Jun. 16, 2024

“OVERJOYED”

“WINNING THE RACE”

PHILIPPIANS 3:12-16

Paul wanted the believers in Philippi to understand the Christian life is like running a marathon that requires conditioning and perseverance. He wanted them to know the fundamentals of the Christian faith so they would not be duped by false teachers.

All of us want to be “winning Christians” and fulfill the purpose for which we have been saved. What are the essentials for winning the race and one day receiving the reward that is promised?

1.   God’s Plan Is Progress, Not Perfection- Philippians 3:12

Acts 16:25

Philippians 3:12 “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.”

“Not that I have already attained…” this is the statement of a great Christian who never permitted himself to be satisfied with his spiritual attainments.

Philippians 3:10 “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.”

Paul was not satisfied with his Christian life.

Rev. 3:1 

Rev. 3:17

 Judges 16:20  

But constant progress toward Christlikeness is possible. So the plan is progress, not perfection. We press on in spite of knowing that in this life we will never fully arrive.

2.   The Past Is Over, So Leave It Behind- Philippians 3:13

Philippians 3:13 “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.”

1 Timothy 1:13-15

Living in the past, whether basking in the old glories or pouting over defeats, keeps us from advancing boldly into the future.

Hebrew 12:1-2

Think about it, if you drive a car while looking only in the rearview mirror, how far will you get before you drive off the road?

Psalm 42:1-2 “As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?”

3.   The Future Holds Our Hope, So Reach For It- Philippians 3:13-14.

In the same pivotal movement in which Paul consciously lets go of his past, he turns his full attention to the future, pressing on “toward the goal..”

Philippines 3:13-14 “….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.”

The word translated “reaching forward” vs.13 is the Greek word “epekteinomai” a vivid athletic term. It means that the athlete throws himself forward in the race with all his energies strained to the utmost.

The Christian runner with the spiritual mind realizes that God must work in him if he is going to win the race. “..in Christ Jesus” vs.14 Without Christ we are hopeless.

John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

God works in us that He might work through us.

1 Timothy 4:7-8

4.   The Secret Is A Determined Attitude- Philippians 3:15.

Philippians 3:15 “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.”

Paul reminds us that its all about our attitude. “Have this mind (attitude)” vs.15 means to set one’s mind or be intent on.

Why does Paul urge only the “mature” to have this mind?

1 Corinthians 2:6 “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.”

 vs.15 “…and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.”

Paul graciously acknowledges that everybody grows up in Christ at different paces. In the spiritual marathon, some will be nearing the finish line at full speed, others will be farther behind, and some will be trudging along at a snail’s pace, and few will be dragged along by others.

5.   The Need Is To Keep A High Standard Together- Discipline- Philippians 3:16

Philippians 3:16 “Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.”

The Christian life is a marathon, not through the level, paved streets of a clean and friendly city, but across rocky, toilsome, dangerous terrain filled with pitfalls and predators. So to help us stand firm without standing still, let’s asks some personal questions as we conclude today:

*Are You Dwelling On The Past, Letting It Control Your Attitudes And Actions?

*Are You Following Good Examples?