Essentials Of The Faith / Sunday Morning Sermon Series / Philippians

Philippians 3:12-16 08/10/03

Introduction: Anyone ever run track in HS or college? I ran the low and high hurdles and the 2 mile. And if you have ever participated in track, you know that it is important to focus on the race you are running. What I mean by that is, I ran the low hurdles differently than the high hurdles and I ran the 2 mile completely different than either of the hurdles. Each race had a different strategy. The hurdles were an all out run while the 2 mile was more pacing myself.

Explanation: Paul, the master of illustration is doing the same for us here in his letter to the Philippian Christians. The Philippians were well acquainted with running as it was a popular sport in the Greek world. Then like now, the purpose of the race was to cross the finish line and win the prize. Strategy was and still is important to the running and winning of any race.

Paul, in our text, relates the running of a race to living the Christian life. What was his strategy to run and win the prize? Patience. Paul knew the Christian life was not a sprint but a marathon. Patience, and persistence was Paul’s strategy. It is a good strategy for us as well.

Transition: What did Paul have to say about his racing strategy? Let see.

Philippians 3:12a
 The race for Paul…was not over. And even though he had started churches all over Asia and the Mediterranean, he said that he was not the faithful, committed Christian he could be. Though Paul was a spiritual giant in the eyes of the Philippian church, he wanted them to know that he  was never satisfied with his Christian life. There was more to know of his Lord and more to do for his Lord. Paul was in process. And so are we. We are all still in the race and we are all still a long way from the finish.

Transition: Paul has set the pace for us all…we begin the  race knowing that we have a long way to go get the prize and knowing that would discourage man from continuing to run. But not Paul.
 
Philippians 3:12b
What’s the Christians strategy for running (living) the Christian life? Pressing on! Keep running! Keep moving! Why? So we can live the life we have already been given, in Christ.

When Paul  said ‘I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.’ he was telling us that
     -It is easier running the race knowing that Jesus Christ has already caught us and won’t let us go.
     -That Jesus now runs with us.
     -That it is easier running the race knowing that we have already won the prize, salvation in Jesus Christ.

Some might say why continue to run the  race?
     -Because we become better runners, more faithful and committed Christian in service for our Lord.
     -Because we get to know Christ, our Lord and Savior, so much better.

Transition: We press on because the Christian is never to be idle never to be passive but actively running the race of faith. Christians are to press on, to know Christ better. What else did Paul prescribe as strategy for running the race of the Christian life?

Philippians 3:13-14
‘One thing I do’ Paul said my strategy for running and winning the prize is to have only one focus, the finish line…being like Christ.  Many Christians can’t relate because they have too many focuses in life. And Paul would say they are running distracted.

What can distract you in your race?
     -Working more to make more money?
     -Playing more to enjoy life? (Both at the expense of your family and spiritual life.)
     -Another person…boyfriend or girlfriend.
     -The pursuit of a boyfriend or girlfriend.
     -The pursuit of things.
     -Looking around at others in the race.

There are many things in life that can distract you. Paul is saying that when you run a distracted Christian life you run burdened, weighed down and the prize will not seem worth the effort…it will become easy to stop running. What’s the prize? Being like Christ.  And since Christlikeness, is a forward moving process that comes one day at a time, Paul warns us not to be distracted by looking back.

We all have heard about the runner who looks back over his shoulder in a race only to lose by a couple tenths of a second. Paul strongly warns us, like the Angel warned Lot and his family…Don’t look back! Don’t look back.

The test says ‘Forgetting the past, the things that lie behind’. What things?
     -Guilt, Grudges, Failure, Bad Decisions, Sin or even
     -Successes, Accomplishments, Credentials, Victories

For most of us the past holds many good memories and it make us feel good. But some hold on to the good things of their past because they are afraid of not being successful in the present. So they often don’t fully participate in the present leg of their race.

Others live paralyzed lives haunted by their past sin, their past failures and their past bad decisions. They feel they can’t do anything or enjoy anything good in the present because of what they have done in the past. For them the race is over or not worth running anymore.

Paul challenges the prior and encourages the later to forget the past so they can run the present leg of their race.

Understand that forgetting your past does not mean erasing it from your memory. This kind of forgetting is an intentional refusal to let your past, good or bad, distract or hinder your present race of the Christian life.

Paul says instead of looking back, look ahead to the prize…and Press on! Strive with every ounce of your strength, with all your resources and abilities. No taking a break, no stopping, no looking back. Paul is challenging us to full participation in the Christian life.The author of the book of Hebrews tells us the same thing.

Hebrews 12:1-2 ‘Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run the race with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.’

Have you allowed your past to keep you from fully  enjoying and living the present in Christ?
        Run your race…forget the past.
        Run your race…not someone else’s.
        Run your race…today.
        Run your race…with your eyes fixed on Christ.
 
Transition: Paul reminds us that the Christian has a past to forget, a present to live and a future to strive toward.

Paul winds things up in vs 15-16 by adding one more aspect of his racing strategy.

Philippians 3:15-16
Paul said that those who are mature in their faith, those who are further along in the race should set the pace for others. They should be single minded and with patience move forward to become more like Christ. Paul realizes that there are those who will see things differently. There will be Christians who believe they can have their distractions and still finish the race winning the prize of Christlikeness.  Paul seems to say to those who are mature…be patient with them, God will open their eyes to the truth. Make sure they see you running the race like you began; in Christ, for Christ and to Christ.

Conclusion
As you consider your Christian life, your race of faith, are you satisfied with where you are?
         -Do you think God has done all he can or has planned to do in and through your life?
         -Or, do you believe that God has greater things planned for you in the future?

Remember Phil 1:6  ‘Be confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus’

God is not finished with you and your race is not done until Jesus comes again or you go to be with him in glory…Press On…Never Give Up!

What about here at CBC?
         -Is God finished with us?
         -Has he done his best work and now plans to move on to another church fellowship?
         -Or, do you believe God has a great work yet planned for the CBC family?

As a church fellowship we must not be content until we have reached everyone in our surrounding communities with the Good News of forgiveness in Jesus Christ.   As long as there are lost people who are heading for a Christless eternity, our race is not finished.

As a church fellowship we must never be content until we have built up each believer to maturity in Christ. As long as there are still young, weak or struggling Christians at CBC, our race is not finished.

But when can we
     -quit pressing on…never
     -quit taking our eyes off Jesus…never
     -quit forgetting the past and looking forward…never

ILL: In the midst of World War II Oxford University asked then Prime Minister Churchill to address its commencement exercises. Dressed in his finest suit, he arrived at the auditorium where the service was to be held with his usual props,
a cigar, a cane and a top hat. As Churchill approached the podium, the crowd rose in appreciative applause. Standing there looking very dignified, he settled the crowd down and asked them to be seated. Standing confidently before this crowd of great admirers, he removed his cigar and placed his top hat on the podium.  Then Churchill gazed at his waiting audience that included some of the most noted scholars in the world. With an authoritative tone in his voice he began with three words: “Never give up!” Several seconds passed without him saying another word. Finally he repeated those same three words again, “Never give up!” There was a deafening silence as Churchill reached for his hat and cigar, steadied himself with his cane and left the platform. His commencement address was finished.

Christians…Get on your marks, get set……GO!         And NEVER GIVE UP!