Press On Toward The Goal

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0:11Let's pray together. father as we hear your words in Philippians 3 Please teach us. reprove us Correct us. And train Us in righteousness so that we will be equipped for every good work. amen Well, not everyone can be a special Warfare operator in the Navy Seals seal stands for Sea Air land teams in the United States Navy. And you may have to make it through over a year of elite testing and training just to become one. First you have to make it through eight weeks of Naval special Warfare preparatory school and then 24 weeks of buds training Bud stands for basic underwater demolition for seals. So three weeks of orientation seven weeks of physical conditioning seven weeks of combat diving seven weeks of land Warfare and then three weeks of parachute jump School.

1:21And then 26 weeks of seal qualification training. So more advanced Technical Training and if you graduate from that, Then you earn a Navy SEAL Trident and get assigned to a Seal Team at Coronado, California or Little Creek, Virginia and You Begin your Advanced Training for your first deployment. I have a Christian friend who is a Navy SEAL. He's been serving that way for the past 10 years and I emailed them this week and asked him if what I just told you is accurate and here's how he replied. Yeah, that that generally looks correct throughout the years they've added or subtracted a week to the various phases but it has oscillated around those timelines since I've been in I might add that regular Navy boot camp precedes all the other training.

2:08And it's not the type of hardship many expect even though it's easier than what they're expecting later. Most people aspiring to become a seal initially think they've made a horrible mistake when they get to boot camp. Tedious monotonous silly and has little to do little to no relevance to what they joined for the unexpectedness and in glorious nature of it are challenging for some people especially compared to what they're aspiring to.

2:38all that to say to successfully become a Navy SEAL requires sacrifice And single-mindedness and this illustrates a principle if you want to achieve. An unusually difficult goal. You must sacrifice. And be single-minded. In other words, you have to have a goal. And you have to press on toward that goal. And that's what our passage is about. Let's read it one more time Philippians 3 12 to 16. 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. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own but one thing I do.

3:30forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way and if in anything you think otherwise God will reveal that also to you only let us hold true to what we have attained. So the main idea of this passage see in these words right in the middle. Press on towards the goal. That's the main idea this passage, press on toward the goal. So the title of the sermon is it's very creative. Press on toward the goal. Press on toward the goal now according to verse 15.

4:15We as a Church Must Share Paul's mindset. So I'm gonna summarize Paul's argument throughout this sermon saying we first person plural rather than I first person singular. So let's work through this passage by answering five questions be one for each verse. So question one is why must we press on toward the goal and then number two how must we press on toward the goal. And then three, what is the goal that we must press on towards specifically for who must have this mindset about pressing on toward the goal and then question five what must we do as we press on toward that goal. Let's begin with question one. Why must we press on toward the goal and Paul gives two reasons in verse 12.

5:00He says not that I have already obtained this or I'm already perfect. But I press on to make it my own because Christ Jesus has made me his own. So that first line is the first reason he gives not that I have already obtained this. Or am already perfect. Now, he says this not that I have already obtained this. What does that refer to? You got to look at the previous sentence in verse 11. He says that by any means possible I may Attain. the resurrection from the dead so when Paul says in the very next sentence. Not that I have already obtained this this refers to the resurrection from the dead and the next phrase in verse 12 clarifies this or am already perfect.

5:53So the resurrection from the dead. And being perfect are two ways of referring to us in our glorified bodies when we no longer sin. Are we there yet? No, we're not there yet. We haven't reached that goal yet. We haven't arrived. We're not perfect. We still sin. We're not at the finish line yet. The race is not over. So we must press on that's the first reason. That we must press on toward the goal. We haven't reached the goal yet. The second reason is in the second half of verse 12 says but I press on to make it my own. Because Christ Jesus has made me his own and again when he says to make it my own at refers to the same thing as the word this it's the resurrection from the dead.

