WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:15.040 The following sermon is made available by Lakeside Bible Church in Cornelius, North Carolina. 00:00:15.640 --> 00:00:19.160 For more information about our church or to find more recorded sermons, 00:00:19.660 --> 00:00:22.719 please visit us online at lakesidebible.church. 00:00:22.980 --> 00:00:25.719 We'd also love to connect with you on social media. 00:00:25.719 --> 00:00:30.679 You can find us by searching Lakeside Bible NC on Facebook and Instagram. 00:00:31.399 --> 00:00:37.879 For specific questions about the Bible or our church, please email us at info at lakesidebible.church. 00:00:40.399 --> 00:00:45.299 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect, 00:00:46.019 --> 00:00:53.060 but I follow after if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 00:00:53.060 --> 00:00:59.280 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended, but this one thing I do, 00:01:00.020 --> 00:01:05.520 forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 00:01:06.359 --> 00:01:11.280 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 00:01:12.359 --> 00:01:16.320 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded. 00:01:16.319 --> 00:01:22.639 And if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 00:01:23.579 --> 00:01:31.199 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. 00:01:31.339 --> 00:01:38.379 Throughout our study of the book of Philippians, I've on occasion have mentioned the three tenses of salvation. 00:01:38.539 --> 00:01:39.199 Do you remember those? 00:01:39.200 --> 00:02:03.680 Well, since the entire third chapter of Philippians chapter 3 is about salvation, 00:02:03.680 --> 00:02:10.240 Paul touches in one way or another on each of these three realities of the Christian life. 00:02:10.939 --> 00:02:16.000 And after defining true conversion in the first 11 verses of the chapter, 00:02:16.439 --> 00:02:21.240 he moves to discuss the believer's sanctification in verses 12 to 16. 00:02:21.819 --> 00:02:26.080 So we're moving past the past tense of salvation, the moment of conversion, 00:02:26.080 --> 00:02:33.840 and now he's dealing with specifically this progressive sanctifying process of the believer. 00:02:34.520 --> 00:02:39.600 And I want to draw your attention specifically to the first statement in verse 12. 00:02:39.680 --> 00:02:40.460 Would you look at it with me? 00:02:41.480 --> 00:02:42.260 Paul says, 00:02:43.080 --> 00:02:48.300 It's not as though I had already attained this, either were already perfect. 00:02:48.300 --> 00:02:56.780 And here's why we know that Paul is moving from conversion and justification in verse 12 into sanctification. 00:02:57.200 --> 00:02:58.820 Because he says clearly, 00:02:59.420 --> 00:03:02.480 The thing to which I'm referring, I have not yet obtained. 00:03:02.960 --> 00:03:05.720 And I have not yet apprehended. 00:03:06.360 --> 00:03:08.680 I've not yet been made perfect. 00:03:09.040 --> 00:03:14.000 That glorification that is coming for me one day, I have not yet attained it. 00:03:14.000 --> 00:03:20.259 So when we study this verse, we understand that Paul is not talking about not attaining salvation. 00:03:20.919 --> 00:03:25.259 He's talking about not yet reaching a state of perfection. 00:03:26.340 --> 00:03:31.300 The Bible clearly teaches that salvation is a present possession. 00:03:32.120 --> 00:03:38.300 And it is eternally secured for any individual that will place saving faith in Christ alone. 00:03:38.300 --> 00:03:47.580 The salvation and eternal life that God offers is not a potential salvation. 00:03:48.300 --> 00:03:50.719 It's a definitive salvation. 00:03:51.500 --> 00:03:57.160 When we come to Christ in faith, we don't place our faith in him in hopes that he will save us. 00:03:57.300 --> 00:04:03.980 We place our faith in him with the definitive promise of God that he will save us. 00:04:03.980 --> 00:04:07.860 It's our present possession eternal life is in that moment. 00:04:07.860 --> 00:04:09.500 Let me point you to a couple scriptures. 00:04:09.920 --> 00:04:11.880 In John chapter 10, Jesus said, 00:04:12.080 --> 00:04:17.580 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 00:04:17.980 --> 00:04:18.780 And then he says, 00:04:19.480 --> 00:04:24.840 I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, 00:04:25.500 --> 00:04:28.879 and no man will pluck them out of my hand. 00:04:29.259 --> 00:04:30.920 In other words, Jesus is saying, 00:04:30.920 --> 00:04:36.540 If you will come to me in faith, this eternal life that I offer you, you will receive. 00:04:36.680 --> 00:04:37.560 It's guaranteed. 00:04:37.860 --> 00:04:39.259 It's a definitive promise. 00:04:39.639 --> 00:04:41.160 You will never perish. 00:04:41.819 --> 00:04:48.139 Not only will you never perish, but there's no person on this planet that can strip this salvation away from you. 00:04:48.379 --> 00:04:50.800 You are secure in my hands. 00:04:50.939 --> 00:04:56.460 This life that I give is a definitive promise, not a potential promise. 00:04:56.459 --> 00:04:58.379 So when Paul says in verse 12, 00:04:58.379 --> 00:05:01.019 I've not already attained what I'm talking about. 00:05:01.120 --> 00:05:02.659 I've not already been made perfect. 00:05:02.839 --> 00:05:04.579 He's not talking about conversion. 00:05:04.819 --> 00:05:07.919 He's talking about the sanctifying process. 00:05:08.319 --> 00:05:08.899 It's important. 00:05:08.899 --> 00:05:17.859 If the Judaizers were right, that one could earn salvation through good works and religious commitment, 00:05:18.379 --> 00:05:25.679 there would never be a way to truly know if you had been good enough or if you had been committed enough. 00:05:25.680 --> 00:05:28.480 Salvation would not be a present possession. 00:05:28.480 --> 00:05:31.319 It would be a potential hope. 00:05:31.319 --> 00:05:38.500 But God has told us clearly that he offers salvation not on the basis of our performance, 00:05:39.099 --> 00:05:45.240 because as Isaiah said, our righteousness to him is like filthy rags in comparison. 00:05:45.240 --> 00:05:51.079 But he offers salvation on the basis of his own love and grace. 00:05:51.759 --> 00:05:59.720 And he's told us in his word that we can be absolutely certain that salvation is ours if we trust Christ. 00:06:00.560 --> 00:06:03.460 John wrote in 1 John 5.13, 00:06:04.259 --> 00:06:07.720 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, 00:06:08.079 --> 00:06:11.819 that you may know that you have eternal life. 00:06:11.819 --> 00:06:18.339 You can know today absolutely for certain that eternal life is yours. 00:06:18.839 --> 00:06:23.240 And it's not a question as to whether or not you're good enough, as we've studied the last few Sundays. 00:06:23.680 --> 00:06:26.120 It's a question on do you know Christ? 00:06:26.980 --> 00:06:30.879 Not do you know about Christ, but do you know him? 00:06:31.539 --> 00:06:38.600 Have you experienced his saving power by casting 100% of your faith on him for salvation? 00:06:38.600 --> 00:06:47.540 Well, Paul's approach to the issue of sanctification here in righteous living is different than he approaches it in other letters. 00:06:48.480 --> 00:06:51.500 Rather than providing a list of do's and don'ts, 00:06:51.960 --> 00:06:56.920 he deals with sanctification in these verses as a matter of the mind and heart. 00:06:57.760 --> 00:07:00.600 And he does that by continuing on in his testimony. 00:07:01.620 --> 00:07:05.340 Now, he had already referenced in verse number 8 that he knew Christ personally. 00:07:05.439 --> 00:07:05.920 Look at that. 00:07:06.080 --> 00:07:07.400 He's speaking of his conversion. 00:07:07.399 --> 00:07:08.519 He says, 00:07:08.599 --> 00:07:09.779 Yea, doubtless in verse 8, 00:07:10.060 --> 00:07:19.120 I count all things but loss for the surpassing value or worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. 00:07:19.219 --> 00:07:21.439 He had already known Christ personally. 00:07:22.060 --> 00:07:27.279 In sanctification, in these verses, he was seeking to know Christ progressively. 