Straining ‘till the End
Philippians 3:12 - 14
Introduction – I read that it took Winston Churchill three years to get through the eighth grade because he had trouble learning English. In kind of an ironic twist, years later in the midst of World War II Oxford University asked then Prime Minister Churchill to address its commencement exercises. Dressed in his finest suit, he arrived at the auditorium where the service was to be held with his usual props, a cigar, a cane and a top hat. As Churchill approached the podium, the crowd rose in appreciative applause. Standing there looking very dignified, he settled the crowd down and asked them to be seated.
Standing confidently before this crowd of great admirers, he removed his cigar and placed his top hat on the podium. Then Churchill gazed at his waiting audience that included some of the most noted scholars in the world. With an authoritative tone in his voice he began with three words: “Never give up!” Several seconds passed without him saying another word. Finally he repeated those same three words again, “Never give up!” There was a deafening silence as Churchill reached for his hat and cigar, steadied himself with his cane and left the platform. His commencement address was finished.
I think the apostle Paul knew the importance of never giving up as well when he, using his own life as an example, encouraged the church to “strain toward what is ahead.” (3:13) This morning I want you to know that the message hasn’t changed, and that the need hasn’t lessened, so when then need to be encouraging each other to never give up in our efforts win the lost to Jesus, and never give up in our prayers that the power of God to rain down upon us again.
Using Paul’s message to the church as our guide, let’s see if we can’t accomplish several things. First let’s try to identify the motivation for living consistent Christian lives. Next, let’s ask ourselves how well do we really know Christ. Finally, let’s see what it will take from each of us if we are to be found straining forward until the very end.
I. Everything is not Enough
I have to admit that I am somewhat fascinated by the super rich. Probably all of us, at one time or another have at least wondered what it would be like to have more money then we could ever spend. Michael Jordan since his retirement from basketball still makes $40,000,000 each year in endorsements. That’s $178,000 a day every single day. He still has to pay $7.00 to go the movie just like the rest of us, the difference is he is making about $18,500 while he is there. And if his wife cooks him a three-minute egg, it still takes three minutes but he will make $618 while it’s boiling. He has everything—yet everything is not enough.
Paul had everything his world could offer as well. Look at what he told the Philippian church that he had.
1. A pedigree – His was without peer. You talk about coming from the right people, you would have a hard time topping Paul.
2. A religion – He was one of the brightest young scholars his world had seen.
3. Paul was definitely on the fast track to success...nothing could stop him...that is until he came to understand that everything is never going to be enough.
In the world we use things to motivate us. We’re motivated to work hard in our jobs because we want to
provide the best for our families. There is nothing wrong with that kind of motivation, except
that it is often incompatible with the workings of God.
Pastor’s shouldn’t be motivated to lead their church to grow, so they will have an opportunity to go to a larger church. Christian lay men and women should not be motivated to serve in their church in order to receive the platitudes of men. Our motivation should be much more than that, because if it’s not we will soon lose our motivation completely.
The story is told of man who stopped by his pastor office one day to inform the pastor that he would not be at church any more. He gave a long list of things he didn’t like while the pastor listened quietly. After he was done, the preacher expressed his concern but never tried to talk him out of his decision.
As he was getting ready to leave the pastor asked a favor. It seems that one of the Senior Adult ladies was having some difficulty paying for some medicine she needed, and a church member who was aware of that gave the preacher $50 to give to the elderly woman. The pastor had delivered it yet, and asked this man if he would drop it by. He agreed and left.
The next Sunday morning he was sitting in the congregation worshipping with his church family. After the service the pastor went to him and said, “I thought you weren’t coming back?” To which this now humble gentleman said, “When I got to the ladies house and saw how joyous and appreciative she was I wished I had been the one who gave the money. I decided right then to stop complaining and to start giving.”
I hope you have already figured it out, but in case you haven’t that is our motivation. We are privileged with the opportunity to make difference in peoples lives. When we love like Jesus loved it makes a difference. When we sacrifice like Jesus sacrificed it makes a difference. And when we pray like Jesus prayed we will see a difference.
What is your motivation today?
II. Just how Well do you Know Jesus?
Notice how Paul wanted to know Jesus—“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,” (3:10)
The power of His resurrection - Resurrection power is life giving power. Paul wanted to be a participant in the eternal life giving power of Christ.
The fellowship of sharing in His sufferings - Jesus’ life was redemptive in every way, yet there were
sufferings in every part of it. Paul implied his own willingness to associate himself with personal suffering so that he could bring others to the
Redeemer.
The likeness of His death - In His death Jesus was lovingly obedient. God’s plan for our redemption required His death and Jesus lovingly obeyed that plan.
Paul understood that God’s plan of reconciling the world unto Himself required his life, and he was willing to offer it to Him.
There is a question here that we are confronted with; “How well do we want to know Jesus?” Do we want to know His eternal life giving power enough to
trust Him and Him alone to our Savior and Lord? Do we want to know Jesus well enough to be ridiculed, and to
suffer that we might share His love with others? Do we want to know Him well enough to yield our lives to
Him so that He can live His life through us? How well do we really want to know Jesus?
It is time to get past superficial things and move into an intimate relationship with the Savior we say we’ve given our life to.
III. Straining ‘till the end
Paul next outlines God’s plan for hislife. “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (3:13 – 14)
He leaves no question about his willingness to move forward with Christ. He could look back at everything that he had and experienced in life and know that their was nothing their he would want to hang on to.
The only thing that really mattered was joyously going
forward with Christ’s goals now his.
Paul used two unique words to describe what he was willing to do.
straining – like a runner who putting forth his maximum effort and stretching his whole body out to try and cross the finish line first.
press on – Which really means to “follow on” after the
one who is leading.
We have to ask ourselves, “How much strain are we putting forth in order to follow on after Jesus?”
One of the saddest commentaries of some Christians these days is that they are not even willing to break a sweat for Jesus. You ask some to sacrifice and they look at you like you’re talking in a foreign language or something.
Christianity is never be thought of as a free ride. It cost Jesus everything He had. Since He has given everything for us we should never give up in our efforts for Him. Even if it means that we have to strain forward with everything we have.
Conclusion – How about you? Have you given up? Or are you willing to strain to the very end for the cause of Christ?