6:43Paul says he presses on toward that goal and press on I press on that translates interestingly the same word that verse 6 translates. a persecutor of the church persecutor translates the same word Press On so before God saved Paul. Single-mindedly pressed on to persecute God's Church Christ's Church. And now that God has saved Paul Paul single-mindedly presses on to the resurrection from the dead. Why? We explained that he presses on towards that goal because Christ Jesus has made me his own. When did that happen for Paul? When Paul was on the road to Damascus Christ took hold of Paul. And made Paul his own you can read about it next nine and 22 and 26. Now our conversions weren't on the road to Damascus like Paul, but the principle is true for us brothers and sisters Christ first pursued and possessed us.

7:56So we must press on toward the goal. So the answer to question one. Why must we press on toward the goal is because we haven't reached the goal yet. That's his first reason and second because Christ Jesus has already pursued and possessed us. That's why we do this question number two. How how must we press on toward the goal? The answer is verse 13. Let's read verse 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. Comma and I'm gonna stop right there. So hang on to the sentence when he says I do not consider that I have made it my own.

8:43It refers to the same thing as the previous it and this he's talking about the resurrection from the dead. In other words Paul says I haven't reached the goal yet, but I am single-mindedly focused on reaching the goal. Now I just use a phrase single-mindedly. Can you guess what my warrant is for saying single-mindedly? in verse 13 It's at middle phrase. But one thing I do. The Net Bible translates that phrase I am single-minded. That's good that NLT translates it. I focus on this one thing. This one thing I do. So what is that one thing we do and how much we focus on I'm going to focus on the how right now because that's what the next phrase is doing how must we single-mindedly focus on reaching that goal and they're too connected ways, which are like two sides of the same coin forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead so let's consider each of those ways with all summarized by saying we Press On by single-mindedly for getting what lies behind and by single-mindedly straining forward to what lies ahead so let's first just think about what it means to forget.

10:01What lies behind what does that mean? When Paul says in verse 13 that he forgets what lies behind does that mean that he forgets everything? in the past everything Well, I can't mean that because earlier in this letter just a few paragraphs back versus four to six. Paul presents reasons that he could be confident in his past fleshly accomplishments. So he's remembering the past right here. So in some sense Paul's remembering what lies behind he doesn't forget everything. He doesn't completely fail to remember it. So there must be another sense. In which he forgets what lies behind? Here's how I would put it to forget what lies behind in this sense means you don't focus on it means you don't pay much attention to it. You don't boast in it. You don't focus on it and then value it in such a way that leads you to conclude.

11:03Wow. Look at that. Look what I did. Race is over. I can kick back and relax. Nice job Andy, that kind of thinking is what Paul is condemning here. It's possible and good to look back. In an edifying way to learn from it to thank God for his grace in the past. But the past is not your focus or your identity. It's not who you are. And this includes your past life before you became a Christian. Like what Paul writes about in Verses 4 to 6. And this especially include your past life as a Christian the good progress you've made as a Christian. There's an illustration this past summer some of my family climbed to the Sacajawea peak in Montana with some of the dots.

11:54So we started a Trailhead near the top of the mountain and I think we climbed about 2,000 feet after that and when you're climbing a mountain. You can get discouraged at how far away the Summit is, especially when it's very Steep and it can be encouraging to briefly look back at how far you've come that can spur you on to keep climbing to The Summit. But looking back is counterproductive. If you're just admiring what you've done with sinful Pride or you're despairing that you still have so far to go. Here's another illustration when I think about the folly. of focusing on what lies behind I think of a middle-aged man who's a bit out of shape and he loves to talk about his great athletic achievements in high school.

12:45The Pinnacle of his success as an athlete and everyone around him knows all about it now, it's fine for an older man to tell stories about that especially to your children and grandchildren. I'm I guess I'm a middle aged man now and I'm about to tell you a story about my High School athletic career in a moment. So I think it can be done but it's a sad when a grown man's identity is his High School athletic career. It's like it didn't grow up. He's immature focusing on the past like that can distract you from making progress now, so we must press on toward the goal by single-mindedly forgetting what lies behind if something.

