Scripture References: Philippians 3:7-21; Philippians 2:12-13; Matthew 16:26
Intro: We all desire lives that matter, fearing insignificance. We long for progress in our walk with Jesus, frustrated when we feel stuck or repeat old patterns. Philippians 3 reveals the Apostle Paul's mindset – the outlook needed to cooperate with God in the process of sanctification (becoming more like Christ) and make genuine spiritual progress.
Key Points:
- Sanctification: The Journey Between: Salvation includes justification (a past gift, right standing with God) and glorification (a future promise, transformed bodies). Between these is sanctification – the ongoing process of maturing in Christ. It's not passive; it requires our cooperation with God's Spirit ("work out your salvation... for it is God who works in you" - Phil 2:12-13).
- Progress Requires Dissatisfaction (v. 7-8, 12a): Paul, despite his immense spiritual resume, counted everything "loss"/"rubbish" compared to knowing Christ more. He hadn't "already obtained" perfection. A holy dissatisfaction with our current spiritual state, born from comparing ourselves to Christ (not others), fuels the desire to press on for more of Him. Complacency stunts growth.
- Progress Requires Devotion (v. 13b): "One thing I do..." Progress demands focus. Paul gathered his life's energy towards one goal: knowing Christ. We are often distracted by too many lesser things. Growing requires saying "no" to good things to prioritize the "one thing" – our relationship with Jesus. This demands assessing our true values.
- Progress Requires Determination (v. 12b, 14a): "I press on..." "Straining forward..." Paul uses language of intense effort. Sanctification involves actively pursuing God, "pounding" forward towards the goal, not passively drifting. We must be determined to cooperate with the Spirit's work.
- Progress Requires Direction (v. 13c-14b, 20-21): Paul presses "toward the goal for the prize of the upward call." He focuses forward by "forgetting what lies behind" (not erasing memory, but removing its power to hold him back). His ultimate direction is heavenly: "Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior... who will transform our lowly body..." An eternal perspective motivates present endurance and helps us rightly value earthly things.
Conclusion: Spiritual progress isn't automatic; it requires a specific mindset modeled by Paul. We need holy dissatisfaction with spiritual complacency, focused devotion on Christ as the "one thing," determined effort to press on, and a clear direction fixed on our eternal hope. This mindset allows us to actively partner with God in the work of sanctification.
Call to Action: Assess your own mindset: Are you satisfied or dissatisfied? Devoted or distracted? Determined or drifting? Focused on earth or eternity? Ask God to cultivate holy dissatisfaction and focus your devotion on Christ. Choose determination over passivity. Fix your eyes on your heavenly citizenship and hope. Forget the past's power and press on toward the prize.
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