My Joy is Complete

Good morning! I’m thankful that Bro. Dennis asked me to preach to you all this morning, seeing as he is at the SBC this week. Most of you already know me, but if you don’t, that’s ok. My name is Joseph Cowan, and it’s kind of funny, but the last time I preached here at FBC on Sunday Morning was the after my first semester at CCBBC. Now, I’ve graduated, so that’s just a testament to God’s faithfulness!

The title of today’s sermon is “My Joy is Complete” So, if you have a copy of God’s Word with you, turn with me to Psalm 16, and we will be covering the whole psalm. While you’re turning there, let’s get some background on this passage:

Background:

Author: King David

Date: ...

His. Context: Psalm 16 ...

Lit. Context: Up until this point, Paul has written about several things: a Thanksgiving and Prayer for the Philippians (1:3–11), Paul’s Circumstances and the Advance of the Gospel (1:12–26), imitating Christ’s humility while working out your salvation (2:1–18), he gives examples of faithful servants, Timothy and Epaphroditus (2:19–30), and gives a warning against legalism and false teachers (3:1–11).

In this passage, there are two central sections, verses 12-16, and 17-21. Here’s what the ESV Study Bible had to say:

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 3

(3:12-16): Paul’s Progress in the Gospel. Through Christ, Not the Law:

With that in mind, let’s dive in. (READ PASSAGE)

(PRAY)

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The story of David running from Saul beautifully depicts how one can press forward under pressure. Despite being chased and living in caves, David continued to pursue God’s heart. His psalms reflect his struggles but also his unwavering faith. In Psalm 63:1, he declares, "O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water" (ESV). This relationship with God propelled him forward. In our struggles, remember that prayer and seeking God can bring peace and strength as we press onward.

This is the primary message of this passage. Paul is striving toward “the goal of for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Before we can dive into vv. 12-21, we must first understand what Paul is speaking about in vv. 8-11:

(READ vv. 8-11)

With that context in mind and receiving the resurrection from the dead, we can dig out four truths from this passage, the first of these being a command to:

I. Press Forward (3:12-14)

(READ vv. 12-14)

V. 12:

Paul comes right out of the gate in v. 12 saying that he’s not perfect and has not achieved the resurrection of the dead. What is that exactly? This is the hope that Christ will return and give us new, glorified bodies that are not riddled with the effects of sin.

The key phrase I want to highlight in this verse is ‘I press on,’ in Greek, it could also mean to “pursue.” What is Paul pursuing? He is actively pressing on and pursuing the resurrection from the dead to make it his own! But why? Paul said it best, “because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” “There is a balance of faith and works, of God’s call and the believer’s response” (ESV Study Bible, p. 2286).

As believers, we were bought with a price, and Christ loved us while we still sinners, and he gave his life for us so that we could be redeemed and have a true, personal relationship with our Heavenly Father (cf. 1 Cor. 6:20, Rom. 5:8).

VV. 13-14:

In vv. 13-14, the thing we see here is that Paul is leaving everything from his past behind. Remember who Paul was? He was a “Hebrew of Hebrews”

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 3

Hebrew of Hebrews

But despite all of that, he is “forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,” he is forsaking all of that to instead choose Christ. Paul had to choose between two masters: being a Pharisee and being an ambassador for Christ; he couldn’t be both (cf. Matt. 6:24; 2 Cor. 5:20). He surrendered everything to Christ, and counting as ‘loss’—meaning ceasing to have something.

This also applies to forgetting the sins and mistakes that we have made in the past; when Christ saved us, he washed away our sin with his blood!

‘prize’ in this instance refers to the “fullness of blessings and rewards in the age to come” — Paul is striving toward the finish line and longs to be with his King! We too long to be with Christ; our bodies are groaning for that day, I can’t wait!

With that, let’s discuss the second truth from this passage; Paul describes those who are pressing on as having a:

II. Sense of Maturity (3:15-16)

(READ vv. 15-16)

In these verses, Paul is writing that those who profess Christ ought to be mature, or “perfect;” and that those who are running the race and chasing after the prize could claim to be a part of the “perfect ones.”

