Philippians 3:12-14

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead

Philippians 3:12–14 NIV

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, 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.

REMEMBER FAILURE MAY BE BUT AN OPPORTUNITY----

GEORGE CAMPBELL MORGAN, 12/9/1863. He died May 16, 1945. He preached his first sermon at 13 years of age. In 1888 a young man named CAMPBELL MORGAN had made application to the WESLEYAN SCHOOL of ministry. Campbell was one of 150 men to apply for the opening for 45 students. He passed his doctrine examine. Now he waited to speak his short lesson. There were 3 professors sitting in a dark 1,000 seat auditorium as the young man stood behind the pulpit for his trial sermon. Of course he was nervous and upset. Campbell received word in two weeks he was REJECTED, HE WAS TOLD HE SHOWED “NO PROMISE!” Campbell Morgan’s name was one of the 105 rejected ministers that year.

Campbell knew GOD HAD CALLED HIM! He wrote his father a one word telegram “REJECTED!” In his journal he penned the words: DARK, VERY DARK EVERYTHING SEEMS DARK, STILL GOD KNOWS WHAT IS BEST. Campbell received this reply: REJECTED ON EARTH. ACCEPTED IN HEAVEN. DAD.

REVEREND DOCTOR GEORGE CAMPBELL MORGAN, D.D. was rejected. He became one of most known evangelist, teacher, preacher and Bible scholar. Campbell was famous for his writings. He was not known as a man of great gestures, no showy eloquence, no super delivery style or great charm. THOUGH REJECTED HE BECAME KNOWN AS “THE MAN OF THE WORD.” In 60 years of ministry he preached 23,390 times and wrote over 70 books. His 4 sons were all preachers. HE GAVE HIMSELF TO ONE BOOK, THE BIBLE. He said he read one book in the Bible 50 to 60 times before he began to study it. “REJECT?” (Wade Martin Hughes, SC)

Forgetting what is behind

Many times, we can let our past define us. If we look at our past failures, and allow them to define us, we may be too afraid to try again.

Satan wants to put thoughts of condemnation in our heads that say you will never overcome that sin, you will never amount to anything, but we are not defined by our ability. We are not defined by our past sins.

2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT

For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

G. Campbell Morgan was devastated when he sent the telegram to his father that said, “Rejected.”

Maybe you have applied for work, maybe you were engaged, maybe friends have rejected you, maybe you’ve tried your best, and and you were laid off or even fired from a job.

I like what G. Campbell Morgan’s dad responded. “REJECTED ON EARTH. ACCEPTED IN HEAVEN. DAD.”

Paul, the Apostle, had to put behind him, all of the things that he boasted in so that he could gain Christ: He was a Jew, circumcised when he was 8 days old. He was a Pharisee, for zeal, he persecuted the church.

Some of these things could make him stick his chest out while persecuting the church could make him feel like he could never measure up.

The church only saw him as an Apostle so they maybe thought that he was perfect.

Paul knew himself better than anyone else. He knew that he wasn’t perfect. None of us are perfect, but we are cleansed if we come to Jesus and ask Him to forgive us.

Romans 8:1–2 NLT

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.

Let’s not boast in the things that we have done, but let’s brag on what Jesus has done by dying on the cross for us.

Straining toward what is ahead

You’ve probably heard about photo finishes. It could be the world championships or the Olympics, and an athlete has ran as hard as they can and at the last moment, they strain for the finish line.

What are you striving for? What is your goal? What are you straining towards?

Many strain towards the goals of this life: money, fame, being the best at what you do.

Philippians 3:14 NLT

I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Just over a week ago, we buried Eldon Schroeder. We all know that Eldon had many health issues. If Eldon had been living for this life, it could have gotten quite discouraging. His heart, his kidneys, his mobility. He had had a stroke that stopped him from being the main bread winner. He lost Lynda.

He lived for the Lord, and when we live for the Lord, we know that this life is just a drop in the bucket compared to eternity.

Hebrews 12:1–3 NLT

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.

To close,

Commentator Gordon Fee recalls the famous “miracle mile,” the first time two milers ran under four minutes in the same race. Roger Bannister and John Landy competed in Vancouver, B.C. in 1954. Landy had led all the way, but coming off the final turn toward the finish line he looked over his shoulder to find out where Bannister was, only to be passed on the other side and beaten to the tape!

[Gordon Fee, “Philippians,” IVP New Testament Commentary Series (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1999), 155.]

You can’t worry about what is behind you. You need to lean into the run and give it all you got, keeping your gaze on the finish. And what a finish it will be. What is our goal? What is the prize? It is the heavenward calling of God in Christ Jesus! There is nothing finer. Heaven will make it all worth it, you just wait and see! (Kerry Haynes)