”Pressing Towards the Prize”~ Philippians 3:

The Kingdom Corner with Matt Geib

“Pressing Towards The Prize~ Philippians 3:12-21.Theme Chpt. 3 “Christ Our Goal”

Philippians 3:12-21

12 Not that I have already attained,[c] 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. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have [d]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.15 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. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already [e]attained, let us walk by the same [f]rule, let us be of the same mind.17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 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: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 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.

The Christian Life shown in A Metaphor of An Olympic Marathon Race

1. Pursuing the Prize 3:12-13
2. A Good runner Never Looks Back 3:13
3. This Race requires Spiritual Stamina & Consistency 3:15-17
4. Some have dropped out of the Race 3:18-19
5. Knowing Our citizenship will Cause us to win the Prize 3:20-21

1.)Pursuing The PRIZE…3:12-13 “The measure of a persons desire is the Pursuit”

Vs. 12)Not that I have already attained,[c] 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

• “Grasping ever more firmly that purpose for which Christ grasps me”- JB .Phillips
  • “PRESS ON”- the Greek connotation means ‘an urgent chasing after towards a FIXED Goal or Point’
  • This is in the continuous present tense I am DOING this NOW, I am chasing after this NOW…I am PRESSING Towards this NOW
  • “That I May Lay Hold of” The idea here is Paul is not just satisfied with the pursuit…HE will NOT be satisfied until he has laid hold of, apprehended, GRASPED ( taken a hold of) that PURPOSE Christ has intended for Him
  • 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
  • 2:8-10
  
  

1.)Pursuing The PRIZE…3:12-14 “The measure of a persons desire is in the Pursuit”

Vs. 12)Not that I have already attained,[c] 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

“, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has LAID HOLD of Me”….speaking of His Damascus Road ENCOUNTER of Christ…yet MUCH More!!..... (TWO Things)

I Cor. 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

TWO Things…………

a)Phil. 3:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

b)Eph. 3:1-13

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

• MYSTERY (Mysterion- Moo-stay-dion..Grk.)derived from a word meaning to ‘shut the mouth’…a secret counsel, purpose, or understanding…of God…something hidden from men…only coming from divine revelation or illumination from God’s Spirit…requires an initiation
• understand my insight …(synesis—soon-es-is) literally a running or flowing together of Knowledge & understanding…a quickness of apprehension which precedes ACTION!
• “To Have an APOSTOLIC CALLING, Is To Have An APOSTOLIC

ENCOUNTER”

1.)Pursuing The PRIZE…3:12-14 “The measure of a persons desire is in the Pursuit”

Vs.13)Brethren, I do not count myself to have [d]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

Count ( logizomai )is to reckon, account, suppose , consider after deliberate & careful Thought …refers back to vs. 12…Paul realizes he has NOT attained perfection yet (some were haughty at Philippi & thought they did!)…sinless perfection!? …vs. 2 was the past fact that had happened with Paul…Here is referring to PRESENT Process of his pursuit

Phil. 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

LUKE 14:25-33 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— 29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

Apprehended ….But I keep going on, grasping ever more firmly that purpose for which Christ grasped me.(JB. Phillips)…like verse 12

Job 17:9 Yet the righteous will hold to his way, And he who has clean hands will be stronger and stronger.

Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is like the shining [a]sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.

Psalm 63:1 O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.

Psalm 84:2 My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

I Tim. 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith Lay hold of eternal life

II Peter 1:5 giving all diligence

2.) A Good Runner Never Looks Back..Vs. 13,14

Vs.13)Brethren, I do not count myself to have [d]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

but one thing I do

What is your ONE Thing!?...sums up His Christian conduct & purpose in the NOW…the greek implies LIMITING & ISOLATING oneself to a fanatical Focus…NOW he has gone from contemplation(‘Count’ vs 13) to ALL OUT ACTION Mode!

forgetting those things which are behind

Forgetting grk….completely forgetting, to neglect, EMPHATICALLY forget & neglect (obliterate the memory!!)…Here Paul in His metaphor about a runner in a race is referring to that Runner NOT even looking back AT ALL or paying a bit of attention to runners behind him as he races toward the goal….VERY good picture of our Christian RACE…just like a racer impedes his progress with this distraction so likewise we will be hindered in our progress for the prize IF we are looking at our past sin ,shame & failures….

