1-5-2020 A Look Forward Philippians 3:13-4:1
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Introduction:
A new year, and especially in this case: a new decade, brings on the idea of turning over a new leaf — or starting a new chapter in our life. Traditions have taught that this is done through resolutions.
A man once made a resolution that saved his life:
Two men were stranded on an island. One man paced back and forth like he thought it was the last day of his life, while the other man relaxed and appeared totally unconcerned. The first man said to the second man, “Aren’t you afraid? We are about to die out here all alone.”
“No,” said the second man, “you’re wrong, I made a $100,000.00 commitment to our church building fund... My pastor will find me.”
Throughout the last couple of decades, the most popular resolution by far is weight loss. Resolutions are funny things when you stop to think about it. We commit ourselves to certain actions, and most of the time we fail within a couple of months. In fact, well over the majority of Americans who commit to weight loss fail on a diet within the first few weeks. This isn't always, nor does it have to be the case though. Two quick thoughts come to my mind: one is we can and do have victory over sin; therefore, if it is a sin issue that we commit to repent from as a resolution, then we know it is possible not to fail. If it is not so much a sin issue, my second thought is we have a tendency to “bite off more than we can chew.” We try to commit to something that is just simply too hard for us.
I wonder if the great, godly theologian and philosopher, Jonathan Edwards, was guilty of my second thought. Legend attributes many lofty resolutions to Jonathan Edwards. History records at least 70 which is said that he came up with in just two years.
Time will not allow me to read all of them to you right now, but I do want to spend a few moments reading a handful of them.
The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards (1722-1723)
The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards (1722-1723)
Before he starts with this extensive list, he gives himself a tip
“Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.”
genius!
1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad’s of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.
5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time, but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.
12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.
40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking.
56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.
70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak.
These that I’ve read, plus many more of his are great, praiseworthy, honorable, and wholly dignified. I know that we would all be better men and women of God if we would practice all 70 faithfully—yet we know that is not going to happen. I am certain that Edwards was sincere when writing these out and I am confident—especially considering his reputation— that he did have a level of success, but we will fail to always practice these things as I am sure he had his low moments.
So what then do we do? Are resolutions meaningless in the long run? I don’t think so. Indeed, the Bible calls us to persevere in the faith and it talks about the process of believers maturing in the faith. Certainly goals and commitments are a part of that process and resolutions can ensure perseverance. I think the key lies in the fact that we live daily in the mundane— the vast majority of life is the little stuff, the daily small decisions. Because the mundane routine of life is so common, and the extraordinary it’s just that: extra-ordinary, we tend to get the idea that it is unimportant or at least it doesn’t matter as much as the exciting dynamic moments.—but this isn’t usually true.
Transition:
The Bible supports this idea that small changes in the mundane can have powerful eternal impact— perhaps even more so than large, extraordinary changes that certainly can be impressive, can also be fleeting. Paul gives us some things to think about for a New Year. Paul warns the Philippian believers to stay clear of the false teachers, these “Judaizers” who taught that what people did (like being circumcised), rather than the free gift of grace provided through Christ, made them believers. To solidify this, Paul tells of his resolution and then tells the church to have the same goal.
Scripture Reading:
Phil. 3:13-4:1
13 Brothers, I do not consider myself to have laid hold of it. But I do one thing, forgetting the things behind and straining toward the things ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Therefore as many as are perfect, let us hold this opinion, and if you think anything differently, God will reveal this also to you.
16 Only to what we have attained, to the same hold on.
17 Become fellow imitators of me, brothers, and observe those who walk in this way, just as you have us as an example.
18 For many live, of whom I spoke about to you many times, but now speak about even weeping, as the enemies of the cross of Christ,
19 whose end is destruction, whose God is the stomach, and whose glory is in their shame, the ones who think on earthly things.
