Journey to Joy - Part XIV - Philippians 3:12-16 - “Upward Call for Fathers” FBC Canton - Sunday am - June 16, 2019 – Pastor Mike Roberson

Introduction: How important are fathers?

Are great fathers just created or can someone become a great father?

Yes. God, the greatest father, creates fathers all the time. And anyone who follows God can become a great father! Abraham was not a great father to start out, but became the greatest father! Genesis 22!

Derek Redmond - The Day that Changed My Life

A 400-metre record holder, in Britain, Redmond was at the peak of his athletic abilities on the

day he took his starting-line position during the Barcelona semi-finals in 1992. His father was

there to watch his Olympian son compete.

Everything seemed fine, during the run, until ... it wasn’t. Along the back straight, Redmond's

hamstring snapped. He fell to the ground in pain.

Derek—tells his story, in his own words:

When I took my place on the starting blocks I felt good. For once I had no injuries, despite eight operations in four years, and I’d won the first two rounds without breaking sweat – including posting the fastest time in the first round heats. I was confident and when the gun went off I got off to a good start. I got into my stride running round the first turn and I was feeling comfortable. Then I heard a popping sound. I kept on running for another two or three strides then I felt the pain. I thought I’d been shot, but then I recognized the agony. I’d pulled my hamstring before and the pain is excruciating: like someone shoving a hot knife into the back of your knee and twisting it. I grabbed the back of my leg, uttered a few expletives and hit the deck. I couldn’t believe this was happening after all the training I’d put in. I looked around to see where the rest of the field were, and they had only 100m to go. I remember thinking if I got up I could still catch them and qualify. The pain was intense. I hobbled about 50m until I was at the 200m mark. Then I realized it was all over. I looked round and saw that everyone else had crossed the finishing line. But I don’t like to give up at anything – not even an argument, as my wife will tell you – and I decided I was going to finish that race if it was the last race I ever did. All these doctors and officials were coming onto the track, trying to get me to stop but I was having none of it. Then, with about 100m to go, I became aware of someone else on the track. I didn’t realize it was my dad, Jim, at first. He said, “Derek, it’s me, you don’t need to do this.” I just said, “Dad, I want to finish, get me back in the semi-final.” He said, “OK. We started this thing together and now we’ll finish it together.”

He managed to get me to stop trying to run and just walk and he kept repeating, “You’re a champion, you’ve got nothing to prove.”

We hobbled over the finishing line with our arms round each other, just me and my dad, the man I’m really close to, who’s supported my athletics career since I was seven years old. I’ve since been told there was a standing ovation by the 65,000 crowd, but nothing registered at the time. That is one example of a great father. What does this passage have to say about being a great father? Does it have anything to say to all of us? We are to press on towards the prize! This is the picture of this passage today!

Let’s stand and read and pray for our fathers to be great.

I. Lean into the Clear Vision. v. 12 a. What does it mean to lean into this vision?

i.

ii.

iii.

iv.

v.

vi. b. What is the clear vision? Intimacy with God equals impact for His Kingdom!

i. Jesus has laid hold of us so that we will lay hold of His vision!

ii.

iii.

iv.

v.

vi. II. Teachable Spirit. v. 13

a. The posture of humility. James 4:10

i. III. Don’t let the past rob the future. v. 13

a. The power of forgiveness. I John 1:9 i. Many great men of the Bible were formerly not so great.

1. Paul. 2. Peter.

ii. IV. Don’t compare your journey with others. vs. 15-16

a. Comparison kills contentment. i. Hebrews 13:5

1. ii. Philippians 4:11

1. iii. John 21:20-23

1. Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” 23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?”

b. God’s got them, just like God’s got you.

i.

ii. iii. FATHER’S DAY VIDEO FROM SKIT GUYS

Conclusion: Being a great father is the same as being a great believer! Press on towards the goal of the upward call of Christ! 1. The Power of Presence: Be there. 2. The Power of Perseverance: Don’t Quit. 3. The Power of Permission: What you say no to and what you say yes to your kids will follow. 4. The Power of Perception: How you see things will help them see. What they see in you will

shape how they see everything. 5. The Power of Pointing: Point them in the way they should go. Understand each kid is different

but all kids should be pointed to Jesus to guide them after you are gone. Slides from Chuck Missler session 5, Philippians

If you are not happy with your spiritual report card…I john 1:9

F. What he was doing to attain his goal.

1. Forgetting those things which are behind. 2. Reaching for the things that are before. 3. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

a. They which run in a race, run all, but only one receives the prize, so run that you might obtain.