13:29In the past hinders us from obeying Christ right now. We must forget it don't focus on that. That's one side of the coin single-mindedly forgetting what lies behind now. Let's consider the other side of the coin straining forward to what lies ahead. One of our Joys as Christians is to please God by obeying him. God works in US Paul says early in this letter both to Will and to work. What's the next line? For his good pleasure. We please God when we obey him. Later in this letter. Paul thinks the Philippians for sending him a financial gift, which he calls a sacrifice acceptable. And pleasing to God.

14:23In another letter Paul writes we must walk in a way. That's fully pleasing to God. We please the Lord when we obey him. So here just two practical examples of what this might look like for children and for fathers. Paul commands in Colossians 3 children. Obey your parents in everything Remember, why why you should do this for this pleases the Lord? It's a children. Are you obeying your parents in everything? That's part of what it means for you to run the Christian race right now. Obey your parents and everything. One of the ways you run the Christian race right now in a way that pleases the Lord is to obey your parents.

15:09It's how you run your race. fathers Paul commands don't provoke your children to anger. But bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. To fathers. Are you provoking your children to anger? One of the ways that you run your Christian race is to consistently love your children by disciplining them in a way that does not provoke them to anger. One of the ways you run. The Christian race is to bring them up and the discipline and instruction of the Lord to encultureate your children with the Christian world view that values God's words and God's world in accord with reality. Fathers that's part of what it means for you to single-mindedly strained forward to what lies ahead that's how you run your race.

16:04now I do not. Enjoy running. I I know some people who do I'm not one of them. I don't like sprinting and I don't like distance running. It's don't like running. I ran the mile on my high school track team my junior year in Boston, and I joined the team mainly as a way to discipline my body and force myself to do hard things. And I I wasn't very good. So I have nothing to brag about here. I never won the mile long race at a track meet. I couldn't even break a five minute mile which guarantees you will never win. So I did learn some lessons that I can share in a sermon though. So here are some lessons I learned from all that track running that translate to life. So when you're running a race, you're seven practical tips and running race. It doesn't help to number one focus on what's behind you?

16:54A good runner doesn't stare at what's behind you can't run as fast as you can possibly run if you're twisting around and staring backwards while you're trying to go forwards. Or worse if you turn 180 degrees and you start backpedaling, that's the recipe for tripping. At minimum When You Look Backwards, you lose your Rhythm and you slow up a bit. There was a an NFL playoff game yesterday where one of the cornerbacks was covering a wide receiver and when the balls in the air the corner back turn to locate the ball and when he turned that's when the receiver got a step on them got ahead of him create a distance and then caught the ball for a 50 yard touchdown when you when you turn around you don't go as fast.

17:36So that's number one folk don't focus on what's behind you number two when running a race. It doesn't help to be proud about how quickly you have run thus far. When that happens you're tempted to ease up. To make it easier for others to pass you. Number three when running a race. It doesn't help to be depressed about how slowly you have run thus far. Oh, whoa is me. I'm such a slow Runner. I am embarrassed even being in this race. Well, that kind of mindset is a self-fulfilling prophecy to lose. Number four it doesn't help to wander off course. So if you're running a race around a football track and the wise thing to do is to stay in the lane closest to the field not the outer Lanes definitely don't Meander up into the stands. I hang out with your friends or over to the concession stand by popcorn. No, you you got to not wander off course stay on course until you finish the race.

18:39number five it doesn't help to weigh yourself down. So I went through an unusual phase in high school when I always wore five-pound ankle weights under my jeans. I know I'm weird. I I thought it would help me for track and cross country. I'm not sure how smart that was, but I wasn't foolish enough to keep them on during the race. I took him off for the race. You don't want unnecessary weights to slow you down. While you're running a race and number six, it doesn't help to have a low discomfort threshold. There's a saying no pain. No gain. If you stop exerting effort. Whenever you become. a little bit uncomfortable Then you'll be a terrible Runner.

