Word by Mail

Phil 10 - Press On - Phil 3:12-14 (was v.16)
 
I’d like to speak today – to Christians who have the potential to be Discouraged (so I’m going to need a mirror?)
 
We all have this potential don’t we ?
At times we can be haunted by our past –
drug down by failures or trauma long sense over
At times we can be Unclear of our Present –
Why am I doing this again? How did I get here in my life?
& At times (if not always) – we are Uncertain about our future –
What does tomorrow hold ? Where is this road taking me ? Am I headed where I’m supposed to be ?
And what about these trials & difficulties? Are they a sign that what I’m doing is wrong? Is this a sign that I’m supposed to Give Up?
& then, worst of all, comes the “grass is greener” syndrome . . . Wouldn’t it be easier over there ? Wouldn’t I be happier over there ?
Maybe I wouldn’t have these burdens Maybe things would go my way over there
 
There’s an old story about the devil deciding to sell some of his tools. & a buyer came in & asked about a tool labeled “Not for sale.”
The devil answered, “I can spare some of my other tools, but I cannot spare this one. It may be the most useful tool I have.
it’s called Discouragement, and with it I can work my way into hearts that are otherwise inaccessible.
 
When I get this tool into a man’s heart (even a Godly man), the way is open for me to plant anything I want in there”
& often – the enemy doesn’t even have to work that hard - to get us so discouraged, our defenses are down against all kinds of attacks
So today - I want to talk to those who may feel the “sting” of discouragement
which really . . . is ALL of us at one time or another
 
Abraham – Even tho he believed God’s promise – Became so discouraged when His wife Sarah couldn’t bear children
that he & Sarah resorted to their own fleshly efforts -
& made a big mistake
Moses was repeatedly discouraged by the people of God constantly complaining & murmuring against him
 
So discouraged – that he disobeyed God about striking a rock once - & his disobedience cost him the chance to see the promised land
 
David was so discouraged at one point in his grueling hiding & running from Saul that – for a time
he faked insanity and literally “moved in” with the enemy to escape the pressures of his life
 
So – We who have the potential to be discouraged – take hope we are not alone
 
thru-out the Bible men & women of God have become discouraged
BUT TODAY – in our study of Phil –
we come to one of the best texts I could think of . . .
to combat, & overcome discouragement in the Christian life
So – if you are a discouraged Christian – take hope –
God has a Word for you today
& if you are NOT feeling discouraged today; then you either know someone who is discouraged or you need to save this msg for yourself – For Later
 
In our previous msg - Paul drove home the fact that we CANNOT have confidence in our own efforts to reach God . . .
 
& we must willingly forfeit (throw overboard) anything we think we’ve somehow earned to stand before God
& we must Count all that self effort as “Rubbish” -
that we main gain Christ – & be found in His righteousness alone !
& ultimately (above all else) – WE MUST KNOW HIM –
Know Jesus personally, intimately, experientially . .
 
& then - right at that point – Where some might say; “Great - all I have to do is go sit on a mountain somewhere and KNOW CHRIST . . .
 
RIGHT at that point – the Bible drives home the REALITY of true life with Christ
 
The Reality strikes in the very same Vs (V.10) –
Right after Paul says “that I may know Him” – he says; that We may also know; The Power of His resurrection –
The Fellowship of His suffering - & even Be Conformed unto His death . .
 
WHOAAAA – wait a minute – how we going to do all that sitting alone on a mountain top just knowing Jesus ?
 
WE’RE NOT – we can’t – We’re NOT supposed to
 
There’s only ONE WAY to know Christ in the power of His resurrectionThere’s only ONE WAY to know Christ in the fellowship of His suffering . . . & There’s only ONE WAY to be conformed even to His death
& THAT – is by waking up every morning & living with Him -
& living for Him – in the MIIDST of this world (& this life)
in the midst of whatever circumstances He’s allowing & using in our lives right now – today . . .
 
to show us the Power of His resurrection – to show us the Fellowship of His suffering - & to conform us into His very Image
 
Where you find yourself right now – right in the midst of your present circumstances . . .
 