4. If your goal is to be complete in Christ, then you must be likeminded to Paul. 5. If that isn't your mind then let God reveal it to you. 6. Walk by the same rule, have the same mind set.

Chuck Smith: Sermon Notes for Philippians 3:14

Click here to view listing below for Phl 3:12

Intro. I believe that Paul was a sports fan. He used many analogies from the different sports. If he were alive today, he would probably be interested in the up coming Super Bowl. I. WRITING TO THE CORINTHIANS HE SAID, "THEY THAT RUN IN A RACE, RUN ALL BUT ONLY ONE RECEIVES THE PRIZE, SO RUN THAT YOU MIGHT OBTAIN."

A. Run to win. Give it all you've got. B. I think of the Boston Marathon, the thousands who line up at the start to run the marathon.

1. Many have no intention of winning the race. 2. Many have no intention of even finishing the race.

3. The various goals. a. Some only plan to run a few miles then drop out and put on the shirt that says, "I ran in the Boston Marathon." b. Some have as their goal just to finish the race, if they are an hour behind the winner, they don't mind, they only want to say that they finished the race. c. There are others who are determined to win the race.

4. How is it with you as you run this spiritual race? a. How many are just running so that you can say that you ran? b. How many of you just hope that you finish? c. How many of you are running to win?

5. Paul says, run to win, give it all you've got. II. HE ALSO NOTED THAT THOSE WHO STRIVED FOR THE MASTERIES WERE TEMPERATE IN ALL THINGS.

A. Those who were in training to wrestle in the Olympics were very disciplined. 1. They were willing to deny themselves the fancy foods. 2. They were willing to sweat as they pushed their bodies to the limits. 3. They were willing to make all kinds of sacrifices in order to win.

B. Paul said they were willing to deny themselves in order to win a corruptible crown. 1. In those days the winners in the Olympics did not even get gold medals, but just a laurel wreath. 2. The idea if they were willing to put their bodies through such pain to win a corruptible crown how much more should we be willing to sacrifice for an incorruptible crown.

C. At the end of Paul's letter to Timothy he said, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown which the Lord our righteous judge shall give to me and not only to me, but to all those who do love His appearing."

1. He is again drawing analogies from the sports world. a. I have fought a good fight. In another place in 2 Tim he said, "If a man strive for the masteries (which was the term for competition wrestling) he is not crowned unless he strive lawfully." Paul had never seen the World Wrestling Federation. b. I have finished the course. i.e. the race course.

D. I believe that Paul was the author of the book of Hebrews however there is nothing in the Bible that states that, however whoever the author was they also made reference to racing.

1. Let us lay aside every weight and sin which doth so easily beset us and let us run with patience this race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and the Finisher of our faith.

a. Those who trained for the Olympics in those days used to tie weights on their bodies as they trained but when it came to the race, they stripped down completely so that they had nothing to impede their running. b. I think of all of the weights and garbage that we so often carry around in our spiritual lives that hinder us from winning the race.

III. IN PHILIPPIANS 3 PAUL SPEAKS OF HIS PERSONAL LIFE BEFORE MEETING JESUS CHRIST. HE WAS CARRYING AROUND A LOT OF EXTRA BAGGAGE, THINGS THAT HE WAS ONCE PROUD OF, BUT ONCE COMING TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS CHRIST WAS HAPPY TO LET THEM GO.

A. His goal now in life was to apprehend that for which he was apprehended by Jesus Christ. 1. He realized that when the Lord apprehended him, that the Lord had a plan for his life. 2. His goal now was to accomplish that plan.