19:29in verse 13 Those words straining forward. Translate a word that means to exert oneself to the uttermost. Stretch out strain. You can't exert yourself to the uttermost without feeling uncomfortable. So the goal in a race is not ease the goal in a race is to cross the finish line and win. And finally number seven. It doesn't help to focus on stuff other than reaching your goal. When you're running a race, it doesn't help if you look down and you stare at your feet. It doesn't help if you stare at the crowd watching. It doesn't help if you start daydreaming. It doesn't help if you're preoccupied with other pressing matters in life and you you forget that you're in a race at all.

20:24When you're in a race. You should focus on The Wraith specifically. Focus on what's left in the race. Focus on finishing strong give it everything you've got give it your maximum effort Finish Well focus on the Finish Line with tunnel vision don't get distracted. Don't let off the gas pedal. Don't Coast don't focus on what you've accomplished us far run. And what I'm saying applies to every Christian from the youngest child who's a follower of Christ to the oldest Saint who's about to cross the finish line? focus on what's left We must press on toward the goal by single-mindedly forgetting what lies behind and by straining forward to what lies ahead.

21:14As Christians we do not rest on what we've accomplished thus far. And whatever we have accomplished. It's all by God's grace anyway, right? So, why would we boast in that if we look to the Past? It's to remember that God is faithful. But we must not do is dwell in the past in a way that distracts us from making progress now so Run finish strong persevere. We want to finish this race so that we can say with Paul. He writes in second Timothy 4. I have fought the good fight. I finished the course. I've kept the faith and I imagine him saying that fist pumping. As he crosses the finish line. That's how he want to finish. So that's the answer to question two.

21:59How must we press on toward the goal by single-mindedly forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead now question three. What is the goal that we must press on toward? I mentioned the title of the sermon to my daughters this week and one of them said press on toward the goal. What's the goal? Here we go. Let's get very specific here verse 14. I press on toward the goal. For the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

22:34What does that mean? That's a very challenging phrase to translate. What exactly is that prize? Well, it's the resurrection from the dead. We know that much from earlier in the passage and all that goes with that including reaching the state of sinless perfection. Let me show you how some other translations render this. So ESV is the prize of the upward call of God in Christ. Jesus and IV says the prize. For which God has called me heavenward. In Christ Jesus, so the prize of the upward call of God. That's a way to explain what of the upper call of God means. Or the csb says the prize. Promised by God's Heavenly call another way to explain that phrase of the upward call of God.

23:22Promised by God's Heavenly calling Christ, Jesus and LT explains a sense a little more freely the Heavenly prize for which God through Christ. Jesus is calling us. So those are all helpful translations helps you get the sense of what Paul saying here. Philippians 3 20 and 21 later in our passage clarifies what this goal is our citizenship is in heaven and from it. We await a savior the Lord Jesus Christ who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body. That's what we're pressing on toward. And when will we reach this Finish Line? Well, it'll be after we die or when Christ returns if that occurs first.

24:11The prize is what God's upward call. promises our future glorification so that will be like Christ. God's call is upward or Heavenly in the sense of Colossians 3 when Paul says if didn't even raise with Christ seek, the things that are above where Christ is see that the right hand of God set your minds on. things that are above Where Christ is not on things on earth. So the prize is that God finally saves us from the presence of sin and he gives us Resurrection bodies with the Lord in his presence. And that is a goal worth single-mindedly sacrificing for isn't it? That's the goal. We should press on towards the goal is our future glorification or our future sanctification and there are three tenses of sanctification in the Bible past.

25:13Present and future. So when you think of past sanctification that's definitive or positional and it occurs when God gives you the gift of faith and repentance at conversion. When you're Justified present sanctification, we call Progressive. That's typically what we think of as shorthand for sanctification and then future sanctification is perfect complete or final sanctification what theologians typically call glorification so I could say I am or I have been Sanctified. I am being presently Sanctified and I will be Sanctified past present future. So in the past God sets a Christian apart from sin's penalty.

25:53and their old self or old man and Adam and the present God gradually sets a Christian apart from sin's power and practice. And in the future God sets a Christian apart from sins, very presence and possibility. So I would say like this God has saved me from the penalty of sin. That's past right now in the present. God is saving me from the power of sin. But I still sin now, right?

