Pressing On: The Journey of Knowing Christ
Summary
### Summary
In Philippians 3, Paul outlines his spiritual journey using three key verbs: "I count," "I press on," and "I look." He begins by warning the Philippians against the Judaizers, who insisted that Gentile converts must first become Jews and follow ceremonial laws before believing in Jesus. Paul counters this by listing his own impressive Jewish credentials—circumcised on the eighth day, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Pharisee, and zealous in persecuting the church. Yet, he considers all these achievements as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.
Paul's encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus transformed his understanding of righteousness. He realized that true righteousness comes not from the law but through faith in Christ. This new perspective led him to re-evaluate his life, moving all his former gains to the loss column. He emphasizes that knowing Christ is not just intellectual but relational and experiential. This relationship with Christ brings several benefits: a real righteousness from God, the power of the resurrection, fellowship in suffering, and the assurance of future resurrection.
Paul then shifts the metaphor from bookkeeping to athletics, urging believers to run the race of sanctification with determination and focus. He stresses the importance of having a sanctified dissatisfaction with one's current spiritual state, pressing on toward the goal of Christ-likeness, and maintaining a singular focus on this pursuit. Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, Paul encourages believers to keep their eyes on the prize—eternal life with Christ.
Finally, Paul reminds the Philippians that their true citizenship is in heaven. This heavenly perspective should motivate them to live faithfully, eagerly awaiting the return of Jesus, who will transform their lowly bodies to be like His glorious body. This hope of future transformation and eternal joy should inspire believers to live lives that reflect their heavenly citizenship.
### Key Takeaways
1. True Righteousness Comes Through Faith in Christ: Paul realized that all his religious achievements were worthless compared to the righteousness that comes from God through faith in Jesus. This righteousness is not earned by human effort but is a gift received through faith. This understanding should lead us to rely solely on Christ for our standing before God. [10:58]
2. Knowing Christ is Relational and Experiential: Paul speaks of knowing Christ not just intellectually but relationally and experientially. This deep, personal relationship with Jesus is the essence of eternal life. It involves daily communion with Him, experiencing His presence in every aspect of life. [12:45]
3. The Power of the Resurrection: Paul experienced the power of Christ's resurrection both in his salvation and in his daily walk. This power enables believers to live a new life, overcoming sin and living in obedience to God. It is the Holy Spirit's power that transforms us and helps us to live for Christ. [18:10]
4. Fellowship in Suffering: Suffering for Christ brings a unique fellowship with Him. In times of suffering, believers experience a deep partnership with Jesus, who is a sympathetic high priest. This fellowship provides comfort and strength, knowing that Christ walks with us through our trials. [19:39]
5. Heavenly Citizenship and Future Transformation: Believers are citizens of heaven, eagerly awaiting the return of Jesus. This heavenly perspective should motivate us to live faithfully, knowing that one day our lowly bodies will be transformed to be like His glorious body. This hope of future resurrection and eternal joy should inspire us to live lives that reflect our heavenly citizenship. [32:14]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[0:58] - Introduction to Philippians 3
[02:15] - Warning Against Judaizers
[03:13] - Paul's Jewish Credentials
[04:57] - Rituals and Racial Heritage
[06:19] - Paul's Accomplishments
[07:09] - Pharisee and Zeal
[09:11] - Encounter with Christ
[10:58] - True Righteousness Through Faith
[12:45] - Knowing Christ
[14:56] - Real Righteousness
[18:10] - Power of the Resurrection
[19:39] - Fellowship in Suffering
[21:01] - Assurance of Resurrection
[22:30] - Running the Race of Sanctification
[24:02] - Honest Assessment and Pressing On
[26:51] - Singular Focus
[28:15] - Forgetting the Past
[30:52] - Heavenly Citizenship
[32:14] - Eagerly Awaiting Christ's Return
[33:32] - Future Transformation
[35:13] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Philippians 3:4-14, 20-21
- John 17:3
- Romans 6:4-6
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the three key verbs Paul uses to describe his spiritual journey in Philippians 3? ([00:58])
2. How does Paul describe his Jewish credentials and why does he consider them as loss? ([03:13])
3. What does Paul mean by "the power of the resurrection" in his daily walk? ([18:10])
4. According to Paul, what is the ultimate goal for believers as they run the race of sanctification? ([22:30])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Paul’s understanding of righteousness change after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus? ([10:10])
2. What does it mean to have a "sanctified dissatisfaction" with one's current spiritual state, and why is it important? ([24:02])
3. How does Paul describe the relationship between suffering and fellowship with Christ? ([19:39])
4. What is the significance of believers' heavenly citizenship according to Paul, and how should it influence their daily lives? ([32:14])
#### Application Questions
1. Paul emphasizes that true righteousness comes through faith in Christ and not through human effort. How can you shift your focus from self-reliance to relying on Christ for your standing before God? ([10:58])
2. Reflect on your personal relationship with Jesus. How can you deepen this relationship to make it more relational and experiential rather than just intellectual? ([12:45])
3. Paul talks about experiencing the power of Christ's resurrection in his daily life. What specific areas in your life need the transformative power of the Holy Spirit? ([18:10])
4. Suffering for Christ brings a unique fellowship with Him. Can you recall a time when you experienced Christ's presence more deeply during a period of suffering? How did it impact your faith? ([19:39])
5. Paul urges believers to forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead. Is there something from your past that is hindering your spiritual growth? How can you let go of it and move forward? ([28:15])
6. Considering that our true citizenship is in heaven, how can this heavenly perspective motivate you to live more faithfully and eagerly await Christ's return? ([32:14])
7. Paul speaks of pressing on toward the goal of Christ-likeness. What practical steps can you take this week to pursue Christ-likeness in your daily life? ([22:30])
Devotional
Day 1: True Righteousness Through Faith in Christ
True righteousness is not achieved through human effort or religious accomplishments but is a gift from God received through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul, once proud of his Jewish heritage and religious zeal, came to understand that these achievements were worthless compared to the righteousness that comes from God. This righteousness is not something we can earn; it is granted to us through our faith in Jesus. This understanding should lead us to rely solely on Christ for our standing before God, recognizing that our own efforts are insufficient.
