Sermon Preached at Grace Community Church (EPC)
Sun City Grand, Surprise, AZ
Sunday, April 17, 2016
by the Reverend Cooper McWhirter
The Pursuit of Excellence: “Finishing Life Well!” [Part Two]
Philippians 3:12-21
My fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Seibing, was a real taskmaster! But as I look back on those days so long ago, she was an exceptional teacher; who was devoted to her students. Halfway through that school year, she asked me to stay after class. Oh, how I dreaded those occasions. Intuitively, I knew she wasn’t going to compliment my school work!
But, to my amazement, she began by complimenting me on the few things I excelled in like: my penmanship, spelling, and athleticism. But then she asked, “Cooper, why do you insist on being an average student? You’re more capable than your grades indicate.” As best I can remember I told her that making friends and being popular was my main objective. And besides my older brother was much smarter than I was; he even told me so!
Mrs. Seibling explained that school was a place for learning. It’s where children develop their skills and interests. She went on to say, “But how are you going to know what you can do, if you don’t apply yourself? Cooper, mediocrity is not an option!” The upside was that my dad once said to me, "Well, at least I know you're not cheating!"
I wish I could say that I took her advice to heart. But I did not. That is not until I attended seminary. At the age of 44, older than some of my professors, I finally excelled in studies. I became a diligent student of God’s Word!
But no matter how young, or how old we are, we’re always in a learning phase. In a sense, we’re always be in the “sophomore” year of our lives. The word “sophomore”, or “sophomoric” is derived from the Greek word “sophism” (sophos meaning “clever” or “wise”; and moros meaning “foolish” or “dull”).
Our classroom setting is aptly called the ‘school of hard knocks’! In this classroom, we call ‘life’, we’re constantly being evaluated. However, in this classroom there is no ‘grading on the curve’! The Lord assesses each of us individually. And the only marks that really matter are His marks…not ours!
He bore the marks that were intended for us. This is where the word ‘mercy’ is played out. Mercy means we’re not receiving that which we justly deserve! He gave up His life, so that we might have new life in Him. Alas! His high marks have now become ours! And because of His surpassing greatness, Christ Jesus expects…no, strike that…He demands doing our level best! He demands our attentiveness, our availability, our willingness to strive for excellence.
Last week we alluded to a few prominent people in the Bible who exemplified great faith. And yet, many of these people failed miserably in their twilight years. And because most of us here, today, are either in the fall, or winter of our lives, it’s important for us to know how to “finish life…well”.
In this passage, Paul looks upon: THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE AS AN: OBJECTIVE (repeat).
Before we can do anything, we must establish goals and objectives. The writer of Proverbs puts it this way: “Without consultation, plans are frustrated” [Proverbs 15:22]. Once we set our minds on our objectives, we must then ‘weigh our options’. We must find the best ways to achieve them.
It becomes clear that Paul’s eyes were riveted upon his calling of God and by following in the footsteps of his Lord, Christ Jesus. For Paul, pursuing Christ was above all else the coveted prize. But notice Paul’s wording. It’s not just about seizing the prize. It involves how best we should run the race; a race that must be run during “the living years”.
Paul likens our time here on earth as that of an Olympic event. A race that will ultimately determine our eternal destiny. However, this race is not a sprint to the finish line. Rather, it’s more akin to a long-distance marathon.
The upside is that the benchmark, or standard, has already been set by our pacesetter, Jesus Christ. The downside is that His standard requires absolute perfection! But because we are prone to stray off course, how can we possibly achieve the goal set before us?
If we rely solely upon our own strength and endurance, we will surely fall short. No, the only way for us to compete and cross the finish line is for us to be ‘carried’. Yes, we must literally be carried along by the Holy Spirit! In this regard, Paul writes: “…who by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.”
