodology..."One thing I do" is actually two things:

1.Forgetting what is behind

2.Reaching forward to what is ahead

Let's talk about both of those for a few moments:

a) Forget what is behind

Sometimes we wish that things were still like they were in the past. But this is foolishness. Ecclesiastes 7:10 says, “Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.”

Other times, we wish things in the past would never have happened. We can look back with regret, shame, or even condemnation at mistakes we made, or sins that were committed against us.

Still other times, we wish others knew now what we accomplished back then, which is nothing more than pride. We might think, “Have you seen my credentials? My plaque? My degree? The letters that follow my name? Did you know what I used to do for a living? My college sports achievements? I was president of the chess club!”

All of this is what I call “the seduction of nostalgia”.

But as it pertains to what is behind, Paul says forget it! Whatever has tripped you up in the past, whatever has damaged your heart, whatever relationships that may have slowed you down, if there is any sin that you committed and repented of, or even if there are any wonderful accomplishments, IT IS ALL IN THE PAST, SO LEAVE IT THERE!

Looking back always leads to turning back. Remember Lot's wife!

She turned around when being saved out of the destruction of wicked Sodom and Gomorrah.She turned around and looked back because her heart was in Sodom.They tried to take Lot's wife out of the wicked city, but they learned that they couldn't take the wicked city out of Lot's wife!

Often we find ourselves looking back and then turning back.

I heard about someone who found an old flame on social media and started reminiscing of how great that person was and eventually left their husband and family to turn back to that relationship. How sad.

There are others who forget the past but then they get trapped in the present. They live in the moment but never fully enter in to the fullness of God’s blessing. Like Israel, they are running circles in the wilderness when they could be in a land flowing with milk and honey.

Interesting moment in the life of Israel: Exodus 14:15 The Lord said to Moses, "Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward.In other words: stop praying and sitting here. It's time to forward march. That's the second half of what Paul does to run in his race:

b) Reach toward what is ahead

straining: stretching forward, like a runner about to finish a race and leaning forward

Paul wasn’t focused on his accodales in Judaism - he was looking ahead to a prize.

When I drive, I put the car in FIRST GEAR. I look out of a large windshield. This allows me to move forward. I start going faster, so I shift into SECOND GEAR. I keep accelerating, and now I'm in THIRD GEAR. (First time I learned how to drive stick-shift I was in Georgia with my dad and at the top of a hill where there was a stoplight. My dad lost his salvation and I lost my bubblegum by swallowing it in panic and after a wonderfully friendly exchange I knew how to drive stick 😃

However, in my car I also have a rear-view mirror. It is tiny! It is designed to fit on my windshield in a small spot. It is much smaller than my windshield. Why? Because it is only there to alert me to what is behind me, for a frame of reference. I look back to see what is behind me, but only in small glances. I don't drive staring into it, because I'm not Michael Scott and I don't want to crash!

When you drive, where do you fix your eyes, the windshield or the rearview mirror? Both are necessary; I need to look in the rearview mirror to see what lays behind me so I can make a determined decision in my future direction. But if all I do is look in the rearview mirror I’m going to crash.Likewise, we can't move forward if we keep our lives stuck in reverse. You have to shift and start moving forward!

So, says Paul (verse 14):

14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

I PRESS ON. I acknowledge this evening that I’m not spiritually where I need to be, that I’m falling short, that I’m a failure in so many areas of my life, that I sometimes seem to be losing the race, losing battles, it can often look like I’m not going to make it…but, I PRESS ON! Others make fun of me and mock me. I PRESS ON. My parents, my boss, my friends just don't get it. I PRESS ON. I don’t feel like worshiping. I PRESS ON. I’m struggling and feel lost. I PRESS ON.

What is the goal? What is the prize? The word "goal" should be translated "mark" or "target". It is used in sports for someone aiming at something to strike. Only time it is used in the NT. If you hit the mark, you win a prize.

We all are running our race for some kind of goal or mark or target, to receive a prize.

If you are a workaholic, your goal is more success or money. Your prize is financial gain or selfish ambition, at the expense of your family and ministry.

If you are caught up in pleasure, your goal is feeling good. Your prize is physical and emotional contentment, at the expense of work or relationships.

If you are looking for comfort, your goal is the absence of conflict. Your prize is silence, solitude, and ease, at the expense of living a real life that impacts.

But beloved, you and I could hit the lotto tomorrow, or aquire everything we desire under the sun - but nothing on this side of heaven will ever compare with the price of the prize you will receive in heaven.

Chrysostom says: “He that runs looks not at the spectators, but at the prize. Whether they be rich or poor, if one mock them, applaud them, insult them, throw stones at them—if one plunder their house, if they see children or wife or anything whatsoever—the runner is not turned aside, but is concerned only with his running and winning the prize. He that runneth stoppeth nowhere; since, if he be a little remiss, all is lost. He that runneth relaxeth in no respect before the end, but then, most of all, stretcheth over the course.”

