Work in Progress

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, 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, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

Today we will be discussing the concept of work in progress based on our main text for today, Philippians 3:12-16. In this passage, Paul describes his own journey of faith as a work in progress, and encourages us to press on towards the goal of knowing Christ Jesus.

1. Don’t get it twisted, we are a work in progress

Forget what is behind (Philippians 3:13a)

Strain towards what is ahead (Philippians 3:13b)

Focus on Christ (Philippians 3:14)

None of us are perfect, and we will never be perfect in this life

However, we can take comfort in the fact that God's grace is sufficient for us

Don’t get it twisted, keep pursuing perfection

Sub point 1.1: Recognize our imperfections

Forget what is behind

Philippians 3:13a “13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.”

In order to acknowledge that we are works in progress, we must first recognize our own imperfections. We all have areas in our lives where we fall short, whether it be in our relationships, our work, or our spiritual lives.

Sub point 1.2: Rest in God's grace

Strain towards what is ahead

Philippians 3:13b “13 But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,”

Fortunately, we do not need to rely on our own strength to overcome our imperfections

God's grace is sufficient for us, and His power is made perfect in our weakness

2 Corinthians 12:9 “9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

Sub point 1.3: Seek progress, not perfection

Focus on Christ

Philippians 3:14 “14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

While we will never be perfect in this life, we can still strive for progress

As we press on towards the goal of knowing Christ, we can take comfort in the fact that we are making progress, even if it is slow

2. Keep your eyes on the prize

Our second point is that we must keep our eyes on the prize

Philippians 3:14 “14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Matthew 14:29-30 “29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!””

Remember, that as long as Peter’s eyes were on Jesus, he was able to walk on water

When Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and placed his sight on the storm, Peter started to sink

Paul says that he presses on towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus

Sub point 2.1: Set our sights on heaven

The prize that Paul is referring to is eternal life in heaven with Christ

As we keep our eyes on this prize, we are better able to endure the trials and difficulties of this life

Colossians 3:2 “2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Sub point 2.2: Remember the joy that awaits us

In addition to eternal life in heaven, there are also many joys that await us in this life as we seek to know Christ more

In His Presence there is fullness of Joy

Psalm 16:11 “11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

As we keep our eyes on the prize, we can take joy in the progress that we are making

Sub point 2.3: Look to Christ as our example

In order to keep our eyes on the prize, we must look to Christ as our example

Hebrews 12:2 “2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

We are told to look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith

3. We need amnesia of the past

Have a heavenly mindset

Philippians 3:20-21 “20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”

Set our hearts on things above

Colossians 3:1-2 “1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Live with eternity in mind

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 “17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Sub point 3.1: Let go of our past mistakes

In order to forget what is behind, we must let go of our past mistakes

We cannot change the past, but we can learn from it and use it to grow in our faith

Sub point 3.2: Forgive ourselves and others

We must forgive ourselves and others

Forgiveness is an essential part of the Christian life

Forgiveness is necessary for us to move forward in our faith

Sub point 3.3: Focus on the present

We must focus on the present

We cannot change the past, but we can make the most of the present moment and work towards the future

4. Cross the finish line with a crowd

Sub point 4.1: Persevere in our faith

In order to press on towards the goal, we must persevere in our faith

We must continue to seek God and His will for our lives, even when it is difficult

Press on towards the goal

Philippians 3:14 “14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Sub point 4.2: Overcome obstacles

We will face obstacles and challenges

With God's help, we can overcome these obstacles and continue to make progress in our faith

Endure hardships

2 Timothy 2:3 “3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”

Don’t quit because things get difficult, quit when you are done (when you have reached the goal)

Sub point 4.3: Encourage one another

Finally, as we press on towards the goal, we must encourage one another

We are not meant to live the Christian life alone

It is important to support and encourage one another as we seek to know Christ more

Fix our eyes on Jesus

This is not a solo race

We are in a race that is demanding

We need to encourage each other

When we finish, we all get the prize

There is no prize for finishing ahead of everyone

Cross the finish line with a crowd

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