B. For each of us the only thing that really counts in life is to apprehend that for which God created us.

1. All of our personal goals as are trash, there is nothing of real value can come to us by accomplishing them.

a. The emptiest moment in a persons life comes the moment after he has accomplished the goals that he had set that he thought would bring him great satisfaction. b. There is an old saying that is so true, "Success never means as much to the person who has attained it." c. As Donald Trump confessed, It is the chase that is exciting.

2. We have only one life, it will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last. 3. The most fulfilling moment in life is when you suddenly realize that God used you to accomplish His purpose. To realize that God's hand was on your life guiding you to fulfill his purpose.

a. Girl in St. Joseph's hospital. C. How can I apprehend that for which God created me? D. Forgetting those things which are behind. All my earthly accomplishments. E. Reaching forth for those things which are before. F. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. G. Again we see the runner at the end of the marathon, as he rounds the corner, he can see the tape stretched across the road, and the crowd is cheering him on. He is aware that there are other runners nearby who are all pressing toward that goal, he digs deep for that extra kick that might win the race. Press toward the mark. The reward is so great. "The high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

David Guzik: 4. (Phl 3:12-14) The future of Paul’s relationship with Jesus Christ.

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

a. Not that I have already attained: Paul wrote from such spiritual maturity and purity that we might expect he believed that he had conquered all spiritual difficulties and saw himself as having arrived at near perfection. Yet he assured us this was not so. There was no perfectionism in Paul.

i. Sadly, it is common for many Christian leaders to cultivate the attitude that they have already attained. Without saying the words, they put forth the image of constant triumph that gives the idea that they have already attained and are already perfected.

ii. “Brethren, it is a very healthy thing for us who are ministers to read a biography like that of M’Cheyne. Read that through, if you are a minister, and it will burst many of your windbags. You will find yourselves collapse most terribly. Take the life of Brainerd amongst the Indians, or of Baxter in our own land. Think of the holiness of George Herbert, the devoutness of Fletcher, or the zeal of

Whitfield. Where do you find yourself after reading their lives? Might you not peep about to find a hiding-place for your insignificance?” (Spurgeon)

iii. “Just as a little child is a perfect human being, but still is far from perfect in all his development as man, so the true child of God is also perfect in all parts, although not yet perfect in all the stages of his development in faith.” (Muller)

iv. “But while the work of Christ for us is perfect, and it were presumption to think of adding to it, the work of the Holy Spirit in us is not perfect, it is continually carried on from day to day, and will need to be continued throughout the whole of our lives.” (Spurgeon)

b. But I press on: Because Paul realized that he had not arrived, there was only one option open for him. He had to press on. There was no turning back for Him.

i. When Spain led the world (in the 15th century), her coins reflected her national arrogance and were inscribed Ne Plus Ultra which meant “Nothing Further” – meaning that Spain was the ultimate in all the world. After the discovery of the New World, she realized that she was not the end of the world, so Spain changed the inscription on her coinage to Plus Ultra meaning “More Beyond.” In the same pattern, some Christian lives say, “Nothing Further” and others say “More Beyond.”

ii. This is where child-like faith meets real maturity. A child can’t wait to be bigger and always wants to be more mature.

iii. But I press on meant that Paul had put his hand to the plow and refused to look back (Luke 9:62).

c. That I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me: Paul pressed on for what Jesus wanted. His effort was put forth to do God’s will, not his own.

i. When Paul said, “That I may lay hold,” he used strong language. “The word ‘apprehend’ is from the same Greek word translated ‘attained,’ but with a preposition prefixed which means in its local force ‘down.’ He wants to catch hold of it and pull it down, like a football player who not only wants to catch his man, but wants to pull him down and make him his own.” (Wuest)

ii. Paul began this verse with the idea that Jesus Christ had laid hold of him. This is an important idea; yet sometimes Christians react to that idea by being passive. They suppose, “Jesus got a hold of me; so that is it now. I am a Christian and I am going to heaven.” Paul showed a different attitude; he was determined to lay hold for that for which Jesus had laid hold of him. So one should ask, “Why did Jesus lay hold of Paul?”

· Jesus laid hold of Paul to make him a new man (Romans 6:4) – so Paul would lay hold of that and wanted to see the converting work of Jesus completely carried out in himself.