THAT is where Jesus Christ wants you to KNOW Him !
& THAT is right where He wants you to Experience Him – Fellowship w/ Him - & Be Conformed to Him – right there – right now
 
& so Paul continues this incredible “all encompassing goal” of knowing Christ – right in “The Next Verse” . .
 
Phil 3:1212 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.
 
The word “perfected” means – “to make ultimately complete”
Paul starts by saying “look – I’m NOT saying I’ve arrived –
I’m NOT saying that I know Jesus completely in all these ways
in fact, in these sinful bodies we will always be limited –
in how perfectly (completely) we can Know Jesus
 
1Jn 3:2-32 . . . but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
 
2Cor 3:1818 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
 
We are being transformed into the image of Christ – from glory to glory But we won’t completely arrive – until we see Him face to face
& Paul’s saying – I haven’t already attained that –
I haven’t reached that ultimate knowledge. . .
 
He’s saying - I am in the process of knowing Christ at the most complete level
& that process involves KNOWING HIM right now – right here –
right where I’m at today –
 
Remember - Paul is in prison - - - Where are YOU Today . . . ? & are you willing to KNOW CHRIST – right now – right there
 
& so now – cont’g in v.12 – Paul writes our Key Words today –
 
Phil 3:12 (B). . . but I press on, . . .
 
The words “Press On” paint the picture of a Marathon Runner at the end of a race . . .
 
Leaning forward - stretching for the finish line – Pressing every muscle in his body to the extreme
 
Paul says - “But I PRESS ON”
& for what Paul – what are you Pressing On FOR ?
 
Phil 3:12(B). . . but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
 
If we are going to overcome discouragement in our own lives – we’ve got to see the Divine Power & Free Will working perfectly together in this Vs.
 
Paul says “I am pressing on – to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me”
 
The word here for “Lay Hold” is better “SEIZED” –
It’s LIT – “a strangle-hold” – One translator says it’s the picture of a football player being forcefully tackled
 
It’s not just “get around to it” – it’s “forcefully tackle” or “Seize” – THAT for which Christ Jesus has already “Seized” ME !
 
Jesus Christ has Already “Seized” you for a purpose – NOW – it’s your turn . . .
 
Will you “Seize” that for which Christ Jesus has “Seized” you . . .
Do you have a choice – YES – you absolutely do !
 
If you didn’t have a choice then Paul wouldn’t write such a strong encouragement to PRESS ON
 
We have got to Press-On to become what Jesus Christ has “Seized” us to become
 
& Ultimately that is to KNOW Him – (right where we’re at) & the Power of His resurrection - & the Fellowship of His suffering - & being Conformed even to His death –
& we do that right where we’re at – right where He has us . . .
 
As a Christian - Spouse, Mother, Father, Child, Employee, Minister
that “In Christ” - we would become what Jesus “Seized” us to become
Ultimately Knowing Him - & Walking w/ Him –
in EVERY area of our lives –
 
being transformed into His image from Glory to Glory – until that Ultimate day when we will be like Him – because we will see Him face-to-face
 
So now – Paul’s going to give us 3 steps –
to “Lay Hold” of that for which Christ Jesus has “Laid Hold of US”
In Vs.13-14 – we find the “3-Step Process” . . .
 
Phil 3:13-1413 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,14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
 
The words – “but one thing I do” – indicate a “summing up” – Paul says - this sums up my entire life with Jesus Christ . . .
#1) Forgetting those things which are behind#2) Reaching forward to those things which are ahead#3) I Press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus
Let’s take a closer look . . .
 
Step #1) Forgetting those things which are behind
Most often in the Bible - the word “forget” DOES NOT mean “unable to remember”
In Jer 31 - & in Heb 10:17 – God says “their sins I will remember no more”
that doesn’t mean God becomes “unable to remember”
It means LIT – “I will no longer be influenced by their sins”
 
& THAT is the same concept here – NOT an inability to remember – BUT no longer being influenced by the past
For some of us this is the biggest healing there could ever be
to NO LONGER be influenced by the past –
“forgetting those things which are behind”
Pls hear me – Whatever is in your past; if you have brought It before God – Completely Repented -
& Attempted to make things right with the other’s involved . . .
Then YOU CAN leave it in the past –
you no longer have to be INFLUENCED by it
We could talk all day on this one subject
 
But just know – you CANNOT “Press On” until you completely deal with & let go of those things in the past
 
Step #1) - Forgetting those things which are behind
 
Step #2) - Reaching forward to those things which are ahead
The best way to break the power of the past - is to start living for the future
Don’t be drug back into the mire of the past – instead “Reach Forward to those things which are ahead”
again, the picture here - is that of a runner leaning into the race . . . leaning forward . . eyes intently focused forward . . .
 
