Straining Forward

Introduction

Last week we left our study in the middle of Philippians chapter 3.

Paul said his desire was to “know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.”

We concluded that this should be the goal of everyone of us.

Now I would have thought Paul had obtained about all he could have obtained here on earth. Imagine my surprise when I read verse 12.

Philippians 3:12-

Philippians 3:12–14 NIV84

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Last week we closed with this verse. And it reminds us that like Paul, I have a long way to go.

Keep On Keeping On

Not there yet!

Not that I have already obtained all this or have been made perfect.

I press on

I press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

I forget what is behind

Stop! Many of us are okay with forgetting all of the bad in our past. But Paul simply says, “Forgetting what is behind. . .”

I need to forget all of the bad behind—those things that seek to keep me knocked down and defeated!

But I also need to forget all the good things I’ve done in the past—or those things that would keep me trusting in myself!

Straining

toward what is ahead. The Greek here can also mean, “to reach out” or to “lay out.” The idea is a runner that is almost to the finish line and as they run they stretch and lean out as far as they can in order to gain an edge and win the race.

I press on

toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Paul is pressing on—the Greek here means to pursue, prosecute, persecute, or to pursue in the good sense. This is the same word used by Paul in when he describes himself as a persecutor of the church.

Win the prize

Our goal should be to win the prize that Jesus has set before us!

Let me ask you a question, “What is your goal for your life?”

Maturity

Paul says everyone who is mature should think this same way. —what way.

Philippians 3:15–16 NIV84

All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

Paul says that all who are mature should realize that they will not totally reach being like Christ until they are with Him face-to-face.

Paul says that all who are mature should realize that they will not totally reach being like Christ until they are with Him face-to-face.

Verse 16: Paul wants us to know that we do not have to be perfect to serve Jesus. Rather we need to serve Him with all the growth that we have—no matter how little or how much.

Follow my example

Philippians 3:17–21 NIV84

Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Paul tells the church at Philippi to follow his example, and to take note of others who follow after his example.

We need to do this because some people still make poor choices.

Enemies of the Cross of Christ

Paul tells his readers (again with tears) that many who we thought were believers really live as enemies of the cross of Jesus!

Followers of Jesus should be able to tell the difference between Godly teaching, and false teaching.

The false teaching that Paul is most likely addressing is Gnosticism, which taught that salvation came from some kind of special knowledge about God that came through some kind of special revelation.

These false teachers:

Destined for destruction

It is interesting that the Greek word translated “destruction” does not mean “annihilation” but rather it means “separation.” So they are destined to be separated from God—for eternity!

God is their stomach

All they can see is their physical needs and desires.

Glory is their shame

Instead of giving glory to God, they end up heaping glory on themselves, and in so doing they actually end up being proud about things they should be ashamed of.

Mind on earthly things

These people are consumed with this world and give no thought of Heaven. They live their lives as though this world is all there is.

By comparison Paul reminds his readers where to focus our minds.

Citizenship is in Heaven

We live here, but our citizenship is in heaven and that’s where it is supposed to be.

Eagerly await a Savior from heaven

We know that our Savior from Heaven is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus controls all

God empowers Jesus to bring everything under His control.

Jesus will transform us

One day Jesus will transform us to be like Him—our lowly bodies will be like His glorious body! Oh how that will be great!

Philippians 4:1 NIV84

Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!

Philippians 4:1

Standing Firm

When we get to this verse we are refocused on the previous section.

When we understand where our citizenship really is it allows us to stand firm in the Lord.

We can stand firm, because we understand that this world is not our true home. Our true home is in the presence of our Master, Ruler, Savior—Jesus Christ!

Conclusion

Our Job is to live with our focus on heaven. When we now and understand that we are living and working for Jesus—no matter what we do, helps us realize what our job should really be. We are to stand firm in our beliefs, and draw as many people to Jesus as possible. That way They will join us in Heaven!