· Jesus laid hold of Paul to conform him into the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29) – so Paul would lay hold of that and wanted to see the nature of Jesus within himself. · Jesus laid hold of Paul to make him a witness (Acts 9:15) – so Paul would lay hold of both the experience of Jesus and to testify of that experience. · Jesus laid hold of Paul to make him an instrument in the conversion of others (Acts 9:15) – so Paul would lay hold of the work of bringing others to Jesus. · Jesus laid hold of Paul to bring him into suffering (Acts 9:16) – so Paul would lay hold of even that work of God in his life, wanting to know Jesus in the fellowship of His sufferings. · Jesus laid hold of Paul that so that the Apostle might attain to the resurrection from the dead (Philippians 3:11) – so Paul would lay hold of that heavenly hope.

d. The prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus: Paul was focused on one thing and would not let those things which are behind distract him from it. He pressed on for the prize.

i. We often let those things which are behind distract us, whether they be good things or bad things. Looking at what is in the past often keeps us from what God has for us in the future.

ii. It is a deception to live either in the past or in the future; God wants us to press on in the present, because the present is where eternity touches us now. Paul knew that a race is won only in the present moment, not in the past or in the future.

e. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus: The prize is the upward call of God. The prize is the call itself, not the benefits that come from the call or any other thing. The prize is being able to run the race at all, working with God as a partner to do the work of His kingdom.

i. “It is a high calling because it comes from above, from God; the conception of it has emanated from His heart. It is a high calling because it is worthy of God. It is a high calling because it is so much above the ideals of men.... And then this is a high calling because it summons us to where Christ sits at the right hand of God.” (Meyer)

ii. Because it is such a glorious call, it is worth reaching forward for it. “The Greek word points out the strong exertions made in the race; every muscle and nerve is exerted, and he puts forth every particle of his strength in running. He was running for life, and running for his life.” (Clarke)

f. The upward call of God in Christ Jesus: As everything else, this upward call of God is only in Christ Jesus. The legalists might say they followed the upward call of God, but they certainly didn’t do it in Christ Jesus; instead they did it in the efforts of their own flesh.

5. (Phl 3:15-16) Paul exhorts the Philippians to adopt this same attitude.

Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

a. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind: Those who are really mature will have this mind. If they do not, Paul trusted that God would reveal the necessity of having it.

b. God will reveal even this to you: Paul had great trust in the ability of the Lord to deal with His own people. He didn’t have the attitude that if he failed to convince them, they would then never be convinced.

c. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule: However, Paul would not allow a lack of understanding to excuse anyone from doing what he did know to be the Lord’s will. What we don’t know can never excuse us from failing to fulfill what we do know to do.

d. Let us be of the same mind: Part of doing what we do know is being of the same mind. This is a call to unity (a unity of truth, against the potential division brought in by the legalists) that looks back to Philippians 2:1-2.

i. The problems of unity facing the Philippians did not spring from great problems with carnality as was the case with the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 3:1-4). Rather it seemed to be a danger brought on by pressure, both from the outside (Philippians 1:27-30) and from the inside (Philippians 3:2). Paul wanted to make sure that this pressure pushed them together instead of driving them apart.

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may

apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus [Phil. 3:12].

The knowledge that he will not attain perfection does not deter Paul from moving in that direction. Perfection means complete maturity. Paul knew he had not arrived. He certainly agreed with Peter that we should “… grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ …” (2 Pet. 3:18).

Now the next verse will give us the modus operandi of the life of Paul:

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things

which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before [Phil. 3:13].

“I count not myself to have apprehended”—Paul is saying that he hadn’t arrived. Oh, so many saints feel comfortable in their ignorance. They think they know it all.

“This one thing I do.” Talk about the simple life—if we could get the Christian life down to where we should have it, it would really be an uncomplicated life. Paul had whittled his life down to one point.

“Forgetting those things which are behind.” He is leaving the past behind with all his mistakes, not letting it handicap him for the future. The future—he lives in the present in the anticipation of the future when he will grow and develop. (Someone has well said that today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.)

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus [Phil. 3:14].

