What is the main Goal of your life for Students

Philippians 3:12-16

Introduction

To begin I would like to pose a question to you all this morning, and I am going to encourage you to write this question down, and answer it. The question I would like to ask, is actually the title of the sermon, and that is, “What is the main goal of your life?”

I would like to give you all a few moments to write that down and if you have the chance to answer it, I encourage you to. But I want to encourage you to not just give a typical church answer. But if we were to examine what you and i do on a normal day to day, what do our actions show are the main goal in our life.

For someone in middle or high school, it might be graduate, and get into the college of their dreams

For the adult in room it might be to climb the corporate ladder, have x amount of kids, and “live the American dream”

For the senior adult in the room, it might be to just enjoy the grandkids, and enjoy retirement. Go and see all the beaches and mountains you can because you have done all the things.

As you do, I have a story of a mountain climber, and lets name him Steve.

Imagine a mountain climber who sets out to scale the tallest peak in the world. They spend years preparing—gathering the best gear, hiring the most skilled guides, and dedicating their life to this one goal. Finally, after enduring countless challenges, they reach the summit. The moment is exhilarating. They stand on top of the world, looking out over the vast expanse, feeling invincible. But then, as the adrenaline fades and they begin their descent, they realize something. Though they’ve reached the highest point they can physically climb, they still feel empty inside. The fame, the money, the prestige—they've achieved it all, but the satisfaction they sought remains elusive. The moment passes, and they are left asking, "Was this really what I was searching for?"

In a similar fashion, as we have asked the question, “what is the main goal of your life?” Is the goal in your life based on earthly standards, such as success, power, and influence. Or is the true main goal of your life set on what we have attained, and that is the hope and promise and eternal life.

Read

Philippians 3:12–16 “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. 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 press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.”

Pray

Context

Build the context of Philippians. Paul is the author of Philippians. He is writing this letter from a Roman prison. The purpose for him to write this letter is for a few reasons. The main reason was a thank you letter. The church of Philippi was planted by Paul, and they had a deep relationship with them. Paul is writing this letter as a response to a letter he received from him. The main theme of this book is joy, and as we have going through this study with the students, we have been applying this to being joyful where you are. As Paul

We are to always be spiritually growing V.12-13a

Exposition

V.12- Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect

What is this that Paul is talking about? Well let’s look back at the beginning of chapter 3.

Use Bible to help. Paul is flexing his track record, or showing his track record.

Paul had the ability to continue to live a life as a Pharisee and being comfortable.

But he had an encounter with the savior of the world on the road to

Paul begins by saying, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal.” This is a humbling statement from a man like Paul. If anyone could claim to have "arrived" in their faith, it would have been him! He was a respected leader, a passionate missionary, and a man who had sacrificed everything for the sake of Christ. Yet here he is, acknowledging that he hasn’t yet reached the fullness of what God has called him to be.

Apostle Paul’s Humility:

Paul’s example challenges us to never become complacent in our faith. No matter how long we’ve walked with Christ, there is always room to grow. We are all works in progress. The Christian life is not about reaching a point where we can say, "I’ve made it," but about continually pursuing a deeper relationship with Jesus.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that once we’ve attained a certain level of spiritual maturity, we can slow down or coast. But Paul’s attitude is one of constant movement forward. He knows that his transformation is not complete, and he presses on with an eagerness to keep growing.

Illustration of a tree

Trees are something I want you all to think about. Do trees ever stop growing? No they do not, they are living things.

Colossians 2:6–7 “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

Application

Are you still growing in your relationship with Christ? Or have you settled for where you are? Maybe you’ve been a Christian for many years, and you feel like you’ve plateaued. But Paul reminds us that none of us have arrived yet, and that’s okay! What’s important is that we keep moving forward, striving to know Jesus more intimately.

Fix your focus on what lies ahead. V.13b-14

Exposition

Forgetting What is Behind:

Paul understood the importance of letting go of the past. For him, this meant both the good and the bad. He had an impressive religious resume—he was a Pharisee, zealous in his adherence to the law. But he also had a dark past of persecuting the church. Paul knew that if he let either his past successes or failures define him, he would never be able to move forward.

Sometimes we let our past hold us back. Maybe it's mistakes we've made or regrets that weigh heavily on our hearts. Or maybe it’s the opposite—maybe we rest on our past accomplishments and believe we've done enough. Either way, Paul’s message is clear: We cannot run this race by looking backward. We must forget what lies behind and focus on what lies ahead.

Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (Paul’s Desire to Fulfill His Call (3:12–14))

“forgetting what is behind” comprehensively expresses Paul’s future orientation. What was done was done! Both the nostalgia of the former life and the “good ole days” of his Christian life would paralyze him in terms of what God wanted in the future. Every day was a new adventure.

Straining Toward What is Ahead:

Paul uses the imagery of an athlete straining toward the finish line. This is not a casual stroll; it’s an intense, focused effort. The Christian life requires endurance and perseverance. It’s not about sprinting and then stopping when we get tired. It’s about continually pressing on, even when the road is difficult, even when we feel discouraged.

Illustration

Imagine a runner in a race who keeps looking over their shoulder at the ground they’ve already covered. How effective do you think that runner will be? They’re likely to stumble or lose speed because their focus is divided. Similarly, if we are constantly looking at our past—whether it’s pride in our past achievements or shame over our past mistakes—we won’t be able to run the race ahead of us with full focus.

Application

Individually

Corporately

Pursue the eternal prize. V.14-16

Exposition

The Eternal Perspective:

This is what sets Paul apart from the world’s view of success. The world tells us to pursue temporary things—money, fame, power, comfort—but Paul has his eyes fixed on something far greater. He’s not interested in earthly rewards; he’s interested in the eternal prize. And that eternal prize is not just something we receive when we die—it begins here and now as we live in the fullness of a relationship with Jesus.

Living with the End in Mind:

Paul had a laser focus on the finish line. He knew what mattered most, and everything he did was shaped by that goal. The question for us is: What are we pursuing in this life? Are we running after temporary, earthly prizes, or are we pressing on toward the eternal prize that God has called us to?

1 Peter 5:10 “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”

Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Illustration

Go back to Mountain Climber Steve

In contrast Paul’s race is toward something that doesn’t fade away. It’s the eternal prize of being with Christ and becoming like Him. That’s what we’re called to pursue—a life marked by eternal significance, not temporary success.

Takeaways- Take it home

Don’t become stagnant, keep growing

Let go of the past

Pursue the eternal goal

How do we do this? Grow Love Reach, For his Glory

Response

During this time of response