Pursuing the PrizePursuing the PrizePhilippians 3:12-16Philippians 3:12-16

Pursuing the PrizePursuing the Prize Paul used 1st Century images to illustrate

specific truths about the Christian life

Military images (Eph. 6:10-17)

Agricultural images (1 Cor. 3:6-9)

Architectural images (Eph. 2:20-22)

Athletic images (Phil 3:12-16)

Pursuing the PrizePursuing the Prize Paul gloried in Christ without fleshly

confidence (Phil. 3:1-3)

Paul listed seven things that had been a “profit” to him (Phil. 3:4-6)

Paul counted these fleshly things “loss” for what he could “gain” in Christ (Phil. 3:7-11)

Paul wanted all to know that his change was the start, not the finish, of a new life in Christ (Phil. 3:12-16)

Pursuing the PrizePursuing the PrizeFour principles essential to the pursuit…Four principles essential to the pursuit…

Personal dissatisfaction

Steadfast determination

Focused devotion

Consistent discipline

Pursuing the PrizePursuing the PrizePersonal dissatisfaction (3:12a, 13a)Personal dissatisfaction (3:12a, 13a)

Paul reveals, that after 30 years, he had not crossed the finish line, but was still in pursuit of it – “Not that I have already…”

Paul chose not to be self-satisfied and content to remain where he was spiritually

Pursuing the prize requires that you accept the need to continue to grow and mature (Heb. 6:1; 2 Pet. 1:5; 3:18)

Pursuing the PrizePursuing the PrizeSteadfast determination (3:12b, 14a)Steadfast determination (3:12b, 14a)

Paul reveals the importance of an energetic running style – “I press on”

Paul chose to run with all his might in the pursuit

Pursuing the prize requires that you put forth all your effort (Lk. 13:24; Rom. 12:11; 2 Tim. 2:15)

Pursuing the PrizePursuing the PrizeFocused devotion (3:13)Focused devotion (3:13)

Paul reveals his deliberate concentration on “one thing” – “the goal” – “the prize” – “the high (upward) calling”

Paul chose to forget what was “behind” and stretch forward to what was “before”

Pursuing the prize requires that you focus on what is ahead, not behind (Col. 2:18; 3:1-2; Heb. 11:14-16; 12:1-2)

Pursuing the PrizePursuing the PrizeConsistent discipline (3:15-16)Consistent discipline (3:15-16)

Paul reveals the importance following the same standard – “same rule let us walk”

Paul chose to follow the same rules

Pursuing the prize requires that you keeping running by the same rules (truths) that have brought you thus far in your pursuit (1 Cor. 9:25-26; 2 Tim. 2:5; 4:6-8)

Pursuing the PrizePursuing the PrizeFour principles essential to the pursuit…Four principles essential to the pursuit…

Dissatisfaction – moving forward or standing still?

Determination – working hard or lazy?

Devotion – focused or distracted?

Discipline – following the same standard or changing rules of the race?