Pursue Christ

Intro

Well, good morning church, how are we doing? Well, obviously, I am not Pastor Andrew, even though our hair looks a little similar. But Pastor Andrew and Pastor Chris are at the SBC in Orlando, Florida. They are representing our church there. Be in prayer for them as they help make decisions on important matters, and pray for their safety as they come back later this week. Pastor Andrew will be back next Sunday morning and continuing in our Galatians series.

But this morning, I want to share a passage with you that has been speaking to me recently, as a leader, but more importantly, as a believer. If you have a Bible, or if you don’t, the words will be on the screen, but go with me to Philippines 3:12-21.

To set us up for this passage, how many of y’all know starting something is easier than finishing? Every year, people make New Year’s resolutions. Join a gym, start a Bible reading plan, begin a diet, try to go on vacation more, or commit to a new goal. All excited in the beginning, pumped up and ready to go. There’s energy, enthusiasm, and confidence, but eventually, as time flies by, it gets challenging, and some throw in the towel. Now, there are many reasons why, but whatever the reason, it is easier to stop before the end. Famous Psychologist Angela Duckworth, who’s a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, studies why some reach their goals while others do not. She found that success is not in talent or intelligence, but in the passion and perseverance to keep going. The people who finish well are those who keep pressing forward, even when it gets hard.

This is true in sports, academics, careers, relationships, and even in the Christian life. One minute we feel so close to the Lord, and we’re on the mountain top with Jesus, but as time goes by, we wonder where the Lord is or what’s going on. It’s been said that following Christ is not a sprint, but a lifelong race. The beginning may be exciting, but the middle is where we’re tested. Or maybe you recently got saved, and you don’t know where or how to start. Or maybe you feel like you never started.

In our passage this morning, we’re going to see that Paul uses an intense running analogy to describe the Christian life. He provides a path for growth and maturity in the Christian life.

If you’re able this morning, to stand in honor of God’s word. This is what Paul says…

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. 15 Therefore, let all of us who are mature think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this also to you. 16 In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained. 17 Join in imitating me, brothers and sisters, and pay careful attention to those who live according to the example you have in us. 18 For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame; and they are focused on earthly things, 20 Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of his glorious body, by the power that enables him to subject everything to himself.

Prayer

So, what is Paul ultimately saying in this passage?

MIM: The Christian life is not about arriving but continually pursuing Christ.

Transition

Three points this morning to help us pursue Christ with intentionality. The first one…

1. Pursue Christ Passionately (vv. 12-14)

Explanation  

Now, we didn’t read the first eleven verses of this chapter, but for context, Paul was talking about knowing Christ. In verse 10, he referred to knowing Christ as his goal: “My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death.” Here’s something for us to ponder on: is knowing Christ our ultimate goal? We can have many goals in life, but is knowing Christ one of them? If knowing Christ can be the Apostle Paul’s goal, then it can be ours too. Our passion too should be knowing Christ.

Verse 12

So, when we get to verse 12, we see Paul has not reached his goal. He says, “Not that I have already reached the goal (again, the goal is to know Christ and make Him known) or am already perfect.” Notice, the passion language at the end of verse 12, “but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus.” Here, at church, we use the CSB translation, but I love how the ESV translation, which is a very similar translation, puts it, “but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” Both translations, “make every effort” and “press on,” describe Paul’s passion to pursue Christ. It describes an active commitment to Christ. Paul isn’t casually following Christ at a distance; he’s running after Christ with passion and determination.

Notice the order, Paul doesn’t say, “I have taken hold of Christ, so now Christ accepts me.” He said, “I have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus.” Christ moved first. Christ saved and transformed him first. And now Paul spends the rest of his life pursuing the one who pursued him. His life changed, and all he wants to do is pursue Christ and make Him known. Paul is essentially saying I have more to know about Christ. In other words, he’s saying I have not arrived as a believer. What humility this takes by Paul. If there’s anyone who could say they’ve arrived, it could have been Paul. Paul arguably has the best conversion story from killing believers to becoming one, but Paul still says, “I haven’t arrived.” Frank Lauchach, who was a missionary in the Philippines, said, “The closer I get to Christ, the further I realize I still have to go.” Church, what if we live with that mindset? I may be growing in my faith, but I haven’t arrived. I may be serving, but I haven’t arrived. I may be coming to church, but I haven’t arrived. I may have those same old Bible stories, but I haven’t arrived. The moment we think we’ve arrived in our faith is the moment we’ve let pride creep in. May we live with humility.