Here’s the thing, though, Paul knew he would never achieve perfection in this life, but some of his opponents believed they could. He knew that if his human argument couldn’t change their minds, then God would!

Imagine a young athlete who stretches and practices daily. At first, the efforts seem tedious and the results slow. Yet, over time, their abilities sharpen, leading to mastery and confidence. This mirrors our spiritual journey; maturity is developed through consistent practice of our faith like in 1 Timothy 4:7—“train yourself for godliness.” Real maturity is not instant—it is the result of persistent dedication.

This is the message of v. 16—we are responsible to live out our own faith. Through the power and working of the Holy Spirit, we become more like Christ as we continue to grow in godliness, maturity, and discipline. Here’s an excerpt from the Holman NT Commentary:

Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians & Colossians C. Knowing Christ Expresses Godly Motivation (vv. 12–16)

As followers of Christ, we are responsible to live out or put into practice what we have learned. We are not perfect, but that is no excuse not to run the race and seek the prize. God is calling us to the victory stand. We must run as hard as we can to cross the finish line.

Paul next shows us the result of NOT training ourselves in godliness, which leads us into the third truth from this passage:

III. Consequence of Reckless Living (3:17-19)

(READ vv. 17-19)

Paul begins this section with a plea to the Philippians to “join in imitating me” (3:17; 1 Cor. 4:16). Who was he imitating? Christ. Christ was his example! Christ is not only the definition of what it means to live life here on earth, but what it means to be a Man. In 2:1-11, we see the character of Christ, specifically his humility. [You don’t have to turn there, but let’s go back to chapter 2, starting in v. 5.

(READ 2:5-11)

This is who we, as believers, must seek to conform our whole being after, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; who gave his life for ours while we were still sinners, and gave us his righteousness so that we might have a relationship with God the Father (Rom. 5:6-8; 2 Cor. 5:21).

Going back to v. 17, Paul is calling the Philippians to run the race and to ‘keep [their] eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us’ (v. 17b). This included Paul, but also the mature believers in the church; each believer had to choose whether or not they were going to follow after Christ and surrender everything to him.

Then, in vv. 18-19, we see the end result of those who DON’T follow after Christ:

(READ vv. 18-19)

The first thing Paul mentions here is that ‘many’ have walked away, with ‘tears.’ Paul cares for these individuals, because for many of them, he taught them and instructed them in the ways of Christ; yet, they still chose this present world and are now ‘enemies of the cross of Christ;’ a lifestyle of pleasure, it is “a pride way, a self-achievement way, a way of present perfection. It never leads to suffering.” (HNTC Ga-Col, p. 246). Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is a life that calls us to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and following Christ—”The Christ way is a cross way, a suffering way” (Anders, 246).

In a world where convenience is king, following Christ means standing for values that often go against societal trends. Imagine being a teenager, surrounded by peers who prioritize self-promotion over humility, yet chooses to serve others selflessly. This reflects Christ's call to 'deny yourself' (Luke 9:23). It requires courage to live out your faith authentically, often facing backlash. Just as Daniel refused to bow to the king's edict, today’s followers must navigate a delicate balance of faith and participation in a culture that's increasingly indifferent to spiritual truths.

While being a Christ-follower leads to suffering with the reward of being with Christ in the end, the way of reckless, selfish living ultimately ends with ‘destruction’: eternal separation from God. If you choose this path of selfishness, pride, and pleasure, you will find yourself in Hell, no lie. But, here’s the good news, Christ doesn’t want that for you! He wants to save you, redeem you, and mold you into a new creation; so much so that He gave his life for you! God desires for all those made in His image to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4)!

For those who are saved, we have a glorious future to look forward to, which leads us to our fourth and final truth from this passage:

IV. Our Eternal Hope (3:20-21)

(READ vv. 20-21)

What we pull from these verses is three additional truths:

i. We are citizens of Heaven.

ii. We await the coming of our Savior, King Jesus.

iii. We will transform to be like Him, no longer living in this sinful, fleshly vessel.

