SEEKING THE MOST IMPORTANT GOAL
Philippians 3:10-21
When we have found a great treasure–something wonderful–something that enriches our life and makes us a better person–we don’t readily give that up, unless we find something better to replace it with.
Last week we considered Paul’s great treasure as part of God’s people.
He had committed his life enthusiastically and energetically to pursuing a religion that God Himself had established.
What could ever convince him to give that up and pursue a different path?
You would have to be convinced that there was something better than that!
Paul reveals his NEW life goals in his letter to the Philippians.
Those goals would make a worthy pursuit for any of us.
To understand Paul’s goals, we must understand the circumstances which motivated him to write.
INSTRUCTION CONCERNING TRUE SPIRITUALITY 3:1-21
He responds to the Judaizers’ view that spirituality is achieved by “living by the rules”, by keeping the Mosaic law.
PAUL’S INSTRUCTION FOCUSES ON THE NATURE OF TRUE SPIRITUALITY.
Characteristics of true spirituality 3:3
“Here’s what true spirituality looks like:”
Serving God in spirit -NOT by the letter of the law
Boasting in Christ -and in what HE has done
-NOT in ourselves and what we do.
Not confiding in the flesh
We don’t trust OUR efforts to produce fruit which pleases God.
PAUL’S ATTITUDE CONCERNING HIS OWN ACCOMPLISHMENTS 3:7-21
Paul's loss 3:7-9
He considers his accomplishments to be worthless when compared with the possibility of having Jesus' righteousness applied to his account.
He realizes his own weakness (failures).
He could never satisfy God this way!
He is confident in God’s righteousness, which he has received by trusting Christ.
PAUL'S GOALS 3:10-11
Paul doesn’t replace the old activities with different activities.
He doesn’t seek to accomplish more, or perform better.
Paul points us toward the most important goals for our life:
1. To know Christ better 3:10a
The rest of his goals flow out of this one.
His focus is on a relationship–a personal experience of Christ.
He already knows Him-he wants to know Him better.
Paul's longing-that of great men and women of God of all ages:
TO KNOW HIM BETTER
Moses saw God in a way no one else ever had, “face-to-face”
and yet he asks to see His glory.
He thirsts for an even more intimate knowledge of God.
David-the psalmist, the worshiper-the "man after God's own heart"
-is thirsty to be with Him Psa. 42, 63
Paul-Missionary, apostle, teacher-expresses his goal: "to know Him"
These men–together with other godly people of all ages–are all THIRSTY to know Him better–to walk with God.
[ Paul has a second major goal in life: ] 10b
2. To experience God’s life-transforming power
“Resurrection” isn’t a reference to our future hope.
Paul is concerned about transformation now.
Only God’s power–the power that raised Christ from the dead–at work in our life, can produce that kind of transformation in us.
Paul wants to experience God’s resurrection power–a new power for living now.
–the power of the resurrection– in our daily life.
This isn’t a hope for “pie in the sky bye and bye.”
He focuses on the presence of God’s power now, transforming our life daily.
Everything Paul ever attained is the result of God’s power at work in his life.
WE need that same power in our life also.
The daily goal Paul set for himself was a fuller experience of Christ's resurrection life, bringing vitality and power to his life today.
Paul’s main goals: to know Christ better and experience the power which raised Christ from the dead in daily life.
[ Paul expresses yet two more goals for his life: ] 3:10c
3. To enjoy the participation (fellowship) with God and other godly people that results from suffering for His name.
There’s a level of fellowship that comes from sharing together in suffering that can’t be understood by non-participants!
The suffering Paul experienced drove him to Christ and caused him to depend totally on the Lord.
Suffering binds all God’s people together–we SHARE the privilege of suffering for His name.
[ Paul’s fourth goal serves as a summary of those already mentioned: ] 3:11
4. To experience in our own life, in a practical way,
the results of being resurrected with Him. 3:11
–being identified with Him in His resurrection–having new life together with Him!
That’s Paul desire: to know Christ better, to experience His power, to share with other saints the blessings of suffering for His name’s sake, and to enjoy new life together with Him.
