Pressing Toward the Mark
Scripture Text: Philippians 3:11–16
Introduction: The Race of a Lifetime
In the long and storied history of the Olympic Games, there are countless tales of endurance and determination. Picture a marathon runner. Miles into the race, their muscles are screaming, their lungs are burning, every fiber of their being is telling them to stop. They pass water stations, not to rest, but to grab a cup and keep moving. They see the faces in the crowd, but their gaze is fixed on the road ahead, on the next mile marker, on that distant finish line. They run with purpose, with discipline, with a forward lean that says, “I haven’t finished yet.”
This morning, the Apostle Paul, writing not from a stadium but from a prison cell in Rome, invites us to see our spiritual lives in the same way. He is not chained by his circumstances; he is captivated by a heavenly calling. He presents the Christian life not as a stroll in the park, but as the race of a lifetime. And in our text today, from Philippians chapter 3, he gives us the strategy, the mindset, and the motivation to not just run, but to run in a way that obtains the prize.
Let’s look together at Philippians 3, beginning in verse 11.
I. The Acknowledgment of Imperfection (vv. 11–12)
Before a runner can focus on the finish line, they must first acknowledge they aren’t there yet. Paul, a spiritual giant, starts with a powerful admission of his own need for growth. This is the foundation of all spiritual progress: honest self-assessment.
A. The Goal in View: Resurrection Life (v. 11)
Paul begins with his ultimate hope: “If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.”
Paul is not doubting his salvation or his future resurrection. He knows his eternal destiny is secure in Christ. What he’s expressing is a deep, passionate longing to experience the full power and reality of that resurrection right now. It’s about living a life so identified with the risen Christ that the old self is dead and the new life—resurrection life—is lived out daily. Romans 6:4 says, “we should walk in newness of life.” This is the glorious finish line—complete transformation into the likeness of Jesus.
B. The Honest Assessment: “Not as though I had already attained” (v. 12a)
After stating his grand ambition, Paul immediately follows with humility: “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect…”
Think about who is saying this. This is Paul—the man who planted churches across the Roman Empire, who received revelations from Christ, who wrote nearly half the New Testament. If anyone could have claimed to have “arrived,” it was him. Yet, he says, “I’m not there yet. I’m not perfect.”
This challenges spiritual complacency. It’s easy to look at past experiences—our salvation moment, a retreat high, a past season of service—and think we’ve built up enough spiritual credit. But Paul shows us that true maturity is knowing how much more you need to grow.
C. The Divine Pursuit: “I follow after…” (v. 12b)
Paul continues: “…but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”
It’s a divine paradox. “I am chasing after the very thing for which Christ has already chased after and caught me.” Before you sought God, He sought you. Before you stepped toward Him, He had already embraced you.
Your Christian life is not about getting God’s attention—it is living in response to the fact that you already have His full attention. He has apprehended you for a purpose. Our pursuit of holiness is our quest to live out the glorious purpose for which He has already saved us.
II. The Attitude of Progression (vv. 13–14)
Having established that we are not yet at the finish line, Paul now gives us the runner’s mindset.
A. The Singular Focus: “This one thing I do” (v. 13a)
Paul says, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do…”
In a multitasking world, Paul models radical spiritual simplicity. Like a magnifying glass focusing sunlight into a single beam, Paul focuses all his energy on one pursuit—becoming more like Christ.
B. The Necessary Forgetting: “Forgetting those things which are behind” (v. 13b)
To run forward, a runner must forget what’s behind.
1. Forgetting Failures – Past sins and guilt weigh us down. But Isaiah 43:25 declares God blots them out. If He forgets, why should we keep remembering?
2. Forgetting Successes – Past victories can also paralyze us if we live in yesterday’s glory. Paul says, “My past accomplishments are nothing compared to the goal still ahead.”
C. The Eager Reaching and Determined Press (vv. 13c–14)
Paul writes: “…reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
“Reaching forth” is the image of a runner straining forward, every muscle stretched toward the finish line. “Press” (Greek: dioko) means to pursue relentlessly. This is no casual jog but an all-out sprint against temptation and complacency.
The “mark” is Christlikeness. The “prize” is the joy of hearing, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
III. The Application for the Mature (vv. 15–16)
A. The Mindset of Maturity (v. 15a)
“Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded…”
“Perfect” (Greek teleios) means mature, not sinless. Mature believers don’t say, “I’ve arrived,” but rather, “I’m pressing on.”
B. Grace for Disagreement (v. 15b)
“…and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.”
Paul recognizes differences in maturity and understanding. He calls for patience and unity in pursuit of Christ, even without uniformity in opinion.
C. The Rule for the Road (v. 16)
“Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.”
Don’t be paralyzed by how far you still need to go. Be faithful with what you already know. If you know to pray—pray. If you know to love—love. Walk in the light you have.
Conclusion
The Christian life is a race marked by:
Honest acknowledgment—we are not yet at the finish line.
A forward-moving attitude—forging ahead, forgetting the past.
Simple obedience—walking faithfully in the truth we already know.
Are you standing still, complacent, or are you pressing on?
The good news is this: you do not run alone. Christ has already apprehended you. His Spirit empowers you. His church encourages you. The prize is certain. The only question is—will you run? Will you press toward the mark?