Paul's transformation began on the road to Damascus, where he encountered Jesus and realized that true righteousness is found in Him alone. This encounter shifted Paul's perspective, moving all his former gains to the loss column. He emphasizes that knowing Christ and being found in Him is of surpassing worth, far greater than any human achievement. This righteousness from God brings us into a right relationship with Him, allowing us to experience His grace and mercy. [10:58]
Romans 3:22-24 (ESV): "The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: What are some areas in your life where you have relied on your own efforts for righteousness? How can you shift your focus to rely solely on Christ's righteousness today?
Day 2: Knowing Christ is Relational and Experiential
Knowing Christ goes beyond intellectual understanding; it is a deep, personal, and experiential relationship. Paul speaks of knowing Christ in a way that involves daily communion and experiencing His presence in every aspect of life. This relationship is the essence of eternal life, where we walk with Jesus, share in His sufferings, and experience the power of His resurrection. It is through this intimate relationship that we grow in our faith and become more like Christ.
Paul's desire to know Christ was not just about gaining knowledge but about experiencing a transformative relationship. This involves spending time in prayer, reading the Scriptures, and being sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading. As we cultivate this relationship, we begin to see Christ's influence in our daily lives, guiding us, comforting us, and empowering us to live for Him. [12:45]
John 17:3 (ESV): "And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."
Reflection: How can you deepen your relationship with Christ today? What specific steps can you take to experience His presence more fully in your daily life?
Day 3: The Power of the Resurrection
The power of Christ's resurrection is not only a historical event but a present reality that transforms our lives. This power enables believers to live a new life, overcoming sin and living in obedience to God. It is the Holy Spirit's power that transforms us, helping us to live for Christ and experience victory over sin. Paul experienced this power both in his salvation and in his daily walk, and he encourages believers to tap into this same power.
The resurrection power is available to all who believe in Jesus, providing the strength and ability to live a life that honors God. This power is not something we can generate on our own; it is a gift from God that we receive through faith. As we rely on the Holy Spirit, we can experience transformation in our thoughts, actions, and attitudes, becoming more like Christ each day. [18:10]
Ephesians 1:19-20 (ESV): "And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to experience the power of Christ's resurrection? How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to transform those areas today?
Day 4: Fellowship in Suffering
Suffering for Christ brings a unique fellowship with Him, allowing believers to experience a deep partnership with Jesus, who is a sympathetic high priest. In times of suffering, we can find comfort and strength in knowing that Christ walks with us through our trials. This fellowship in suffering is not about seeking pain but about recognizing that in our struggles, we are drawn closer to Jesus and can experience His presence in a profound way.
Paul understood that suffering for Christ was a part of his journey and that it brought him into a closer relationship with Jesus. This fellowship in suffering provides believers with the assurance that they are not alone and that Christ understands their pain. It also serves as a reminder that our present sufferings are temporary and that we have the hope of future glory with Christ. [19:39]
2 Corinthians 1:5 (ESV): "For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too."
Reflection: How have you experienced Christ's presence in times of suffering? How can you find comfort and strength in knowing that Jesus walks with you through your trials?
Day 5: Heavenly Citizenship and Future Transformation
Believers are citizens of heaven, eagerly awaiting the return of Jesus. This heavenly perspective should motivate us to live faithfully, knowing that one day our lowly bodies will be transformed to be like His glorious body. This hope of future resurrection and eternal joy should inspire us to live lives that reflect our heavenly citizenship, focusing on eternal values rather than temporary earthly concerns.