00:07:27.279 --> 00:07:33.619 So in verse 10, he proclaimed the benefits of knowing Christ as being receiving Christ. 00:07:33.619 --> 00:07:40.559 Power over sin as receiving also partnership with Christ in suffering and loss, 00:07:40.699 --> 00:07:43.959 and then the eternal life that only Christ can give. 00:07:44.379 --> 00:07:47.799 And for Paul, this sets in motion a cycle. 00:07:47.800 --> 00:07:52.300 Because he had experienced Christ in salvation in verse number 10, 00:07:52.300 --> 00:07:56.780 he immediately felt the satisfaction that can only come from Jesus Christ. 00:07:56.920 --> 00:08:00.900 But then immediately, a dissatisfaction settles into his heart. 00:08:01.080 --> 00:08:03.139 Because he wanted to know Christ more. 00:08:03.139 --> 00:08:08.719 And it sets in motion this cycle that exists in the heart of every believer I believe. 00:08:08.719 --> 00:08:10.919 Look at what Paul says in verse 10. 00:08:11.300 --> 00:08:11.680 He says, 00:08:11.680 --> 00:08:22.100 Then look down at verse 12. 00:08:22.100 --> 00:08:22.800 He says, 00:08:22.800 --> 00:08:25.259 Not that I've already attained this sanctification. 00:08:25.400 --> 00:08:26.400 Either we're already perfect. 00:08:26.720 --> 00:08:27.780 But I press on. 00:08:28.079 --> 00:08:29.220 I follow after. 00:08:30.120 --> 00:08:35.659 So you can sense in salvation, Paul was totally satisfied in Jesus Christ. 00:08:35.659 --> 00:08:38.839 And then because of that satisfaction, he couldn't get enough. 00:08:39.559 --> 00:08:40.100 And he said, 00:08:40.159 --> 00:08:42.279 I just want more of Christ. 00:08:42.360 --> 00:08:43.659 I want to know him more. 00:08:43.819 --> 00:08:45.120 I want to know more about him. 00:08:45.259 --> 00:08:46.679 I want to know how I can please him. 00:08:46.839 --> 00:08:50.459 I want to experience his power more and more and more. 00:08:50.579 --> 00:08:53.600 And then each step of this progressive sanctification, 00:08:53.839 --> 00:08:56.240 as Paul would know Christ more, 00:08:56.379 --> 00:08:58.419 as he would understand the scriptures more, 00:08:58.620 --> 00:09:02.379 he would be satisfied in Christ and then immediately dissatisfied again. 00:09:02.819 --> 00:09:04.199 Because he just wants to know more. 00:09:04.200 --> 00:09:07.060 That's indicative of the life of a true believer. 00:09:07.640 --> 00:09:10.879 That once we experience what Christ offers in salvation, 00:09:11.180 --> 00:09:15.200 we just want more and more and more of him. 00:09:15.680 --> 00:09:18.660 And so Paul's testimony here in these verses 00:09:18.660 --> 00:09:21.360 is really a testimony of this cycle. 00:09:22.140 --> 00:09:26.780 And it's an encouragement for us to jump into the cycle ourselves. 00:09:27.440 --> 00:09:31.120 To be satisfied in Christ and then to be dissatisfied 00:09:31.120 --> 00:09:32.620 with how little we know about him 00:09:32.620 --> 00:09:35.019 and how little we experience his power. 00:09:35.580 --> 00:09:36.960 And just to want more. 00:09:37.340 --> 00:09:38.340 And in wanting more, 00:09:38.879 --> 00:09:40.279 pursuing him, 00:09:40.659 --> 00:09:41.740 following after, 00:09:42.200 --> 00:09:43.519 pressing on, 00:09:43.840 --> 00:09:44.879 as Paul says. 00:09:46.320 --> 00:09:49.060 Jesus said in Matthew chapter five and verse six 00:09:49.060 --> 00:09:50.240 in the Beatitudes, 00:09:50.440 --> 00:09:51.460 in his Sermon on the Mount, 00:09:52.840 --> 00:09:53.179 he said, 00:09:53.560 --> 00:09:55.620 blessed are those which do hunger and thirst 00:09:55.620 --> 00:09:56.539 after righteousness. 00:09:56.539 --> 00:09:58.139 Well, 00:09:58.139 --> 00:09:59.679 what is righteousness in the scriptures? 00:10:00.860 --> 00:10:02.199 Righteousness comes from Christ. 00:10:03.039 --> 00:10:04.819 We can't be righteous on our own. 00:10:05.419 --> 00:10:06.559 It comes through his power. 00:10:07.419 --> 00:10:08.219 So when Jesus says, 00:10:08.639 --> 00:10:11.299 blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, 00:10:11.679 --> 00:10:15.759 it's not just a blessing on those who want to get their life together. 00:10:15.980 --> 00:10:18.219 It's a blessing on those who want to know me 00:10:18.219 --> 00:10:19.519 and want to know my righteousness 00:10:19.519 --> 00:10:20.759 and want to know my power. 00:10:20.759 --> 00:10:21.620 And then he says, 00:10:21.899 --> 00:10:23.879 blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness 00:10:23.879 --> 00:10:27.080 for they shall be satisfied, 00:10:27.439 --> 00:10:27.980 he says. 00:10:28.480 --> 00:10:30.159 They shall be filled. 00:10:30.639 --> 00:10:32.580 It's a promise that God gives. 00:10:32.899 --> 00:10:34.740 What a glorious promise that is. 00:10:35.080 --> 00:10:38.139 That as we sense the dissatisfaction of this world 00:10:38.139 --> 00:10:40.779 and we sense the dissatisfaction of this life 00:10:40.779 --> 00:10:44.439 and we sense the dissatisfaction of our present walk with Christ, 00:10:44.600 --> 00:10:46.259 that when we hunger after him 00:10:46.259 --> 00:10:47.960 and we thirst after him, 00:10:48.120 --> 00:10:49.059 his promise is, 00:10:49.439 --> 00:10:50.539 you will be filled. 00:10:50.980 --> 00:10:52.860 If I'm what you hunger for, 00:10:53.100 --> 00:10:54.700 I will fill you. 00:10:54.860 --> 00:10:57.819 As long as you're hungering and thirsting after this life 00:10:57.819 --> 00:10:59.559 and the sins of this world 00:10:59.559 --> 00:11:01.240 and what it has to offer, 00:11:01.519 --> 00:11:02.500 you will feel empty. 00:11:02.679 --> 00:11:05.360 But as long as you are hungering and thirsting after me, 00:11:05.539 --> 00:11:07.460 you will be filled. 00:11:08.200 --> 00:11:10.779 We've been singing this song the last few weeks, 00:11:10.879 --> 00:11:12.039 Jesus Strong and Kind. 00:11:12.720 --> 00:11:14.439 And I think it's the second verse that says, 00:11:14.440 --> 00:11:16.700 Jesus said that if I thirst, 00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:18.620 I should come to him. 00:11:19.240 --> 00:11:21.320 No one else can satisfy. 00:11:22.160 --> 00:11:23.560 I should come to him. 00:11:24.040 --> 00:11:25.920 For the Lord is good and gracious. 00:11:26.860 --> 00:11:28.540 He is strong and kind. 00:11:29.100 --> 00:11:30.700 And we rejoice in that truth. 00:11:31.080 --> 00:11:32.580 Well, let me quickly give you three things 00:11:32.580 --> 00:11:35.160 about these passages as Paul breaks it down for us. 00:11:35.400 --> 00:11:36.360 Number one, in verse 12, 00:11:36.440 --> 00:11:39.660 we see that sanctification is a purposeful call. 00:11:40.460 --> 00:11:43.380 It's a purposeful call. 00:11:43.379 --> 00:11:45.299 Look at verse 12 with me again. 00:11:45.939 --> 00:11:46.240 Paul says, 00:11:46.439 --> 00:11:47.740 not as though I had already attained, 00:11:48.039 --> 00:11:49.439 either were already perfect, 00:11:49.639 --> 00:11:52.220 but I follow after or I press on 00:11:52.220 --> 00:11:56.059 if that I may apprehend that for which 00:11:56.059 --> 00:11:59.480 also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 00:11:59.939 --> 00:12:01.659 Now the phrase I follow after 00:12:01.659 --> 00:12:03.419 is meant to open our understanding 00:12:03.419 --> 00:12:05.159 to Paul's intensity. 00:12:05.960 --> 00:12:08.899 The Greek term has references to war 00:12:08.899 --> 00:12:11.220 and the pursuit of victory in a battle. 00:12:11.220 --> 00:12:13.040 And Paul's point when he says, 00:12:13.139 --> 00:12:16.379 I follow after is this sanctifying process, 00:12:16.700 --> 00:12:19.320 this following after Christ 00:12:19.320 --> 00:12:21.460 and living a holy and righteous life 00:12:21.460 --> 00:12:23.379 is something that I'm fighting for 00:12:23.379 --> 00:12:25.680 in the way that a soldier fights 00:12:25.680 --> 00:12:27.440 to win the battle on the battlefield. 00:12:28.279 --> 00:12:29.460 It was his intensity. 