Fixed on the Future Now

 

Phil 3:12-14

SUBJECT: Progressing

THEME: Fulfill God’s Purposes for Saving us by fixing your eyes on your future now. 

RELEVANCE:

We must not allow our fears, worldly pleasures, failures, procrastination, or temptations to throw us off track. To be winners who fulfill God’s plan, we must remain focused in the present moment with an eye on our future.

INTRODUCTION:

In Phil 3:12-16, Paul is partly focused on our present experience, our immediate concentrations with a focus on the future. Again, his desires are set on learning Christ every day, undergoing the power of Christ’s resurrection, and connecting with Christ’s anguishes (Phil. 3:9-11). This points to our need to grow spiritually by making continual progress.

All of us want to be “winners” and fulfill the purposes for which we have been saved. What are the immediate essentials for fixing our focus on the future? How can we navigate this race in a way that wins?

MESSAGE:

INTENSE CONCENTRATE FOR THE PRESENT.  (Phil. 3:14)

“I press!” (to set in rapid motion…to journey) is the same thought as is “I follow after” (to move quickly and energetically towards an objective) in Phil 3:12, and it carries the idea of intense endeavor.

 The ancient Greeks used this kind of language to describe a hunter eagerly pursuing his prey.

“Thus he pressed on in order that the purpose for which the Lord Jesus had saved him might be fulfilled in him. The apostle had been apprehended by Christ Jesus on the road to Damascus. What was the purpose of this momentous meeting? It was that Paul might from then on be a pattern-saint, that God might show through him what Christ can do in a human life. He was not yet perfectly conformed to Christ. The process was still going on, and Paul was deeply exercised that this work of God’s grace might continue and deepen.”^[a]

  1.  Determine to Run the Race.  Phil. 3:14

We must possess this same kind of determination to grow in our fellowship with the Lord and explore all the depths of spiritual growth and progress. Like anything worth having it will take a great deal of personal determination throughout our natural lives.

        A.  Run With Intensity.

Don’t merely stand on the race track of the Christian life but get to running, what are you waiting for!

             1.  Refuse to be a Spectator.

A man does not become a winning athlete by listening to lectures, watching movies, reading books, or cheering at the games.

             2.  Run the Race Like You Really Want to Win.

He becomes a winning athlete by getting into the game and determining to win!

             3.  Be Zealous About Your Progress.

The same zeal that Paul employed when he persecuted the church (Phil 3:6), he displayed in serving Christ.  Come to think of it, wouldn't it be wonderful if Christians put as much determination into their spiritual life as they do their golfing, fishing, or bowling?

        B.  Run With Balance.

There are two extremes to avoid here:

             1. "I must do it all"— This of course describes the activist!         

             2.  "God must do it all!"— The second extreme is the quietist! "Let go and let God!" is a clever slogan, but it does not fully describe the process of Christian living.

             3.  Both are heading for failure.

ILLUSTRATION:  What quarterback would say to His team, "OK, men, just let go and let the coach do it all!" On the other hand, no quarterback would say, "Listen to me and forget what the coach says!" Both extremes are wrong.  

             4.  Live in the Balance of Phil. 2:12-13.

The Christian runner realizes that God must work in him if he is going to win the race.

Philip. 2:12-13, Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. [13] For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.                                                                                       

        C.  Run With Power.

               1.  Bear in Mind That Christ is Essential.

John 15:5, I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

God works in us that He might work through us. As we apply ourselves to the things of the spiritual life, God is able to mature us and strengthen us for the race.

               2.  Be Sure to Apply Yourself.

1 Tim. 4:7-8, But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. [8] For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

APPLICATION:  Some Christians are so busy “dying to self” that they never come back to life again to run the race! And others are so sure they can make it on their own that they never stop to read the, Word, pray, or ask for the power of the Lord.  2 Cor. 3:5-6,  Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; [6] Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

ILLUSTRATION: The early Christians give us a great example of the kind of balance the Lord wants to see in every believer’s life and service.  Acts 11:19-21,  Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. [20] And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. [21] And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. The believers traveled, preached, and witnessed to the Jewish people in these various regions–this shows their personal effort, energy, sacrifice, and determination.  But then the Scriptures clearly state that, “the hand of the Lord was with them! ” Thus, the Lord was working hard in these individuals and through them!  Finally we see converts, “a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord ” and clearly in their salvation experience God was working in hearts and minds and convicting of sin, but the individual still had to repent and believe the gospel in order to be saved!                          

   2. Determine to Win the Prize.   Phil. 3:14

Toward what goal is the runner pressing with such spiritual determination?

       A.  A Prize of Reaching the Mark–The Goal.

God does not want us to merely drift along in our Christian life casually making progress, but instead he specifies exerting every effort and expending tremendous energy to seize the prize as a winner in Christ Jesus!

            1.  Christians Are Long-distance Runners Pressing Toward the Goal of Finishing the Race.  

Like a dedicated athlete, Paul wanted to run the race and gain full knowledge of Christ. The first-time marathon runner has periodic thoughts about quitting, especially during the last six miles. By then, the novelty of the experience has faded to the dull regularity of the pace; early adrenaline has given way to soreness and fatigue. Others around him or her are limping along, and some have dropped out entirely.  But dedicated runners must keep going. Somewhere out there is a finish line. (W. W. Wiersbe)

APPLICATION:  Ask yourself these questions:

   *  What kind of race are you running for Christ?

   *  What prize do you seek?

   *  What kind of opposition do you face in your struggle to live as a Christian?

   *  How can Christ help you stay on track and reach the goal?

   *  What spiritual workout or training this week will help you run your Christian marathon?

