Looking Toward the Finish Line EBC

Phil. 3:12-16 8/0308

Each of us ought to run our daily lives looking towards the finish line – looking unto Jesus – None of us know when our last day will be. We need to live our every day to the fullest to do our best for Him.

If we are to finish well – this ought to be our goal- Paul gives us some things we need to be doing. Christ likeness ought to be our goal.

We need to understand that we are not running to get to Heaven. Paul tells us in 3:20 that our citizenship is in Heaven. We run this race because we are Heaven Bound. Gary Grey- President of BBFI- “one of the greatest dilemmas we face in this century is that of complacency when it comes to God’s word and His ways”.

At the time of this writing Paul has been saved about 30 years. He had seen many victories but wasn’t finished.

What are some essentials for our daily race:

I. Dissatisfaction (3:12-13b)

A. We never need to be satisfied to with we have accomplished spiritually

1. We can’t compare ourselves with another Christian.

2. 3:12- In the eyes of the Phillipians Paul was a spiritual giant but he admitted that he wasn’t where he wanted to be. But he expressed a desire to be everything God wanted him to be.

a. reach forth- to stretch forth after

1. Watch running what they do just before they reach the finish line, they stick out their chest- this is reaching forth.

3. 2 Cor. 7:1-

B. Those who think they have reached the top of their game will not see the need to constantly pursue God’s goal.

1. 2 Peter 3:18-

2. John MacArthur- “ it is only those who continue to recognize the need to eliminate sin and cultivate holiness who will make progress in the Christian life”.

II. Devotion (3:13b)

A. “One thing”- this is a statement that ought to be important to every Christian.

1. Too many Christians are involved in too many things that have no eternal consequences.

2. Do a “Time Study” of your day. Write down what you do and how much time it takes to do it. How much of your day was spent doing the things of the Lord. What are you devoted to.

B. Warren Wiersbe-“the believer must devote himself to running the Christian race”.

1. Athletic winners are those who keep their eyes on the goal and let nothing distract them.

2. Neh. 6:3-

C. Warren Wiersbe- “it is wholly a matter of priorities and values, living for that which matters most”.

III. Determination (3:14)

A. “I press”- an intense endevor”

1. Someone has said, “a man doesn’t become a winning athlete by listening to lectures, reading books an watching movies, he becomes a winner by getting into the game and determining to win”.

2. Warren Wiersbe- “wouldn’t it be nice if Christians put as much determination into their spiritual life as they do to golfing, bowling or fishing”.

B. There are two extremes here:

1. I must do it all

2. God must do it all

a. Phil. 2:12-13-

b. John 15:5- “without me ye can do nothing. God works in us that He might work thru us.

IV. Discipline (3:15-16)

A. 2 Tim. 2:5- the issue here is not what he things nor what the spectators think but what the judges say.

B. 1 Cor. 9:26-27-

1. Bible history is full of people who disregarded the rules while running their race

2. Tom Constable- “every Christian should maintain a consistent life in line with scripture.

C. It is exciting running the race God has placed before us.

D. What motivated Paul- the prospect of standing before God. That ought to motivate us.