Living The Jesus Life

This series is a part of our annual practice of spending time focusing on one book of the Bible. In this case, the study is of Philippians – the letter Paul wrote from a Roman prison to the church at Philippi, the first church Paul started in Eastern Europe (see Acts 16). The people at Philippi were facing the resistance of Rome but remained a vibrant community of faith.

Philippians is a letter that speaks to living life as a disciple of Jesus in 2023. That's why we've entitled the series, 'Living the Jesus Life'.

Today's focus is Philippians 3:12-21

Last week we examined Chapter 3:1-12 and Paul’s rather impressive trophy case from his past. Before he met Christ, you might have thought he had it all going for him.

But for Paul, all those things he used to count on- Things that he thought made him in right relationship with God- he now considers them like garbage.

Paul learned what we all must learn: Religion has no power to save anyone.

As we continue in our text today, Paul also wants his readers to understand- He is not putting himself on a pedestal as if he has checked all the boxes.

Quite the opposite. He makes it perfectly clear that he has not arrived, and he is not taking his eye off the prize.

Throughout chapter 3 Paul has been using his own life, his own story as a teaching example for his friends in Philippi. With all he had accomplished for the Lord, with all the suffering he had endured- it would be easy to imagine that he had just decided to take it easy. Nobody would blame him.

But far from taking it easy- He’s giving it all he’s got, like an Olympic runner in a race.

He has not arrived, he doesn’t feel like he’s made it to any superstar status, he is striving to fulfill his calling in loving and serving the Lord.

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind”

The Apostle boils it all down to ONE THING. That should speak volumes to us. Paul had gotten to witness enough track meets to know the truth that the Miracle Mile and John Landy proved in 1954

You cannot look back.

“Forgetting what is behind” meant no counting of past achievements, and not being burdened by past failures. Focus forward!

As necessary and true as it was for Paul, it is true for you and me.

We cannot live the life God has calls us too, we cannot lean into the future, and we cannot hope to win the prize, if we are stuck or chained down by the past.

The Jesus life Is not lived looking back.

“Straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

As much conscious effort and decision it takes to forget the past- it takes that much more to lean into the future that God has for you.

Paul likens himself to an athlete straining, stretching, pushing themselves to the absolute limit in competition. He is holding nothing back in pursuit of the prize

And it’s not a floral wreath, a trophy, or Nike endorsement that he’s straining for- It’s the realized hope of God’s redemption plan in Christ Jesus.

The hope of eternal life, of a new resurrection body, a new heaven, and a new earth, where the believer will be present with Jesus for all eternity.

The beautiful and compelling truth for us today: We are running for the same prize as Paul!

Why do we forget the past? Why do we give Jesus our absolute all? Because we are a people of hope, a people of promise. Paul is inviting his readers to look up! Don’t quit! There’s a prize ahead!

Question for you today: Is that the prize you are living for?
As you make decisions about school, work, relationships- is it with an eye on the prize of eternity? Or on the eye of security and pleasure?

When you make decisions about what to do with your money, which prize is in sight?

When you consider a conflict with someone close to you, which prize is in view?

For all the encouragement in this passage, he also issues a warning- a life lived with a worldly mindset, is destined for a different prize.

Paul has set up a clear contrast between those who focus on Christ and those who focus on earthly things.

A mind set on earthly things is governed by the pursuit of fleshly desires.

Without an eye on the Lord, we lose sight of righteousness and right living- we take pride and glory in things we should be ashamed of.

And the prize for living with a mind set on earthly things? Destruction. A far cry from the hope filled reality of life in Christ.

The importance of this matter to Paul and for his friends becomes clear as he doesn’t fail to warn them about running with a different focus.

How would you say your race going today?

Maybe you are running ok today- eye on the prize, leaning into the life God has called you to. We celebrate that today- Don’t quit! Don’t give up! Don't take your eye off the prize!

Perhaps you started out that way, but a few laps in, you aren’t so sure.
Maybe sin has tripped you up again.
Perhaps you have lost focus of why you are running this race in the first place.
Life has gotten in the way, and you feel alone and left out.
Maybe you imagine everyone else is running a better race than you, like it’s not even worth it-

Friend, will you hear the encouragement of our friend Paul today?
Don’t quit! Don’t lose focus! You might be down but it’s not over!
The prize is worth it! Finish the race!