“PRESSING ON” (Philippians 3:12-16) Speaker: Bruce Sloan Evangelism & Church Health Consultant Northwest Baptist Convention Vancouver, Washington

Charles Thomas (C.T.) Studd Born: December 2, 1860 Spratton, United Kingdom Died: July 16, 1931 Ibambi, Democratic Republic of the Congo Spouse: Priscilla Studd (m. 1888–1929) Books: The Chocolate Soldier, Christ's Etceteras

Famous Quotes – C.T. Studd "Some wish to live within the sound of Church or Chapel bell; I want to run a Rescue Shop within a yard of hell.“ "Gentlemen, God has called me to go, and I will go. I will blaze the trail, though my grave may only become a stepping stone that younger men may follow.“ (said prior to his departure to Central Africa in 1910)

Philippians 3:12-14 (ESV) 12 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. 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, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:15-16 (ESV) 15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

THE BIG IDEA The KEY question is: How can I press on in my daily PURSUIT of Jesus Christ? That is…am I resolving day by day to count Christ as my supreme treasure and count everything else as rubbish by comparison?

IN PURSUIT OF CHRIST But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ… (Philippians 3:7-8, ESV)

IN PURSUIT OF CHRIST 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:9-10, ESV)

IN PURSUIT OF CHRIST “If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ was not there?” --John Piper, God is the Gospel (Crossway, 2005), 15.

NO CONFIDENCE IN MY FLESH “…If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless…” (Philippians 3:4b-6, ESV)

NO CONFIDENCE IN MY FLESH For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. (Galatians 6:8-9)

FORGET MY FAILURES But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead… (Philippians 3:13b) Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilder-ness and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:18-19, ESV)

LOOK TO THE FUTURE But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead… (Philippians 3:13b) Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:1-2, NKJV)

LOOK TO THE FUTURE 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NIV)

ANSWER GOD’S CALL  I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14, ESV) Stephanie Wills – personal secretary of Billy Graham for over 40 years – “I knew this was where I belonged….working with Billy Graham and the BGEA!”

ANSWER GOD’S CALL I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2, NKJV)

NOW WHAT? What next step(s) can I take this morning that will launch me forward in my pursuit of Christ? Is there something from my past that I need to forget or someone to forgive? Have I answered God’s call to salvation in Christ? Have I answered God’s call to SERVE HIM and others?