Introduction
Paul was a tent maker. Probably did a lot of work for sporting events. He likely evangelized at these events. He liked using sporting analogies. V12-14 – A runner with his eyes fixed on the prize. He gave up everything to gain Christ. His person, His Work, His grace. To know Him. To gain Christ is salvation. Salvation is by grace alone. The grace that is at work in us makes us work.
Principles for pursuing the prize
1 – recognize your need.
We need to continue to pursue the prize. V16-17 Paul is arguing he is not perfect and still working towards it. Any idea of sinless perfectionism is false. This also teaches we aren’t saved by works. We have a lot more to do, a lot more service. Our faith needs to grow and increase. We have not laid hold of the prize yet. Though we strive to not sin. Always need to mortify sin, always need to put away sin.
2 – Run with all your might
V14 – I press on. I chase. The same word used here is the same used for persecuted. It’s also used for a sprinter. A good racer holds nothing back. Running to win the race.
3 – Know the goal
We have to know the goal. The goal and the prize are the same. The reason Christ saved us needs to become the purpose of our life. What did Christ save us for? V8-11 To know Christ and to be glorified. To fully know Jesus Christ and to become like Him.
We should never think we have arrived. We wont arrive until we die. Stay the course. Know the goal. Run after that.. Pursue the prize.
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;” Romans 8:28-29 NASB1995
4 – Has to have singular focus to pursue that prize.
V13 – 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,
We have to continually focus on Christ and not look back. Anything in life that keeps us from Christ. Forget the losses and even the victories. Learn from them don’t let them distract you. Reach forward.
Philippians 3:1-21 (NKJV) 1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you [is] not tedious, but for you [it is] safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, [of] the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which [is] from the law, but that which [is] through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 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. 13 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, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 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. 16 Nevertheless, to [the degree] that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. 17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, [that they are] the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end [is] destruction, whose god [is their] belly, and [whose] glory [is] in their shame–who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.