Every muscle in his body straining to drive himself forward
& by the way - I don’t know if you’ve ever tried running backwards . . .
 
But if you’re obsessed with the past – that’s like running a race backwards - - - You WILL Lose
But God has called you to stop being influenced by the past - & to Press On – Reach Forward . . .
 
Lean into what Jesus Christ has laid hold of you for
Give it your all – right where you’re at – right in the midst of your circumstances
 
Because THAT is where He wants you to KNOW HIM & know the power of His resurrection - & know the fellowship of His suffering - & know that you are being conformed to His Image
 
But there’s ONE THING – That’s CRITICAL for you to remember . . .
ONLY the choice to Press On is YOURS The POWER at work in you - to do it – IS ALL GOD’S
 
Phil 2:12-1312 . . . work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
 
Your part is to “Press On” His part is to “Work In You”
 
1Tim 4:77 . . . exercise yourself toward godliness.
John 15:55 . . . for without Me you can do nothing.
Your Part is to “Press On” - “Exercise Yourself” to Godliness – HIS PART is to do the “Everything” in you
Yours is the CHOICE to Press On !! – His is the POWER to complete the good work in you !!
 
Which is the focus of Step #3 . . .
 
Let’s Re-Read Vs’s 13-14 - & we’ll see all 3 steps
Phil 3:13-1413 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, [#1] forgetting those things which are behind and [# 2] reaching forward to those things which are ahead,14 [#3] I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
 
There’s that word “Press” again in V.14 –
it conveys exerting intense energy – striving against something –
 
“Pressing On” to KNOW Christ – To KNOW His Power – To KNOW His Suffering – To be Conformed to His Image
Right Now – Right where you’re at -
YOU can begin this “Pressing On” in your life - TODAY
Look at V.14 again -
I press toward the goal – for the prize – of the upward call of God – IN CHRIST JESUS
 
Wait a minute – Did you know there was an Upward Call of God on your life right now ?
 
There is a Call from the Heavenly Creator on your life - & it is ALL enco2mpassed - IN CHRIST JESUS
 
This “upward call of God in Christ Jesus” is not limited to what God has called you to do in this life . . .
Altho it DOES involve that – it’s actually BIGGER that that
The NLT translates V.14 this way;
14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
 
The GOAL – is Knowing Christ - & Laying hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also Laid hold of you
 
The PRIZE – is a Heavenly Prize
God – Who knows both heaven & earth;
He doesn’t think too much of earthly prizes – because your time on this earth may be up tomorrow
But our God – Because of His Great & Eternal Love for us
Has stored up for us a Heavenly Prize – One that is good for all of eternity
& as we Press On – Knowing Christ until the end of the Race
There is waiting for us a Heavenly Prize that our finite little minds cannot even imagine
The Heavenly Creator – Has reserved for us a Heavenly Prize –
 
The biggest Prize of which – comes from Knowing Christ - & being found in HIS Righteousness
But scattered thru-out the N.T. are Vs’s about God having Rewards waiting for us who Press On to the end
 
So – If you are going to Press On today - You must be clear on one thing . . .
What does your Race LOOK LIKE today – is it; Raising Children in the ways of the Lord Loving your Spouse as God has called you to Being a Witness for the Lord in your work-place Ministering to the person God has just put in front of you
You must “Press On” to KNOW Christ RIGHT WHERE you ARE; To know the Power of His resurrection To know the Fellowship of His suffering To be conformed into His image
& the Prize – is a Heavenly Prize - & it is SOOOO worth it – that it is not worthy to even be compared –
with whatever difficulty you may be allowed to go thru
 
SO - - - PRESS ON – to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also Laid hold of you !!