KEEP CHASING JESUS
- Pastor Daniel Duce
- 4 days ago
- 8 min read
PHILIPPIANS 3:12-4:1 | KEEP CHASING JESUS
Philippians 3:12-21 ESV
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 [and sisters], 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 [and sisters], 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.
Philippians 4:1 ESV
1 Therefore, my brothers,[a] whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
Philippians 3:12-21 ESV
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.
Taken hold of what?
Philippians 3:8-11 ESV
8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
In order that…
I may gain Christ
I may be found in Him
I may know Him
I may know power of His resurrection
I may share in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death
I may attain the resurrection from the dead
Philippians 3:12-21 ESV
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.
That word perfect is the word: ‘teleios’
Same Greek word used in James
James 1:4 CSB
4 And let endurance have its full [perfect] effect, so that you may be mature [perfect] and complete, lacking nothing.
Completeness
Finishing
Accomplishing
Reaching a goal
Verse 12 could be translated this way:
Not that I have already [taken hold of] this or [have already reached the goal]...
Imagery → Athlete. Runner
Paul has not yet finished his race
Philippians 3:12-21 ESV
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.
Paul is pressing on
He is running hard after the goal
He is running hard to win the race
He is running hard to win the prize
Paul is in prison as he writes this letter.
Paul is chasing Jesus.
Why?
Jesus chased down Paul.
Jesus pursued Paul.
Jesus captured Paul.
Jesus took hold of Paul.
Jesus made Paul His own.
Are you running hard after Jesus?
Philippians 3:13 ESV
13 Brothers [and sisters], 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,
Paul has not yet taken hold of the prize
He is focused on one thing…
While forgetting what lies behind him
And straining forward to what’s ahead of him
Straining
Stretching forward toward the finish line
Giving it his all
All out
Philippians 3:14 ESV
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Toward the goal
Toward the prize
To win the crown
2 Timothy 4:7-8 ESV
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 There is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing.[a]
Paul is focused on eternity
He is chasing Jesus
What are you chasing?
What makes you get out of bed in the morning?
What do you value the most?
What do you treasure?
Matthew 6:19-21 ESV
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[e] destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Is our treasure here on this earth?
Are you living for the next 50 years?
Or the next 10,000 years?
Paul had discovered the eternal treasure.
Paul saw the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 13:44 ESV
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Philippians 1:21 ESV
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Jesus was his greatest treasure
Philippians 3:7-8 ESV
7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ…
There is nothing more valuable than knowing Jesus
John 17:3 ESV
3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
Eternal life is knowing Jesus
Abundant life is chasing Jesus
Philippians 3:15-16 ESV
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.
Exhortation → Let those of us who are mature…think this way.
Sounds like:
‘Have this mind among yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus…”
Paul has an obsessive drive toward:
The true goal of Life
The ultimate prize
The ultimate treasure
Paul is chasing hard after Jesus.
Paul is inviting the Philippians (and us) to do the same.
Philippians 3:15 ESV
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.
Paul knows some who are mature are going to ‘get it’
Some may have to develop. Grow into it. Mature.
Paul is being ironic.
Paul confessed he had not yet arrived.
He had not yet reached the goal.
He had not yet become perfect.
Humble acknowledgment that we have not yet arrived is true maturity.
Paul is aware that the Philippians will vary in their maturity.
Just like we do here at Mission Church.
Paul trusts that God is going to grow the Philippians.
Paul knows that if we just keep chasing Jesus…
Jesus will reveal Himself to us more & more.
Philippians 1:6 ESV
6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:15-16 ESV
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.
What have we attained?
Paul wants them to focus on the goal.
Jesus is the prize.
Chase Jesus.
Life with Jesus
Philippians can do this, in part, by following good examples
Philippians 3:17 ESV
17 Brothers [and sisters], join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.
Jesus is our supreme example:
Philippians 2:6-8 ESV
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,[b] 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,[c] being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Chapter 2:19-30 → Timothy & Epaphroditus…
Chapter 3:2 → counterpoint with false teachers
Philippians 3:2 ESV
2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.
Chapter 3:7-14 → Paul uses himself as example
Then he contrasts again with false teachers
Philippians 3:18-19 ESV
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.
Paul wants the Philippians to have discernment.
Paul is not being arrogant.
He knows he’s running the race rightly
He’s on the right track
He’s got right motives
He’s got the right goal
Paul invites the Philippians to run their race with him
Do life and ministry together as we chase Jesus
Life with Jesus
Philippians 3:20-21 ESV
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.
Christian, you are a citizen of heaven (spiritual passport)
Live like it!
Philippians 3:20-21 ESV
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.
Philippians 4:1 ESV
1 Therefore, my brothers,[a] whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
Paul loves these people
They are his joy
They are his crown
Crown → refers to the Greco-Roman athletic games
The crown (wreath) was given to honor the victorious athlete
Paul doesn’t need any honor or status or prestige
His crown will be the outcome of the faith of these Philippians
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 ESV
24 Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. 25 Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable crown. 26 So I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. 27 Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
I want to finish well.
ROCKY quote → “All I wanna do is go the distance.”
I want all of us to be able to say:
2 Timothy 4:7 ESV
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
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