Paul’s Progress in the Gospel: Through Christ, Not the Law (Phil. 3:12-16)

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Paul’s Progress in the Gospel: Through Christ, Not the Law (Phil. 3:12-16)

Prepared and preached by Pastor Steve Rhodes for and at Bethel Friends Church in Poland, OH on October 1, 2023

Reggie Jackson was a baseball player known as “Mr. October.” He got his nickname because he was known to shine when his team played in the postseason playoffs. Reggie would come up to bat, and the ball was going over somebody’s fence. Reggie Jackson said once in an interview that he lived for the postseason because that is when he would shine. But Reggie Jackson, in order to get to the postseason, had to get through the regular season. His secret to shining in the regular season was to keep his eye on October. God is looking for some Mr. and Mrs. Octobers—people with their eyes on eternity who faithfully play the regular season because they’re looking forward to postseason glory.[1]

We are continuing our trek through Philippians. In today’s passage we see Paul’s eternal focus. We also see his focus on becoming like Christ.

My theme today is:

Paul’s Progress in the Gospel: Through Christ, Not the Law (Phil. 3:12-16)

  1. Paul is not yet there but pressing on (Phil. 3:12-14).
    1. 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.
    2. Okay, how did we get here?
    3. We are over halfway through Philippians.
    4. In Philippians 3:2-11, Paul was warning them about people who were trusting in their righteousness. They were trusting in the Old Testament law.
    5. These were likely a group called “Judaizers.” This group thought that gentile converts needed to keep the Old Testament law.
    6. Paul then wrote about how he has many more reasons to boast in his own righteousness. Paul wrote about all of his achievements. Paul said that he counts them all as waste. He counts all his human achievements as waste in order that he may gain Christ. He can’t gain Christ from those human accomplishments.
    7. At the end of the section of Phil. 3:2-11 Paul expanded on wanting to know Christ and how deeply he wants to know Christ.
    8. He wants to know Christ even by participating in His sufferings and attaining the resurrection from the dead (Phil. 3:11). This brings conformity to Jesus’s death through refining obedience, and a believer will attain the resurrection.
    9. Paul is eager to attain the resurrection, but that whole section is about how he really wants to know Christ and be conformed to His Image.
    10. That leads to Phil. 3:12-14.
    11. In Phil. 3:12 he writes: 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.
    12. He has not already attained this… He has not attained the resurrection. We know that he has not died yet. He has not attained sharing in Christ’s sufferings and becoming like Him in His death.
    13. Against his legalistic opponents who claimed perfection, Paul denied that he had already become perfect (v. 12) or laid hold of the prize (v. 13).[2]
    14. Steven Lawson shared: ‘“this” or ‘it’ refers back to the Christian life, the knowledge of Christ (Phil. 3:10), the full conformity to Christ’s death. Paul knew that he had not arrived.
    15. Further, the closer you are to Christ, the more you realize you have not arrived.”[3]
    16. Do you think about that? As we grow in Christ, we realize how much growing we still need?
    17. In the book, “Pastors and Critics” the author, Joel Beeke, quotes Spurgeon: “Brother, if any man thinks ill of you, do not be angry with him; for you are worse than he thinks you to be. If he charges you falsely on some point, yet be satisfied, for if he knew you better he might change the accusation, and you would be no gainer by the correction. If you have your moral portrait painted and it is ugly, be satisfied; for it only needs a few blacker touches and it would be still nearer the truth.”[4]
    18. Then, in the endnote, there is another quote: “Charles Simeon said similarly, ‘My enemy, whatever evil he says of me, does not reduce me so low as he would if he knew all concerning me that God does.’”[5]
    19. We have too high a view of ourselves. However, as we grow in Christ, as we become more like Him, we realize that we are not there yet.
    20. So, here Paul is saying that he is not there yet. He does not know Christ like he wants to. He has not been conformed to Him. He is growing in Christ. He knows Christ, but he is not where he wants to be.
