Philippians 3:12-21

Leader: Wait a minute. Just a minute ago you said you said you don’t want to stop here. So we all agreed that we to go beyond here. Now you are saying I want to stop here. Oh, So back there you didn’t what to stop here, but now you want to stop here? Sounds like we need to provide some clarification of “here.”

Let’s look in to our passage tonight for a clarification about “here” and other matters that are affected by a correct understanding of “here.”

Last time we were in Philippians, we saw the loss of self-confidence and ambition. It looks impressive in a world which is ambitious for being the best you can be. It is however a loss because, all ambitions come to an end. Your ambitions are limited to your ability. Ultimately the are a loss in comparison to the gain of the gift of Christ. There is the instant, unchanging status of being right with God. Being in Christ is not just a status; it is a living reality of interacting with Christ’s strength to put of sin and put on righteousness. Being in Christ promises the solid hope of one day sharing in resurrected glorified state. Paul now gives clarification about what knowing him, looking like Him, and being with him is all about. IT’S NOT HERE.

What is “Here?”

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. 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, Philippians 3:12-13

Here is where you are right now

Where you are right now is an incomplete state. You don’t fully posses joy, uninterrupted fellowship, full knowledge of Christ, undisturbed peace, and redemption of your body.

Transition: Paul is going to describe what life beyond here looks like, but I think it would be important to address why one would want to move beyond “here” Just like the kids in the beginning we have desires to move beyond here (college, home), but often face disinterest when things get tough. Or upon hearing about a Christ who can get me beyond a position I don’t like, we want his quick solutions to get us back to life as we like it.

Picture of man putting down coat over puddle

Why would we go beyond “Here?”

You have already be reached, attained (lambano) by Christ

You have received the call of God

Romans 11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

Ephesians 1:18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

1 Cor. 1:26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.

This was all made possible because of your position in Christ

“Here” is an incomplete position. But the stimulus to move forward is the gift of a completed position. There is security in following. You are not worried about Him seeing you fail or doubt. There is discovery. You will always settle for cheap quality and shortsighted destinations, but He will not.

So what does getting beyond “Here” look like?

Keep looking back in gratitude and keep pursuing Christlikeness

Forgetting is an active choice to not boast in accomplishments and not wallow in defeat. Christ is the one changing you and redeeming you.

The pursuit is always beyond your present growth, your present understanding, your present ability, your present timing, your present imagination. When the present struggle seems like bad timing, we must remember that is living only in the reality of “here.” When it seems that needs make demands beyond your present provision that is living only in the reality of “here.”

Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. Philippians 3:15-16

“Only let us hold true to what we have attained.”

Obey the truth you know and ask for help to understand and obey more

Example: Parenting- I don’t know how to help my kids through the crisis with friends. What do you know to obey- read Scripture, pray with them and for them, don’t make them the victim, don’t be dishonest about the need. Ask God for greater things than resolutions and perfect friends. Ask God to teach them to genuinely love people. Ask God for insight into your own relationships

Keep interacting with humble, growing examples

Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. Philippians 3:17

These are examples who will put your interests above theirs.

They will give you truth and not just what you want to hear.

They will care more for you than finding another opportunity to talk to you.

They will be ones that you can observe in real situations of life

They will be the first to love and lay their life down (not brag, own wrong first, etc)

If the pool of people to imitate seems small

Be alert if no one fits into this category. You may be trying to do life on your own.

Learn from those who are not living

Don’t allow certain negative characteristics keep you from learning from the positive characteristics.

Pray for someone to imitate and follow.

Be alert for those who are self-confident

For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. Philippians 3:18-19

If they give you solutions that exalt you and make you feel better- this is contrary to a Savior that comes to rescues you.

Watch out for patterning your life after people who you only see on a stage setting (magazines, facebook, Hollywood, game fields, radio)

They don’t get nourishment from Christ. They insist only on externals (Colossians 3:2)

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Summary: Getting beyond “here” involves watching and imitating Christ and those imitating Christ.

So is beyond “here” the only permanent condition?

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. Philippians 3:20-21

There is the permanent reality of God’s calling and laying hold of you and there is a permanent dwelling and homeland prepared for you

I can draw on the benefits of my homeland in the journey

We anticipate someone who will not just change circumstances but also change you completely. This will be an arrival.

This journey then will be fraught with the realities of: “are we there? this is too hard, I want to stop.” At the same time we live with the hope that it will not always be this way.

So in the middle of this journey when we want to be content with “here” we know that place does not actually exist. In the midst of the hard reality in Christ we can be saying: What do you want me to learn here? What should I be seeing? Please grow my love for you. Teach me the secrets of contentment.

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