Philippians: "Pressing On Toward the Prize" Philippians 3:12-4:1

Today we are in our 8th sermon in the series in the book of Philippians.

Philippians 3:12–4:1 (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.

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

King David 2 Samuel 11

(complacency biggest problem in the church)

1. Stay Hungry for God

Philippians 3:12–13a (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.

Philippians 3:11 (ESV)

11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

3 levels of sanctification

positional,(Justification)

progressive,(ongoing)

ultimate(complete)

Philippians 3:21 (ESV)

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.

(Paul says) “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 communicates that he may not have arrived at perfection,

but that does not mean he is not settings his sights on the perfect target.

To stay hungry for God,

we need to always be pressing on toward the call Jesus has for our lives.

1. Stay Hungry for God

a Press On and Strain Forward

Philippians 3:12a (ESV)

I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

Philippians 3:13–14 (ESV)

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.

Baseball coach story [Coach Scolinos] (Plate is 17 inches)

Church widen the path or changed the target (Jesus I never knew you)

V14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

(Value of knowing Jesus) [Press On and Strain Forward]

Philippians 3:15 (ESV)

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.

(Maturity is thinking in a way that you know that you have not arrived,

but you are striving toward the goal of prize of the upward call of God)

Philippians 3:17 (ESV)

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

Paul says to Imitate me? could you say that?

Follow my path?

Paul is confident that by following him,

you will be pursuing Jesus with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength.

1. Stay Hungry for God

a Press On and Strain Forward

b forget what lies behind

Philippians 3:13 (ESV)

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,

Last week we unpacked how Paul had a list of great accomplishments as a Jewish man.

“forgetting what lies behind” means we can’t live off our past victories.

(Get complacent know because we live off the past)

“forgetting what lies behind” means we can’t value things the way we once did.

Last week we talked about how when Paul encountered Jesus,

his value system changed because he knew the worth of knowing Jesus.

(forget what you once value)

Lots wife… looked back with longing intent.

[Romanticize the past]

One last thing to understand is that “forgetting what lies behind” means we no longer allow our mistakes to hold us hostage to the life that Jesus has for you going forward.

(Some of you here this morning have been held hostage by your past.) [kids]

Psalm 103:12 NLT

12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.

Don’t allow your past sins to dictate your future with God.

Paul says “forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,”

How many know it is much harder to move forward if you are always looking backward?

Stay hungry for God by looking forward to the upward call God has for your life.

1. Stay Hungry for God

a Press On and Strain Forward

b forget what lies behind

c Stand firm as citizens of heaven

Philippians 3:20–4:1 (ESV)

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.

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

Philippians 3:16 (ESV)

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

Hold true, Stand firm,

this is the message that Paul has given to this church throughout this letter.

To know Jesus is to know his Word!

To follow Jesus is to cling to his Word!

To stay hungry for God,

To stay in pursuit of knowing Jesus,

we have to be people who remain faithful to the Word.

As Paul say’s in Colossians 3 we have to have our sights set on the realities of heaven. (Pressing on, Straining forward) [Seeking the Kingdom of God]

Slow....

When we stop pressing on and stop straining forward toward the prize of knowing Jesus,

our hunger will grow away from Jesus and will be replaced with hunger toward things of this world.

Philippians 3:18–19 (ESV)

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.

Texas Roadhouse example...

John 6:35 (ESV)

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

Amen!

I want to close out this morning by posing the question to you...

what are you feasting on?

It is so important to know your position as a citizen of heaven… (positional sanctification)

1. Stay Hungry for God

a Press On and Strain Forward

b forget what lies behind

c Stand firm as citizens of heaven