”Pressing Towards the Prize”~ Philippians 3:

“Pressing Towards The Prize~ Philippians 3:12-21.Theme Chpt. 3 “Christ Our Goal” Philippians 3:12-21 12 Not that I have already attained,[c] or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have [d]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already [e]attained, let us walk by the same [f]rule, let us be of the same mind.17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. The Christian Life shown in A Metaphor of An Olympic Marathon Race Pursuing the Prize 3:12-13 A Good runner Never Looks Back 3:13 This Race requires Spiritual Stamina & Consistency 3:15-17 Some have dropped out of the Race 3:18-19 Knowing Our citizenship will Cause us to win the Prize 3:20-21 1.)Pursuing The PRIZE…3:12-13 “The measure of a persons desire is the Pursuit” Vs. 12)Not that I have already attained,[c] or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me “Grasping ever more firmly that purpose for which Christ grasps me”- JB .Phillips “PRESS ON”- the Greek connotation means ‘an urgent chasing after towards a FIXED Goal or Point’ This is in the continuous present tense I am DOING this NOW, I am chasing after this NOW…I am PRESSING Towards  this NOW “That I May Lay Hold of” The idea here is Paul is not just satisfied with the pursuit…HE will NOT be satisfied until  he has laid hold of, apprehended, GRASPED ( taken a hold of) that PURPOSE Christ has intended for Him 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? 2:8-10 1.)Pursuing The PRIZE…3:12-14 “The measure of a persons desire  is in  the Pursuit” Vs. 12)Not that I have already attained,[c] or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me “, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has LAID HOLD of Me”….speaking of His Damascus Road ENCOUNTER of Christ…yet MUCH More!!.....  (TWO Things) I Cor. 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. TWO Things………… a)Phil. 3:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, b)Eph. 3:1-13 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. MYSTERY (Mysterion- Moo-stay-dion..Grk.)derived from a word meaning to ‘shut the mouth’…a secret counsel, purpose, or understanding…of God…something hidden from men…only coming from divine revelation or illumination from God’s Spirit…requires an initiation understand my insight …(synesis—soon-es-is) literally a running or flowing together of Knowledge & understanding…a quickness of apprehension which precedes ACTION! “To Have an APOSTOLIC CALLING, Is To Have An APOSTOLIC ENCOUNTER” 1.)Pursuing The PRIZE…3:12-14 “The measure of a persons desire is in the Pursuit” Vs.13)Brethren, I do not count myself to have [d]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, Count ( logizomai )is to reckon, account, suppose , consider after deliberate  & careful Thought …refers  back to vs. 12…Paul realizes he has NOT attained perfection yet (some were haughty at Philippi & thought they did!)…sinless perfection!? …vs. 2 was the past fact that had happened with Paul…Here is referring to PRESENT Process of his pursuit Phil. 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, LUKE 14:25-33 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— 29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. Apprehended ….But I keep going on, grasping ever more firmly that purpose for which Christ grasped me.(JB. Phillips)…like verse 12 Job 17:9 Yet the righteous will hold to his way, And he who has clean hands will be stronger and stronger. Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is like the shining [a]sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. Psalm 63:1 O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. Psalm 84:2 My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. I Tim. 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith Lay hold of eternal life II Peter 1:5 giving all diligence 2.) A Good Runner Never Looks Back..Vs. 13,14 Vs.13)Brethren, I do not count myself to have [d]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, but one thing I do What is your ONE Thing!?...sums up His Christian conduct & purpose in the NOW…the greek implies LIMITING & ISOLATING oneself to a fanatical Focus…NOW he has gone from contemplation(‘Count’ vs 13)