THE CHRISTIAN'S GOAL - Phil 3:12-16
I. Introduction
A. It is important that we understand this passage particularly the word perfect which is used twice.
1. It is rendered perfect in verse 12 and in verse 15.
2. The Greek word teleios has a variety of related meanings.
3. It does not signify sinless or abstract perfection but a kind of functional perfection - functional in the sense of adequacy for some given purpose.
4. It means full grown in contradistinction to undeveloped, a full grown man as opposed to an undeveloped adolescent
B. It is used of mature in mind and refers to one who is qualified in a subject as opposed to a mere learner.
1. In the days of the early church it was used to describe martyrs.
2. A martyr was said to have been perfected by the sword and the day of his death was spoken of as the day of his perfecting.
II. The Christian's Goal (12)
A. So the Christian goal is perfection or complete maturity.
I. Paul is saying he had not reached this place as yet - Not as though I had already attained (take hold of)
2. He has not reached the place where his growth was complete and where there was no room for advancement.
B. Next he states his present spiritual purpose.
1. I follow after - pursue with the vigor of a runner.
2. What is he running so diligently for? To make his own that for which Christ made him his own.
3. Christ has this desire for each of us - that we be conformed to the image of Christ.
4. The moral and spiritual likeness of Christ is our ultimate goal.
C. This goal is so important to Paul, he makes it the primary objective of his life - this one thing I do.
1. Here is both consecration and concentration.
2. In fact consecration is simply concentration upon a single goal.
3. At this point we come to Paul's three fold secret of life and ours too if we adopt it.
III. Forgetting what is Behind (13) This deals with the Past
A. None will ever reach the heights of a great life until he has dealt with the past.
1. Paul's formula is to "forget"
2. Forgetting does not mean that we can cancel the past and whitewash our failure as though it never existed?
3. It means the forgetfulness that comes by confession, correction, and restitution.
4. This is the only successful way we can wipe out an unfortunate past.
B. Our past can become our present unless we discharge our obligation to it.
1. Our confession and God's forgiveness is the only sure way to obliterate our past.
2. Pause with me - have you dealt with your past Or is it still with you as a bitter memory.
C. One sure way to get rid of your past is to refuse to repeat your mistakes.
1. I am reminded of the rather humorous story of the little boy at the theater with his mother. Danny was taken to see the movie, "Snow white and the Seven Dwarfs." They entered the theater during the middle of the picture just before the old witch gave Snow white the poisoned apple. when they came to the same part again, Danny mother arose and began to lead him- out of the theater As they were leaving, Danny looked back to see the old witch offering Snow White the poisoned apple. Danny said to his mother, "If Snow White eats that apple again, she's crazy!"
2. Another way to forget your past is not to become historical. A man met an old college friend downtown one night. They sat down in the lobby of the hotel and began to talk over old times. Before they realized it, it was long past midnight. They went on home, but both of them were a little fearful of what their wives would say about their coming in so late. The next day they met again. One asked, "how did your wife take your coming in so late? "Oh," the other replied, "I explained it to her and it was all right. What about your wife?"
Well, he said, "when I came in my wife got historical. "You mean "hysterical," don't you?" his friend asked. "No," he said, "I mean 'historical.' She brought up everything that has happened the past thirty years
IV. Reaching Forth in the Present (13) unto Those Things Before Us.
A. Life should have both motion and direction. Let us go on and let us go forward.
1. Obliterate the past and activate the present.
2. Reach forth to what lies before - we don't know what that is but we do know the One who can help us.
B. The scriptures tell us God is a present help in time of trouble Ps 46:1
1. The scripture tells us that He will be with us unto the end of the age. Lo I am with you always.
2. The present is for growth and expansion - we must deal with the present because the past is gone and the future may never come.
V. I Press Toward the Prize in the Future (14)
A. Pressing forward toward the high calling of God in Christ Jesus is our goal for the Future.
1. What is it for which we should persevere?
2. It isn't heaven for heaven is not a prize won by our efforts.
3. Heaven is God's gift of grace to those who receive Christ.
4. It is not salvation for it too is not gained by our efforts.
5. Furthermore salvation is not an attainment of the future but a possession of the present.
B. It is the prize of a well fought fight, a well run race, and a well kept trust. Listen how Arthur Way puts it.
1. Timothy 4:7,8, "As for me, I think my work is done. I am as wine just about to be spilt on the altar-as a ship about to put out to sea. I am a wrestler who has striven through a gallant struggle, a runner who has finished his race, a soldier who has kept his oath of loyal obedience. Henceforth there is laid up in store for me the victor's wreath of righteousness, which the Lord will award me in the Great Day, the Lord the Righteous Judge - and not to me alone, but to all who with yearning love have watched for His appearing"
2. Toward the past - forget -- toward the present - advance'-toward the future - persevere.
3. We must do the same thing - forget, advance, persevere.