26:25I'm pressing on towards the goal. But as I do that, I'm not working for my salvation. I'm working out my salvation. I wrote Paul writes in Philippians 2. 3 12 and 13. It says work out your salvation with fear and trembling for it's God who works in you? so think of it this way God works in I work out. I don't work for. So that's present and then future one day God will save me from the very presence of sin. That's the prize. That's the goal. That's a goal that ultimately satisfies us with with God himself because God made us for God this final column here the future column. That's our goal. now sadly most people Chase lesser goals most people chase goals that do not ultimately satisfy and even if you reach those lesser goals They leave you feeling.

27:30empty for example The goal of many professional football players is to win a Super Bowl. Not everyone wins a Super Bowl. It's hard enough just to become a professional football player. Let alone win a Super Bowl. And that's something that I think every Vikings fan understands, right? One of my fellow Elders told me today. I've been a fan for 50 years. I'll tell you what else he said but does winning a Super Bowl? ultimately satisfy you as a football player as a fan. Well, let's consider the case of the most decorated professional football player of all time Tom Brady. He also happens to be my favorite football player before you jump on me for being on the bandwagon. Let's say I lived in Michigan from 1992 to 94 and I was following the university when he was their quarterback. He played for them from 95 to 99. I've been following his career since guys an amazing football player. I think that's uncontroversial to say that Tom Brady is the most successful quarterback and NFL history.

28:39He has started in 10 super bowls. He's won the Super Bowl seven times. Why am I telling you this? This is why in 2005 after he won just his third Super Bowl. 60 Minutes interviewed him Here's part of what he said. Why do I have three Super Bowl rings and still think there's something greater out there for me? I mean maybe a lot of people would say. Hey man, this is what it is. I reached my goal my dream my life me. I think it's got to be more than this. I mean this can't be what it's all cracked up to be. I mean, I've done it I'm 27 and what else is there for me? and the interviewer says what's the answer?

29:21And Tom Brady says I wish I knew I wish I knew I mean, I think that's part of me trying to go out and experience other things. I love playing football and I love being a quarterback for this team. But at the same time, I think there's a lot of other parts about me that I'm trying to find. I know that what ultimately makes me happy. Our family and friends and positive relationships with great people. I think I get more out of that than anything.

29:49And I'd sat on many levels one reason is that he divorced again this last year? so I enjoy watching Tom Brady play football because he's a Football Genius, but I pray that he will find what ultimately satisfies God himself. There is one Ultimate Prize that is worth pressing on toward with everything you have and it's the prize that Paul highlights in our passage the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus anything else Is a lesser goal that will not satisfy ultimately.

30:27in contrast to Tom Brady consider John Tipton You've probably never heard of John Tipton. He didn't play the NFL. My wife calls him Uncle John. Even though he's not technically her uncle. He Faithfully served God for many decades in his church in South Carolina. Mostly behind the scenes caring for his Church's building meeting. All kinds of practical needs especially caring for older folks in the church. He encouraged others by highlighting specific evidences of God's grace. Like what Pastor Sam does so much here. He even did some premarital counseling for Jenny and me about 20 years ago. Now when my family was in South Carolina last year.

31:12John Tipton finished his race at age and shortly before he died. He told my father-in-law. I'm just sitting here waiting for the bus. So he was ready. And eager to meet the Lord. He didn't waste his life. on week pleasures now CS Lewis wrote about how our Pleasures can be too weak. That's so good. I'm gonna show it to you. He said if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the Staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels. It would seem that our Lord finds our desires. Not too strong but to weak. What does Lewis mean by that? Says we are half-hearted creatures fooling around with drink and sex and ambition.

32:16When infinite Joy is offered us. Like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by an offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased. He goes on to say the promises of scripture may very roughly be reduced to five heads. It's promised firstly that we shall be with Christ. Secondly that we shall be like him and our passage emphasizes both of those thirdly with an enormous wealth of imagery that we shall have Glory fourthly that we shall in some sense be fed or feasted or entertained and finally that we shall have some sort of official position in the universe really cities judging Angels being pillars of God's Temple.

