Philippians 3:10-21

Straining Toward the Goal

7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order 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 comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—

(Philippians 3:7-9)

10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained. 17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

(Philippians 3:10-21)

Review of Last Week

Paul’s Ultimate Goal

PresentTo know Christ / gain Christ (v.8) Participation in His sufferings, and knowing the

power of His resurrection (v.10)Deeper personal relationship with Christ by

being conformed to Christ’s death (v.10)Future

Be found in Him / united with Him completely (v.9) when Christ returns

Resurrection from the dead, be forever with Christ (v.11)

The Goal: to Know Christ and be Found in Him

This Week’s Study

10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. (Philippians 3:10-21)

The goal

Pursuing the goal

Heavenly

Focus

Good and bad

examples

Self-awarenessStrenuous EffortSingle-minded

FocusEyes on the Prize

MaturityUnity

(Phil. 3: 15-16)

Discussion

It provides evidence that salvation is genuineIt adorns and makes visible the truth of God to

others It brings assurance of salvationIt preserves believers from the sorrow and suffering

associated with spiritual immaturityIt protects the cause of Christ from reproachIt produces joy in believers’ livesIt equips them for ministry to others in the body of

ChristIt enhances their witness to the lost worldIt glorifies God

- John MacArthur

Why Strain Toward this Goal?

Professing Christians, who caused Paul to weep, and brought reproach to the cross of Christ

Did not pursue righteousnessSelf-indulgent, took pride in shameful conduct,

worldlyHeaded toward eternal destructionContemporary application

That same spirit of antinomian libertinism lives on today. There are those in the contemporary church who teach that saving faith need not result in a life of holiness. Since Jesus’ death paid for believers’ sins, they argue, it does not matter how they live.

- - John MacArthur

Enemies of the Cross of Christ

Christians are citizens of heaven living on earth (Phil. 3:20) The Philippians were Roman citizens living in Philippi

Names recorded in heaven (Luke 10:20; Phil. 4:3)Fellow saints are in heaven (Heb. 12:23)Inheritance is in heaven (1 Peter 1:4)Reward is in heaven (Matt. 5:12)Treasure is in heaven (Matt. 6:20)They live in the heavenly realm (Eph. 2:6); they experience

to some degree the heavenly life here on earthMembers of Christ’s kingdom, not of this world (John

18:36); are under the rule of heaven’s King, and live for heaven’s cause

Eagerly anticipate the return of Christ and their bodily resurrection (Phil. 3:20-21)

Heavenly Focus