    21. Paul says that he has not been made perfect. He means perfect in Christ.
    22. But he presses on…
    23. We will see that word come up again in verse 13.
    24. Look at the rest of verse 12 (Phil. 3:12).
    25. He presses on to make it his own because Christ Jesus has made him His own.
    26. He belongs to Christ.
    27. If you know Christ, you belong to Christ. But he wants to make the Christian life his own. He wants to make knowing Jesus, the sufferings of Jesus, the death of Jesus, and the resurrection of Jesus his own.
    28. But what is he referring to? The context makes it clear, but I think he refers to spiritual growth. Others think he is referring to the resurrection.
    29. How will he do this?
    30. Now, verses 13-14: 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.
    31. He is telling us about his growth plan, or part of it.
    32. “Brothers” could be translated as “brothers and sisters.”
    33. He repeats that he has not made it his own yet. He is saved, but he is still growing.
    34. He forgets the past to strain forward.
    35. This is like a runner reaching for a baton or the finish line.
    36. What is the past that he forgets? It is what he mentioned in verses 4-6 of this same chapter. He is forgetting his achievements within Judaism. They could not save him or make him righteous.
    37. This is about progress, not perfection.
    38. Swindoll shares: I was reading to Cynthia [his wife] from Sports Illustrated about a ninety-year-old basketball scout that still does work for the Detroit Pistons. That’s right—the man is ninety years old! He still gets on a plane, checks those prospects out, and brings back a reliable report. I love it! He said he flew past sixty-two without even a thought of retirement. Strong determination.
    39. I read somewhere, “We wonder at the anatomical perfection of a da Vinci painting. But we forget that Leonardo da Vinci on one occasion drew a thousand hands.” Leonardo possessed that same strong determination Paul modeled in Rome. Thomas Edison came up with the modern light bulb after a thousand failed attempts. By the man’s own admission, it was mainly strong determination that gave the incandescent light to the world, not an inventor’s creative genius.
    40. But we’re not talking about college athletes or persistent, brilliant inventors. We’re talking about being a determined servant of Christ. There’s no easy route to spiritual maturity. It doesn’t happen overnight. Remember, it’s a grueling journey at times. So, don’t bother to publish a pamphlet on all the obstacles you face. Don’t become famous for complaining. The apostle says, “Forget the past; reach for the tape. Keep running.” Develop and maintain an attitude of strong determination.[6]
    41. Then, in verse 14, he writes again that he presses on. He is pressing for the prize. What is the prize? It is the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. The prize is knowing Jesus. The prize is the call of Jesus on his life. The prize is eternal life with Jesus, but I think it is also a deeper life with Jesus now.
    42. The verb “press on” is in the present tense. It is a continual, habitual life, every moment of every day.
    43. Lawson shares: It is NOT a momentary fleeting desire. It is a lifestyle. This is also in the active voice. This means he takes responsibility. It is not just waiting for God to do it.
    44. This verb means to run swiftly in order to catch another person. It is like in track trying to catch another person.
    45. Toward the goal- the preposition “toward” means to bear down. Paul is not shuffling his feet.
    46. The goal is to know Christ more intimately.
    47. The prize is at the finish line.
    48. As we focus on the prize, we are pulled like a magnet.
    49. The prize is the “upward” call of God.
    50. God causes or allows all things in our life, and we cannot let it slow us down. Don’t be content with where we are.[7]
    51. MacArthur: The Gr. word was used of a sprinter, and refers to aggressive, energetic action. Paul pursued sanctification with all his might, straining every spiritual muscle to win the prize (1Co 9:24–27; 1Ti 6:12; Heb 12:1).[8]
    52. Now, let’s transition to his message for others.
  2. Paul’s message for the mature (Phil. 3:15-16).
    1. Philippians 3:15–16 (ESV): 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
