Paul, who is the writer of our text, provides instructions for the Philippian Church as they move forward to become the best that they could be for Christ. Rather than be complacent with where they were, they needed to set their sights higher. The Apostle Paul gives this church his personal testimony. Paul was never one to let circumstances conquer him. Rather, with the help of God, he was determined to fulfill his God-given purpose. In this text, Paul’s attitude, dedication, determination shines through in a powerful way. You can tell a lot about a person by what they are running after and what they are running from. We have an assignment even in a pandemic.
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As men and women of God with different perspectives, needs, and desires must run the Christian race with patience. To be successful, we will need a strategy and solid plan of action. They are so many things that claim our attention, so many goals to reach until it is difficult to stay focused during confusing times. Times are confusing because following God’s word run counter to the culture. How can we reach our potential for Christ? How can we give it our best? Our lives will be advanced or hindrance by what we choose to run from and to run after. The Scripture says, “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.”
Apostle Paul set a good example on how to succeed in the Christian race. He ran his race with a wholehearted commitment, and gave every effort to win Christ. He wants the Philippian Church to strive for excellence as they ran their race for Christ. He understood the high price to be paid, because he had paid it himself. It would take diligence and exertion to attain what God desired for them and for every one of us, but the prize is worth the effort.
Many of us in the body of Christ become motivated and excited about their future and destiny. They make bold declarations of faith about who we are and where we are going but many fail to reach their goals in life because they make wrong choices and others underestimate their opposition. Our goal of becoming the best we can for kingdom of God will be challenged. 1Pe 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: We have an adversary, Satan who desires to stop our progress. We are challenged by Satan who wars against us; he tries to defeat us. The present culture will try to influence us. Popular opinion will try to dictate to us. So, we must have a plan to overcome these things. Every generation has faced these same things.
Apostle Paul had a great affection for this church. It was a benevolent, caring congregation that supported his ministry throughout his career. He wanted them to succeed and flourish in the kingdom of God. Every child of God should be striving for excellence. To fulfill my God given purpose is my greatest desire. If you and I are going to be successful in running this Christian race, that is to live a life of purpose, obtain a good report and desired results, we must pursue godly desires.
When Paul and his companions arrived at Philippi, they met and talked to the women gathered praying by the riverside. Lydia, the apparent leader of the group was converted. She and her family were probably the first members of the Church. Later, Paul encounter a maid who possessed by a spirit of divination. God used Paul to exorcise the demon spirit from her. Her handlers brought charges against Paul. Paul and Silas were scourged and thrown into prison, but an earthquake set them free. During the event, the jailer became a believer. Later, the magistrates repented their mistreatment of Paul after learning that he was Roman citizens and pleading with Paul to leave the city.
The Church at Philippi was made up of Christians Paul dearly love and prayed for. He praised God continually for their fellowship from the beginning of his ministry until end. Paul visited that church more than any other. He addresses them as his brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, his joy and crown, and his beloved.
Consider the characteristics of the Church at Philippi, first (1) It seemed to be the least Jewish of all the Pauline churches. (2) Women seem to be unusually prominent figures in the history and leadership of this church (3) the Church had some splendid men in its membership, who were Macedonian athletics and others were Roman veterans. (4) They enjoyed Christian diversity that rivaled the Church at Antioch - all races and social conditions were brought in harmony living together in peace. (5) They were a very liberal people. They gave themselves to the Lord and to Paul (2Co 8:5), to assist Paul and further the gospel. They gave of their resources gladly and willingly. Four times they gave Paul financial aid. What a awesome privileges it must have been to serve as pastor and founder of such a great church!
Apostle Paul is very open with us in the Scriptures. Philippians 3 identifies five pressing desires that dominated his life. These five things are so vital, every Christian should pursue them in life. Although Paul is a high-class Jew, free born Roman citizen, with great prospects for the future, when he found Christ, abandons all his status to know Christ More. When Paul received a clear revelation and vision of Christ, he abandoned everything for five pressing desires. Paul sought (1) a Personal Knowledge of Christ (2) a Personal Position in Christ (3) the Personal Power of Christ (4) a Personal Perfection in Christ (5) a Personal Possession of Christ.
Paul had much to be proud of: his birthright privileges-born of the tribe of Benjamin; his covenant relationship through circumcision-circumcised the eightieth day according to the Law; his education-learn seven different languages and train at the feet of Gamaliel; his blameless character concerning the Law; his active zeal for his religion and his God. Yet he desired more. He desired an personal knowledge of Christ. Look at verse 7, 8.
1. A Personal Knowledge of Christ – Salvation. Php 3:7, 8 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 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,
The salvation Paul knew was a salvation by performance. Keep these laws, bring these sacrifices, observed these special days and hope for the best. He sought a salvation that comes through an excellent knowledge of Jesus Christ, a first hand, excellent, better, clearly knowledge of Christ. A secondhand knowledge is not enough to give up everything. Paul sought the pearl of great price. Jesus said, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
2. A Personal Position in Christ - Justification Php 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Those in Christ no longer trust in a legal righteousness obtained by keeping the law, but in the righteousness which the gospel provides to those who accept Christ through faith. That righteousness is the forgiveness of sin, which is of God by faith. This righteousness not earned, it is given as a free gift of grace. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. A righteousness based on the finished word of Jesus on Calvary.
3. A Personal Power of Christ – Sanctification Php 3:10, 11 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
In this verse, Paul speaks with respect to his sanctification. Paul desired to know Christ, as the Messiah and Mediator, that he might experience the power of His resurrection and be raised from the death of sin to a life of grace and holiness, and taste something of that comfort and joy which is found in suffering with him and for him, and to be made conformable to his death, by a daily dying unto sin: knowing, that if he were conformed to him in the likeness of his death, he should be also in the likeness of his resurrection. Power to be transformed into the image of His dear Son. Set apart for a purpose to be a credible Christian Disciple of Christ.
4. A Personal Perfection in Christ – Holiness Php 3:12, 13 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
He claimed no perfection in the flesh, but he sought after perfect holiness in Christ Jesus. He had laid hold of Jesus because Jesus had laid hold of him, and Jesus was to him his all in all. Paul was in hot pursuit of Christian Perfection. His conduct is not regulated nor influenced by that of others; He considers only his calling, his Master, his work, and his end. If others think they have time to loiter or trifle, he has none: time is flying; eternity is at hand; and his all is at stake. So Paul runs to obtain the prize…keeping his eyes on his lane and on his goal. Paul understood Jesus when He said, Be ye holy as I am holy.
5. A Personal Possession of Christ – Christlikeness Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul presses toward the mark; the goal at the end of the course. For the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus; the prize which God's heavenly calling has in view. This prize is perfect likeness to Christ and full glory with Christ, for which Christians were led to renounce their sins, believe on him, and devote their life to his service.
Paul lawfully pursued all following the guidelines. This is a reference to the white line that marked the ground in the stadium, from the starting place to the goal, on which the runners were obliged to keep their eye fixed; for they who transgressed or went beyond this line did not run lawfully, and were not crowned, even though they were first to cross the finish line.
1Co 9:4 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
Paul gets a clear vision of Christ and abandon all that he was for (1) a Personal Knowledge of Christ (2) a Personal Position in Christ (3) the Personal Power of Christ (4) a Personal Perfection in Christ (5) a Personal Possession of Christ.
1Co 9:24-27 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