But regardless of our athletic ability, or lack thereof, here’s the good news. Paul is telling us that we can finish life well! Followers of Christ have been handed the baton, as if in a relay race. We’ve been handed the means by which to pursue excellence in everything we do; just so long as we remain focused on what God has set before us.
Once we have established our objective, Paul focuses his attention to: THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE AS BEING: OBTAINABLE (repeat).
But are such lofty goals achievable? Paul warns us that we will encounter various obstacles along this race course of life. In verse 18 the apostle writes: “For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.”
But how can we recognize those who are enemies of God? Paul plainly tells us [that]: “Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame.” But what does he mean by this phrase, “…their glory is in their shame”? Evildoers will, of their own volition, defy God. They go so far as to flaunt their wickedness! They shake their fist at God as if to say, “Take that!” They have no scruples. They have no shame!
Conversely, followers of Christ are those who heed Paul’s advice. They keep their eyes singularly focused on the finish line. In order to accomplish this task, Paul says that we should follow his example and others as well. Presumably, he’s referring to the other apostles and those like: Timothy and Epaphroditus who labored in the church at Philippi [2 Timothy 2:19, 20].
However, Paul is quick to point out that he, too, finds himself being stretched to the limit. He writes: “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Yes! It is Christ who enables us, encourages us, and equips us; not just to compete, but having the certainty that we can, and that we will cross the finish line!
But not only should we view the pursuit of excellence as an objective; one that is obtainable, but we should also view: THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE AS: OBSERVABLE (repeat).
Verse 15 can be problematic insofar as some modern translations, like the NASB, use the word “perfect” instead of “mature” where Paul exclaims: “Let us, therefore, as many as are perfect…” But this, too, is easily explainable. In the original Koine Greek, Paul employs the word which literally means “perfect”. However, it can also mean: “fully grown” or “mature”.
Paul’s not suggesting that some among us are “perfect”. Far be it! What he’s inferring is that some among us are more mature in the faith than others. And those who are mature will affirm what he’s saying is both truthful and edifying. As an apostle, Paul’s own witness and testimony is observable as well as profitable for us. But, if for some reason, people view things differently, then in due course the Holy Spirit will make things clearer, more evident.
Verse 16 follows this train of thought where the apostle says, “Only let us live up to what we have already attained.” Once again, Paul reminds us that we have a perfect benchmark to follow in the Person of Jesus Christ. However, if you need to follow someone nearby, then Paul recommends following his example and others like him. People who have patterned their lives after Christ.
To cite an example, consider the skill of cross-stitching. It’s been said that your first crossover stitch is simply repeated again and again. You’re simply following a ‘prescribed technique’. Assuming that your first cross-stitch is done correctly, then the entire tapestry should be a perfect reflection of it. And so it is with respect to living the Christian life. It’s repeated again and again! Charles Swindoll once asked: “Do you know what’s so difficult about being an ‘everyday’ Christian? It’s living every day as a Christian.”
In his book, Classic Christianity, Bob George, a well-known Christian counselor, observed: “Whatever a man puts his mind to and thinks about determines what he will feel. Although we cannot always rely on our emotions, we can, to a degree, control our thoughts…Therefore, it’s absolutely critical that we think thoughts that are truthful, rather than thoughts that are in error.”
To put things in perspective, Paul commends us: “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are righteous, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report – if there is any excellence, or anything worthy of praise, then think on these things” [Philippians 4.8].
Dear ones, whether we realize it or not, we are in a race. It’s the race of our lives; for our lives! If you are a Christian, or aspire to become one, then there’s no escaping your obligation to pursue excellence in all that you do, think, feel and act. And the manner in which you conduct yourselves will have an impact, either positively or negatively, on the lives of others.
A life of excellence can and should be our objective; one that is not only obtainable, but observable. If we conduct ourselves in accordance with God’s will, we can leave a lasting legacy for others to follow. And in due course, the baton which was once handed to us, will be handed off to someone else.
And so it goes…so it goes! A life worth living…finishing life well!
Let us pray …