Paul says the goal is to finish the race God has marked out for him, and the prize is the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

One day we will receive a prize: a trophy. It may be the crown of life, or the crown of righteousness, or the imperishable crown, or the crown of rejoicing, or the crown of glory. I want a crown...trust me-you do too! We'll be able to cast our crowns back at Jesus' feet in the ultimate act of worship. You'll want something to be able to give back to him on that day!

What is something you are looking forward to?

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.

In other words, if you are mature you would agree with this. If you disagree, Paul says God will show you you're wrong :). Then he says:

16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

This is a fascinating rule of thumb: you aren't going to be perfect this side of Heaven; but your life should reflect where you are in the race so far.

If you are in third gear, don't downshift. If you are in first, don't put it in reverse! Don't move backward, but advance! ADVANCE! ADVANCE!

(Read D.A. Carson, “Basics for Believers”, pages 113-114)

Someone asked Dr. David Livingstone when he returned to Great Britain----"Where do you want to go now?" His answer was immediate: "I am ready to go anywhere, provided it be forward."

Now, this isn’t the only secret to standing firm as a Christian! How do believers stand firm? #2:

Their eyes are fixed on good examples (vv.17-19).

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

Paul says join in "imitating me". The Greek word for imitating is used only here in the NT, and it’s where we obtain the word "symmetry" from. It means to be joint imitators. Two lines that are symmetrical, remember from Geometry class (math nerds??) run alongside one another. They work together, they stay in sync. He says you have us as an "example". Another word for example is pattern, or 'impression'. This is the same exact word the disciple Thomas used when he said, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands I won't believe." The impression the nails made on Jesus' hands, feet, and side. He didn't want someone's testimony to be one of mistaken identity; he wanted to see the marks of the crucifixion.

Likewise, Paul is saying, "look at my life, and you'll see the impressions of the cross. You'll see the marks of a crucified life."

Now thankfully Paul doesn't say, "I'm the only one worth watching and following”. He says, also note those who so walk, and have us as a pattern. We don’t have to guess when it comes to walking in a godly manner. We can look to other peoples’ examples! This goes beyond the sermon, beyond the pulpit to the pew, from the church gathered to the church scattered. In other words, much of Christian living is caught rather than taught. We learn by observation, as well as imitation.

Paul seems to communicate this same truth to other churches, constantly. Can I get a few volunteers to read some passages for us?

1 Cor 4:16 "I urge you to imitate me."

1 Cor 11:1: "follow me as I follow Christ."

1 Thess 1:6 "you became imitators of us and of the Lord"

Eph 5:1: "be imitators of God..."

This may sound arrogant at first glance. "Hey guys if you want to know how to follow the Lord, start studying my life."

But is this not a valid exhortation? Shouldn't every Christian have the ability to say this? Isn't this what closet hypocrites dread the most?? Don't do as I do, just as I appear? We should desire to say this to anyone: Imitate me. Follow me. Live your life exactly the way I'm living mine. Love your wife the way I love mine. Love and parent your children the way I am. Treat your waiter and your barista and your cashier and your tenants and your clients and your unbelieving family the way I treat mine. Look at my life and copy what I'm doing.

If we can’t, then chances are we aren’t walking in obedience to God’s Word. Paul is saying "watch me, but also watch out". Why should we watch out? Because there are others who don't have an example worth following...

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.

Paul says "MANY". When he says "walk", he's meaning they live their lives-even though they profess to be Christ-followers-they live their lives as enemies of the cross. Can you imagine? This truth brought tears to Paul. Think about it-when did Paul ever cry?

Spurgeon said, “I never read that the apostle wept when he was persecuted. Though they ploughed his back with furrows, I do believe that never a tear was seen to gush from his eye while the soldiers scourged him. Though he was cast into prison, we read of his singing, never of his groaning. I do not believe he ever wept on account of any sufferings or dangers to which he himself was exposed for Christ’s sake. I call this an extraordinary sorrow, because the man who wept was no soft piece of sentiment, and seldom shed a tear even under grievous trials.”

But he’s told them this often, and now says it with tears - some live their lives as enemies of the cross.

19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

Who is Paul talking about?

He’s not talking about the teachers he referenced in chapter 1 verse who preach Christ from envy and rivalry, with selfish ambition.

He’s not talking about unbelievers who are obviously walking in darkness and celebrating the darkness, because it’s doubtful Paul would be in tears over those who could lead the believers astray. It’s unlikely the Philippian Christians would be tempted to follow someone’s example who didn’t at least profess to be a Christian.

So who is he referencing? I believe he’s speaking about unbelievers who profess Christ outwardly, but who don’t have the righteousness from God that depends on faith - who don’t know him and the power of his resurrection, who don’t share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and who don’t by any means possible seek to attain the resurrection from the dead.

These people were self-deceived, and had an allure that could cause other Christians to become deceived. They served themselves, their own pleasure, above and instead of Christ. They revile the cross, because it represents their death. They would rather save their lives then lose them.

These people might say Jesus is their God, but their life shows someone else in control.

