This was our New Year’s Message for 2009. We focused on our need to “press on” in our Christian lives, not slacken or slow down, in order to attain unto Christlikeness.
Teaching Notes:
Running For Heaven In 2009
Philippians 3:12-14
Intro: Read. 3:1-21. This chapter deals w/ Paul’s spiritual autobiography: his past (3:1-11), present (3:12-16), & future (3:17-21). Focus on his Present – gives us his secret for spiritual growth.
1. A Spiritual Discontentment:
Says 2x (12,13). What not obtained? (resurrection –11; perfect; that for which I was laid hold of by Christ). Why did Christ lay hold of Paul? Eph.1:4; 5:25-27. Paul would never claim “sinless perfection” in this life. Had not yet arrived. Still a work in progress. Would not rest on his laurels. If Apostle Paul was not content with his spiritual state, how can we be? Do we have more love for God, church, lost? More zeal? More deadness to world? More holy? / We are called to be content re: our outward state, but not spiritual state. Determine in 2009, not going to slow down or stand still, content with where at. Long for more of Christ and conformity to Him!
2. A Single-Minded Determination:
A. I Press On: Main verb – repeats (12,14). range of meaning (persecute 30 of 42x; pursue; follow after. 3:6 – same word. Acts 8:3. With same zeal Paul used to persecute church, now pursued Christ and eternal glory. Hunting word: chase down prey.
B. To Lay Hold Of: idea is to chase down in order to lay hold of and arrest. Christ chased down Paul on Damascus Road. Now Paul chasing down Christ and His holiness!
C. One Thing I Do: Paul had 1 great aim; a man of single focus. Didn’t have many goals scattered all over place. Can you say, “1 thing I do!”? Too many Christians involved in many things – secret of spiritual progress is to concentrate on 1 thing. A matter of values, priorities, living for what matters most.
D. Forgetting What Lies Behind: disastrous for runner in race to always be looking behind him. “Forget” doesn’t mean “fail to remember.” Means to not be affected by past. What must we “forget”? Failures and Successes. Failures: personal regrets. Nothing can do to change past. Dwelling on it only hinders your present! Sins of others: someone hurt you, used you, abused you. You are resentful and bitter, and will not forgive. Will only hurt you in present! Successes: what happens when constantly looking back at attainments? Become complacent and don’t make progress.
E. Reaching Forward to What Lies Ahead: “stretching forward; straining forward.” Picture of runner in race straining every muscle and nerve trying to reach finish line first.
3. A Supreme Desire:
A. The Goal: the finish line. 2Tim.4:8. Paul wanted to win the race!
B. The Prize: eternal glory; heaven, “well done”; resurrected bodies; sinless perfection; see Him face to face, worship and serve Him, crown of glory. 3:20-21. Is this your supreme desire?
Application:
1. What errors are we taught to avoid? spiritual growth is all of God or all of you. God’s part: laid hold of us (12); called us heavenward (14). Our part: I press on! Phil.2:12-13. We work because God has already worked. If God had not worked, I could not work at all. ESV: “I press on to make it my own, because Christ has made me His own.” All of God – thus I can just take it easy and cruise. Let go and let God. Lack diligence. All up to me – lack dependence on God.
2. Doesn’t this apply only to Paul? 15,17. Paul told us about himself to spur us on to do the same!
3. What Does This Pressing On Look Like?
A. Opposite of 3:18-19: this given as negative of example of someone no longer running race or pursuing heavenly prize. Mind earthly things!
B. Heb.12:1-2: encumbrance like Olympic runner trying to compete in bathrobe. Lay aside sin. What are sins in your life tripping you up and slowing you down? Lay aside encumbrances. Not necessarily bad, but slowing down your progress. Banjo, novels, fishing, TV, video games. Things that rob time so don’t have time to invest in spiritual growth.
C. 1Cor.9:24-27: self-control, discipline. Imperative if going to win. 1Cor.6:12. Are you a slave to your body, or your body a slave to you? Are you the master, or have you been mastered? When become dependent on substance or drug (alcohol, drugs, nicotine or caffeine) have been mastered by it. God wants you free! As long as mastered by something, not totally free to run toward goal!
D. 2Pet.1:5-10.
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