STUDYING THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS #11

Philippians 3:13-14

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. The text for our lesson is Phil. 3:13-14.
      1. In this text, Paul reveals his successful philosophy of     
         life.
         a. In these verses, we have an insight as to what made the
            apostle Paul what he was.
      2. Paul is a worthy example. 1 Cor. 11:1; Phil. 4:9
      3. He lived a successful life. 2 Tim. 4:7-8
   B. God wants every Christian to succeed in reaching the goal of
      eternal life.
      1. He gave us a concise formula for success in out text. 

I. "BRETHREN" IS THE WAY HE BEGAN.
   A. The first thing to be considered in being successful in        
      obtaining heaven is whether or not one is a Christian.
      1. There is no success in spiritual things otherwise.
   B. Paul was a Christian. Acts 22:16 These Philippians were his
      brethren in the Lord. 
      1. Can you really be called a "brother" in Christ?
      2. If not, why not obey the gospel and become His child. Gal.
         3:26-27

II. DEVELOP A PROPER ATTITUDE -- "I COUNT NOT MYSELF TO HAVE         
   APPREHENDED."
   A. "Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it    
      yet." (NASV)
      1. This destroys the denominational idea of the "eternal       
         security of the believer."
      2. Paul hadn't yet obtained his ultimate goal when he wrote
         these things.
      3. Although he was truly a great man, he was still aware of his
         own weaknesses. 1 Cor. 9:27
   B. We can't think of ourselves of having made it yet.
      1. If we think we have already arrived, we may lose our
         diligence and perseverance.
      2. There is still lots of work to do.
         a. There are still a lot of lost souls in this world. John  
            4:35
      3. There is always room for growth in all of us.
         a. Let's never lose our desire to grow and improve. 1 Pet
            2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18

III. SET WORTHWHILE GOALS -- "BUT THIS ONE THING I DO."
   A. We need short-range goals.
      1. We need specific, attainable goals that can be reached in a
         given period of time.
         a. Read and study the Bible every day for a month.
         b. Determine to pray more.
         c. Share the gospel with at least one person each week.
         d. Increase our contribution by at least a little.
         e. Plan to attend a gospel meeting of a neighboring
            congregation.
   B. We also need long-range goals.
         a. Read through the Bible in a year.
         b. Read a good spiritual book.
         c. Memorize a set number of verses.
         d. Teach a Bible class.
   C. Much time, thought, and prayer need to go into setting         
      objectives for ourselves.
      1. Paul said, "This one thing I do."
         a. In order to be successful in obtaining our goal, we need
            to concentrate our efforts and keep our goal sharply in
            focus.
         b. We must diligently pursue our goal. Luke 13:24
         c. A multiplicity of interests will divert us from the      
            victory. Col. 3:2; 1 Pet. 1:13

IV. FORGET THE PAST -- "FORGETTING THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE BEHIND."
   A. Some things Paul forgot.
      1. Paul forgot his ancestors when they stood in the way of
         following Christ.
      2. He forgot the religion of his people when he found it was
         wrong.
      3. He forgot past accomplishments, lest he become satisfied
         with what he had done.
      4. He forgot past injuries, and they were many. 
      5. He forgot mistakes of the past.
         a. If we continually dwell on past mistakes, we will
            become discouraged.
         b. We all make mistakes and sin, and we must repent and
            keep pressing on.
      6. Paul forgot past defeats.
         a. If we dwell on past defeats, we can become
            discouraged.
         b. Past failures should never hinder us from pressing
            toward our goal.
   B. Paul counted all things as loss that he might gain Christ.     
      Phil. 3:4-8

V. PRESS FORWARD -- "AND REACHING FORTH TO THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE    
   BEFORE."
   A. "Reaching" is a strong term which describes a runner who
      "stretches forth."
      1. Success is not behind, but forward.
   B. Paul reached for:
      1. Maturity. Compare Heb. 5:14 and 6:1. "Full age" and
         "perfection" are from the same word in the original Greek.
      2. The maintaining of the right relationship to Christ. Phil.  
         3:9 -- "Found in him."
      3. A deeper knowledge of Christ. Phil. 3:10
      4. Attaining to the resurrection of the dead. Phil. 3:11

VI. KEEP OUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT -- "I PRESS TOWARD THE MARK..."
   A. Victory comes to those who know what their mark or goal is.
      1. They know what the whole duty and purpose of man is. Eccl.
         12:13-14
      2. They know they serve a faithful creator who will give what
         He has promised. 1 Pet. 4:13; Heb. 10:23
      3. They know that their labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1    
         Cor. 15:58
   B. Victory comes to those who press toward their goal. The word
      "press" is the same word as "pursue."
      1. This involves pursuing holiness. Heb. 12:14 Purity in heart
         and life. This involves discipline of ourselves.
      2. It involves service. We are disciples who follow our master.
         This involves works, obedience to the Lord. Heb. 5:9

VII. "I PRESS TOWARD THE MARK FOR THE PRIZE OF THE HIGH CALLING OF   
   GOD IN CHRIST JESUS."
   A. What is this prize?
      1. The prize is the crown of glory. 1 Pet. 5:4
      2. It is the crown of life. James 1:12
      3. It is an inheritance that is incorruptible and undefiled. 1 
         Pet. 1:4-5
   B. Notice that this is the purpose for which God has called us.
      1. "I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which
         God called me through Christ to the life above." NCV
      2. "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God
         has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." NIV
      3. God's whole design or purpose in dealing with mankind is
         that some might be glorified in the end. Rom. 8:29-30
         a. God in His infinite wisdom knew before He made the
            world there would be a few faithful individuals who
            would diligently seek Him, and He provided the means
            to bring them to glory.

Concl.
   A. Remember, Paul said, "This one thing I do."
      1. To be successful in receiving the prize, we must have this
         kind of concentration.
      2. We need "singleness of heart" (Acts 2:46), and "purpose of
         heart" (Acts 11:23) in obtaining our goal.
   B. With this kind of concentration, Paul could:
      1. Forget the sins and failures that God had forgiven and
         forgotten. So can we.
      2. He could reach forward to the things ahead. We, too, have
         great future possibilities of positive Christian living.
   C. This practical philosophy of life gives one an abundant life,  
      and the hope of a joyful reception of the prize of eternal     
      life.