Notice the 4 areas that Paul describes:

a) Their end is destruction (they will reap what they sow).

b) Their god is their belly (In other words, they worship their appetites. They have a lust that always wants more) F.B. Meyer said, “There is no chapel in their life. It is all kitchen.”

c) They glory in their shame (i.e. the things they should be ashamed of are given worth, high priority and attention)

d) They set their mind on earthly things (they aren’t thinking about witnessing or God’s glory or pleasing the Father or being who God made them to be or loving Christ by obeying his commands! They are unregenerate, debased, earthly, worldly, nodding their heads during the teaching while always thinking about themselves, the other person who they are mad at, why so and so didn’t call them back, what time is the game, what should I eat after we leave Bible study tonight?

How do we interact with these people?

Romans 16:17–19 (ESV)

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.

Now, this is in direct contrast to us - not merely professors but true possessors. Notice the distinction in verse 20, as we look at this final section. How do believers stand firm? #3:

Their hope is fixed on the future glory (vv.20-4:1).

20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Notice the contrast - these people are enemies of the cross, and are living here for this world. But we are heaven’s citizens.

Philippi was around 800 miles east of Rome, and a colony of Rome. Citizenship of the colony of Philippi meant you had everything Rome had. When the American colonies of England were established, they were similar in many many ways to England. The citizens of the colonies considered themselves English citizens. In the same way, you and I are citizens not of this world, but of heaven. In our lives, we are to live as a colony of heaven.

My driver’s license says, “Florida Resident”, and when I fill forms out I confess that I am an American citizen. But I am really a citizen of heaven. In order to become a citizen of a country, you might try to get a Green Card and fill out all the paperwork.

But to be born as a citizen of a country typically means you have to be born there.

In the same way, the only way to become a citizen of heaven is to be BORN AGAIN, born from above.

David Guzik says, “Since we are citizens of heaven, it means that we are resident aliens on earth. Foreigners are distinct in whatever foreign land they go. Christians must be so marked by their heavenly citizenship that they are noticed as different.”

As Philippians would eagerly await a visit from the emperor in Rome, even more so should Christians eagerly await the coming of their King – Jesus Christ.Newer translations have "citizenship" but this can also be translated "conversation".

"Eagerly await" : a strong term, and a common term in the NT referring to the future manifestation of the glory of Christ.

Who are we eagerly waiting for? The Savior, Jesus Christ!

Paul’s eagerness for the second coming of Christ as the normal attitude of the Christian colonist whose home is heaven

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.

"Transform": refashion after His own"lowly body": Now, nothing Jesus makes is "lowly". This really should be understand as "lower". Our physical body is from below, not from above. One day our earthly, lower bodies will be refashioned into a glorious body.

No more wrinkles, no more headaches, no more heartburn, no more cancer. We will be transformed, refashioned after Jesus' resurrected body. What a glorious day that will be! Many of you are into botany/gardening. I learned that I am pretty good at planting mulch, and that's about it. When you plant a seed, it dies and grows into something much more fruitful and more beautiful. A seed that is planted looks a lot different than the plant it blossoms into. In 1 Cor 15 the Bible uses this analogy to speak about our physical bodies dying and raising into spiritual bodies, like Jesus.

We will have new bodies of glory, putting on immortality and putting off the dying body from this earth.

Can someone read 1 Co 15:42–44?

So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

Now can you read 1 Co 15:51–57?

Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

This is the glory we fix our hope on!

And notice how this will be accomplished? By the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. This means that Christ alone has the power to marshall all things into subordination, because all things are under his authority.

What a glorious day that will be! Why should we ever look back to the past, whether there are failures or successes that lay behind us? The secret to standing firm in the Lord is to put our minds, eyes, and hope in front of us.

You see, that’s the amazing truth - standing firm in Christ doesn’t mean standing still. It means moving forward, progressing, straining toward what is ahead, looking and anticipating Christ’s return.

Charles Wesley wrote a hymn about this which we will close with:

Lo he comes in clouds descending, Once for helpless sinner slain! Thousand, thousand saints attending Swell the triumph of his train:

2 Ev'ry eye shall now behold him, Rob'd in dreadful majesty, Those who set at nought and sold Him, Pierc'd and nail'd him to the tree.

3 Ev'ry island, sea, and mountain, Heav'n and earth, shall flee away; All who hate him, must confounded, Hear the trump proclaim the day;

4 Now redemption long expected, See, in solemn pomp appear! All his saints by man rejected, Now shall meet him in the air!

5 Yea, amen let all adore thee, High on thine eternal throne! Saviour, take the pow'r and glory; Claim the kingdom for thine own.

Did all the kids get your questions and blanks answered? If not, come up after we close and let’s make sure you got all the answers.

PRAY

KIDS’ QUESTIONS

Their _________ are fixed on the rewarding goal (vv.12-16).

Their eyes are fixed on _____________________ (vv.17-19).

Their hope is fixed on the future _________ (vv.20-4:1).

What were the two things that Paul said were the “one thing I do”?

What was Paul pressing on towards?

How do you know you are a citizen of Heaven?

What will your body be like in eternity?

What was something you learned today?