00:12:30.320 --> 00:12:32.360 He said, I am fighting for this. 00:12:32.560 --> 00:12:36.259 I am fighting to be like Christ in this way. 00:12:36.259 --> 00:12:40.059 But since his salvation was already secure, 00:12:41.179 --> 00:12:45.139 what was the motivation for him to fight in this way? 00:12:46.100 --> 00:12:49.720 If he was already positionally righteous before God, 00:12:50.259 --> 00:12:52.799 what was the point in being so concerned 00:12:52.799 --> 00:12:55.059 with spiritual growth now? 00:12:55.580 --> 00:12:56.879 And that's a valid question. 00:12:57.399 --> 00:12:58.740 And it's one we have to be able to answer. 00:12:59.139 --> 00:13:01.120 And thankfully, Paul answers it in verse 12. 00:13:01.360 --> 00:13:02.759 Look at the second half of the verse. 00:13:02.759 --> 00:13:07.360 If that I may apprehend or lay hold of or achieve 00:13:07.360 --> 00:13:10.580 that, notice this, for which, 00:13:11.139 --> 00:13:15.679 that for which Christ has apprehended me 00:13:15.679 --> 00:13:18.819 or I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 00:13:19.919 --> 00:13:23.039 What Paul is saying is this life of righteousness 00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:26.340 and sanctification is a divine call. 00:13:26.899 --> 00:13:30.899 It is the purpose of Christ in saving us 00:13:30.899 --> 00:13:34.000 to make us more like him. 00:13:35.199 --> 00:13:37.299 Paul's goal in life was consistent 00:13:37.299 --> 00:13:40.360 with Christ's goal in saving him. 00:13:40.779 --> 00:13:42.639 And what was Christ's goal in saving him? 00:13:43.179 --> 00:13:44.679 Romans chapter eight tells us. 00:13:45.100 --> 00:13:46.259 You know this first verse well 00:13:46.259 --> 00:13:47.639 that's helpful for us all the time. 00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:50.519 And we know that all things work together for good 00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:51.620 to them that love God, 00:13:52.179 --> 00:13:54.659 to them who are called according to his purpose. 00:13:54.659 --> 00:13:56.939 That is a reference to those who are saved, 00:13:57.079 --> 00:13:57.899 who have believed. 00:13:58.399 --> 00:13:59.899 And then he says in verse 29, 00:13:59.899 --> 00:14:02.439 for whom God did foreknow, 00:14:03.059 --> 00:14:04.779 he also did predestine. 00:14:04.799 --> 00:14:06.459 He's referring to believers, 00:14:06.679 --> 00:14:07.480 those who are saved. 00:14:07.699 --> 00:14:10.480 He also did predestine to do what? 00:14:11.019 --> 00:14:14.720 Be conformed to the image of his son. 00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:17.840 What was the purpose in Christ saving you? 00:14:17.879 --> 00:14:21.659 What's the purpose in God providing salvation to begin with? 00:14:21.740 --> 00:14:23.019 To make us righteous. 00:14:23.720 --> 00:14:28.059 To conform us to the image of his perfectly righteous son. 00:14:28.059 --> 00:14:30.199 So when Paul looked at sanctification, 00:14:30.439 --> 00:14:31.579 the pursuit of righteousness, 00:14:31.839 --> 00:14:33.859 he viewed it as a divine call 00:14:33.859 --> 00:14:35.919 that went part and parcel 00:14:35.919 --> 00:14:37.899 with the divine call to salvation. 00:14:38.679 --> 00:14:39.219 In other words, 00:14:39.459 --> 00:14:41.000 every person that is a believer 00:14:41.000 --> 00:14:42.439 has the call of God, 00:14:42.539 --> 00:14:43.919 the purposeful call of God 00:14:43.919 --> 00:14:46.859 to live a righteous life. 00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:49.479 And this is logically consistent 00:14:49.479 --> 00:14:52.039 with the doctrines of sin and salvation. 00:14:52.599 --> 00:14:53.259 Think about it. 00:14:53.259 --> 00:14:55.080 In conversion, 00:14:55.679 --> 00:14:58.080 we recognize the holiness of God 00:14:58.080 --> 00:15:00.879 set against our sinful condition. 00:15:01.639 --> 00:15:03.980 And we realize that it's our sin 00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:05.580 that separates us from God. 00:15:06.100 --> 00:15:09.120 So if it's our sin that separates us from God, 00:15:09.700 --> 00:15:13.000 and if the purpose in Christ dying on the cross 00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:16.080 was to provide an atonement for that sin 00:15:16.080 --> 00:15:19.759 and to provide reconciliation to God the Father, 00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:22.679 why would we not desire 00:15:22.679 --> 00:15:26.600 to continue in righteousness after salvation? 00:15:27.100 --> 00:15:28.819 It only makes sense. 00:15:29.620 --> 00:15:31.059 Paul wasn't pursuing a righteousness 00:15:31.059 --> 00:15:32.200 to earn his salvation, 00:15:32.559 --> 00:15:35.319 but he recognized a holy life 00:15:35.319 --> 00:15:36.580 as a divine call 00:15:36.580 --> 00:15:40.620 on all those who have already received salvation. 00:15:41.600 --> 00:15:44.200 Listen, we have a divine call of God 00:15:44.200 --> 00:15:45.980 to pursue holiness. 00:15:45.980 --> 00:15:50.860 And it should be our lifelong pursuit. 00:15:52.139 --> 00:15:55.240 God is not content for Christians 00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:58.360 to have a careless attitude toward righteous living. 00:15:59.080 --> 00:16:01.060 In fact, the command of the scripture 00:16:01.060 --> 00:16:04.840 is that we follow God's pattern of righteousness, 00:16:05.200 --> 00:16:06.720 which is a perfect pattern. 00:16:07.700 --> 00:16:10.019 Remember what Peter wrote in 1 Peter 1. 00:16:10.960 --> 00:16:14.019 He says that we are to gird up the loins of our mind, 00:16:14.019 --> 00:16:17.019 to be sober and hope to the end for the grace 00:16:17.019 --> 00:16:18.360 that is to be brought unto you. 00:16:18.960 --> 00:16:20.699 And then he says the way that we do that 00:16:20.699 --> 00:16:22.699 is as obedient children, 00:16:23.419 --> 00:16:25.460 not fashioning ourselves 00:16:25.460 --> 00:16:28.279 according to the former lust in your ignorance, 00:16:28.779 --> 00:16:32.539 but as he which has called you to salvation is holy, 00:16:33.059 --> 00:16:37.500 so be ye holy in all manner of life. 00:16:37.919 --> 00:16:39.299 Because it is written, 00:16:39.299 --> 00:16:43.439 be ye holy for I am holy. 00:16:44.120 --> 00:16:45.579 It's a divine call. 00:16:46.199 --> 00:16:49.019 It's a call that we must take seriously. 00:16:49.199 --> 00:16:50.500 And the question for this 00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:54.379 is what is your spirit toward this call? 00:16:56.679 --> 00:17:00.599 Are you more like the liberals or the libertines 00:17:00.599 --> 00:17:03.319 that would say I'm positionally righteous before Christ? 00:17:03.419 --> 00:17:05.680 That means I can just live the way that I want 00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:07.460 and just ask forgiveness and everything's good. 00:17:07.460 --> 00:17:10.140 But that's not the spirit of a Christian at all 00:17:10.140 --> 00:17:10.660 in the scripture. 00:17:11.660 --> 00:17:14.600 The spirit of a believer is that we pursue Christ. 00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:16.400 We are not content with our sin. 00:17:17.059 --> 00:17:18.620 We want to leave that behind. 00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:21.059 What's your spirit towards righteousness? 00:17:22.660 --> 00:17:23.860 It's not that you're perfect 00:17:23.860 --> 00:17:25.579 and not that you expect to be perfect, 00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:26.860 but do you want to be? 00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:30.680 Do you desire to please the Lord in that way? 00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:34.100 Do you desire to pursue holiness in that way? 00:17:34.600 --> 00:17:35.480 That was Paul's heart 00:17:35.480 --> 00:17:37.900 and it was the whole purpose of him bringing up 00:17:37.900 --> 00:17:39.420 those words in verse 12, 00:17:39.539 --> 00:17:41.460 that this was a divine call of God 00:17:41.460 --> 00:17:42.940 and it was a call of God 00:17:42.940 --> 00:17:45.000 that he was going to pursue with all of his might. 00:17:45.440 --> 00:17:47.319 So we see a purposeful call. 00:17:47.660 --> 00:17:49.720 Secondly, we see a passionate pursuit. 00:17:50.799 --> 00:17:51.599 Passionate pursuit. 00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:54.319 Look with me at verse 13 and 14. 