“I press toward the mark for the prize.” Paul likens himself to a track star, running for a prize. We must remember that Paul had witnessed the Olympic Games—at least, he had every opportunity to do so. There was a great amphitheater in Ephesus which seated one hundred thousand people, and the Olympic Games were held there at times. Paul was living in Ephesus for three years, and it is difficult for me to believe that he hadn’t seen the games, especially since he used so many figures of speech that were taken form those athletic events.

“The prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”—the prize is not some earthly reward but it is to be caught up and be in the presence of Christ. “The high calling of God” is sometimes translated “the upward call of God.” We are going to be in His presence. We are going to be like Him. These are things that Paul says are out yonder in the future for him.

Now let’s be clear on one thing: we don’t run for salvation. Salvation is not the prize. Either we have Christ or we don’t have Him. We either trust Him or we don’t trust Him. The only way we can have salvation is through faith in Christ. It is a gift. A gift is different from a prize. The wonderful folk on our radio staff presented me with a birthday gift. Somebody said, “We have a gift for you, Dr. McGee,” and handed a box to me. I believed them and I took it. I didn’t put my hands behind my back and say, “Well, I’m not sure you really mean business. I am not sure that you intend to do this for me.” I just accepted it and thanked them for it. I didn’t have to run a race to win it; I didn’t have to work for it. It was a gift. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8–9). Salvation is not won at a race. Salvation is a gift which is accepted.

Now Paul, after receiving eternal life, is out running for a prize. Christ became everything to him, and he is running a race that he might win Christ. In what way? Well, someday he is going to appear in His presence. His whole thought is: “When I come into His presence, I don’t want to be ashamed.” John said that it is possible to be ashamed at His appearing: “And now, little children, abide in him, that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming” (1 John 2:28). There are a great many Christians today talking about wishing Christ would come, who, if they really knew what it will mean to them, would probably like to postpone it for a while. If you think that you can live a careless Christian life and not have to answer for it, you are entirely wrong. One of these days you will have to stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account of the way you lived your life. I suggest that you get down on the racecourse and start living for Him.

Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise

minded, God shall reveal even this unto you [Phil. 3:15].

“As many as be perfect”—what does he mean by that? I think I can illustrate this by my orange trees. My three orange trees are loaded with fruit this year. Some of the oranges are still green, but for this particular time of year, they are perfect. They are perfect oranges. But if you come and see me in a month, they will not be perfect oranges if they stay just like they are now. You see, when Paul says “perfect,” he means arriving where one should be in maturation. Another illustration would be that of a baby. Suppose we have a baby here seventeen months old. My, what a wonderful baby he is—he wins a blue ribbon. But if you see him seventeen years later and he is still saying, “Da–da,” there is something radically wrong. Maturation is the thought Paul has in mind. He is saying this: “Let us, therefore, as many as are complete in Christ, who are growing normally in Christ, let us be thus minded.” In other words, have the same mind as Paul. Get out on the racetrack with Paul and press on toward the same goal.

“And if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.” Maybe you have some other idea, and maybe God does have something else for you to do. If you are willing to do it, He will show it to you. God is able to lead a willing believer. You may remember that the psalmist told us not to be like the horse and the mule that must have a bridle in his mouth in order to be led. If God must lead you around like that, it will hurt. Why not let Him lead you by His eye? That is the way He would like to do it. This is what Paul is talking about—“God shall reveal even this unto you.” God will reveal His will to you if you want to be led. I hear Christians say, “If only I knew the will of God.” It’s a matter of being in touch with the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a matter of drawing close to Him. It is a willingness to do His will when He shows it to you. There is no little formula for discovering the will of God. One cannot live a careless life and expect a vision or an angel or

some green light to appear to show the way to go in a crisis. Knowing the will of God comes through a day–by–day walk with Him and a willingness to be led by Him. This will keep you on the right route through life, and it will be a great joy to your heart.

Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same

thing [Phil. 3:16].

Paul is encouraging the Philippian believers to get out on the racetrack. He wants them to press on for the prize—the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Then he goes on to give himself as an example.1

1 McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Epistles (Philippians/Colossians) (electronic ed., Vol. 48, pp. 76–

79). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.