   *  In what way can you renew your commitment to press on toward the goal of being like Christ?

            2.  Christians Will Meet Christ in all the Fullness of His Glory at the Finish Line.

Paul seems to refer to ultimate and final salvation in God’s presence!

                   A.  Realize That Christ Awaits You at the Finish Line.

Also at the end of this life’s race we will appear before Christ to receive rewards at “the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Cor. 5:10).  The winner in those ancient games was called to the place where the judge sat in order to receive his prize.

2 Cor. 5:10, For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

APPLICATION:  We must develop the heart to press and push ourselves with intensity– to bear down hard upon ourselves in the direction of this wonderful goal. The “mark” is Christlikeness. What a goal for a Christian!

                   B.  Remain Focused on Jesus Christ as Your Goal Throughout Your Race.

Hebrews 12:2, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus himself is who we must continually look to as we run this race (Heb. 12:2).

ILLUSTRATION:  We must become like watchman straining our spiritual eyes to see out into the distance hoping for glimpses of our soon coming Lord. Then simultaneously train our hearts on Christ whom we’ll meet personally at  the finish line when we finally reach the mark.  It will be worth it all when we finally see Jesus.                                                                                        

                   C.  Remain Focused on Christ-likeness as Your Goal.

1 John 3:2-3, Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. [3] And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Paul pursued Christlikeness with the enthusiasm and persistence of a runner in the Greek games.

                          1.  He Knew He Had Not ‘Arrived’ Yet!

Unlike the Judaizers, whose influence was prevalent among the Philippians, the apostle did not claim to have reached complete spiritual maturity. As spiritual as he was, he was still pressing on, vigorously pursuing the goals for which Christ Jesus saved him to achieve.  He knew that he had not yet taken hold of perfect Christlikeness—he had not yet secured perfection or ultimate conformity to Christ. (W. W. Wiersbe)

                          2.  He Knew How to Leave the Past in the Past!

But he was determined that he would forget the past and, like a runner, press on toward the goal. Paul refused to be controlled or absorbed by his past heritage (Phil. 3:5-7) or his attainments (3:8).

                          3.  He Concentrated on the Future Prize Above All Else! 

Vigorously and with concentration Paul sought to win the prize to which God had called him heavenward (Phil. 3:14). Again the Greek games must have been on his mind as he wrote of this wonderful heavenly prize.

       B.  A Prize of Realizing Your High Calling.  Phil. 3:14

This is a wonderful incentive to press on in the race instead of dropping out and being a quitter.  The “High calling” is a term used to describe all that God has planned for believers– His very purposes for saving us in the first place.

            1.  The Christian Runner Has Already Received a Call From Heaven.  (Salvation)

“The high calling” is literally, the calling that came from above and therefore it is a high and heavenly calling.  This race began when we answered the call from Heaven to salvation in Christ Jesus our Lord by faith.  God as a result saved us by His infinite grace.

Galatians 4:26,  But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

Hebrews 3:1,  Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

“The high,” and heavenly calling, is not limited to Paul’s own calling as an apostle by the summons of God from heaven.  No, this high and heavenly summons is the common calling of all Christians to salvation in Christ, which coming from heaven invites us to heaven!

APPLICATION: Since the redeemed have received a summons from Heaven in salvation we should accordingly turn our minds and hearts to this uplifting perspective and hope as we run the race.

Col. 3:1-3, If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. [2] Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. [3] For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

            2.  The Christian Runner Will Receive a Call Up to Heaven.  (Rapture or Resurrection)

 Again, Paul is not suggesting that we attain a right to go to heaven by our own efforts.  The analogy is focused on progressing in Christlikeness until the rapture.  Because of Paul's use of the metaphor of athletic games, it seems more natural to understand the "call" as the calling of athletes up to the winner's stand. Thus, the heavenly call involves the summons to win the victor's prize of Christ-likeness, ultimate salvation, joint heirs with Christ, our eternal home in the New Jerusalem, and countless other blessings. (W. W. Wiersbe)

            3.  The Christian Winner Will Receive a Prize for His Achievements.  (Rewards)

"The prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:14). When he reaches the goal he will receive the reward!

                   A.  “The prize” is “the crown of righteousness” (2Ti 4:8).

1 Cor. 9:24-27,  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. [25] And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. [26] I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: [27] But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

2 Tim. 4:8,  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

                   B.  “The prize” is the “a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”

1 Peter 5:4,  And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

He is simply saying that just as the athlete is rewarded for his performance, so the faithful believer will be crowned when Jesus Christ returns.  In 1 Cor 9:24-27 we note a parallel, that while only one athlete may receive a prize, all Christians may receive the reward. Furthermore, the laurel wreath of the Olympic Games will fade, but the crown Christ gives will never fade.

       C.  A Prize Related to God’s Will for Us.

 The important thing is that we reach the goal He has established for us. No matter how successful we may be in the eyes of men, we cannot be rewarded unless we "apprehend that for which also I [we] am apprehended of Christ Jesus.  (Philip. 3:12).

“The upward call of God in Christ Jesus includes all the purposes that God had in mind in saving us. It includes salvation, conformity to Christ, joint-heirship with Him, a home in heaven, and numberless other spiritual blessings.”^[2]

CONCLUSION:

Hebrews 12:1-2,  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, [2] Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

It is an exciting experience to run the race daily, “looking unto Jesus” (Heb 12:1-2). It will be even more exciting when we experience all that the “high calling” entails when Jesus returns to take us to Heaven! Then we will stand before the Judgement Seat of Christ to receive our rewards! It was this future prospect that motivated Paul, and it can also motivate us.

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^[a] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1975.

^[2] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1975.