00:17:55.819 --> 00:17:56.420 He says, 00:17:56.539 --> 00:17:58.860 brothers, I count not myself to have apprehended. 00:17:58.960 --> 00:17:59.880 I'm not there yet. 00:17:59.880 --> 00:18:02.640 He's reemphasizing again his own deficiency. 00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:05.140 But this one thing I do, 00:18:05.860 --> 00:18:07.880 forgetting those things which are behind, 00:18:08.440 --> 00:18:10.800 reaching forth under those things which are before, 00:18:11.340 --> 00:18:15.600 I press toward the goal of the prize 00:18:15.600 --> 00:18:17.800 of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 00:18:17.940 --> 00:18:19.260 It's a passionate pursuit. 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:22.640 Something he was pursuing with all of his might. 00:18:23.780 --> 00:18:25.480 Now, in verse 12, 00:18:25.480 --> 00:18:29.400 it reveals the purpose in pursuing righteousness. 00:18:30.220 --> 00:18:33.299 Verses 13 and 14 show us the procedure 00:18:33.299 --> 00:18:36.480 that we're to follow in pursuing righteousness. 00:18:37.079 --> 00:18:40.480 What's so helpful about Paul's approach here 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:44.380 is that he keeps the focus on our mindset 00:18:44.380 --> 00:18:48.059 rather than on a specific list of sins to avoid 00:18:48.059 --> 00:18:50.019 and works to embrace. 00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:54.980 Now, he could have just given a whole list of things 00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:56.519 that the Philippians needed to do 00:18:56.519 --> 00:18:58.059 in order to please God 00:18:58.059 --> 00:19:00.000 and a list of things they needed to avoid 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:01.220 in order to please God. 00:19:01.299 --> 00:19:02.740 And it wouldn't have been wrong for him to do that. 00:19:03.039 --> 00:19:04.440 He did that in several other letters. 00:19:04.900 --> 00:19:06.819 I think that the reason that he didn't 00:19:06.819 --> 00:19:08.700 is because what they were dealing with 00:19:08.700 --> 00:19:09.900 in terms of the Judaizers, 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:11.519 it would have seemed like it was no different 00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:12.960 than what the Judaizers were saying. 00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:15.559 So he leaves off the list for a moment 00:19:15.559 --> 00:19:17.460 and I think he does it helpfully. 00:19:18.099 --> 00:19:19.859 Instead of giving a list of rules, 00:19:20.599 --> 00:19:23.379 Paul zeroed in on what is the root 00:19:23.379 --> 00:19:25.519 of all outward behavior. 00:19:25.920 --> 00:19:26.639 You know what it is? 00:19:27.139 --> 00:19:29.259 The attitude of the heart. 00:19:30.740 --> 00:19:32.539 The root of everything we do, 00:19:32.639 --> 00:19:34.039 the root of everything we say, 00:19:34.139 --> 00:19:35.480 the root of everything we think 00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:36.940 is the attitude of the heart. 00:19:37.119 --> 00:19:39.019 So instead of giving a whole list of things 00:19:39.019 --> 00:19:40.539 that these Philippians needed to do 00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:42.639 and a whole list of things that they needed to avoid, 00:19:42.940 --> 00:19:44.980 Paul zeroes it into a singular focus 00:19:44.980 --> 00:19:47.879 and he says, just pursue Christ. 00:19:47.880 --> 00:19:50.580 If you will just pursue Christ 00:19:50.580 --> 00:19:52.200 and pursue him passionately, 00:19:52.380 --> 00:19:54.320 all the other things will fall into place 00:19:54.320 --> 00:19:55.360 the way that they need to. 00:19:55.620 --> 00:19:57.880 Focus on Christ. 00:19:58.940 --> 00:20:00.720 Jesus said in Matthew 15, 00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:03.120 that the things which proceed out of the mouth 00:20:03.120 --> 00:20:04.160 come from the heart 00:20:04.160 --> 00:20:06.180 and they defile the man. 00:20:06.880 --> 00:20:07.559 And then he says, 00:20:07.660 --> 00:20:10.339 for out of the heart proceeds evil thoughts 00:20:10.339 --> 00:20:12.059 and murders and adulteries 00:20:12.059 --> 00:20:13.680 and fornications and thefts 00:20:13.680 --> 00:20:15.740 and false witness and blasphemies. 00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:17.539 And again in Luke chapter six, 00:20:17.660 --> 00:20:18.240 Jesus says, 00:20:18.579 --> 00:20:20.519 a good man out of the good treasure of his heart 00:20:20.519 --> 00:20:22.200 brings forth that which is good. 00:20:22.579 --> 00:20:25.220 And an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart 00:20:25.220 --> 00:20:27.680 brings forth that which is evil. 00:20:28.099 --> 00:20:29.799 For of the abundance of the heart, 00:20:30.120 --> 00:20:31.559 the mouth speaketh. 00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:33.640 The truth is what is within you 00:20:33.640 --> 00:20:35.460 will eventually work its way out. 00:20:35.819 --> 00:20:37.660 So fill your heart with Christ. 00:20:38.220 --> 00:20:40.079 Focus your attention on his word. 00:20:40.500 --> 00:20:42.779 Focus your attention on who he is 00:20:42.779 --> 00:20:44.079 and what he desires. 00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:46.000 Fill your heart with him. 00:20:46.359 --> 00:20:47.919 Fill your heart with his truth 00:20:47.919 --> 00:20:50.220 so that what proceeds out of your heart 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:53.679 is grace and truth and righteousness and love 00:20:53.679 --> 00:20:56.339 and all of the things that exist in Christ Jesus. 00:20:56.740 --> 00:21:00.879 Forget the list and just focus on Christ. 00:21:01.819 --> 00:21:04.099 There's two things he says in regards to this 00:21:04.099 --> 00:21:05.359 as a part of this procedure. 00:21:06.099 --> 00:21:10.379 In verse 13 he says that he has a singular focus. 00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:12.359 A singular focus. 00:21:12.359 --> 00:21:16.559 Paul sums up his entire life's purpose 00:21:16.559 --> 00:21:18.639 into one focus. 00:21:19.139 --> 00:21:21.299 To pursue Christ. 00:21:22.839 --> 00:21:23.559 Ultimately, 00:21:24.199 --> 00:21:28.279 Paul's mind wasn't focused on righteousness itself. 00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:32.079 It wasn't righteousness for righteousness' sake. 00:21:32.899 --> 00:21:36.819 His focus was on pleasing Jesus. 00:21:36.819 --> 00:21:38.859 When he said, 00:21:39.079 --> 00:21:39.779 this is my goal, 00:21:39.879 --> 00:21:40.779 it wasn't my goal 00:21:40.779 --> 00:21:41.639 is to read my Bible 00:21:41.639 --> 00:21:43.200 a certain amount of times a day 00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:45.359 and my goal isn't to pray 00:21:45.359 --> 00:21:47.059 a certain amount of hours a day 00:21:47.059 --> 00:21:50.279 and my goal isn't to avoid this list of sins. 00:21:50.419 --> 00:21:52.240 He zeroed it all in on just saying, 00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:53.359 my goal is Christ. 00:21:54.099 --> 00:21:55.099 My goal is Christ. 00:21:55.799 --> 00:21:57.039 And in my pursuit of Christ, 00:21:57.200 --> 00:21:58.279 I'm gonna study his word 00:21:58.279 --> 00:21:59.079 and I'm gonna pray 00:21:59.079 --> 00:22:00.220 and I'm gonna avoid sin, 00:22:00.359 --> 00:22:01.539 but I'm not focused on that 00:22:01.539 --> 00:22:03.159 so much as I'm just focused on Christ. 00:22:03.160 --> 00:22:05.560 He had a singular focus. 00:22:06.759 --> 00:22:07.960 The truth is that 00:22:07.960 --> 00:22:09.259 true righteousness 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:11.200 will only come 00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:12.860 whenever our hearts and minds 00:22:12.860 --> 00:22:14.440 are focused singularly 00:22:14.440 --> 00:22:16.940 on knowing and pursuing Jesus. 