Pursuing the Prize Philippians 3:12-16

Pursuing the Prize   Paul used 1 st Century images to illustrate specific truths about the Christian life   Military images (Eph. 6:10-17)   Agricultural images (1 Cor. 3:6-9)   Architectural images (Eph. 2:20-22)   Athletic images (Phil 3:12-16)

Pursuing the Prize   Paul gloried in Christ without fleshly confidence (Phil. 3:1-3)   Paul listed seven things that had been a “profit” to him (Phil. 3:4-6)   Paul counted these fleshly things “loss” for what he could “gain” in Christ (Phil. 3:7-11)   Paul wanted all to know that his change was the start, not the finish, of a new life in Christ (Phil. 3:12-16)

Pursuing the Prize Four principles essential to the pursuit…   Personal dissatisfaction   Steadfast determination   Focused devotion   Consistent discipline

Pursuing the Prize Personal dissatisfaction (3:12a, 13a)   Paul reveals, that after 30 years, he had not crossed the finish line, but was still in pursuit of it – “Not that I have already…”   Paul chose not to be self-satisfied and content to remain where he was spiritually   Pursuing the prize requires that you accept the need to continue to grow and mature (Heb. 6:1; 2 Pet. 1:5; 3:18)

Pursuing the Prize Steadfast determination (3:12b, 14a)   Paul reveals the importance of an energetic running style – “I press on”   Paul chose to run with all his might in the pursuit   Pursuing the prize requires that you put forth all your effort (Lk. 13:24; Rom. 12:11; 2 Tim. 2:15)

Pursuing the Prize Focused devotion (3:13)   Paul reveals his deliberate concentration on “one thing” – “the goal” – “the prize” – “the high (upward) calling”   Paul chose to forget what was “behind” and stretch forward to what was “before”   Pursuing the prize requires that you focus on what is ahead, not behind (Col. 2:18; 3:1-2; Heb. 11:14-16; 12:1-2)

Pursuing the Prize Consistent discipline (3:15-16)   Paul reveals the importance following the same standard – “same rule let us walk”   Paul chose to follow the same rules   Pursuing the prize requires that you keeping running by the same rules (truths) that have brought you thus far in your pursuit (1 Cor. 9:25-26; 2 Tim. 2:5; 4:6-8)

Pursuing the Prize Four principles essential to the pursuit…   Dissatisfaction – moving forward or standing still?   Determination – working hard or lazy?   Devotion – focused or distracted?   Discipline – following the same standard or changing rules of the race?