PAUL'S PROGRESS 3:12-14
How does he evaluate his own progress?
He hasn't reached the goal yet! 12a, 13a
He's still pursuing it 12b, 13b-14
Paul recognizes that he hasn’t arrived at perfection
but he has his eyes on the goal and is progressing toward it.
He forgets the past-whether positive or negative
He stretches out to what still lies ahead
Christian testimony meetings-always the past
Front runner in a race
Ice skater–Janet Lynn– 1964 Olympics 1974 visit to Japan
For us, it doesn't matter what lies behind–whether good or bad–
We must forget the past, and stretch out for the goal still ahead.
Ill. –the track meet
WHAT’S THE GOAL?
The prize (which is)
The high calling of God (which is)
TO BE LIKE CHRIST!
Main idea: The most important goal for our life is to deepen our relationship with Christ, and to experience His life-transforming power daily.
To press on toward the goal, to win the prize.
The issue is NOT where we are in the race,
but whether we’re making progress in the race.
Are we closer to the goal now than we were a year ago?
Is our walk with God more intimate?
Have we experienced more of His life-transforming power this year than ever before?
PAUL'S EXHORTATION 3:15-21
Agree on this principle 3:15 (“we”–1st person)
If we're mature (perfect), this should be our attitude.
[3:1-14–goals and progressive purpose]
If we're not yet perfect (mature), God may still have to help us understand this.
This isn’t an easy concept to accept!
Walk on the level already reached 3:16 (“we”–1st person)
BUT-whatever level you have reached, at least live in agreement with that level!
No provision for degeneration
Imitate those who walk as he does 3:17-21 (“you”–2nd person)
Importance of role models 17
Carefully pick your models-then follow them.
There is a truth in the teaching that we aren't to focus on men.
Yet, we are to find people who will teach us how to focus on God!
Three Reasons:
1) Because many don't walk that way 3:18-19
Danger of turning back
Many people at Philippi deny the centrality of the cross and substitute a list of rules as the standard for living.
They are pursuing both doctrinal and practical error.
In spite of their legalistic codes, they don’t live that way.
What do these enemies of Christ look like?
How will I recognize an enemy?
[He's not talking about them critically-He's crying for them!]
They deny the cross and preach legalism. YET, . . .
Their God is their appetite (the belly)
They live to satisfy their own desires.
They live to feed themselves-to satisfy their own appetites
Self-satisfaction, pleasure,
They boast about the wrong things-things that should cause them shame.
They set their minds on earthly things-wrong perspective
Follow the world's philosophy and goals.
[ Second, we should imitate godly models, . . . ]
2) Because of our heavenly citizenship 3:20a
We're not to imitate earthlings!
We're not earthlings!
3) Because of our Lord's coming 3:20b-21
We're awaiting His deliverance
We're awaiting His transformation into a glorious form.
By imitating godly leaders, WE learn to stand firm. 4:1
That’s the way we are to pursue godliness–model our life after those who faithfully follow Him.
HOW SHOULD WE THEN LIVE?
WHAT GOALS SHOULD WE PURSUE?
Same goals mentioned at New Year’s.
We still have work to do!
1. To walk in a closer relationship with Him–to get to know Him better!
To spend more time with Him
–Talking to Him
–Listening to His voice
–Meditating on His Word
–Thinking about Him
2. To experience His life-transforming power
--power which only He can provide to enable us to live a transformed lifestyle.
The focus is not on externals, but on internal transformation.
Nevertheless, it can’t involve less than a lifestyle which pleases God.
That kind of life only comes from the power of the Spirit at work in us–NOT our efforts.
3. To press on toward the goal of becoming like Him. (Christlikeness)
–to win the prize, God’s heavenly calling.
The issue isn’t where we are in the race but, ARE WE MAKING FORWARD PROGRESS?
What is there in our life that God may want to change?
Let’s lay aside the past, whether good or bad.
Let’s press on toward the goal–straining every muscle, in order to win the prize.
Let’s seek to be like Him!