00:22:18.019 --> 00:22:19.240 Verses 13 and 14, 00:22:19.320 --> 00:22:20.420 as I mentioned a moment ago, 00:22:21.320 --> 00:22:23.920 use words that in Greek 00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:24.880 would have illustrated 00:22:24.880 --> 00:22:26.180 to the Philippian readers 00:22:26.180 --> 00:22:27.539 a sprinter 00:22:27.539 --> 00:22:29.000 who would have run 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:30.120 in the Isthmian Games 00:22:30.120 --> 00:22:32.039 or the Olympic Games 00:22:32.039 --> 00:22:32.640 of the time. 00:22:33.980 --> 00:22:35.180 Basically, Paul's saying 00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:36.220 just like a runner 00:22:36.220 --> 00:22:37.100 who has focused 00:22:37.100 --> 00:22:38.240 on winning the race, 00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:40.080 he was focused 00:22:40.080 --> 00:22:41.160 on knowing and pleasing 00:22:41.160 --> 00:22:41.779 his Savior. 00:22:43.019 --> 00:22:44.080 And it's not the only time 00:22:44.080 --> 00:22:45.140 he uses this illustration. 00:22:45.320 --> 00:22:45.539 In fact, 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:46.600 if you're keeping notes, 00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:48.320 write down 1 Corinthians 9, 00:22:48.560 --> 00:22:49.820 24 to 27 00:22:49.820 --> 00:22:51.140 and reference it later. 00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:51.820 If I go there, 00:22:51.860 --> 00:22:52.920 I'll spend too much time on it. 00:22:52.940 --> 00:22:53.759 So I'm just gonna trust you 00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:54.500 to study it later. 00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:56.359 But his focus really had 00:22:56.359 --> 00:22:58.019 two features in this verse. 00:22:58.900 --> 00:23:00.019 Forgetting the past 00:23:00.019 --> 00:23:02.119 and looking forward to Jesus. 00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:03.059 Look at the first one 00:23:03.059 --> 00:23:03.839 in verse 13. 00:23:04.619 --> 00:23:05.819 This one thing I do, 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:07.799 forgetting those things 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:09.480 which are behind. 00:23:10.099 --> 00:23:10.880 Have you ever watched 00:23:10.880 --> 00:23:11.980 videos on YouTube 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:14.859 of showboats in races? 00:23:15.299 --> 00:23:16.180 You know what I'm talking about? 00:23:16.519 --> 00:23:18.400 Those who are running track 00:23:18.400 --> 00:23:21.740 and they at least think 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:22.500 that they're way ahead 00:23:22.500 --> 00:23:23.279 of the other people. 00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:24.139 And right before they get 00:23:24.139 --> 00:23:24.819 to the finish line, 00:23:24.879 --> 00:23:25.779 they start to showboat 00:23:25.779 --> 00:23:26.420 a little bit. 00:23:26.599 --> 00:23:27.980 And here comes the scrawny guy 00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:29.059 that runs right past him 00:23:29.059 --> 00:23:29.879 to steal the victory 00:23:29.879 --> 00:23:30.599 at the very end. 00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:31.720 It's not that the other guy 00:23:31.720 --> 00:23:32.339 was faster. 00:23:32.579 --> 00:23:33.960 It's that he was more focused. 00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:35.559 He's more focused on the race. 00:23:35.899 --> 00:23:37.039 We've all seen videos like that. 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:39.160 It doesn't just apply to running. 00:23:39.940 --> 00:23:41.279 I remember distinctively 00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:42.480 as I was studying this week, 00:23:43.339 --> 00:23:43.480 the, 00:23:43.799 --> 00:23:44.920 was it 2016, 00:23:45.319 --> 00:23:46.019 the Summer Olympics 00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:47.039 were in Brazil, 00:23:47.160 --> 00:23:47.519 in Rio. 00:23:48.180 --> 00:23:49.720 You remember all of the buildup 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:50.400 in anticipation 00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:53.640 to the 200 meter butterfly 00:23:53.640 --> 00:23:55.079 men's final 00:23:55.079 --> 00:23:56.460 that had Michael Phelps. 00:23:56.539 --> 00:23:57.539 Michael Phelps was 00:23:57.539 --> 00:24:00.259 the United States 00:24:00.259 --> 00:24:01.559 phenom in swimming 00:24:01.559 --> 00:24:02.500 and he was chasing 00:24:02.500 --> 00:24:03.940 this world record 00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:05.860 gold medals, 00:24:05.920 --> 00:24:06.600 I think is what it was. 00:24:06.640 --> 00:24:07.660 And there was all this buildup 00:24:07.660 --> 00:24:08.799 to this specific race. 00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:10.240 The butterfly was one 00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:11.100 of his better races, 00:24:11.400 --> 00:24:13.200 but in 2012 in London, 00:24:13.500 --> 00:24:15.019 he had barely lost 00:24:15.019 --> 00:24:16.339 and taken second place 00:24:16.339 --> 00:24:18.000 to a guy from South Africa 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:19.160 named Chad LaCleude. 00:24:19.240 --> 00:24:19.519 Do you remember? 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:21.619 And there was all this buildup 00:24:21.619 --> 00:24:22.700 to this race in Rio. 00:24:23.299 --> 00:24:23.940 And if you remember, 00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:25.420 right before they all went out 00:24:25.420 --> 00:24:27.079 to their marks 00:24:27.079 --> 00:24:27.980 for this race 00:24:27.980 --> 00:24:28.880 in the final race, 00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:30.720 Michael Phelps 00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:31.279 was sitting down 00:24:31.279 --> 00:24:31.759 on his chair 00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:32.559 on a folding chair 00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:33.599 and Chad LaCleude 00:24:33.599 --> 00:24:34.440 was in front of him 00:24:34.440 --> 00:24:35.700 with his headphones on 00:24:35.700 --> 00:24:36.940 and he was shadowboxing 00:24:36.940 --> 00:24:38.059 in front of Michael Phelps. 00:24:38.140 --> 00:24:38.839 He was taunting him. 00:24:39.359 --> 00:24:40.420 And even the lead up 00:24:40.420 --> 00:24:41.539 to this taunting 00:24:41.539 --> 00:24:42.079 on this day 00:24:42.079 --> 00:24:43.740 was lots of media coverage 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:44.519 where Chad LaCleude 00:24:44.519 --> 00:24:44.700 was, 00:24:44.900 --> 00:24:45.720 he was running his mouth, 00:24:45.819 --> 00:24:46.339 I beat him before 00:24:46.339 --> 00:24:47.059 I'm going to beat him again, 00:24:47.059 --> 00:24:48.119 and all that kind of stuff 00:24:48.119 --> 00:24:48.700 was coming out. 00:24:48.859 --> 00:24:50.799 Like he had built himself up huge. 00:24:51.139 --> 00:24:52.240 And there was all these memes, 00:24:52.319 --> 00:24:53.220 you can Google them today, 00:24:53.299 --> 00:24:54.179 there were all these memes 00:24:54.179 --> 00:24:55.519 of Michael Phelps 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:56.940 where he had this death stare 00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:58.079 on Chad LaCleude 00:24:58.079 --> 00:24:59.500 like he hated his guts. 00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:00.819 It's so funny 00:25:00.819 --> 00:25:02.879 to pull him up online. 00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:04.460 Well, they come to the race, 00:25:05.019 --> 00:25:05.579 Chad LaCleude 00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:06.899 is in lane five, 00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:08.319 Michael Phelps 00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:09.319 is in lane six. 00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:10.579 The gun goes off 00:25:10.579 --> 00:25:11.359 and they jump in the pole 00:25:11.359 --> 00:25:12.099 and they go about it. 00:25:12.379 --> 00:25:13.220 Halfway through the race, 00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:13.980 they were pretty close. 