Verse 13

We see the same humility of Paul at the beginning of verse 13, “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it.” But notice what he says next, “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead.” How does Paul plan to pursue Christ? By forgetting what is behind. Paul continues this running analogy as he mentions “forgetting” and “reaching.” Both are needed when running a race. Paul is like a runner refusing to be distracted by others. Every good runner knows that you can’t look over your shoulder, or you will get distracted or even stumble and fall. You have to forget “what is behind.” So, Paul forgets as he runs the Christian life. “Forgetting what is behind” to Paul could mean a possibility of a few things: his past life, where he persecuted Christians, or in reference to his successes and failures as a Christian. “Forgetting” in this verse means “dismissing from the mind or paying no attention to.” So, Paul’s saying, “Stop dwelling on your past. Don’t let anything behind you interfere with your present.”

Illustration

This upcoming September, my fiancé, Kaitlyn, and I are getting married. I’m not going to call her out right now during the service, because I still want to get married. But you learn a lot of things about yourself when you’re dating and engaged. One specific thing I learned is that I do not have the greatest memory. I forget things so easily. Which is why I have to put everything in my calendar or in my notes app for tasks that need to get done, because if I don’t, I may miss them. But sometimes Kaitlyn will start talking about something, and my response is like, “We talked about this before.” And she’s like, yes, we did, as a matter of fact, it was yesterday.

Further Explanation

Some of us may not forget things too easily, and we dwell on our past too much. Past hurt, hang up, a moment, a small thing that has turned into trauma. Something that happened years ago that still affects us today. How do things that are behind us hinder our spiritual growth? Holding on to bitterness or unforgiveness can slow us down. Rehearsing conflicts and rehashing hurtful moments will only reopen old wounds. Paul is essentially saying, “What is done is done.”

Verse 14

In verse 14, Paul reminds us of the goal once again: “I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.” So far, Paul has centered on the race itself, but now he thinks about the finish line, the prize. What is the prize? The prize is the eternal reward awaiting believers. Eternal life, being with Christ, and hearing “well done, good and faithful servant.” Ultimately, the prize is the full enjoyment of Christ forever. The athletic imagery is important. In the games at the time, runners would fix their eyes on the finish line because they knew the reward was waiting for them there. Paul says we should live the same. This “heavenly call in Christ Jesus” reminds us as believers that this world is not our home. We’re going to talk about this towards the end of the passage, but Paul is essentially saying, “I’m pursuing Christ and living with eternity in mind.” The goal is to pursue Christ now, and the prize is being with Christ forever. Following Christ is worth it because the prize is more of Him forever.

Application

So, may we not stop pursuing Christ. Even when we’re tired, even when spiritual growth feels slow, even when it gets heavy, even when things don’t make sense. May we pursue Him with passion, determination, and love. May we also remember that we’ve been taken hold of by Christ. We don’t pursue Christ, so he’ll love us more. We pursue Christ because He already does. We pursue Christ because He took a hold of us. May we pursue Him deeper and never be satisfied with what we know.

Transition

And because Christ is the prize, we need godly examples around us.

2. Pursue Christ with Godly Examples (vv. 15-19)

Explanation

Church, who do we surround ourselves with? Are they leading us to Christ or away from Christ? We’ve all heard the phrase or used it before, and if this were a student ministry message, I would say, “Check your circle.”

Verse 15

In verse 15, Paul says, “Therefore, let all of us who are mature think this way.” Now, back in verse 12, Paul said: “Not that I have already reached the goal.” But now he mentions maturity. Paul is showing us that maturity is recognizing that we still have room to grow. He’s saying we should adopt the mindset he described: have humility, perseverance, press forward, and long for Christ. Mature believers realize they are not perfect. Remember, we haven’t arrived, and we’re still pressing on. We still need Christ deeply. In the Philippian church, some were teaching that it was possible to be ‘perfect’. But if some think this way or differently, Paul said, “God will reveal this also to you.” In other words, Paul is trusting in the Lord that He will work through His people. The same God who saved them will continue to teach and mature them. He shows confidence that God continues sanctifying believers. May we trust that God is working in the lives of others around us.

Verse 16

In verse 16, Paul shifts from mindset to obedience. He says, “We should live up to whatever truth we have attained.” The phrase “live up to” is the idea of walking in line or staying in step. It was sometimes used in military settings for soldiers marching in order. Paul’s point is to live consistently with the truth you already know about Christ. Last Sunday, Pastor Andrew spoke about how we need to protect the gospel. One of the ways we protect the gospel is to live by the gospel. If we’re being honest, the issue for many of us is not biblical knowledge. Many of us can quote scripture, many of us know the stories, many of us can have theological discussions. But the issue may be the application with the knowledge we know. Wisdom is knowledge in application. Spiritual maturity is not merely learning truth, but living the truth.

