‎Gospel Goals (Part 2): Pursuing Christ

GOSPEL GOALS (PART 2): PURSUING CHRIST; Philippians 3:12-4:1; MHAFB, 10 Nov 19 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------Series: Philippians / Topics: Goal; Gospel; Pursue; Promises; A seeker of the Lord Before Service: Pray with leaders! Opening Verse: Psalm 1 Songs for Worship: Alive, We Fall Down, Here I Am to Worship ----------------------------------------------------------------------------SLIDE-Transition to Sermon, Ps. 119:105 Introduction 1. Attention: a. Most of us have experienced the challenge of a good, long run. i. Whether from our days as students when our PE instructors clocked us in ii. Or in our military days as we trudge along in our regular tests & the exercise in between iii. But how many of you got into the longer runs with things like track & field or cross country running? b. Question for you: When running, where should your eyes be looking? Forward! i. While sometimes looking down at your feet, esp. on uneven terrain, you should definitely not look backward! ii. Why is that—what’s wrong with backward gaze? Slows you down, distracts you, miss what is coming, etc. c. We can learn some good examples from proper running that relate to our Christian life— i. Examples which Paul highlights a handful of times in his letters 2. Big Picture: a. Today we are back in Philippians 3:12ff. i. And we’re picking up right where we left off last week ii. SLIDE-Title: We’ll be talking about our Gospel Goals—specifically “Pursuing Christ.” 3. Passage: a. Context: i. Last week we saw Paul share His Gospel Goal: To Know Christ ii. We understood that beyond mere intellectual knowledge, “Knowing Christ” is... 1. To know & trust Him as a friend, 2. To have personal experiences with Him that produce a close relationship iii. We also understood that knowing Christ in this way brings us salvation which can be looked at in three parts: 1. Justification: We were made righteous in God’s sight when we were first saved 2. Sanctification: We are becoming more and more like Jesus in mind, heart, & actions 3. Glorification: We will be resurrected into bodies like Jesus, free from any presence or power of sin iv. This is the beauty & glory of a relationship with Jesus! 1. it has eternal-life-changing consequences! 2. So how do we get to it? 3. How do we enter into this? v. And this is the point to which Paul turns—a point which I hope we will each understand today, that.. 1. SLIDE-Thesis: Because of what God has done, Christians ought to wholeheartedly pursue their relationship with Jesus vi. What does this look like & how can we do this? 1. Those are some questions that I hope we will see clearly through God’s Word today vii. As we work through this text we will split it up into two sections, which I invite you to listen for as we read it together: 1. First we’ll look at Jesus’ work & promises— a. After all, it is God’s first work that caused salvation or calls us to it! 2. Next we’ll look at our pursuit of Jesus— a. The natural consequences of those who have responded to Jesus’ work & promises. b. Verses-5 Slides: With that said, please stand in honor of God’s word as together we read… Philippians 3:12–4:1 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. 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. They are focused on earthly things, 20 but 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. 1 So then, my dearly loved and longed for brothers and sisters, my joy and crown, in this manner stand firm in the Lord, dear friends. 4. Transition: May the Lord bless the reading of His Word— a. Please be seated as we now focus on what Paul teaches about... Main Point 1: Jesus’ Work & Promise Explain: 1. Paul references God’s amazing preliminary work of our salvation throughout his letters. a. Through this it is evident that we have no reason to spiritually boast in ourselves, but only in Christ (e.g. Rom 15:17; Eph 2:8-9; Gal 6:14; Phil. 3:3) b. And in today’s verses we see several great reasons to boast in Christ! c. Consider that Jesus… 2. MP1: Took hold of us: a. v12, “...I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus.” b. Twice the Gk word katalambano appears here i. MP1: A word which means "to acquire” or "to pursue & catch" ii. Usually by means that required a significant effort c. Knowing the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross (c.f. Philippians 2:5-11) i. We understand well the significant effort that it took on His part to take hold of us. ii. And if you know Paul’s own conversation experience (c.f. Acts 9), you’ll see his personal experience with Jesus pursuing him d. Through great suffering & personal sacrifice, God the Son pursued & caught us! e. A second these give for us to boast in Jesus is that He… 3. MP1: Promised a Prize: a. v14, “I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.” i. Or as the NASB & ESV point out, this is “the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” b. God has called us to a great prize that is found in Christ Jesus (c.f. 1 Thessalonians 2:12) i. A prize that we looked at in depth last week—our 3-part salvation: 1. MP1: He has promised to justify, sanctify, & glorify us! ii. Paul reflects again upon the culmination of our salvation in v21 when he shares of Jesus, “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.” c. The third reason we see to boast in Jesus is because He… 4. MP1: Works within us: a. Back in Philippians 2:13 Paul told us that God works in us to will & work to both line up to His good pleasure— b. MP1: In v15 Paul highlights how God even works w/in us to help us develop the right thoughts & attitudes when he shares, i. “...if you think differently about anything God will reveal this also to you.” c. When sharing the good news about Jesus or when trying to help a Christian grow in maturity-- i. Remember not to stress out when someone seems resistant toward a certain truth or Christ-like attitude ii. Realize that God is in the business of changing hearts and minds iii. We must simply be responsible to share His truth in love. Expand: 1. This is the foundational work of Jesus in our lives. a. The only reason that we can know Jesus is because of this b. The only reason that we can pursue Jesus is because of this 2. As Paul also says in Romans 5:8–10, Romans 5:8–10 CSB 8 But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 How much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by his blood, will we be saved through him from wrath. 10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. a. We were sinners & enemies of Jesus, i. And yet He loved us enough (1 John 4:10) to die for us so that He may justly declare us righteous & save us from His wrath in sin ii. He reconciled us to God, saving us by His life b. And because of this—we can both know and pursue Him Transition: 1. So, having considered what it means to “Know Jesus” last week, let’s now consider… Main Point 2: The Christian’s Pursuit Explain: 1. MP2: Our pursuit of Jesus flows from our new identity as “citizens of heaven” (Philippians 3:20; c.f. Ephesians 2:19; Philippians 1:27; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 12:22) a. He has given us a new identity, changing the core of who we are, giving us a new nature. b. There is a very real inward change that has changed what we desire— i. MP2: We long to know Jesus! ii. And therefore, we greatly pursue Him! 2. From what Paul shares, you can think of our pursuit of Jesus involving four key areas— a. We pursue Him with right… 3. MP2: Thoughts: a. v13 shares that we are to “Forget what is behind,” i. MP2: Which highlights our need to let go of the past— 1. Whether they be accomplishments or failures— 2. I wonder what Paul was thinking of personally when he shared this… a. Was it the guilt of persecuting Jesus? b. The ‘glory days’ of easy ministry? c. The pain & suffering of physical & social punishment? d. The frustration of church members who fell away or false teachers who rose up? e. Whatever the case—He chose to forget what lies behind—and so must we! ii. We do not fixate on these things, 1. Nor do we let them limit our future or distract us from our goal. iii. Rather, as we focused on last week, 1. We focus our thoughts on better know Jesus (vv8, 10) b. And along with this, take note of v15, “Therefore, let all of us who are mature think this way.” i. MP2: When talking about the value & priority of pursuing Christ, Paul says that we must choose to think rightly 1. Which we previously recognized comes by God’s help! ii. He has chosen to have “his eye on the prize,” 1. Letting go of those past things that could distract or discourage him— 2. Paul focuses His attention & efforts on knowing Christ more & more iii. And so must we. 1. This does not always come naturally, it takes intentional work & spiritual discipline— 2. May we be such disciplined disciples of Jesus! c. Moving on, we also see Paul remind us that we pursue Jesus with right… 4. MP2: Attitudes: Two of which Paul greatly highlights here… a. MP2: First Paul highlights our need for a spiritually humble attitude i. An attitude