Philippians 3:12-21 | Pressing On in a Pull-Back World

INTRO

Have you ever felt like your faith is stuck in neutral?

Maybe you started this year determined to grow closer to God—but here you are halfway through, still struggling with the same sin, the same doubts, the same distractions. Or maybe you're just tired—tired of the pressure to “do better” when it feels like you’re already giving all you’ve got. You’re not where you used to be, but you're not where you want to be either.

If that’s you, you’re in good company.

In Philippians 3, the Apostle Paul—who wrote most of the New Testament, who planted churches, who had visions of heaven—says, “I haven’t arrived.” He admits he’s still in process. He’s still pressing forward.

That’s where we’re headed today.

Paul gives us a pattern to follow—not just for doing better, but for growing deeper. He shows us how to move forward in faith, even when we feel like failures, even when we don’t have all the answers.

In this passage, he challenges us with five steps to maturity…

Philippians 3:12–21 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.

So if you’re tired of feeling spiritually stuck… if you’re ready to move forward again… let’s pray and then dive in.

PRAYER

So the first point Paul gives on how to unstuck ourselves is this…

Face your Faults

Philippians 3:12–13 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. ..

What spiritual progress have you been pretending to have already attained?

1 John 1:8–9 “8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Denial = not just a river in Egypt

We are only fooling ourselves

When was the last time you confessed a fault to God—or someone else?

James 5:16 “16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

Sin cannot live in darkness

Admit your faults

“The first step toward God is always a step away from self-deception.” —Someone

Romans 7:15–20 “15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.”

Application Points:

Confess honestly. Acknowledge the areas where you are spiritually immature or stagnant—God can only change what you’re willing to admit.

Stop comparing. Don’t measure your walk against others—God is calling you to growth, not perfection.

Ask for accountability. Invite someone you trust to help you stay honest about your walk with Christ.

Forget your Failures

Philippians 3:13–14 ESV

13 … 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.

Are you allowing your past to define your present calling?

Isaiah 43:18–19 “18 “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 “17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

If you are new then you are new

You are not your past

Every man is as holy as he really wants to be. But the want must be all-compelling.

A. W. Tozer

What failure do you need to release so you can run freely?

Micah 7:18–19 “18 Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. 19 He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.”

John 8:36 “36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Hebrews 12:1 “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,”

Imagine a ruck sack run…

Application Points:

Let go of guilt. Don’t let past sin or shame keep you from running the race today—Jesus already paid for that.

Don’t live in yesterday’s victories or defeats. Press on instead of living off the memory of what once was.

Reframe failure as formation. Ask God what He’s trying to teach you through what you once saw as failure.

Fortify your Faith

Philippians 3:15–16 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. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Are you growing in your faith or just coasting spiritually?

Ephesians 4:14–15 “14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,”

There are only two kinds of Christian’s those who are growing toward or apart…

“Faith is like a muscle—if you want it to grow, you have to exercise it.” —Someone

What step of obedience do you already know to take but are avoiding?

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

2 Peter 1:5–8 “5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Do not delay… grieve the spirit

Application Points:

Recommit to spiritual disciplines. Daily Bible reading, prayer, and community aren’t legalism—they’re lifelines.

Act on what you already know. Obedience to what God has already shown you will prepare you for what’s next.

Keep growing, even when it’s hard. Maturity means doing the right thing even when you don’t feel like it.

Follow your Family

Philippians 3:17–19 ESV

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.

Who are you imitating, and are they leading you closer to Christ?

“Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.” —Someone

Hebrews 13:7 “7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.”

Hebrews 12:1 “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,”

Be careful what you let in your life…

Are you setting a pattern worth following for others in the faith?

1 Thessalonians 1:6–7 “6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.”

1 Corinthians 11:1 “1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”

Are you worth imitating…

The only way we can become imitators of God is for the Lord Jesus Christ to live His perfect life through us.

John F. MacArthur

Application Points:

Choose mentors wisely. Follow those who are actively following Christ—not just those who talk the talk.

Be an example. Someone’s watching your life. Live in a way that helps them follow Jesus more clearly.

Guard against spiritual drift. Don’t follow people or patterns that lead you away from the cross.

Fix your Focus

Philippians 3:20–21 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.

Are your eyes set more on this world or the world to come?

Colossians 3:1–2 “1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

We pursue the wrong things because we focus on the wrong things…

Hebrews 12:2 “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.”

“Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you will get neither.” — C.S. Lewis

How would your priorities change if you truly believed Jesus could return tomorrow?

2 Corinthians 4:18 “18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

1 John 3:2–3 “2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.”

Application Points:

Live like a citizen of heaven. Let eternal values shape your earthly decisions, habits, and priorities.

Find hope in Christ’s return. When life is hard, remember this world is not the end—Jesus is coming back.

Set your eyes higher. When you feel discouraged, refocus on what matters most: Christ, His kingdom, and your future with Him.

CLOSE

Paul wasn’t content to stay stuck, and neither should we be. Not because we’re trying to earn God’s love—but because in Christ we’ve already received it.

We press on because Christ has taken hold of us.

We face our faults—because grace gives us the freedom to be honest. We forget our failures—because the cross has erased our record. We fortify our faith—because spiritual growth is worth the fight. We follow our family—because we were never meant to run alone. And we fix our focus—because our home is not here. Our King is coming.

So if you’re tired… if you’ve stumbled… if you feel spiritually stuck: Get back up. Fix your eyes on Jesus. And keep pressing on.

Because the finish line isn’t far—and Christ is waiting with open arms.

Group Questions

How does the gospel humble you? Paul admits he hasn’t “arrived” spiritually. Why is it hard for us to be honest about our shortcomings?

What is the prize that Paul pursues in verse 14? What does it mean to “press on toward the goal” in your daily life? What might that look like for you this week?

Why do we need passion and discipline to grow in spiritual maturity? What’s one spiritual area where you know you need to grow? How can the group encourage you in that?

Do you use past victories and successes as an excuse not to make every effort in the present? Pause and ask the Lord for freedom from this sin.

Paul was a “one-thing” guy (v. 13). What would people who know you well say is your “one thing”?

What one change could you make in order to pursue the one thing that matters the most?

Who has been a spiritual role model in your life, and what did you learn from them? What kind of example are you setting for those who may be watching your walk with Jesus?

What are some characteristics of the “enemies of the cross” in verse 18?

In what ways is your church a little colony of the kingdom of heaven? What does it look like to live as a citizen of heaven while still navigating life on earth?

How should the promise of Jesus’ return affect the way you live your life? Is there a past mistake or regret that you find hard to let go of? How does the gospel help you move forward?