33:07Lewis is right. We are far too easily pleased. We're tempted to press on toward goals that do not ultimately satisfy us. The goal that we should be single-mindedly present on toward is the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. The prize is that God finally saves us from the presence of sin and gives us Resurrection bodies in his presence. God made us for God. So that's question three. What's the goal the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus? now question four Who? Must have this mindset about pressing on toward the goal. And the answer is in verse 15 Paul writes let those of us who are mature think this way.

34:01And if anything you think otherwise God will reveal that also to you. Now for a jump into verse 15, we just note that some English translations begin verse 15 with the word. Therefore. Maybe you have a translation it starts with the word therefore. The nazbe csb Net Bible have that why is that? That's because the Greek text begins with the word that we typically translate is therefore. I'm not sure why the ESV and the NIV don't translate therefore here, but here's here's a logic. Because versus 12 to 14 are true. therefore Verse 15 follows. I suppose three dots therefore. Okay, so Because versus 12 to 14 are true. We should have this mindset about pressing on toward the goal and Paul specifies two groups of people who should have this mindset.

34:55First group let those of us who are mature think this way first line of verse 15. the idea here Is similar to First Corinthians 14:20 where Paul writes Brothers do not be children in your thinking be infant and evil but in your thinking be mature, our goal is to be mature in Christ cautions 128. So that's the first group of people and the other second have a verse 15 mentions. And if anything you think otherwise God will reveal that also to you. Those who are spiritually immature must also have this mindset and Paul is confident that in due course God will make that clear to the rest as well. So we could answer verse the question four who must have this mindset both the spiritually mature and immature must have this mindset.

35:47And now finally question five. What must we do as we press on toward the goal and the answers in verse 16, let's read verse 16. Only let us hold true to what we have attained hold true to what we have attained. What have we attained? Well, it starts with back to verses 8 and 9. We've gained Christ and were found in him because we have the righteousness from God justification through faith. And then all the progress we've made past that point. That's what we've attained. I like how The net no the NLT translates verse 16 says we must hold on to the progress. We've already made. We must hold on to the progress. We have already made that's good.

36:35In other words don't lose ground don't go backwards live consistently in line with the truth that you've already received. So the answer to verse the question of verse 16 what must we do? Hold on to the progress. We've already made. If you're running a race don't go backwards don't lose ground as you press on if you're climbing the mountain don't slide down the mountain side maintain your ground as you climb upwards. If you're climbing a rope. Don't slip down the Rope maintain your gains as you pull upwards. Hold on to the progress you've already made. after God rescued the Israelites from the Egyptian slavery and The Exodus some of the Israelites in the wilderness grumbled and complained that they had it better back in Egypt.

37:24They wanted to go backwards. They wanted to lose ground. But God brought them into the promised land some of them. after Peter betrayed Jesus three times he returned to fishing. He went backwards. But Jesus brought him back to lead God's Church. Don't follow their example of losing ground. Don't go backwards Press On. but if you do lose ground if you do go backwards remember Proverbs 24:16 The Godly May trip seven times But they will get up again. Psalm 37:24 though. They stumble they own another they will never fall for the Lord holds them by the hand. That's encouraging. now as we conclude this sermon.

38:16I'd like to address two groups of people first group is those who do not follow Christ? Maybe you're wondering. I don't think I'm even in this race you're talking about. I don't think I'm following Christ as my king. I bet you friend. I implore to you on behalf of Christ be reconciled to God. For our sake God made Christ to be sin who knew? No sin. So that in Christ we might become the righteousness of God. So if you have questions about that, if you have questions about following Christ, I invite you to talk to any of the members of our church. We would love to do that. You might think feel kind of awkward to talk to someone about Sin and God's Wrath and God's love through Christ.

39:07We don't think it's awkward. We love it. That's why we're all here. What brings us together people from different socioeconomic groups different ethnicities different ages different Hobbies. We have one thing in common and it's that and we love to talk about it. And after the service concludes, we'll have people up front who would love to talk to you and pray with you. So encourage you to do that. Second group of people. Finally. I'd like to address is those who are already following Christ. Those who are already in this race that Paul describes in Philippians 3. Now I began the sermon by telling you.

