Pressing On in Steadfastness
Phil. 3:12-20
In my first year of Northwest College, my wife made this embroidered picture of a boy and his dog jogging, with the caption “Pressing on to the goal” She made this for me to encourage me through my studies and the calling God had placed on my life.
As I read the text for this lesson, I came back to the race that I’m running in life. What is the goal? Why am I running this race? Why is steadfastness important?
Paul had to answer the same questions in his life with Christ. First, the goal in our walk with Christ isn’t a sprint, it's a marathon. Paul had his focus on Christ and Christ’s purpose for his life. He was called and equipped by the Holy Spirit to take the Gospel to the gentiles. Let’s look at the first part of the text, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if at some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.”
Paul started the race sort of at a sprint. He wanted to tell everyone about his new faith in Christ Jesus, to the point the saints had to smuggle him out of town in a basket to keep him from being killed. (Acts 9:1-30) Paul then spent some time in the backside of the desert (solitary time in Throas) learning more from the revelation of Jesus by the Holy Spirit. (Gal.1:11-12) Paul being taught the gospel by Christ through the Holy Spirit would have given most people airs of pride, but Paul was reminded of his own life and infirmity by the Holy Spirit to live a life of humility, not arrogance.
This is where we pick up the goal that Jesus gave Paul. He was the Apostle to the gentiles, he was to preach the Gospel to them, and he was to edify the church with the hope of salvation through Jesus, and Jesus return for His church. Paul knew that he was not finished with the task that God has given him, even in jail he preached the Good News. This is the driving force, the pressing on toward the goal, heavenward until he received the prize of his calling. Paul said, “All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things.”
Application - Each of us is given a calling, task, or job to do for Jesus, and like Paul we are to press on towards the goal line until we have finished this life of faith and stand before Christ in heaven. At first Paul didn’t understand fully everything that Christ had prepared for him, he learned that it was a marathon race. He pushed through threats, beating, imprisonment, shipwrecks, etc. (2 Cor. 11:23-28)
Yet we too will have to face suffering, hard times, persecution, and diverse trials in our lives until the day we stand before our Lord, having finished the race, and reached the goal of the calling of God in our lives. I would have us be steadfast to the calling. For in the days that we have been appointed to live, we will need this mindset. Michael Snider wrote in a post yesterday. “And God has a plan for you too. God specifically placed you at this point in human history, and He has a purpose for doing that…”
It has always been God’s purpose for us to mature in the faith, to grow in our understanding and knowledge of Jesus, to fulfill the commission of reaching our world for Jesus with the Gospel. Remember that you are not alone in the race. First, Jesus said I am with you always. He sent His Spirit to indwell us, and He gave us the church as a body to love one another, encourage each other, to build up each other in edification in the faith, and to serve one another with humility. God is aware of everything happening around us, and we can always ask him for wisdom and direction. Paul wrote one more bit of advice. “And if at some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.” God is very good at clarity. He knows the beginning from the end. If we feel unsure of His purpose, the Holy Spirit will guide you and speak into your life the word of God to direct you in His purpose. (Prov. 3:5-6)
Next, Paul wants us to focus our eyes, thoughts, and lives on Jesus. Let’s look at the text. “Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.” Paul didn’t have a mentor so much in man as in Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, but Paul's admonition to the church was “to live up to what we have already attained…” We are not to fall back but move forward. Paul knew that the enemy would come in to “kill, steal, and destroy.” The church needed to focus on Christ and heavenly things. It would be very easy for the Church in Philippi to get their eyes focused on the political unrest, the persecution of believers, or physical trials they all faced. They needed to stand on their faith in Christ, and as the body of Christ. Paul had given them a model in himself and others of maturity in the faith.
