Pressing Toward the Goal
Textual Sermons In Philippians • Sermon • Submitted
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· 284 viewsPaul tells us in Philippians 3:14 that he Presses "Toward the Goal." What does this mean? What is this goal? Why press toward this goal? And how do we press towards this goal. This sermon is studying the answers to these questions.
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Pressing Toward the Goal
Pressing Toward the Goal
Pressing Toward the Goal -
Introduction:
When Asked to Pick a Quote or Verse For My Senior Page In Our Homeschool Group Year Book I Picked . This Scripture is One of My Favorite Passages and It Reads, “I Press Toward the Goal For the Prize of the Upward Call of God In Christ Jesus.” We Need to Always Keep This Verse Before Us. We Need to Print It Out and Put It On Our Fridges and On Our Televisions to Remind Us of How Important This Idea Is. Since This Topic Is of Such Importance, I Want Us to Spend A Few Moments This Evening About “Pressing Toward the Goal.”
Discussion:
I. What Does It Mean to Press Toward the Goal?
A. Paul Uses This Same Illustration In
B. Paul Explains In This Passage What It Means to Press/Aim Toward a Goal
1. Run to Win ()
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
2. Run With An Aim ()
26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.
3. Disciplining Ourself ()
27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
C. Athletes Do This Today Physically. Michael Phelps Won Several More Medals Last Year In the Summer Olympics. His Aim, or Goal, Is to Win Physical Gold Medals. In Order to Win These Medals He Disciplines Himself Physically. He Has A Dieting Plan to Help Him Stay In Shape and He Subjects Himself By Constantly Training In Order to Win.
II. What Is the Goal?
A. Prize of the Upward Call ()
14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
1. The Prize Of the Upward Call Could Be A Reference to the Resurrection From the Dead ()
11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
2. This Resurrection is the Resurrection to Life ()
28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
B.Heaven ()
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
C. We Need to Always Hold This Goal Before Our Eyes.
III. Why Do I Press Toward the Goal?
A. I Have Not Already Obtained It ()
12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
B. I Am Not Already Perfect ()
12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
1. “To Make Perfect, Complete, to Carry Through Completely, to Accomplish, Finish, Bring to An End.” (Thayer)
2. “To Complete, i.e. (Literally) Accomplish, or (Figuratively) Consummate (In Character): - Consecrate, Finish, Fulfill, Make Perfect. (Strong’s)
3. The Greek Word “Teleioo” Is Most Often Rendered “Perfect” or “Perfected.”
4. Same Word Paul Uses In
10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
C. I Have Not Laid Hold of It ()
13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
D. We Must Run Our Race Knowing The Goal is Yet Before Us, As It was to Paul.
IV. How Do I Press Toward the Goal?
A. Forgetting What Lies Behind (; )
13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.
Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.
2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.
Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
B. Walk By the Same Rule (; )
16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.
27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.
C. Imitate Faithful Brethren (; ; )
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.
1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
D. Remember Where My Citizenship Is (; )
20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,
E. Stand Fast In the Lord (; )
1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.
13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.
F. We, Likewise, Must Live By These Principles In Order to Keep Our Eyes Thoroughly Fixed On the Goal Set Before Us.
Conclusion:
As Christians We Need to Press toward the Goal For the Prize of the Upward Call.
If You Are Not A Christian You Need to Begin Pressing Toward the Goal.