    2. Notice he writes about the mature. He does consider himself within the mature group. He has not achieved where he wants to be, but he is a mature believer.
    3. So, he directs mature believers to “this” way. What is “this” way?
    4. It is what he was writing about.
    5. We all need to think about pressing on in the Christian life.
    6. We all must think about forgetting the past. What is the past that we forget? He was referring to verses 3-6. Like Paul, we must forget the human accomplishments we thought would save us. They won’t save us.
    7. Like Paul, we forget and press on to know Christ more intimately. That means being conformed to Him. We must think that way.
    8. Now, why would he write this?
    9. Partly because that is how much he loves Jesus.
    10. Additionally, he was concerned about those trying to make them rely on their human achievements for salvation. Remember, in verse 2 (Phil. 3:2), he warned them about this group.
    11. Paul does make an exception. If you think otherwise, God will reveal that to you. So, he is leaving this for them to seek the Lord about.
    12. MacArthur: Paul left in God’s hands those who were not pursuing spiritual perfection. He knew God would reveal the truth to them eventually, even if it meant chastening (Heb 12:5–11).[9]
    13. Now, verse 16 (Phil. 3:16): “Only,” which means this is really important. Hold true to what we have attained.
    14. Let’s not go backward in the Christian life. Hold on to your spiritual growth. Hold on to the higher levels of obedience.
    15. MacArthur: The Gr. word for “living” refers to walking in line. Paul’s directive for the Philippian believers was to stay in line spiritually and keep progressing in sanctification by the same principles that had brought them to this point in their spiritual growth (cf. 1Th 3:10; 1Pe 2:2).[10]
  • Applications:
    1. Like Paul, do we realize that we have not been fully conformed to Christ (Phil. 3:12)?
    2. Do we realize that we have more growth ahead of us?
    3. Is God exposing new things we have to work on in our life?
    4. Is it that anger?
    5. Is it the anxious thoughts?
    6. Is it fear? Maybe we cannot trust God with our children or grandchildren. Suppose one of your children feels called to serve the Lord in Iran as a missionary? Or maybe China? Or maybe Russia? Or maybe North Korea? Can we trust Christ with our children and grandchildren? Trusting Christ is part of discipleship.
    7. Are we spiritually content with where we are, or are we eager to grow (Phil. 3:12-14)?
    8. What accomplishments have we or do we think of as earning our righteousness? We need to forget about those (Phil. 3:13).
    9. What new habits are we developing to help us grow in Christ?
    10. How do we hear from God?
    11. Are we fasting?
    12. Are we in the Word?
    13. Are we with the church family in small groups, Sunday School, Bible study?
    14. Celebrate Recovery will help. If we have trouble trusting God, really trusting God, Celebrate Recovery can help. If we have trouble with anger, even occasional, Celebrate Recovery can help.
    15. How are we growing in Christ?
    16. How are we pressing on?
    17. I encourage us to pray about these questions this week.

Prayer

[1] Tony Evans, Tony Evans’ Book of Illustrations: Stories, Quotes, and Anecdotes from More than 30 Years of Preaching and Public Speaking (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2009), 86–87.

[2] Gerald W. Peterman, “Philippians,” in The Moody Bible Commentary, ed. Michael A. Rydelnik and Michael Vanlaningham (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2014), 1863.

[3] Steven Lawson; Renewing Your Mind; 10.22.2022

[4] Beeke, Joel R.; Thompson, Nicholas J.. Pastors and Their Critics: A Guide to Coping with Criticism in the Ministry (p. 53). P&R Publishing. Kindle Edition.

[5] Ibid., 61.

[6] Taken from Great Days with the Great Lives by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2005 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. www.thomasnelson.com. https://www.insight.org/resources/daily-devotional/individual/an-attitude-of-strong-determination1

[7] Steven Lawson; Renewing Your Mind; 10.22.2022

[8] John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), Php 3:12.

[9] John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), Php 3:15.

[10] John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), Php 3:16.

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