Pressing On: The Pursuit of Knowing Christ
Summary
### Summary
In Philippians chapter 3, the Apostle Paul shares a deeply personal and transformative journey of faith. Before encountering Christ, Paul believed he had achieved the pinnacle of success through his own efforts and adherence to the law. However, after meeting Christ, he realized that all his previous accomplishments were insignificant compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus. This passage reveals a profound paradox: while Paul has attained a relationship with Christ, he continuously yearns for more of Him. This tension between knowing Christ and desiring more of Him is a central theme in the Christian walk.
Paul's humility is evident as he acknowledges that he has not yet achieved his ultimate goal, the resurrection of the dead, but he presses on, driven by the calling and empowerment of Christ. This relentless pursuit is likened to an athlete striving for a prize, emphasizing the need for self-control, discipline, and endurance in the Christian life. Paul encourages believers to forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead, focusing on the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
The sermon challenges us to evaluate our own walk with God, asking why Christ took hold of us and what He has called us to do. It highlights the importance of living a life that reflects the surpassing value of knowing Christ, rejecting the temporary and hollow promises of the world. The Christian life requires effort, self-control, and a constant pursuit of Christ, driven by the grace and power that He provides.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Paradox of Knowing Christ: The more we know Christ, the more we realize our need for Him and desire to know Him more. This tension is a beautiful movement in our walk with Christ, driving us to seek deeper intimacy and understanding. [01:34]
2. Humility and Spiritual Growth: Paul's humility before God is a model for us. Despite his past achievements, he recognizes that he has not yet attained his ultimate goal. This humility opens the door to spiritual growth and maturity, as we continually strive to become more like Christ. [09:26]
3. The Call to Endurance: The Christian life is likened to an athletic race, requiring self-control, discipline, and endurance. We are called to press on toward the goal, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, driven by the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. [12:32]
4. The Power of Forgetting: Forgetting the past, both our achievements and our sins, is an act of grace that allows us to run forward with Christ. This freedom from the past enables us to focus on the present and future, living out our calling with purpose and determination. [26:54]
5. The Upward Call: Every believer is called by God to a divine embrace and a heavenly feast. This call is an invitation to a deeper relationship with Christ and a life of purpose and meaning, empowered by His grace and driven by the desire to know Him more. [37:09]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:34] - The Paradox of Knowing Christ
[03:10] - Human Standards vs. Christ's Standards
[04:46] - Driven to Christ for Mercy
[06:15] - Hopeful Anticipation in Christ
[07:49] - Pressing On Toward the Goal
[09:26] - Paul's Humility and Spiritual Growth
[10:59] - Evaluating Our Walk with God
[12:32] - The Athletic Imagery of Faith
[13:57] - The Call to Endurance
[15:30] - The Surpassing Worth of Knowing Christ
[17:01] - Paul's Calling and Mission
[18:43] - Taking Hold of Our Calling
[20:18] - The Importance of Our Identity in Christ
[22:00] - The Powers of This World vs. Christ
[23:42] - The Simplicity of Following Christ
[25:17] - The Completeness of Our Salvation
[26:54] - The Power of Forgetting
[28:45] - Running the Race with Endurance
[30:40] - The Imperishable Prize
[32:18] - The Promise to Overcomers
[34:01] - The Rhythms of the Christian Life
[35:33] - Reordering Our Passions
[37:09] - The Upward Call
[38:43] - Living Up to What We Have Attained
[40:20] - The Story of Reepicheep
[41:47] - Final Encouragement and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Philippians 3:12-14 (ESV): "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. 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, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean when he says he has not yet "obtained this" or is "already perfect"? ([07:49])
2. How does Paul describe his past achievements before knowing Christ, and how does he view them now? ([03:10])
3. What imagery does Paul use to describe the Christian life, and what does this imagery signify? ([12:32])
4. According to Paul, what is the "one thing" he does to move forward in his faith? ([23:42])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the need to forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead? How does this apply to both past achievements and past sins? ([26:54])
2. How does Paul's humility before God contribute to his spiritual growth and maturity? ([09:26])
3. What does Paul mean by the "upward call of God in Christ Jesus," and how does this call impact a believer's life? ([37:09])