20 For our commonwealth exists in heaven, from which also we eagerly await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
21 who will transform our humble body to be conformed to his glorious body, in accordance with the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
1 So then, my beloved and greatly desired brothers, my joy and crown, thus stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.
These verses continue the testimony Paul began in verse 4. He first spoke about the past in which he had abandoned all confidence in his own works and trusted in Christ alone for salvation. Paul’s goal was to know Christ, to be like Christ, and to be all that Christ had in mind for him. This goal absorbed all his energy. This provides a helpful example especially at this time of our lives. We should not let anything take our eyes off our goal—knowing Christ. With the single-focus mind of an athlete in training, we must lay aside everything harmful and forsake anything that may distract us from being effective Christians.
Transition:
So Paul offers us today at least three biblical principles to succeeding with resolutions:
I. Forget the Things Behind (v.13)
I. Forget the Things Behind (v.13)
Last week, the sermon had a thrust on remembering and reflecting on our past. Now this week, I’m telling you to forget, but it’s not just me saying this:
Brothers, I do not consider myself to have laid hold of it. But I do one thing, forgetting the things behind and straining toward the things ahead,
Unlike the Judaizers, Paul did not consider that he had achieved spiritual maturity; he was not all that he knew he should be, but he lived in absolute confidence of his ultimate salvation. Christians know they will be saved, yet they must have perfection as their goal (Matthew 5:48) while not pretending that sin does not exist (1 John 1:8).
Like Paul, we should be focusing on one goal: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. The past should not be used as a barrier to the future, as an excuse for dropping out, or for avoiding proper spiritual conduct in their relationship with God.
“forgetting the things behind”
Paul would forget his past with all its credentials and accomplishments (and sins) and, like a runner in a race with his whole body reaching for the finish line.
The bad: the failures, the hurts, sin – confess it, forget it, and move on, also disappointments and dumb decisions
We also leave behind blessings and achievements. (I am not suggesting we forget them)
Our fellowship meetings
VBS
anniversaries
Don’t let success get to your head! All this in order to focus on one goal.
Transition:
Paul concludes this verse with his straining toward forward things which moves us to a second principle:
II. Reach for the Upward Prize (v.14)
II. Reach for the Upward Prize (v.14)
Just as we try to persevere in resolutions, Paul pressed on to reach his goal which he describes as the end of the race and a prize.
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
A modern proverb would be “Keep your eyes on the prize!” “Keep the end goal in mind”
While Paul didn’t identify the prize, it seems from the context of the first half of this chapter that the prize refers to gaining full knowledge of Jesus, the Christ. Paul aimed to win the prize, but all who finish the race win it as well. The full knowledge of Christ is the final prize for which we believers gladly lay aside all else.
The Lord Jesus seized and saved Paul in order to bring him into an intimate knowledge of Himself, a knowledge that would increase throughout Paul’s life and finish in perfect knowledge at death.
For this prize, Christ Jesus is calling us up to heaven. Some think this refers to the rapture; others say that it means the call to be saved; still others connect it to the high purpose or high vocation --the calling of Paul as an apostle. Yet because of Paul’s use of the metaphor of athletic games, it seems more natural to understand the “call” as the calling of athletes up to the winner’s stand. Thus, the heavenly call is the summons to win the victor’s prize of salvation, which can include the rapture.
Become fellow imitators of me, brothers, and observe those who walk in this way, just as you have us as an example.
Why does Paul assert himself as an example for the Philippians to follow, rather than saying “imitate the Christ”?
It seems like a proud and boastful thing.
However, keep a couple things in mind: First, Paul tells the Philippians to follow him only after confessing he was far from perfect in verse 12. Now holding himself up as an example, Paul isn’t suddenly going back on what he has just said. Even though he wasn’t happy with the progress he personally had made in getting to know YHWH, at least he knew what was involved in knowing YHWH better and he was earnestly striving to that end. This was enough to make him a positive example for them.
Second, we need to remember that Paul was an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. This means he had received a special calling and was a special ambassador for Jesus. Serving as an example to others was part of the apostle’s calling.