00:25:14.299 --> 00:25:14.819 Michael Phelps 00:25:14.819 --> 00:25:16.359 was just ahead of Chad LaCleude, 00:25:16.359 --> 00:25:17.459 but they're right next 00:25:17.459 --> 00:25:18.079 to each other 00:25:18.079 --> 00:25:19.619 and here's what Chad LaCleude 00:25:19.619 --> 00:25:20.159 starts to do 00:25:20.159 --> 00:25:21.240 in the second half of the race. 00:25:21.599 --> 00:25:23.379 Every time he comes up for breath, 00:25:23.679 --> 00:25:24.679 he looks to his right 00:25:24.679 --> 00:25:24.979 or his left, 00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:25.979 I can't remember which side it was. 00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:26.919 He looks to his right 00:25:26.919 --> 00:25:28.259 to see where Michael Phelps was. 00:25:29.019 --> 00:25:30.799 He wasn't focused on the wall, 00:25:31.219 --> 00:25:32.599 which is where he was swimming towards. 00:25:32.839 --> 00:25:34.299 He kept looking at Michael Phelps. 00:25:34.359 --> 00:25:35.399 He was so concerned 00:25:35.399 --> 00:25:37.299 of beating Michael Phelps 00:25:37.299 --> 00:25:38.979 and then in contrast to that, 00:25:39.319 --> 00:25:41.319 the camera zeroes in on Michael Phelps 00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:42.519 and he couldn't care less 00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:43.500 where Chad LaCleude is. 00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:45.420 His eyes are focused ahead. 00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:47.200 Every time he comes up for breath, 00:25:47.380 --> 00:25:48.759 his eyes are looking at the wall 00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:49.420 every time 00:25:49.420 --> 00:25:50.220 and he ends up going 00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:50.980 and winning the race 00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:51.720 and Chad LaCleude 00:25:51.720 --> 00:25:52.839 didn't even finish 00:25:52.839 --> 00:25:54.259 in first, second, or third. 00:25:54.680 --> 00:25:55.500 He didn't even place 00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:57.259 and the point was 00:25:57.259 --> 00:25:59.119 he was focused and distracted 00:25:59.119 --> 00:26:00.220 or he was distracted 00:26:00.220 --> 00:26:00.960 by all the things 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:01.900 that were around him. 00:26:02.099 --> 00:26:03.480 He wasn't focused on the goal. 00:26:03.960 --> 00:26:05.579 Michael Phelps was focused on the goal 00:26:05.579 --> 00:26:06.619 and it helped him 00:26:06.619 --> 00:26:07.619 to win the race 00:26:07.619 --> 00:26:08.859 but there's all these things 00:26:08.859 --> 00:26:09.960 that come into our lives 00:26:09.960 --> 00:26:11.100 that prevent us 00:26:11.100 --> 00:26:12.759 from focusing on the goal 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:14.200 and Paul says 00:26:14.200 --> 00:26:15.240 it's all summed up 00:26:15.240 --> 00:26:17.059 in forgetting the past. 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:18.799 Forgetting the past. 00:26:20.079 --> 00:26:21.180 Some of us 00:26:21.180 --> 00:26:22.920 are so focused 00:26:22.920 --> 00:26:24.440 on past successes 00:26:24.440 --> 00:26:24.460 ! 00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:27.140 that our life now 00:26:27.140 --> 00:26:28.059 is consumed 00:26:28.059 --> 00:26:29.240 with complacency. 00:26:30.400 --> 00:26:32.100 We live in all the things 00:26:32.100 --> 00:26:33.120 that we used to do 00:26:33.120 --> 00:26:33.660 for the Lord 00:26:33.660 --> 00:26:35.140 and we thrive 00:26:35.140 --> 00:26:36.740 on all the good old days 00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:37.680 of church 00:26:37.680 --> 00:26:38.259 and all the things 00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:38.940 that we used to do 00:26:38.940 --> 00:26:39.640 and what we do 00:26:39.640 --> 00:26:40.660 when we look at our life now 00:26:40.660 --> 00:26:41.940 is we just see complacency. 00:26:42.359 --> 00:26:43.099 We're satisfied 00:26:43.099 --> 00:26:44.339 with what we've done 00:26:44.339 --> 00:26:45.039 in the past 00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:46.660 and so instead of pursuing 00:26:46.660 --> 00:26:47.879 forward after Christ 00:26:47.879 --> 00:26:49.180 we just sit still 00:26:49.180 --> 00:26:50.920 hoping that our past achievements 00:26:50.920 --> 00:26:51.640 were good enough. 00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:54.019 Some of us 00:26:54.019 --> 00:26:55.059 on the other extreme 00:26:55.059 --> 00:26:57.879 are so mindful 00:26:57.879 --> 00:26:59.500 of our past failure 00:26:59.500 --> 00:27:01.460 that we're paralyzed 00:27:01.460 --> 00:27:04.539 and what's so wonderful 00:27:04.539 --> 00:27:05.980 about what the Bible 00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:07.460 tells us about God's grace 00:27:07.460 --> 00:27:08.860 is there is no sin 00:27:08.860 --> 00:27:09.539 in your life 00:27:09.539 --> 00:27:11.220 that he will not forgive. 00:27:12.500 --> 00:27:13.860 Think about Paul's life. 00:27:14.840 --> 00:27:17.000 He had an amazing list 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:17.620 of accomplishments 00:27:17.620 --> 00:27:19.100 even after his conversion. 00:27:19.960 --> 00:27:21.180 Most people regard him 00:27:21.180 --> 00:27:22.200 as the greatest Christian 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:22.900 to ever live 00:27:22.900 --> 00:27:23.700 and I hate quantitative 00:27:23.700 --> 00:27:24.680 statements like that 00:27:24.680 --> 00:27:26.120 but there's no doubt 00:27:26.120 --> 00:27:27.779 he was a model believer 00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:28.680 for us to follow 00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:30.400 and he had all these things. 00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:30.779 He could have said 00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:31.819 I started all these churches. 00:27:32.400 --> 00:27:33.000 I've suffered 00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:33.960 in all these ways 00:27:33.960 --> 00:27:35.920 and he would have been fine 00:27:35.920 --> 00:27:36.600 with what he had done 00:27:36.600 --> 00:27:37.240 in the past. 00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:40.100 He also had a full list 00:27:40.100 --> 00:27:41.120 of past failures 00:27:41.120 --> 00:27:41.860 that none of us 00:27:41.860 --> 00:27:42.720 have been guilty of. 00:27:43.940 --> 00:27:44.740 He was a murderer 00:27:44.740 --> 00:27:47.000 and he wasn't just a murderer 00:27:47.000 --> 00:27:48.259 he murdered Christians 00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:50.380 because they were Christians. 00:27:51.880 --> 00:27:53.720 He was a filthy sinful man 00:27:53.720 --> 00:27:55.500 but neither his past successes 00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:57.140 nor his past failures 00:27:57.140 --> 00:27:58.860 caused him to lay back 00:27:58.860 --> 00:28:00.100 in his pursuit of Christ. 00:28:00.900 --> 00:28:01.680 Forgot the things 00:28:01.680 --> 00:28:02.460 that were behind him. 00:28:02.660 --> 00:28:03.460 He didn't get distracted 00:28:03.460 --> 00:28:04.800 by what was on his left side 00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:05.419 or his right side. 00:28:05.659 --> 00:28:06.519 And then the second part 00:28:06.519 --> 00:28:07.779 is reaching forth. 00:28:08.619 --> 00:28:09.619 This word pictures 00:28:09.619 --> 00:28:11.859 a runner who's grasping ahead. 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:12.980 It literally means to grasp. 00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:14.339 It's grasping ahead 00:28:14.339 --> 00:28:15.259 after the finish. 00:28:15.700 --> 00:28:16.539 He says not only 00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:17.220 am I forgetting 00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:17.859 what's behind 00:28:17.859 --> 00:28:19.319 I am focused 00:28:19.319 --> 00:28:21.039 on what's before. 