"Eyes on the Prize: Pressing Toward the Goal"

Text:

Philippians 3:10–14 CSB

10 My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, 11 assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead. 12 Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, 14 I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.

HOOK

Illustration:

The Marathon Runner's Focus

1968 Olympics in Mexico—John Stephen Akhwari from Tanzania, who fell early on in the race, dislocated his knee and injured his shoulder…finished the race bloodied and injured, saying:

“I never thought of stopping.”

“My country didn’t send me 5,000 miles to start the race…my country sent me 5000 miles to finish it.”

Talking Points:

Have you ever been tired in your walk with Christ?

Do you ever feel like you’re falling short spiritually, like you're stuck?

Paul is giving us a model for spiritual endurance and a passion-filled pursuit of Jesus.

Invite the congregation to think:

What does it really mean to "know Christ"?

Are we moving forward, or are we coasting in our faith?

BOOK:

1. The Passion: "My goal is to know Him…" (v.10)

Philippians 3:10 CSB

10 My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death,

Key Phrase:

“My goal is to know Him…”

This is not casual knowledge. This is intimate, experiential, relational knowing.

Greek: ginōskō — implies personal experience, not just head knowledge.

to experience Him

to perceive Him

to understand Him

Paul doesn’t just want to know about Jesus; he wants to experience Him in every aspect.

Subpoints:

Knowing Christ’s Power – “the power of His resurrection”

“power” = dunamis

Romans 8:11 – The same power that raised Jesus lives in us.

Romans 8:11 CSB

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through his Spirit who lives in you.

Illustrate with the power of transformation: testimonies of changed lives.

Knowing Christ’s Suffering – “the fellowship of His sufferings”

Suffering is not a detour from the Christian life; it’s part of it.

2 Timothy 3:12 – All who desire to live godly in Christ will suffer.

“Fellowship” = koinonia = intimacy = participation

Being Conformed to His Death – Romans 6:5-6

Romans 6:5–6 CSB

For if we have been united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be in the likeness of his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be rendered powerless so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin,

Dying to self, pride, ego.

Cross before crown.

Application:

How has suffering deepened your relationship with Christ?

2. The Pursuit: “Not that I have already reached…” (v.12)

Philippians 3:12 CSB

12 Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus.

Key Phrase:

“I make every effort to take hold of it…”

Paul confesses he’s not arrived spiritually—even after decades of serving Christ!

Christian maturity = hunger for more of Jesus, not complacency.

His motivation? “Because Christ took hold of me.”

He loves us first. (1 John 4:19)

Subpoints:

Effort is not legalism when it's response to grace in obedience.

“Take hold” = athletic imagery, striving, not passive.

not striving for faith, but to lay hold of Jesus!

Sanctification is a lifelong pursuit (cf. Hebrews 12:1–2). (Cloud of witnesses/author and finisher of your faith)

Application:

What motivates your spiritual growth—guilt or grace?

3. The Practice: “One thing I do…” (v.13)

Philippians 3:13 CSB

13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead,

Key Phrase:

“Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward…”

Forgetting ≠ erasing memory, but not being controlled by the past.

Past failures can paralyze.

Past successes can make us complacent.

Reaching forward – Straining with intensity, like a runner leaning toward the tape.

Subpoints:

Psalm 103:12 – God separates our sins as far as the east is from the west.

Isaiah 43:18–19 – “Do not remember the former things… I’m doing something new!”

Important: Forget both sins forgiven and successes achieved.

Illustration:

An Olympic runner who keeps looking back loses focus and slows down. You run best when you’re looking forward.

Application:

What do you need to let go of in your past to pursue Christ more fully?

4. The Prize: “I pursue as my goal…” (v.14)

Philippians 3:14 CSB

14 I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.

Key Phrase:

“The prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.”

The Christian life is not aimless. There is a clear prize: Christ Himself.

God’s heavenly call = salvation, sanctification, and eternal glorification.

Subpoints:

1 Corinthians 9:24 – Run in such a way to win the prize.

2 Timothy 4:7–8 – “I have fought the good fight… crown of righteousness.”

The goal is to be with Christ and like Christ forever. (Romans 8:29)

Illustration:

Think of the gold medalist’s joy, then multiply that for eternity in the presence of Christ.

Application:

What “lesser prizes” are you tempted to chase in this life?

LOOK: So what?

Applications:

Desire Christ more than comfort or success.

Knowing Christ should be our life’s central goal.

Ask: Am I more interested in Jesus or just His blessings?

Keep pressing on—regardless of your past.

Don’t live in yesterday’s failures or victories.

Grow daily: Bible reading, prayer, community, service.

Run with purpose.

Christianity isn’t passive.

What are you doing today that helps you grow toward the prize?

TOOK — How Should We Respond?

Challenge:

What is your life goal? Paul’s was crystal clear: “To know Christ.”

Action Steps:

Self-Examination – Evaluate your hunger.

What do you hunger for most in life?

How hungry are you to KNOW Jesus?

To walk with Him daily.

To talk with Him daily.

Renewed Pursuit – Reignite your pursuit of Jesus.

How much effort are you putting into PURSUING JESUS??

What are you going to do about it?

Let Go of Baggage:

Unforgiveness

regret

pride

complacency

Closing Illustration:

Picture standing before Jesus at the end of your race.

Will He say, “Well done, good and faithful servant”?

The race is hard—but the reward is Christ Himself.

Final Word:

Run your race with joy.

Not to earn God's love—but because He already took hold of you.

Press on.

He is WORTHY of your time and effort...your LIFE.

Eyes on Jesus.

Prayer:

A prayer for renewed passion, endurance, and vision to pursue Jesus above all.