Straining Toward The Goal Series

Scripture

The Philippian Church was a mostly healthy church, but Paul was concerned that false teaching might infiltrate the church. After the opening greeting, thanksgiving, and prayer, Paul wanted the Philippians to know that despite his imprisonment, the gospel was still advancing. Then, he urged them to live for Christ. However, like every church in every age the Philippian Church faced the danger of discord and disunity. So, Paul encouraged the believers to strive for spiritual unity, which was based on Christ’s example of humility. And, with Christ as the example, Paul urged believers to live as lights in the world, and also to follow the examples of godly Christians. Then, Paul stressed that right standing with God did not come from any personal merit, but solely through the righteousness of Christ. In fact, Paul’s great desire was to know Christ more and more.

Let’s read about straining toward the goal in Philippians 3:12-4:1:

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

4:1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. (Philippians 3:12-4:1)

Introduction

Several years ago, I was able to attend one of the Ligonier Conferences in Orlando. If my memory is correct, Dr. R. C. Sproul was speaking during one of the opening sessions. In his own inimitable way, Dr. Sproul was speaking eloquently about the “beatific vision.” I had some notion of what it was, but had not really given the “beatific vision” much thought. Ever since that time, it seemed to me that Dr. Sproul spoke increasingly about the “beatific vision.”

What is the “beatific vision”? It is that moment when a Christian dies and passes into glory and beholds Jesus face-to-face. The Dictionary of Theological Terms defines the “beatific vision” as follows, “A term denoting the blessed state of the glorified saints in heaven, where they behold the glory of the Lord and enjoy perfect and sinless communion with Him.”

As I read our text for today, it seems to me that Paul is really talking about the beatific vision. He is talking about it in the sense that he is urging the Philippian believers to strain toward the goal of seeing Christ in glory. He wants this more than anything else, and he wants the Philippians to want it too.

Lesson

Philippians 3:12-4:1 teaches us what is involved in straining toward the goal of seeing Christ in glory.

Let’s use the following outline:?

1. Confession (3:12a)

2. Resolve (3:12b)

3. Pursuit (3:13-14)

4. Advice (3:15-16)

5. Imitation (3:17)

6. Warning (3:18-19)

7. Assurance (3:20-21)

8. Exhortation (4:1)

I. Confession (3:12a)

First, confession is involved in straining toward the goal.

Paul writes in verse 12a, “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect….” What is the “this” to which he is referring? Paul is referring to the previous section in which he wrote that he wanted to “gain Christ” (3:8) and “know him” (3:10). He is not referring to the righteousness of Christ, which he has already received. Rather, he wants to “gain Christ” and “know him.” Paul wants to behold Jesus face-to-face. That is why Paul says that he has not “already obtained this” or is “already perfect.” Paul knows that this will only happened when he beholds Jesus face-to-face.

And so Paul’s confession is that he has not yet beheld Jesus face-to-face. He has a spiritual dissatisfaction. He has a holy desire for what he does not have. There is a deep passion in Paul for this.