““I Press TowardI Press Toward The Mark” The Mark”

Philippians 3:12-16Philippians 3:12-16

Philippians 3:12-Philippians 3:12-1616 12 Not as though I had already attained, either

were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

Dissatisfaction Dissatisfaction

Verses 12-13aVerses 12-13a “not as though I had “not as though I had already attained (or made perfect)”already attained (or made perfect)”We are soldiers - 2 Tim. 2:3; Eph. 6:10-We are soldiers - 2 Tim. 2:3; Eph. 6:10-

1818Farmers - 2 Timothy 2:6Farmers - 2 Timothy 2:6

Job not done!Job not done! Revelation 3:1, 17; 1 Corinthians 10:10-12Revelation 3:1, 17; 1 Corinthians 10:10-12

Paul not yet finished - Verses 12-13aPaul not yet finished - Verses 12-13a

DevotionDevotion

Verse 13aVerse 13a “…but this one thing I “…but this one thing I do…”do…” We are athletes - Focus is necessary!We are athletes - Focus is necessary!

1 Corinthians 9:241 Corinthians 9:24 Nehemiah doing a Nehemiah doing a “great work”!“great work”!

Nehemiah 6:3Nehemiah 6:3 Paul was focused!Paul was focused!

Philippians 2:21; Galatians 2:20Philippians 2:21; Galatians 2:20Philippians 1:21-25Philippians 1:21-25

DirectionDirection Verse 13bVerse 13b “and reaching forward to “and reaching forward to

those things which are before.”those things which are before.” Can’t be controlled by the past.Can’t be controlled by the past.

1 Timothy 1:12-161 Timothy 1:12-16 Winners do not look back-Victories or Winners do not look back-Victories or

defeats.defeats. Must reach forward…cf. Hebrews Must reach forward…cf. Hebrews

12:1-212:1-2 Paul placed his sinful past in the hands Paul placed his sinful past in the hands

of his forgiving God…of his forgiving God… Hebrews 10:17Hebrews 10:17

DeterminationDetermination

Verse 14Verse 14 “I press toward the “I press toward the mark…”mark…”A runner is in a race, not out for a A runner is in a race, not out for a

walk!walk!The devil is to be fought! The devil is to be fought!

1 Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:10-121 Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:10-12Heaven is a place of rest.Heaven is a place of rest.

Revelation 14:13Revelation 14:13Called upward by the gospel…Called upward by the gospel…

2 Thessalonians 2:142 Thessalonians 2:14

DisciplineDiscipline Verses 15-16Verses 15-16 “Let us walk by the same “Let us walk by the same

rule.”rule.” Discipline is necessaryDiscipline is necessary! - ! - 1 Corinthians 9:25-271 Corinthians 9:25-27

We must learn to:We must learn to: Gird up the loins of our minds,Gird up the loins of our minds, Study to show ourselves approved,Study to show ourselves approved, Crucify the flesh with its passions and desires,Crucify the flesh with its passions and desires, Fight the good fight of faith, Fight the good fight of faith, Pray without ceasing…Pray without ceasing…If we plan on wearing an imperishable crown If we plan on wearing an imperishable crown

at the end of the race! (2 Timothy 2:5)at the end of the race! (2 Timothy 2:5)

Conclusion:Conclusion:

The The “crown of life” “crown of life” awaits those of us awaits those of us who follow the faithful example of who follow the faithful example of Paul.Paul.

“ “ 6For I am now ready to be offered, and For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. the time of my departure is at hand. 77 I I have fought a good fight, I have finished my have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: course, I have kept the faith: 88 Henceforth Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

Are You Pressing Are You Pressing Toward the Toward the

Mark?Mark?