4. How does the paradox of knowing Christ and desiring more of Him manifest in a believer's daily walk with God? ([01:34])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: What past achievements or failures do you need to forget in order to move forward with Christ? How can you practice this act of grace in your daily life? ([26:54])
2. In what ways can you cultivate humility in your walk with God, following Paul's example? Are there specific areas where pride might be hindering your spiritual growth? ([09:26])
3. How can you incorporate the discipline and endurance of an athlete into your spiritual practices? What specific steps can you take to "press on toward the goal"? ([12:32])
4. Consider the "upward call" in your own life: What do you believe Christ has taken hold of you for? How can you actively pursue this calling with purpose and determination? ([37:09])
5. How can you create a sense of hopeful anticipation in your relationship with Christ? What practices or habits can help you stay focused on the surpassing worth of knowing Him? ([06:15])
6. Identify one area in your life where you feel the tension between knowing Christ and desiring more of Him. How can you seek deeper intimacy and understanding in this area? ([01:34])
7. What are some practical ways you can reorder your passions and desires to align more closely with the things of Jesus Christ? ([35:33])
Devotional
Day 1: The Paradox of Knowing Christ
The journey of knowing Christ is a paradoxical one. The more we come to know Him, the more we realize our need for Him and our desire to know Him more deeply. This tension is not a sign of spiritual deficiency but a beautiful movement in our walk with Christ. It drives us to seek deeper intimacy and understanding, continually drawing us closer to Him. This ongoing pursuit is a hallmark of a vibrant and growing faith. [01:34]
Philippians 3:10-11 (ESV): "That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead."
Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally seek to know Christ more deeply this week? Consider setting aside specific times for prayer, Bible study, or worship to cultivate this deeper relationship.
Day 2: Humility and Spiritual Growth
Paul's humility before God is a powerful model for us. Despite his significant past achievements, he recognizes that he has not yet attained his ultimate goal. This humility is not about self-deprecation but about acknowledging our ongoing need for growth and transformation. It opens the door to spiritual maturity, as we continually strive to become more like Christ. Embracing humility allows us to be teachable and receptive to God's work in our lives, fostering an environment where spiritual growth can flourish. [09:26]
James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you may need to embrace humility. How can you invite God to help you grow in this area and become more like Christ?
Day 3: The Call to Endurance
The Christian life is often likened to an athletic race, requiring self-control, discipline, and endurance. We are called to press on toward the goal, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. This imagery emphasizes the need for perseverance and determination in our faith journey. Just as an athlete trains rigorously to achieve their goal, we too must cultivate spiritual disciplines and rely on God's strength to endure the challenges we face. This relentless pursuit is driven by the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. [12:32]
Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith."
Reflection: What are some practical steps you can take to build spiritual endurance in your life? Consider identifying specific habits or disciplines that can help you stay focused on your faith journey.
Day 4: The Power of Forgetting
Forgetting the past, both our achievements and our sins, is an act of grace that allows us to run forward with Christ. This freedom from the past enables us to focus on the present and future, living out our calling with purpose and determination. By letting go of what lies behind, we can fully embrace the new life and opportunities that God has for us. This act of forgetting is not about ignoring our past but about not letting it define or hinder our progress in Christ. [26:54]
Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Reflection: Is there something from your past that you need to let go of to move forward with Christ? Ask God to help you release it and embrace the new things He is doing in your life.
Day 5: The Upward Call
Every believer is called by God to a divine embrace and a heavenly feast. This call is an invitation to a deeper relationship with Christ and a life of purpose and meaning. It is empowered by His grace and driven by the desire to know Him more. This upward call is not just about our final destination in heaven but about living a life that reflects the surpassing value of knowing Christ here and now. It challenges us to reorder our passions and priorities in alignment with God's will. [37:09]
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 can you respond to God's upward call in your daily life? Consider specific ways you can align your passions and priorities with His will and seek a deeper relationship with Christ.