Application - The advice that Paul gave to the Philippians is exactly what we need today in the Church. We must keep our focus on God’s purpose for us, our eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and to stand steadfast, not wavering or falling back and away. In all that is going on in our world today, we, the Church, must focus on God’s purpose and on standing against the enemy’s schemes (Eph. 6:11,14). The enemy cannot take away the freedom of a life in Christ if we stand firm in our faith. Jesus said the day of evil would come (Matt. 24, Eph.6:13) and the church will need guidance. It is in these times that we focus on Jesus, and follow in the steps of those who are mature, imitating their examples of Christlikeness. Jesus said “the gates of Hell will not prevail against the Church” (Matt.16:18)
Last, Paul speaks of the enemy. In Eph.6 he made it clear that we don’t fight against flesh and blood, but against rulers and authorities in the heavenly realm, Satan and his demonic forces. Let’s look at the text,
“For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
Paul knew that the people who had beaten him, imprisoned him, and spoke evil about him were people under the true enemy’s power. The enemy, Satan, hates the cross of Jesus, it is where he was defeated, and there were many in Paul’s day that hated Christians because of Jesus (Matt. 10:22). The enemy (people who are blind to the truth) were focused on earthly things, money, food, material possessions, and power and control. The Church in Philippi was not to be like them. They were citizens of Heaven. They were to be looking for the coming of their Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Jesus has the power to sustain them, He is totally in control with full authority. And when he comes back, He will transform their earthly bodies into heavenly ones (1 Cor. 15:51-58).
Paul's desire for the Church of Philippi was to stand steadfast on the Word of God, believe in full faith, trust Jesus who has all authority over every power and dominion, and they would see their victory, receive a new body, their crowns with joy, and live with him in His kingdom.
Application - Today is no different, we face an enemy who hates Jesus, hates the cross, and hates any who belong to Him. And just like the Church in Philippi, we too must stand firm against the enemy.
How do we do this? Our focus must be on Jesus,
He has a plan for our lives. He has told us to stand firm, steadfast, press on in our faith and His purpose until he comes back to redeem us. The enemy is at work in our world, which is very evident. Many are blind to the truth, which Jesus told us would happen in Matt. 24 . Jesus' first words to the disciples were “Watch out that no one deceives you.” Deception is everywhere today, the enemy’s plan is to darken the truth. We see fake news, half truths, lies wrapped up in reasons (excuses to rationalize behavior), and flat out denial of facts. Jesus has given us his Spirit, the Holy Spirit. He will not lie, for He too is God. He will lead us in the truth of God’s Word which doesn’t change, just like God. We know that very soon, Jesus will return for His bride, and like Paul said to the Church in Philippi, to eagerly await his coming. We need to stand steadfast against the enemy’s plan by the Truth of God’s Word. Victory is near, but there is still God’s purpose to be done until that day. Then we will rejoice in His presence, behold our Lord with new bodies, and serve in His Kingdom for ever and ever. Amen
If there was ever a time for the church to stand firm it is now! I would encourage you to share the hope that we have in Christ Jesus with the Good News, the ABC’s of the gospel. (JD Farag) Please use this tool to explain salvation to the spiritually lost and blind in our world.
A - Admit that you are a sinner. This is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against a righteous God and there is a change of heart, we change our mind and God changes our hearts and regenerates us from the inside out. Romans 3:10 - As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (We are all born sinners which is why we must be born spiritually in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven). Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The bad news is that the wages of sin is death, in other words our sin means that we have been given a death sentence, we have the death penalty hanging over our heads, that's the bad news. But here's the good news: The good news is that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 2:8-9 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
B - Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised Jesus from the dead. This is trusting with all of your heart that Jesus Christ is who he said he was. Romans 10:9-10 - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
C - Call upon the name of the Lord. Every single person who ever lived since Adam will bend their knee and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Romans 14:11 - For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." Don't wait until later — do this now. Romans 10:13 - For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." "O God, I am a sinner. I'm sorry for my sin. I want to turn from my sin. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son; I believe that He died on the cross for my sin and that He was buried and You raised Him to life. I have decided to place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, trusting only in His shed blood as sufficient to save my soul and to take me to heaven. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen."
Please share this with someone this week, the Lord knows that we and they need it.
Until next week, In His Service Mike Davis
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