A Prize Worthy of the RaceGoals for the New Year

More in the stands than enter the race

Take a risk, run the race.Paul was running a race.Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV) 12 Not that I

have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, 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, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

I. Cast out the cargoA. To accomplish anything in life

we must cast off things that hinder us.

– The Double Eagle II (Aug. 11, 1978)

– The Pianist

– The Runner

I. Cast out the cargoB. Paul Cast off the cargo.

Paul’s Confession:Philippians 3:2-7 (NIV) 2 Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. 7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.

I. Cast out the cargoB. Paul Cast off the cargo.

Paul’s Cargo:Pride of the Flesh– Linage: Circumcision, Hebrew, tribe of

Benjamin– His Position: A Pharisee, keeper of the law,

persecutor of the church– His Self-righteousness: faultless.

Paul considers these hindrances: 7 “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.”

I. Cast out the cargoC. What should we cast out?Anything that hinders us from accomplishing our purpose

and position in Christ– Your heritage – Your position – Your accomplishments– Your wealth– Your sin

Jim Elliott (Equator, 1958)Wrote before his death ministering to the Auca

Indians,“He is no fool who gives up what he can not keep

to gain what he can not loose.”

We need a reason to cast off the cargo.Two reasons justify casting off the

cargo:To pursue a deeper relationship with Christ.To win the prize.

II. Pursue the PersonA. People have reasons to give

something up for someone.– The athlete gives up something to

satisfy the coach and teammates.– The musician gives up something

to satisfy the teacher.– A man or woman gives up much to

pursue the person of his/her dreams.

II. Pursue the PersonB. Paul cast off much to pursue Christ.

Philippians 3:8-11 (NIV) 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

II. Pursue the PersonPaul’s love for Christ caused him to

consider everything else previously important rubbish:– His heritage– His position– His accomplishment and self-

righteousness.“… not having a righteousness of my own

that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.”

II. Pursue the PersonC. We must pursue the person.

– More than we pursue a life partner.– We pursue him so that we become more

like him. How?• Read, search and meditate on him in the

gospels• Study how previous followers pursued him

– Epistles– History

• Be with others that are pursuing him• Do the things he did.

– Result: “10 … to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

We are to:I. Cast out the cargoII. Pursue the personIII. Press toward the prize

III. Press toward the prizeA. There is a prize for the sacrifice

and pursuit.– For the athlete it’s the victory,

medal, crown, ring, etc.– For the musician it’s satisfaction

of pleasing the teacher.

III. Press toward the prizeB. Paul was in pursuit of the prize

Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV) 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13

Brothers, 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, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

III. Press toward the prizePaul:• Viewed Salvation as the starters pistol

– All previous good acts were worthless – he was on the wrong track, running the wrong race

– When he joined Christ team he put on a new uniform – Christ’s righteousness. He was a victor from the start.

III. Press toward the prizePaul:• Could not be persuaded to drop out of

the race– Not his past (put it behind)– Not his circumstances

III. Press toward the prizeWhat about us? We:• Should not let anyone keep us out of

the race.• Should not let anything distract us from

the race– Not our past– Not our circumstances– Not the fear of failure or risk– Not the fear of rejection

The risk of these goalsThere is risk:

In casting off the cargoIn pursue the personIn pressing toward the prize

In 2010

Get out of the stadium, take a risk,

Run the Race