that he demonstrates when he shares his need for growth ii. Considering perfectly knowing Jesus, Paul shares— 1. “Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect...” (v12) 2. And again, “...I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it....” (v13; also see v21) iii. The great Apostle Paul, author of 13 books of the New Testament that help reveal Jesus— 1. And yet one who called himself the least of all the apostles & saints (1 Corinthians 15:9; Ephesians 3:8)— 2. This man demonstrated the spiritual humility that each of us must learn a. He knew he had much room to grow in his pursuit of Jesus! b. MP2: And in this, he also demonstrated a second key attitude—spiritual focus. i. As Paul wanted a greater personal & experiential knowledge of Jesus— 1. To better know Him as his Savior, Lord, & Christ (v20)— 2. These verses as a whole show how he worked to maintain a single-minded focus on this goal ii. Do you have such laser-focus in your own life? 1. Jesus calls each of us to this today. c. MP2: Finally, we see that we are to be spiritually expectant when in v20 Paul shares that, "we eagerly wait for a Savior” i. We are to live in consistent readiness for our coming Lord— 1. For His judgment & our glorification ii. And Paul & several other NT writers hit on this in multiple areas as well (c.f. Romans 8:18-25; 1 Corinthians 1:4-9; Hebrews 9:27-28; James 5:7-8; 1 Peter 5:6-11) iii. And Jesus, Himself, drove it home exceptionally well throughout Matthew 24-25 1. Which I encourage you to read those this week as you consider if you “eagerly wait” for your Savior. iv. Let us be a people who are sober, alert, & consistently ready for His return (c.f. 1 Peter 5:8)— 1. Living in a manner worthy to hear Him say to us, "Well done, good & faithful servant, enter into your master’s joy!” d. Let’s look at the next way we must pursue Jesus, with right… 5. MP2: Actions: a. These will naturally flow out of these first two areas— i. If we can get those right, we’ll be on the right track! b. So, what actions did Paul call us to in these verses? i. v12, "make every effort to take hold of” his goal of knowing Jesus 1. Interestingly we are to ‘take hold’ of Jesus in the same way that He ‘took hold’ of us— a. To pursue & catch, even by significant effort! 2. In some ways this may remind you of Paul’s exhortation in To pursue & catch to “work out your own salvation w/fear & trembling" ii. v13-14, “Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, 14 I pursue as my goal the prize" 1. Notice how this partners with the right thought of ‘forgetting past,’ a. We don’t forget the past & lose all direction— b. Rather, we forget the past so that we can more effectively direct our present into the right future! 2. The word “pursue" here stresses a very active commitment to the call of Christ! iii. v16, "…live up to whatever truth we have attained” 1. While we let God’s Word shape our thoughts & attitudes, 2. We are to then live in a manner that matches what He has taught us! iv. v4:1, “...in this manner stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.” (c.f. 1:27-28/30) 1. A term with strong military implications— 2. We are to stand unmoved by the enemies of Christ, whether within our hearts or outside of us c. To summarize this, shaped by the attitudes of humility, focus, & expectation, i. MP2: We are to consistently & intentionally work hard for our goal ii. And such work is to be shaped by the aforementioned attitudes of humility, focus, & expectation d. Finally, let’s consider a final way in which we are to pursue Jesus, with right... 6. MP2: Models: Imitating the right people—godly examples. a. We must always carefully choose who we learn from & imitate in our lives. b. In 2:5-11 Paul already encouraged us to imitate Christ c. In 3:2 & 18-19 Paul warns us of who NOT to follow— i. In v2 from last week he warned, "Watch out for the dogs, watch out for the evil workers, watch out for those who mutilate the flesh.” 1. These are legalistic people who put their confidence in the flesh with their self-made accomplishments ii. In vv18-19 from this week he warns, “For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame. They are focused on earthly things” 1. These people seem to be those who throw off all restraints and live very sensual lives 2. Their focus is on earthly things, to include fulfilling physical desires—their stomach 3. Instead of glorying in Christ, they glory in things that are shameful 4. And instead of the prize of Christ, their end is destruction! d. And yet right before that He shares, “Join in imitating me, brothers and sisters, and pay careful attention to those who live according to the example you have in us.” (v17) i. As he imitates Christ, so Paul invites us to imitate him & those others who live in Jesus’ example (c.f. Philippians 2:5-11, 1 Corinthians 4:16, 11:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:7–9) Illustrate: 1. Throughout this passage Paul has actually been using athletic language to help drive his point home (c.f. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; Hebrews 12:1-2). 2. Remember that Philippi, the city of the receiving church, was on the Greek peninsula a. Since the Greek athletic games captured the imagination of those in this region, Paul employed this athletic imagery, esp. that of a runner b. v12 points out that we have a goal, the finish line of a race. i. And that we are to “make every effort” to reach this— 1. A term that describes a athletes complete exertion to reach his goal c. And just as a runner would not look backwards, Paul “forgets what is behind” (v13) d. Furthermore, he “strains toward what is ahead,” that exceptionally challenging work where every muscle is engaged & exerting full force (v13)— i. Perhaps you’ve experienced this on the last lap of a run? e. And just like an athlete, throughout this text you see Paul’s clear focus & complete dedication to gain his prize i. Both mental and physical discipline were necessary & rightly engaged. 3. I wonder, do we run in such a way? Expand: 1. By God’s kindness, may we each grow to run the race of our Christian life in such a manner! 2. May we have the right goal—to truly know Christ 3. May we pursue it wholeheartedly—casting off all hinderances! Transition: 1. Now, let’s start to close this off... Conclusion-1: Conclusion 1. Reiterate: Because of what God has done, Christians ought to wholeheartedly pursue their relationship with Jesus a. Jesus took hold of us, promised us a prize, & works w/in us to help us reach it rightly b. Let us have the right thoughts, attitudes, actions, & examples in our lives that we rightly pursue our relationship w/Him 2. Apply: So, how should we respond? (Last week: ID the trash, repent, pursue Jesus) a. Con-2: Remember & celebrate what Jesus has done for you! i. Praise & worship Him for this! ii. Let such content infuse your prayers! b. Con-3: Live as a citizen of heaven i. Recognize that you should not be “of this world” even though you live in it (John 17:15–16) 1. Be careful not to avoid becoming like the world in a spiritual or moral sense 2. Actively participate in kingdom activities! ii. Humbly realize how much further you still have to go in Christian maturity— 1. Start to make the sacrifices needed to pursue this like a committed olympian. 2. Take part in regular spiritual disciplines like prayer, scripture reading, & Christian accountability a. Pursue excellence in this! 3. Ask for God’s help to change your thoughts, attitudes, actions, & models this week. c. Con-4: Be careful whom you model. i. You may think that you have no model for how to live— 1. But without deliberate care, you will naturally begin to model those people you spend the most time with & those people you value ii. Consider what media you take in (music, videos, books, articles, etc.) 1. You will begin to become what you feed yourself— 2. So choose wisely what influencers you bring into your life. 3. Psalm 1 speaks much wisdom to this, reminding us how God, through His Word needs to be our primary influencer d. Con-: Look forward to the promised prize! i. King Jesus will return 1. “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.” (Philippians 3:21, CSB) ii. Come to better understand what this means! 1. Dig into verses like those referenced last week & this week 2. Devour God’s Word, learn to love it & live from it iii. Remember that as a citizen of heaven, “This world is not your home…” 1. Eagerly Anticipate the day when you will be like our Savior and live forever in perfect joy with Him! 2. Let this future truth drive you in the present. 3. Appeal: Christianity is not to be a lazy thing for us... a. In these verses Paul demonstrates what godly zeal should look like in a Christian’s life— b. How we ought to wholeheartedly pursue a relationship with Jesus— i. Knowledge of Him, closeness with Him, & obedience to Him c. We are given a picture of what should occupy our thoughts & what should focus our energy as genuine Christians d. By God’s grace, may each of us keep running w/eyes well-focused until the end. 4. Conclude: Pray with me...