Paul reminds the Philippians that their true citizenship is in heaven, and this perspective should shape their daily lives. As citizens of heaven, we are called to live in a way that honors God, eagerly anticipating the day when Christ will return and transform us completely. This hope gives us the strength to persevere through challenges and to live with purpose and intentionality. [32:14]
Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Reflection: How does your heavenly citizenship influence your daily decisions and actions? What changes can you make to live more faithfully in light of your future transformation and eternal joy with Christ?
Quotes
1. "Paul had spent his life burdened with trying to earn God's favor. All the work he invested thinking he was working his way into God's favor. But you see what this verse tells us? There's two types of righteousness. There's a righteousness according to the law, which is all of your human works, and it's no righteousness at all. But there's a righteousness that actually comes from God, and it's through faith in the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is where we find true righteousness." [16:35] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Imagine if one of you owned a little lot over here in Pine Hills, let's say it's a grassy lot with a lot of weeds, one of those residential corner lots, and someone from Naples came and said, you know what, I've got 10 acres on the beach in Naples. If you will just trade me for that little lot, you'd be a fool not to take that deal, wouldn't you? And yet that foolishness pales in comparison to someone who rejects Christ chasing the things of this world." [11:33] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Salvation involves a personal relationship or personal relational knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now that word gnosis in Greek thought, the seeds of Gnosticism were developing at that time. I see brother David Parker back there. I almost want to have him come up here and talk about that because he knows a lot more about that than I do. But that dualistic philosophy, there was a word gnosis that they used to speak of a, it was this dualistic philosophy and it spoke of a higher level of kind of a mystical understanding that one that would then have communion with the false deity. And Paul takes that Greek philosophical word and he imbues it with Christian truth and he is speaking of the true God." [13:37] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Paul knew he didn't have the power. Paul knew the law didn't have the power to bring obedience. He knew his flesh didn't have the power to bring obedience, but he says, now I am raised with Christ to walk in newness of life. Now through the Holy Spirit, guess what? I can obey God. I can live for him. I can serve him. And he is now walking in newness of life to defeat temptation, to lead a holy life, to press on. And so he's exchanged his impotence, working it out, keeping the law for the power of the Holy Spirit in his life to live for God." [18:10] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Isn't it true that when we are suffering the most, we most often at those times experience the deep abiding fellowship of the Lord? And he's a sympathetic high priest. He suffered like no one suffered when he came down to earth as a man. And to have fellowship in his sufferings, Paul of course was speaking of the sufferings that he endured by being faithful to the Lord and proclaiming the gospel. But broader than that, when a believer suffers, a believer has a partnership in Christ, and Christ is walking with us through that suffering." [19:39] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We live for Christ eagerly awaiting the Lord's return. Because of these promises, it ought to motivate us to live faithful lives. It ought to motivate us to live accountable lives, knowing that the Lord Jesus will return. Now, what will the Lord Jesus do when he returns? Remember, we're not awaiting an event. We're awaiting a person. Not an event, but a person. What will he do? It tells us right here. It says, but our citizenship is in heaven and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables will transform our lowly bodies." [33:32] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Paul the Apostle comes to say, I just chucked it all overboard. I consider it loss. The language here would be consistent with the language of a sailor at sea, throwing items overboard to lighten the load. He's met Christ. And then he begins to unfold what truly belongs in the prophet column in a man or a woman's life, what he has in Christ Jesus, the matchless benefits that he has in Christ Jesus, and all of his bookkeeping now changes." [12:09] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Paul says, I know I haven't gotten there yet. I know I haven't hit the tape, but I'm on track. I'm running after. We need to make an honest assessment as to the progress that we're making. You know, when Melissa and I were running after the resurrection of Christ, we had a PE coach, Glenn Rogers. He went on to be a Baptist minister, got saved. He attended an evangelism conference with my father, got called to the ministry. He's been preaching for 40 years." [24:02] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "We have a good future, folks, in Christ Jesus. And here he's saying, you know what? I'm going to keep on running. I'm going to keep on pressing forward until I receive the upward calling. Are you running after self-sanctification things? Press on. Turning now to jumping ahead to verse 20 and 21. What is going to motivate us? What is going to motivate us to faithfully run toward Christ's likeness? Well, I'm glad you asked because in verse 20 and 21, we have one of the wonderful answers to that." [30:52] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Paul had experienced the power of his resurrection in two respects. He had experienced that in salvation. It's the power of God that saves. It's not the power of Paul, not your power or my power. It's the power of God that saves. But you know, in Romans chapter 6, verses 4 through 6, Paul the apostle, speaking of being united to Christ in baptism, you know what he says? He says, raised to walk, what? In newness of life." [18:10] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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