Quotes
1. "But now because of Christ, what he's going to reveal to us in this passage is that he believes that he has attained something, but then there is still within him this profound and continuous need for more of Christ. It's this incredible tension inside of what he reveals to us in this passage, and the way that you and I live as we follow Jesus Christ. It's this powerful and profound paradox within our lives that we know Christ and we have been saved. We have attained a certain life in Jesus Christ. But the more that we know that, the more we want of it, the more we realize that there is to live in and to know." [01:34] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So we see in what Paul is writing to us, and we see often inside of our own lives, that without Jesus Christ, we can so easily fall into the trap of working for our own sense of success or meaning or accomplishment or identity. We go through this life seeing things that are important to us, seeing people that we think have achieved what we want or gotten to where we want to go. We see this life and we go, well, wouldn't it be great if I could get to that level, if I could have that kind of life? And so we tend to cobble together our own sense of meaning." [03:10] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Paul was never just saved from his sins. He was saved for a calling that's higher than he could have ever imagined before Jesus. Does that describe us? Does that describe you this morning? Does that attract us this morning about Jesus Christ? So in our passage today, a couple of things that are going to help us hold this together. First of all, Paul has not yet attained what he was called to do. He repeats this twice. The first two verses in our passage today, actually have a very similar pattern. And he says it twice. He says it once in verse 12 and once in verse 13. I haven't yet achieved what I was called to do. I haven't yet attained it." [06:15] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Paul's humility stands out in this passage of scripture, especially in relationship to all of the boasting that he used to do. All you have to do is go back to verse four. As he describes his previous life, and he said, look, if any man thought he had reason to boast, I had more. If any Pharisee thought they had done it right that day, I had done it better than they had. If they thought they had memorized more scripture, I memorized more than they did. He had all this reason for pride, for boasting. Now his humility comes to the forefront. He says, Christ has gotten a hold of me. All of that is a loss. And now there's a calling that is so high that I know I cannot attain it unless God does it through me." [09:26] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. It's a beautiful way of hearing what the apostle Paul says. He says, listen, I was a sinner. I was literally on the way to make life difficult for Christians and Christ got a hold of me. And it's not just that he pulled me into himself, saved me of my sins, made me his son, but he's taken hold of me so that now I can take hold of something that is important to him. That now I can strive and press on to make it my own. I'm going to take hold of this son to do what he's called me and built me and made me to do." [18:43] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Friends, God saved you and God empowered you to be an active part of building his kingdom. Whatever set of gifts and whatever set of priorities, wherever it is, God has put you in life. He has saved you. He's taken hold of you and he's empowered you so that you now can take hold of that for which he took hold of you so that you and I can now be valuable and productive parts of building the kingdom of God, wherever we are in life, whatever Christ has placed in your hand to do, whatever is in your heart to do, we've been called to do it for the glory of God." [20:18] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "The powerful simplicity of the baseline, the foundation of my relationship with Jesus Christ. The one thing I do is I put all of that behind me. I turn my eyes toward Jesus Christ. That, friends, if you've done nothing else, this is what you need to do. Lay all that aside, put all that behind, forgive, forget, strain forward to get to know Jesus Christ. I don't need to have Paul's kind of life to see this way. On one level, we might read a passage of scripture like this and we think, well, the apostle Paul is a very energetic, very dynamic man. He's probably very hard to keep up with. That's why he's got a team of people who try to keep up with him." [23:42] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "I know Christ. But friends, there is so much more about him to know in our lives. For example, friends, if you don't know the word of God this way, I want to encourage you. There is so much, so much to the word of God. It does not matter how many times you've read it. Same passage, the same thought. It doesn't matter how many times you've heard the same verses over and over again. I guarantee you, if you take this thing seriously and you deal with it prayerfully and you deal with it in the presence of God's Holy Spirit and in the presence of the body of Christ and a faithful church, it will never cease to amaze you. So read it again. Read it more. Spend time in the word of God." [25:17] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Paul says, we forget while we run. The writer of Hebrews says something very similar, chapter 12, verse 1. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us, with endurance, the race that is set before us. Heavenly Father, I want to pray right now for everyone who hears this, who feels weighed down, who feels broken, who feels incomplete, who feels insecure because of their past, who feels as if their past does nothing but wait for them when they wake up in the morning. Their past does nothing but sit on their shoulders like a backpack. They can never take off." [28:45] (61 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Friends, we recognize that the Christian life requires effort. It just does. We don't work to receive God's favor. We receive his love and forgiveness, and then we strive to live the life that he makes available to us. To take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. So we run so as to attain it. In the book of Revelation, Jesus writes seven letters to seven churches in Revelations chapter 2 and 3. And at the end of every one of those letters, Christ gives some version of, to those who overcome, I will give. To those who conquer, I will give. To those who conquer, I will give. And here's one of those moments in Revelation 3, verses 20 through 22." [32:18] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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