The Prize

Read the first 9 verses as background from your Bible:

Philippians 3:10–14 ESV

10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 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.

This pericope (or section) of Scripture is not giving us a salvation message.

In essence, Paul is not saying, in this text, I want to “know Christ” so that I can have salvation.

Paul is not telling us he has arrived.

Paul is saying: Paul wants his relationship with Christ to be life altering.

Be like Jesus!

It’s pretty simplistic, right?

Paul is getting to the heart of the matter.

Philippians 3:10–11 ESV

10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Knowing Him = sharing in suffering, becoming like Him in His death, and becoming like Him in the Resurrection

Glorified Body

Romans 6:4 ESV

4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

The words of Jim Elliot:

“He is no fool to give what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

Colossians 2:20 ESV

20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations—

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.

Think in the Humility of Christ!

Let’s analyze what Paul says in vs. 12:

Philippians 3:12 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.

In thinking about ourselves we must avoid both too high an estimate of ourselves and (Paul might have added) too low an estimate. Instead, and positively, we are to develop a sober judgment. How? First by reference to our faith, and secondly by reference to our gifts.

John Robert Walmsley Stott (English Preacher)

Strive in the Direction of Christ!

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.

We may positively state that nobody has made any progress in the school of Christ, unless he cheerfully looks forward towards the day of his death, and towards the day of the final resurrection.

Psalm 16:5 ESV

5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.

Hebrews 12:1–3 ESV

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Walking Away, But In...

Three goals:

Let Christ’s life be the example.

Have the humility to think soberly.

Passionately pursue Christ.