Luke 9:62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”….Genesis 19:26

Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

reaching forward… (EPEKTEINO) A stretching forward…a reaching forward in an INTENSE athletic motion (hence comparison to a marathon race)

1. 14 ) I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

I press toward the goal (kjv=Mark) only used here in NT LITERALLY “ I Pursue down upon the target”……concepts of a watchman (Phil. 2:4)& shooting target shown here

For the Prize…A prize (brabeion-grk. Derived from the word for an umpire who gives the prize) bestowed or deposited in connection with the games…it could be monetary… here used as a metaphor for spiritual incorruption & eternal life

of the upward call literally “of The upward calling” is A CALL from Heaven TO HEAVEN ( (NOT our earthly life’s calling here)…our eternal reward

2.) A Good Runner Never Looks Back..Vs. 13,14

1. 14 ) I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 3:1,2 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,2 who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house.

“The prize is bound up with the calling ; promised when the call is issued, & given when the call is fulfilled”~M.R. Vincent

I Cor. 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

“This goal continually moves forward as we press on ,but never out of sight”~A.T. Robertson

Luke 16:16 “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.

II Tim. 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Hebrews 6:1..I Cor. 4:16-18…II Peter 1:3

3.)This Race Requires Spiritual Stamina & Consistency… 3:15-17

1. 15-17Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already [e]attained, let us walk by the same [f]rule, let us be of the same mind.17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern

This IS a Marathon Race …Cross Country MemoriesJ

“Mature/Perfect” Grk. =Telios complete, perfect, mature, of full age finished, ‘wanting nothing’…Col.1:28, Col. 4:12,II Tim. 3:16-17,Hebrews 5:13

Contradiction, Sarcasm !?(vs. 12 Not that I have already attained,[c] or am already perfected)

Vs. 12 Paul was speaking of a TOTAL FINISHED PERFECTION ( received in Heaven)…here in vs. 15 he speaks relatively…where though some may have reached maturity (Himself included)there is STILL Growth & Development to be obtained…this speaks of well rounded Christian Character NOT Christian Infancy

“Have This Mind” in other words KEEP thinking like the above phrase

I Cor. 2:6 6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.

3.)This Race Requires Spiritual Stamina & Consistency… 3:15-17

1. 15-17Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already [e]attained, let us walk by the same [f]rule, let us be of the same mind.17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern

IF and if in anything you think otherwise…Epaphroditus had made Paul aware of some in the church who were teaching sinless perfection was needed…he said God would take care of the issue

Psalm 139:23-24 Search Me & Try me…

Jn. 7:17 17 If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.

“otherwise” a negative use of the word…as some in Philippi thought they had ‘arrived’ spiritually, with no further growth needed!?

Vs. 16) Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already [e]attained, let us walk by the same [f]rule, let us be of the same mind….meaning ‘Keep on Keepin’ on…keep doing the same things consistently that MATURE saints do

LITERAL….to walk in a straight row….walk prosperously,,,to turn out well, to direct ones life..TO LIVE

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

Together or jointly as the church Be Imitators of (me) Paul as he follows Christ (Not Christ here)…of how I walk the Christian Life…I Cr.4:16, 11:1…Hebrews13:7

“Note” = Mark = fix your attention on intently..

Ps. 37:7 Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; For the future of that man is peace.

JAMES 1:4-5 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be [a]perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

4.) Some have dropped out of the Race Vs. 3:18,19

1. 18-19 )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: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.

Professed Christian Greeks, possibly had walked with the Philippian church in times past but fell into Epicurean tendencies…Epicureanism taught satisfying physical desires was the highest aim of man (sex, food drink)…GAL. 5:13 13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Romans 16:18 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord [a]Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

They thought Lightly of God’s Grace

Romans 6:15 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord [a]Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

Jude 1:4 4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord [a]God and our Lord Jesus Christ.(see vs. 12,13)

I Jn. 2:16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of...