Now, it’s important to note that in our culture, there are many different “truths” out there. This verse reminds us that there is a such a thing as objective truth. People will often say, “I’m living my truth,” as if truth is something we can create for ourselves. But scripture presents truth differently. Trust is not determined by us and our feelings and preferences. We’re not called to create our lives, our truth, but to submit to God’s truth.

This is where godly examples around us help. Faithful believers help each other stay in line with the truth. We pursue Christ together, encourage one another, challenge one another, and keep each other accountable. As we pursue Christ, we help each other as well.

Verse 17

So, now in verse 17, Paul’s saying, “Join in imitating me, brothers and sisters.” We shouldn’t think Paul was being prideful here; he was humble, he knew he wasn’t a perfect example, yet he was a good example. He’s showing himself as someone who’s faithfully pursuing Christ. He said in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.” But Paul knew he wasn’t the only example believers had. He goes on and says, “Pay careful attention to those who live according to the example you have in us.” In other words, study closely. In the early church, believers learned the Christian life not simply by attending a service but by closely observing mature believers. They watched how others prayed, treated others, pursued holiness, and handled persecution. No matter where we are in our faith, we need good, godly examples to follow. Find people whose lives point toward Christ and follow their example. Watch them. Hang out with them. Listen to them. Ask questions. Follow those who can show you what it means to be a Christian.

Verse 18

Now, what we do have to be careful about is that some are setting the wrong example. In the next two verses, Paul reminds the Philippians that some are not worth following. But also notice Paul’s heart. At the beginning of verse 18, he says, “For I have often told you, and now say again with tears.” Paul is not celebrating or attacking them. He is grieved with tears. His tears remind us that unfaithfulness should break our hearts.

Paul goes on and refers to some as “enemies of the cross of Christ.” This sounds a little harsh, but it shows how serious this is. Now, we don’t know specifically who Paul is referring to; many think he’s referring to false teachers. But whoever it is, they shouldn’t be considered a good example because these people were living contrary to the gospel. They say they believed, but they lived another way. Their behavior didn’t match their beliefs. They claimed Christ with their lips, but their lives lived another way. They’re pretenders and deceivers. The “cross of Christ” represents self-denial, sacrifice, and surrender, and they didn’t want any of this. They wanted Christianity without surrender.

Verse 19

Because their profession is fake, Paul says in verse 19, “their end is destruction,” meaning their path leads away from the Lord. He goes on to say that their values are not Christian values. He says, “their god is their stomach.” Interesting analogy there. They’re controlled by their appetites and desires. Their lives revolve around pleasure, comfort, selfish ambition, and self-gratification. They seek to please themselves. Which, if we’re not careful, we can fall into this; whatever controls us because of our god, false god at that. Next, “their glory is in their shame, and they are focused on earthly things.” They enjoy and celebrate things that God calls sinful. They pursue earthly things rather than godly things. If you’re a believer this morning, may we not take part in what the world celebrates?

Illustration

A few years ago, the church sent me to Pittsburgh to help the church we partner with, Travelers Church. It was through a college-age program called ‘GenSend’ where college-age students can go serve a city and a church plant for the summer. If you don’t know, a church plant is a church starting from scratch. But there were eight of us, and we did everything together, and it was awesome. We served the Lord together, prayed, ate together, laughed, and had long days together that made us miss home. I brought a picture to show, which was one on top of one of the nearby buildings where we stayed. That one guy named Gabe is holding a guitar because we often have worship on top of the building after dinner and spend time in prayer for the city of Pittsburgh while overlooking it. We also had communion on top of the building. But being around each other that summer all helped us as we pursued the Lord and served Him.

Application

Church, who we follow matters. Who we’re around matters. What we watch, listen to, and read matters. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:33, “Bad company corrupts good morals.” Who is influencing our lives? We become like the people we follow. Maybe this means evaluating our closest relationships. Or for others, it may mean to evaluate the voices we listen to every day through social media, TV, podcasts, books, and entertainment. Every day, the world tries to disciple us toward its values. We still need this warning today. Not every voice that claims Christ should be followed. Not every popular teacher, influencer, author, or anyone who claims Christ is a godly example. So, how do we find a good example? We must ask if their lives align with the gospel.

And then also, what type of example are we setting? Are we setting a Christ-centered example? Could we as adults, teenagers, and leaders honestly say, as Paul did, “Follow my example as I follow Christ?” We’re not perfect, but are we pursuing Christ in such a way that others can see Him? Are we walking faithfully, repenting when we sin, serving others, and living according to His word? May God help us surround ourselves with faithful believers and pursue Him together.