00:28:21.680 --> 00:28:23.240 And the singular focus 00:28:23.240 --> 00:28:23.960 that he had 00:28:23.960 --> 00:28:25.619 was Jesus Christ. 00:28:25.940 --> 00:28:26.480 It wasn't just 00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:27.339 a singular focus 00:28:27.339 --> 00:28:28.539 it was a determined effort. 00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:29.899 Look at verse 14. 00:28:30.539 --> 00:28:32.259 Perhaps the most famous verse 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:33.279 in the entire book. 00:28:33.279 --> 00:28:35.379 I press toward the mark 00:28:35.379 --> 00:28:35.980 or the goal 00:28:35.980 --> 00:28:36.680 is what that means. 00:28:36.940 --> 00:28:38.200 I press toward the goal 00:28:38.200 --> 00:28:39.460 for the prize 00:28:39.460 --> 00:28:40.740 of the high calling 00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:41.980 of God in Christ Jesus. 00:28:44.460 --> 00:28:46.139 The prize and the goal 00:28:46.139 --> 00:28:48.119 wasn't an achievement 00:28:48.119 --> 00:28:49.039 or an accomplishment. 00:28:50.099 --> 00:28:51.420 The prize and the goal 00:28:51.420 --> 00:28:52.319 in verse 14 00:28:52.319 --> 00:28:53.440 is Christ. 00:28:54.460 --> 00:28:55.599 That was his focus. 00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:57.539 That's what he cared about 00:28:57.539 --> 00:28:59.220 and that's what he pursued. 00:28:59.220 --> 00:29:01.120 And since that's what 00:29:01.120 --> 00:29:02.000 he was pursuing 00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:03.480 Christ 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:05.559 he was willing 00:29:05.559 --> 00:29:06.880 to discipline himself 00:29:06.880 --> 00:29:08.920 in any way possible 00:29:08.920 --> 00:29:10.799 in order to properly 00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:11.660 pursue Christ. 00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:14.900 When a runner 00:29:14.900 --> 00:29:15.819 prepares for a race 00:29:15.819 --> 00:29:16.380 I've been able 00:29:16.380 --> 00:29:17.200 in my life 00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:18.559 to run two full marathons 00:29:18.559 --> 00:29:20.079 and both times 00:29:20.079 --> 00:29:22.360 it took several months 00:29:22.360 --> 00:29:23.839 six, seven, eight months 00:29:23.839 --> 00:29:24.539 of preparations 00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:25.480 to get ready for that. 00:29:25.920 --> 00:29:26.620 Which is why 00:29:26.620 --> 00:29:27.019 I don't do it 00:29:27.019 --> 00:29:27.759 very often now. 00:29:27.759 --> 00:29:30.000 It's a lot of work. 00:29:30.180 --> 00:29:31.279 It's very early mornings. 00:29:31.900 --> 00:29:32.759 It's getting up 00:29:32.759 --> 00:29:33.519 on some occasions 00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:34.680 at 3.30 in the morning 00:29:34.680 --> 00:29:36.740 to go for a 20 mile run 00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:37.559 so that I can be at work 00:29:37.559 --> 00:29:38.500 by nine o'clock. 00:29:38.859 --> 00:29:39.740 It's thinking about 00:29:39.740 --> 00:29:40.559 everything that I put 00:29:40.559 --> 00:29:41.119 in my mouth 00:29:41.119 --> 00:29:42.119 because the bad food 00:29:42.119 --> 00:29:43.559 could mess up 00:29:43.559 --> 00:29:44.119 my training 00:29:44.119 --> 00:29:44.920 and it could affect 00:29:44.920 --> 00:29:45.480 the way that I was 00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:46.019 trying to run 00:29:46.019 --> 00:29:46.660 and how I was trying 00:29:46.660 --> 00:29:47.660 to reach my goal 00:29:47.660 --> 00:29:48.379 and it was months 00:29:48.379 --> 00:29:48.920 of this. 00:29:49.180 --> 00:29:50.000 Months of this. 00:29:50.359 --> 00:29:51.000 The point was 00:29:51.000 --> 00:29:51.980 if I wouldn't have 00:29:51.980 --> 00:29:52.599 done the training 00:29:52.599 --> 00:29:54.379 if I would have 00:29:54.379 --> 00:29:55.180 not cared about 00:29:55.180 --> 00:29:55.759 my diet 00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:57.079 I would have never 00:29:57.079 --> 00:29:57.619 been able to run 00:29:57.619 --> 00:29:58.500 that race very well 00:29:58.500 --> 00:29:59.399 either one of them. 00:30:00.359 --> 00:30:01.259 Paul disciplined 00:30:01.259 --> 00:30:02.479 his body spiritually 00:30:02.479 --> 00:30:04.599 in regards to sin 00:30:04.599 --> 00:30:05.459 and in regards 00:30:05.459 --> 00:30:06.919 to religious accomplishment 00:30:06.919 --> 00:30:08.219 it wasn't for the sake 00:30:08.219 --> 00:30:08.839 of his salvation 00:30:08.839 --> 00:30:09.579 but it was because 00:30:09.579 --> 00:30:10.379 he was saved. 00:30:10.619 --> 00:30:11.519 He was determined 00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:12.679 he was determined 00:30:12.679 --> 00:30:13.179 to do whatever 00:30:13.179 --> 00:30:13.939 he needed to do. 00:30:15.199 --> 00:30:16.079 The struggle is 00:30:16.079 --> 00:30:16.659 we get to all 00:30:16.659 --> 00:30:17.579 of these gray areas 00:30:17.579 --> 00:30:18.259 in our life 00:30:18.259 --> 00:30:19.799 where we're not 00:30:19.799 --> 00:30:20.219 real sure 00:30:20.219 --> 00:30:21.159 if this is an exact 00:30:21.159 --> 00:30:22.399 right or wrong issue 00:30:22.399 --> 00:30:23.919 and almost always 00:30:23.920 --> 00:30:25.259 if our pursuit 00:30:25.259 --> 00:30:26.039 isn't Christ 00:30:26.039 --> 00:30:27.660 we lean toward 00:30:27.660 --> 00:30:29.240 the more sinful 00:30:29.240 --> 00:30:30.220 way of living. 00:30:30.380 --> 00:30:31.660 Even if it's not a sin 00:30:31.660 --> 00:30:32.840 the focus of our mind 00:30:32.840 --> 00:30:33.380 isn't Christ 00:30:33.380 --> 00:30:34.600 the focus of our mind 00:30:34.600 --> 00:30:35.279 is our fulfillment. 00:30:36.220 --> 00:30:36.539 Paul says 00:30:36.539 --> 00:30:37.720 I discipline my body 00:30:37.720 --> 00:30:40.080 and I pursue Christ 00:30:40.080 --> 00:30:40.539 with everything 00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:41.560 it's a determined effort. 00:30:42.660 --> 00:30:43.779 In any kind of achievement 00:30:43.779 --> 00:30:44.700 or any kind of goal 00:30:44.700 --> 00:30:45.920 that we ever have in life 00:30:45.920 --> 00:30:49.060 any difficult endeavor 00:30:49.060 --> 00:30:51.279 one has to determine 00:30:51.279 --> 00:30:52.039 if the reward 00:30:52.039 --> 00:30:52.879 is worth the effort. 00:30:53.980 --> 00:30:55.059 For the Christian 00:30:55.059 --> 00:30:56.639 Christ is the reward 00:30:56.639 --> 00:30:58.619 and there's no effort 00:30:58.619 --> 00:30:59.339 too great 00:30:59.339 --> 00:31:00.299 to keep us 00:31:00.299 --> 00:31:01.220 from pursuing him. 00:31:02.139 --> 00:31:02.819 I mentioned 00:31:02.819 --> 00:31:03.500 Eric Little 00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:04.720 and Chariots of Fire 00:31:04.720 --> 00:31:05.160 earlier. 00:31:07.079 --> 00:31:07.500 Eric Little 00:31:07.500 --> 00:31:08.279 really is a great 00:31:08.279 --> 00:31:09.119 hero of the faith 00:31:09.119 --> 00:31:09.859 if you ever study 00:31:09.859 --> 00:31:10.220 his life 00:31:10.220 --> 00:31:10.720 I would encourage 00:31:10.720 --> 00:31:11.259 you to do that 00:31:11.259 --> 00:31:12.480 read one of his biographies. 00:31:13.119 --> 00:31:13.599 He was known 00:31:13.599 --> 00:31:14.879 as the Flying Scotsman 00:31:14.879 --> 00:31:15.420 right Bob? 00:31:15.980 --> 00:31:17.200 He was the Flying Scotsman 00:31:17.200 --> 00:31:19.579 and he was a 00:31:19.579 --> 00:31:21.259 very very fast runner 00:31:21.259 --> 00:31:22.400 he was an even more 00:31:22.400 --> 00:31:23.140 committed Christian 00:31:23.140 --> 00:31:23.819 and he ultimately 00:31:23.819 --> 00:31:24.559 gave his life 00:31:24.559 --> 00:31:25.200 as a martyr 00:31:25.200 --> 00:31:26.619 basically in China 00:31:26.619 --> 00:31:27.379 on the mission field 00:31:27.379 --> 00:31:28.400 is where he ended up 00:31:28.400 --> 00:31:30.759 dying I think in the 1940s 00:31:30.759 --> 00:31:31.680 at the end of World War II 00:31:31.680 --> 00:31:33.759 he was in an internment camp there. 