First, we are citizens of Heaven. We are not of this world, as Jesus says in his High Priestly Prayer in John 17:16. Paul adds on this in 2 Cor. 5:20, that we are ‘ambassadors for Christ.’ An ambassador is a diplomat representing a foreign country. Just as a diplomat speaks on behalf of their nation, we as Christians are called to speak and live in a way that represents Christ and His kingdom. Our actions and words reflect not only on ourselves but on the very message of the Gospel. Just as ambassadors endure diplomatic training to understand their role, we need to delve into the Word and prayer, ensuring we truly live out our calling with integrity and grace.

Consider the story of Esther. She was an ordinary woman who became the queen of Persia, and her position allowed her to advocate for her people. Similarly, as ambassadors for Christ, we have been placed in unique situations to be a light to those around us. Like Esther, we may face challenges, but we must also recognize our opportunity to influence the world around us for Christ, standing firm even when it's difficult to do so.

Secondly, we await our Lord and Savior, King Jesus. While we may all disagree on our views of the end-times, the simple truth is that Jesus is coming back. So, what does that mean for us? We ought to be living our lives as though He won’t be coming back for another century: Loving the Lord with everything in us, and loving our neighbors the same way (Deut. 6:5; Luke 10:27).

Lastly, when we pass away or are taken alive, we will be with and be like Christ, having a ‘glorious body.’ The Holman NT Commentary has this to say regarding our guaranteed glorification:

Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians & Colossians D. Knowing Christ Exposes Reckless Living (vv. 17–21)

We have no reason to pamper and value the earthly body. It passes away. Jesus has another body for us, one like his resurrected body. It can take up citizenship in heaven with the resurrected Christ. The joy there is so great, we can forsake any pleasures earth might give.

Application

So, how can we apply this? Here’s four applications to consider:

I. In your home, waiting to be glorified means nurturing an environment where Christ is honored in everyday life. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by family tensions or conflicts, take intentional time each evening to gather your family for a short devotional. Use this time to pray together, read a scripture, and discuss how you can apply it to your relationships. This can transform your home into a space of grace and forgiveness, allowing everyone to feel the love of Christ amid challenges.

II. At work, living a Christ-honoring life means demonstrating integrity and kindness, especially in stressful situations. If you’re facing pressure from deadlines or conflicts with colleagues, commit to daily prayer asking for wisdom and patience. Make it a point to offer help to a struggling co-worker or acknowledge their efforts. This commitment not only reflects Christ’s love but also cultivates a positive work environment, showing that your hope and actions are grounded in something greater than workplace stress.

III. In church settings, waiting for glorification involves serving others with humility and love. If you’ve felt discouraged about your role in ministry or unsure how to contribute, volunteer for a task you wouldn’t normally consider—like greeting new visitors or organizing an outreach. By stepping out of your comfort zone, you not only grow spiritually but also strengthen the body of Christ, honoring Him through your willingness to serve in whatever way is needed.

IV. When interacting in public life, maintaining your Christ-honoring lifestyle can be tough, especially amid the moral ups and downs of society. If you feel pressured to conform to worldly behaviors, resolve to be intentional about your presence. Join or form a group that discusses faith in the public square, challenge each other to pray for wisdom in difficult conversations, and share biblical truths in loving ways. By standing firm in faith, you shine for Christ, waiting for your ultimate home with Him

The Point

The main idea of the today’s message is this: As believers, we are called to live a Christ-honoring life while forgetting what lies behind and straining toward what lies ahead, awaiting our glorious redemption.

Invitation

This brings us to a time of invitation. I ask that you would come to this altar and pour your heart our to the Lord. If you haven’t repented your sins and accepted Christ as your Savior, there’s no better time than today. We discussed living a Christ-centered life, but you can’t do that if you haven’t repented of your sins and trusted in Christ. John 3:16-18 says,

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”

The altar is open. If the Lord is leading you to come, then come, it’s as simple as that.

I’ll pray, and then we’ll sing.

(PRAY)