Transition

So, after warning believers about people who are consumed by earthly things, Paul now shows the difference in mindset. The enemies of the cross live for this world. But believers can live in anticipation of the world to come.

3. Pursue Christ Expectantly (vv. 20-21)

Explanation

Verse 20

Paul says in verse 20, “Our citizenship is in heaven.” What a beautiful reminder for us this morning as believers. For the Philippians, this was deep because where they were in Philippi was a Roman colony. Many citizens in Philippi took pride in their Roman citizenship. Rome shaped their identity, values, and way of life. Yet Paul reminds them that their ultimate identity is not rooted in this world but in heaven. The same is true for us. As believers, our identity is not in our nationality, our job, our political party, our successes, or our failures. But our citizenship is in heaven. As the old gospel song says, “The world is not my home, I’m just passing through.”

So, we live differently. We strive for holiness, which means to live set apart. We live as strangers in this world. People should look at us and say, “You’re not from here, are you?” We can say, “Nope, something bigger is waiting for me, my citizenship is in heaven.” C.S. Lewis, in his book Mere Christianity, says, “If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next.” They lived for eternity more than the present. And because their eyes were on eternity, they lived differently on earth. We forgive when others don’t, we think differently, we talk differently, and we live differently. We can endure trials because of what’s waiting for us. We’re homesick, and we want to be home. If you’ve lost someone recently and you know they're in heaven, may you be reminded that their citizenship is in heaven. They are home. And one day, all who belong to Christ will be reunited in His presence.

Paul continues in verse 20 and says, “and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Our citizenship is not just in a place, but in our Savior, Christ Jesus. We are waiting for Him. We’re awaiting the Lord’s return in anticipation and longing. When is he coming back? We don’t know exactly when, but we’re expecting. We pursue Him now because we know He is coming back.  

Verse 21

Then Paul gives a great promise in verse 21, he tells us, “He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of his glorious body.” This is our future hope as believers. One day, Jesus will return and transform His people. The verb “transform” indicates a total change of our physical bodies. As believers, one day we will share in Jesus’ glory. No more sickness, no more pain, and no more suffering. Soon, we will receive a new body, fitted for heaven. How will this happen? Paul says at the end of verse 21, “by the power that enables him to subject everything to himself.” Jesus’ authority and power over all things. Nothing is outside of His rule: sin, death, suffering, nations, everything is subject to Him. The same power that raised Christ from death will one day transform us believers. This is why we pursue Christ expectantly. We know how the story ends. We know who wins. We know who is coming. And we know what awaits.

Illustration

One thing I’m fascinated by is how things start and the stories along the way. Many may not know, but Walt Disney never saw his vision of Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Walt Disney died in 1966, and the first park to open was in 1971, which was Magic Kingdom. But Walt Disney spent years dreaming, planning, and sacrificing for a big project that was called the “Florida Project,” which he never saw. Now, to this day, Disney World is one of the biggest travel destinations. In a far greater way, we pursue Christ because we’re waiting for something bigger ahead. We may not see it now, but we’re expecting it.

Application

So, pursue Christ expectantly. Pursue Christ with anticipation that He’s coming back. Live with the future in mind. This hope should motivate us, assure us, and center us on what’s important.

Closing

Church, the Christian life is not about arriving; it is about pursuing Christ. Pursue Christ because we haven’t arrived yet. Pursue Christ with a godly example because we weren’t made to run alone. Pursue Christ expectantly because the finish line is coming. The question this morning is not, “Have we arrived?” None of us has. We’re still going and pressing on. The question is, “Are we still pursuing Christ?”

Remember what Paul said in verse 12, “I have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus.” We’re not running for salvation. We’re not running to earn anything. We’re running because he ran after us. The gospel is not that we run hard enough to earn God's acceptance. The gospel is that Jesus Christ came for sinners. He lived the perfect life we could never live. He died on the cross for our sins. He rose again three days later in victory over sin and death. And now He offers forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life to all who repent and believe in Him.

Maybe you're here this morning, and you've been trying to be good enough, religious enough, or moral enough. You will never arrive that way. The good news is that salvation is not found in what you do for Christ, but in what Christ has already done for you. Today, if you've never trusted Jesus as Lord and Savior, turn from your sin and place your faith in Him. He is the Savior we are eagerly waiting for, and He is the only Savior who can save. So, come and get in the race.

And, if you do belong to Christ, remember this: One day the race will end. One day, our faith will become sight. One day, the Savior we eagerly wait for will return. One day, we will be in His presence forever. Until that day, may we pursue Christ.

Prayer