It was easier for the Philippians to follow Paul’s example because they could watch him, but where does this leave us? The apostles have long since died. However, even though we don’t have the apostles themselves, we still have access to their lives and teachings through the Bible. For us to follow the apostles’ teachings and way of life means being attracted to the Bible. We should be daily reading it, meditating upon it, praying over it, and figuring out how to practice it.
What should we do when we find ourselves facing a challenge that seems too difficult for us? We should do what the unsure guest does when he is at one of those fancy dinners and doesn’t know which fork to use: we should find a good role model and do what that person does—and that is what Paul is saying here
Follow together. Walk by the same rule. -To walk close to God.
Col 2:6
Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, live in him,
1 Co 10:31
Therefore, whether you eat or you drink or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God.
Let us mind the same thing.-We should all be going in one direction.
-Following the Lord-Honoring the Great Commission.
We live by a higher Calling
For our commonwealth exists in heaven, from which also we eagerly await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Our citizenship is in heaven, not in this world.
who will transform our humble body to be conformed to his glorious body, in accordance with the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
When Christ returns, he will conquer everything, everywhere. There will be no more sin, no more evil rulers, no more persecution of believers. Christ will be King of kings and Lord of lords, ruler over all
With that same power, he will transform all believers’ weak mortal bodies into glorious bodies like Christ’s resurrected body. Our identities will not change, but our bodies will be like Jesus’ glorified body. This won’t be an external resemblance, but we will share his nature and life.
Transition:
In addition to forgetting the things behind and straining toward the things ahead, and in addition to Reaching for the Upward Prize, Paul instructs us to:
III. Stand Firm in the Lord (v.4:1)
III. Stand Firm in the Lord (v.4:1)
Paul had urged the Philippian believers to “stay true to the Lord.” In order to stay true against false teaching, divisiveness, and persecution, the believers needed to develop certain attitudes in their lives.
So then, my beloved and greatly desired brothers, my joy and crown, thus stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.
Because of these amazing and certain promises, the believers in Philippi ought to stay true to the Lord—standing against false teaching or divisiveness from within and persecution from without. Paul referred to the Philippians as his joy and reward, proof that his labor had not been in vain (2:16). This congregation was dear to his heart. His words to them were of vital importance, for he cared about their very souls. How he longed to see them again; but during this time of his imprisonment, the yearning words of his letter, carried to them by a mutual friend, would have to suffice.
1. Stand your ground (fixed) Stand for the Lord--remain faithful to the gospel message through word and deed
When you feel like abandoning your commitment, anchor yourself deep and firm in the Bible
So then, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Don’t waver to the left or to the right, don’t even think about changing your mind after you’ve anchored yourself.
4. Stay focused.
Heb 12:2
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the originator and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
-Don’t get distracted
-Don’t get discouraged
-Don’t quit.
So What?
So What?
So it is time for us to Look Forward with a perfect resolution: one that we will not fail and is not too hard for us to bear.
Are we as Christians conscious to the degree that we should be, that we have an ‘upward call?’ This is a call from heaven that will finally take us to heaven. It is a call that beckons us to keep moving forward and upward in our knowledge of the Lord. The aim for the believer is attainment of the likeness of Christ, for which man was made. There can be no plateau that lasts in the Christian course while life continues. We cannot continue the feelings, or habits, or methods of one period into another, because, while our aim remains unchanged, we shall approach it in new ways from each new position.
Thank God, we, too, are not completely without the example of godly men and women since the time of the apostles. Such examples may be found in biographies, and even in the lives of many around us. The examples of godliness are there. It’s our responsibility to look for them and to pattern our lives after them. Take the apostle Paul’s inspired advice to focus all our attention on Christ rather than on other pursuits.
Conclusion:
Let us resolve together: To Confess and forget sin & To a closer walk
To keep on track with the Lord. Jesus is coming soon!