39:44How difficult it is to become a Navy SEAL. It requires sacrifice. And single-mindedness and that illustrates the principle that if you want to achieve an unusually difficult goal. You must sacrifice and be single-minded. You must press on toward the goal. That's the mindset that Christians must have so I exhort you on the basis of what God says in Philippians 3 brothers and sisters sacrifice and be single-minded as you press on toward the goal. The Finish Line when you will be like Christ, press on press on toward the goal. And you might be tempted to make excuses. Maybe you're thinking. I'm not an elite Runner.

40:32Spiritually, I'm just average. Or maybe below average. And I I don't think I can possibly run any faster than I'm already running. So let me reply to an objection like that. God calls you to run. your race your race the race he's designed particularly for you. He didn't call you to run someone else's race and you're not competing with fellow brothers and sisters. This isn't a competition. We're a team or family. We're not competing against each other and God designed your race just for you taking into account all your circumstances all the way. He's gifted you. And are you are you sure about that that you think you couldn't possibly run any faster?

41:27You couldn't possibly run with any greater focus and effort Let me tell you a story about that. My favorite book in CS Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia is the horse and his boy. I don't have time to set the scene here, but you all know the story right? So just refresh your memory. There's an exciting part of the story. when two narnian war horses are running ahead of an evil invading Army. Lewis makes this comment as the narrator Certainly, both horses were doing if not all they could. All they thought they could. Which is not quite the same thing.

42:12And then a lion. Suddenly begin to chase them and these horses are terrified of lions particularly this line which is chased them before. And Lewis describes the war horse named Bree. His eyes gleamed red his ears lay flat back on his skull and Bree now discovered that he had not really been going as fast not quite as fast as he could Shasta the writer felt the change at once now they were really going all out.

42:45Now I share that story with you to encourage you that running as fast as you think you can run. Is probably not the same thing as running as fast as you can run. So brothers and sisters God calls us to press on toward the goal. I'm emphasizing that because that's what our passage is about. That's what our passage emphasizes. That's the main point of this text. Press on toward the goal. But one more comment about that. Don't forget that earlier in the same letter. This is part of the literary context of Philippians earlier in this very same letter. Paul writes this work out your own salvation with fear and trembling you could paraphrase that as press on toward the goal.

43:31And then he gives a reason. For it is God who works? In you both to Will and to work for his good pleasure. So take heart. God enables you to press on toward the goal. God enables you to finish the course. God will enable you to finish to cross that finish line and hear him say to you well done good and faithful servant enter into the joy of your master. So press on toward the goal. Let's pray.

44:11Father thank you that Christ. Jesus has made us his own. Would you please give us Grace to focus on one thing? Please help us to press on toward the goal. Help us do that by forgetting what lies behind by straining forward to what lies ahead we long for Jesus to come back and for you to give us glorified bodies that are free from sin and sickness until we reach that finish line. Please enable us to press on toward the goal. Amen.

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Christ Has Come, He Will Come Again

The End Is Not Yet

Woe To Hypocrites!

Press On Toward The Goal

Begin With Thanksgiving

Wisdom's Feast

Listen To Wisdom

The False Gospel Of Adultery

Six Things, No, Seven...No, One

The Folly Of Adultery And The Wisdom Of Marital Sex

Walk In The Way Of Life

Get And Apply Wisdom

Wisdom On Wealth And Trials

He Is Risen

Three Rewards Of Wisdom

The Benefits Of Wisdom

Wisdom Cries Out

Destroyed By Unjust Gain

Planted In The Lord

The Beginning Of Knowledge

Shared Troubles. Shared Rejoicing.

Content In Christ

2023 Marriage Conference – Session Two

2023 Marriage Conference – Session Three

2023 Marriage Conference – Session One

The Christian Life And The Peace Of God

How To Be Steadfast

Our Heavenly Citizenship