Striving for the Goal

1. Introduction

a. Read the passage Phil 3:12-16

Philippians 3:12–16 NIV

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, 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, then, 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.

b. Pray

2. The Christian life is a journey of becoming more like Jesus. Phil 3:12-14

Philippians 3:12–14 NIV

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, 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.

a. Paul declares that he has not yet reached full maturity Phil 3:12-13

Philippians 3:12–13 NIV

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, 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,

i. He emphasizes verse 12 with repeating himself in verse 13

b. Our past is behind us and our focus is on moving forward.

i. Paul’s past both Hebrew of Hebrews as well as apostolic success

ii. Looking back while running slows us at best

c. Our goal is to become like Jesus. To be mature. Phil 3:14

Philippians 3:14 NIV

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

i. Sanctification is only completed in eternity. Phil 1:6

Philippians 1:6 NIV

6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

ii. Define sanctification.

3. Christians are to live a life worthy of our goal, eternity with Jesus. Phil 3:15-16

Philippians 3:15–16 NIV

15 All of us, then, 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.

a. God will correct those who do not desire to grow. Phil 3:15

Philippians 3:15 NIV

15 All of us, then, 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.

1. Not moving forward results in us losing ground.

2. Running story

b. Our lives need to reflect the growth in Jesus we have already experienced. Phil 3:16

Philippians 3:16 NIV

16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

4. Conclusion

a. None of us have arrived. We will not be fully sanctified until eternity.

b. We must stay focused on this race. It is a marathon, not a sprint.

c. We must continue striving to be more like Jesus. To continually grow in our faith.

d. We must live our lives in a way worthy of King Jesus.