Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. (Break 1)
13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Break 2)
15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. (Break 3)
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame— who set their mind on earthly things. (Break 4)
Break 1
Have a race outside. The runners are racing toward one person holding prizes. Along the race path are words that are sins everyone struggles with.
Q. Before the race did you: check out the path before you? Check out what was in your way while in the race? Check out what was in your way after the race?
Q. When do we truly want to see what is in our path? – After the race, especially if we lose. If we win, it doesn’t matter what was in the way because we have won and the prize has been attained and our eyes are focused on the end prize.
Listen to this quote: “You and I live in an age when only a rare minority of individuals desire to spend their lives in pursuit of objectives which are bigger than they are. In our age, for most people, when they die, it will be as though they never lived.” – Rusty Rustenbach
“Press on” carries both a hunting and athletic sense. Like, stalking prey with an unrelentlessness or to run as to gain a victory; out to win.
Break 2
Paul refers back to the elders, deacons and Saints at Philippi as brethren. This is a loving endearment.
Paul recognizes his shortcomings at this point.
Paul recognizes his past but refuses to live in it.
Paul recognizes his future and reaches for it.
Because of Paul’s recognition, he presses toward the goal…
The goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Break 3
Therefore is a conjunction. Because of what was just said, this is the outcome.
Therefore…let us have this mind…nevertheless…let us walk by the same rule and let us be of the same mind.
So, what’s in the middle?
As many as are mature…and if in anything think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.
Andrew Harris: What does a mature runner look like?
Andrew Harris: What is the contrast of an immature and a mature runner?
When Paul wrote to the Brethren he wanted them to recognize the true runners and the walkers.
Paul said that God would reveal it to them about who were walkers among them.
Paul’s statement of “nevertheless” reveals a desire that even if you do know who may or may not be running a true race, you are to run yours by walking in the same rule and thinking by the same mind.
Break 4
Again, Paul refers to them as brethren but calls for people to join him.
Paul knew he was not perfect, that he had not attained yet called people to follow him; will you do the same? Do you have a group of fellow believers who you could tell people, “join in following us for a pattern” of how to run for Christ?
Paul refers to those who walk and in this sense means, “having no eye or vision for the future or God’s will.”
Earlier Paul referred to “walking by the same rule.” That did not mean a slow pace, it meant there a pattern or following.
Those who walk are labeled by Paul as enemies of the cross of Christ. Think on your life today, at school, with your parents; in the car or on the van ride here, is your “walk” giving “friendly fire” to Christ?
Paul says those that are enemies of the cross of Christ set their mind on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-17
Are you running the race for the prize of the upward call of Christ or are you walking the road to destruction keeping your eyes on earthly things?
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