00:31:35.160 --> 00:31:36.480 But before that ever came about 00:31:36.480 --> 00:31:37.420 in the 1920s 00:31:37.420 --> 00:31:38.759 he was chosen to run 00:31:38.759 --> 00:31:40.759 for Scotland 00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:41.980 in the Olympic Games. 00:31:42.539 --> 00:31:43.279 Before he ever got 00:31:43.279 --> 00:31:44.220 to the Olympic Games 00:31:44.220 --> 00:31:46.119 there was a specific race 00:31:46.119 --> 00:31:47.379 when he was on the British team 00:31:47.379 --> 00:31:48.240 and they were running 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:49.019 against France 00:31:49.019 --> 00:31:49.720 and I can't remember 00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:51.140 exactly the place 00:31:51.140 --> 00:31:51.819 Bob may remember 00:31:51.819 --> 00:31:54.039 but where they're running together 00:31:54.039 --> 00:31:55.539 and right at the beginning 00:31:55.539 --> 00:31:56.140 of the race 00:31:56.140 --> 00:31:57.140 might have been 00:31:57.140 --> 00:31:57.980 the 100 yard dash 00:31:57.980 --> 00:31:58.319 could have been 00:31:58.319 --> 00:31:59.539 the 440 meter actually 00:31:59.539 --> 00:32:00.259 right at the beginning 00:32:00.259 --> 00:32:00.779 of the race 00:32:00.779 --> 00:32:02.140 he tripped over another runner 00:32:02.140 --> 00:32:02.700 and he fell. 00:32:03.059 --> 00:32:04.140 He didn't just fall 00:32:04.140 --> 00:32:04.980 on the track 00:32:04.980 --> 00:32:06.180 he fell off the track 00:32:06.180 --> 00:32:07.519 and by the time 00:32:07.519 --> 00:32:08.140 he got back up 00:32:08.140 --> 00:32:08.660 to his feet 00:32:08.660 --> 00:32:09.400 all the other runners 00:32:09.400 --> 00:32:10.360 were about 30 meters 00:32:10.360 --> 00:32:10.920 ahead of him. 00:32:12.079 --> 00:32:13.380 Most runners today 00:32:13.380 --> 00:32:14.759 throw up their hands 00:32:14.759 --> 00:32:15.740 be upset 00:32:15.740 --> 00:32:16.140 at whoever 00:32:16.140 --> 00:32:16.980 tripped them 00:32:16.980 --> 00:32:18.319 and just went 00:32:18.319 --> 00:32:18.620 to wherever 00:32:18.620 --> 00:32:19.400 their coaches were. 00:32:20.000 --> 00:32:20.740 That's not what 00:32:20.740 --> 00:32:21.440 Eric Little did. 00:32:22.120 --> 00:32:22.920 He gets up 00:32:22.920 --> 00:32:23.940 as is portrayed 00:32:23.940 --> 00:32:25.380 on Chariots of the Fire 00:32:25.380 --> 00:32:26.559 fantastically 00:32:26.559 --> 00:32:28.099 and he begins to run 00:32:28.099 --> 00:32:28.900 and he ran 00:32:28.900 --> 00:32:31.220 as hard as he possibly could 00:32:31.220 --> 00:32:32.579 and not only 00:32:32.579 --> 00:32:33.259 did he make up 00:32:33.259 --> 00:32:34.460 the 30 meter difference 00:32:34.460 --> 00:32:34.980 between he 00:32:34.980 --> 00:32:35.640 and all the other runners 00:32:35.640 --> 00:32:36.120 but he went on 00:32:36.120 --> 00:32:36.880 to win the race 00:32:36.880 --> 00:32:38.700 and he was known 00:32:38.700 --> 00:32:40.079 for this particular posture 00:32:40.079 --> 00:32:40.860 in his running 00:32:40.860 --> 00:32:42.000 that when he was given 00:32:42.000 --> 00:32:43.360 maximum effort 00:32:43.360 --> 00:32:44.759 his knees were high 00:32:44.759 --> 00:32:45.400 they said 00:32:45.400 --> 00:32:45.660 that he was 00:32:45.660 --> 00:32:46.519 the ugliest runner 00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:47.180 to ever run. 00:32:47.400 --> 00:32:48.420 His knees were high 00:32:48.420 --> 00:32:49.119 he would throw 00:32:49.119 --> 00:32:49.900 his head back 00:32:49.900 --> 00:32:50.879 mouth agape 00:32:50.879 --> 00:32:52.119 and he would grasp 00:32:52.119 --> 00:32:53.039 like this 00:32:53.039 --> 00:32:53.740 as he was running. 00:32:54.920 --> 00:32:56.700 It was maximum effort. 00:32:57.839 --> 00:32:59.240 He gave maximum effort 00:32:59.240 --> 00:33:00.079 not only 00:33:00.079 --> 00:33:01.039 on the track 00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:01.460 and field 00:33:01.460 --> 00:33:02.500 but he gave maximum 00:33:02.500 --> 00:33:03.359 effort 00:33:03.359 --> 00:33:05.339 in his Christian life 00:33:05.339 --> 00:33:06.240 and that's exactly 00:33:06.240 --> 00:33:06.680 the picture 00:33:06.680 --> 00:33:07.779 Paul is painting here. 00:33:07.900 --> 00:33:08.319 When he says 00:33:08.319 --> 00:33:09.140 reaching forward 00:33:09.140 --> 00:33:10.420 he's maximum effort 00:33:10.420 --> 00:33:11.400 I'm doing everything 00:33:11.400 --> 00:33:12.059 I can 00:33:12.059 --> 00:33:12.779 to live the way 00:33:12.779 --> 00:33:13.680 that God called me 00:33:13.680 --> 00:33:14.259 to live. 00:33:14.759 --> 00:33:15.579 Not because 00:33:15.579 --> 00:33:16.220 I'm going to earn 00:33:16.220 --> 00:33:17.160 anything from God 00:33:17.160 --> 00:33:17.799 but because 00:33:17.799 --> 00:33:18.339 this is why 00:33:18.339 --> 00:33:19.000 he saved me. 00:33:19.240 --> 00:33:20.119 This is my purpose 00:33:20.119 --> 00:33:21.379 to glorify him 00:33:21.379 --> 00:33:21.980 and I'm going to 00:33:21.980 --> 00:33:22.619 pursue that 00:33:22.619 --> 00:33:23.599 with passion. 00:33:24.740 --> 00:33:25.319 And then finally 00:33:25.319 --> 00:33:25.759 quickly 00:33:25.759 --> 00:33:27.160 verses 15 and 16 00:33:27.160 --> 00:33:29.879 we see a preemptive 00:33:29.879 --> 00:33:30.279 warning 00:33:30.279 --> 00:33:32.400 a preemptive warning. 00:33:32.980 --> 00:33:34.200 Look at verse 15. 00:33:35.359 --> 00:33:36.299 Paul leaves off 00:33:36.299 --> 00:33:37.379 the illustration now 00:33:37.379 --> 00:33:38.920 and he says 00:33:38.920 --> 00:33:39.759 let us therefore 00:33:39.759 --> 00:33:41.099 as many as be perfect 00:33:41.099 --> 00:33:41.640 that just means 00:33:41.640 --> 00:33:42.299 mature. 00:33:42.440 --> 00:33:43.279 He's referencing people 00:33:43.279 --> 00:33:44.519 that have experienced 00:33:44.519 --> 00:33:45.480 some spiritual maturity 00:33:45.480 --> 00:33:46.799 let us therefore 00:33:46.799 --> 00:33:47.839 be thus minded 00:33:47.839 --> 00:33:49.660 and if in anything 00:33:49.660 --> 00:33:50.940 you be otherwise minded 00:33:50.940 --> 00:33:52.400 God shall reveal 00:33:52.400 --> 00:33:53.660 even this unto you 00:33:53.660 --> 00:33:55.299 chastening 00:33:55.299 --> 00:33:56.440 allowing you 00:33:56.440 --> 00:33:57.339 to fall into sin 00:33:57.339 --> 00:33:58.299 and face the consequences 00:33:58.299 --> 00:33:58.680 of it 00:33:58.680 --> 00:33:59.619 God will deal with it. 00:34:00.200 --> 00:34:00.680 Nevertheless 00:34:00.680 --> 00:34:02.599 where to 00:34:02.599 --> 00:34:03.759 we have already attained 00:34:03.759 --> 00:34:04.279 to the point 00:34:04.279 --> 00:34:05.099 that we have grown 00:34:05.099 --> 00:34:06.299 in our spiritual maturity 00:34:06.299 --> 00:34:07.900 let us walk 00:34:07.900 --> 00:34:08.800 by the same rule 00:34:08.800 --> 00:34:09.579 let us continue 00:34:09.579 --> 00:34:10.199 on in it 00:34:10.199 --> 00:34:11.480 let us mind 00:34:11.480 --> 00:34:12.779 the same thing. 00:34:13.619 --> 00:34:14.799 He was reemphasizing 00:34:14.799 --> 00:34:15.359 the fact 00:34:15.359 --> 00:34:16.679 that our pursuit 00:34:16.679 --> 00:34:17.279 of knowing 00:34:17.279 --> 00:34:18.239 and pleasing Christ 00:34:18.239 --> 00:34:19.759 is a lifelong pursuit. 00:34:20.819 --> 00:34:21.579 And essentially 00:34:21.579 --> 00:34:22.739 what Paul was telling 00:34:22.739 --> 00:34:23.359 these believers 00:34:23.359 --> 00:34:23.899 to do 00:34:23.899 --> 00:34:24.859 especially the ones 00:34:24.859 --> 00:34:25.699 that had experienced 00:34:25.699 --> 00:34:26.419 a level of 00:34:26.419 --> 00:34:27.399 spiritual maturity 00:34:27.399 --> 00:34:29.419 he was essentially 00:34:29.419 --> 00:34:30.179 telling them 00:34:30.179 --> 00:34:31.039 not to rest 00:34:31.039 --> 00:34:31.939 on their laurels. 00:34:32.480 --> 00:34:33.339 Do you know that phrase? 00:34:34.159 --> 00:34:34.939 I don't think 00:34:34.939 --> 00:34:35.899 it's so popular now. 00:34:35.980 --> 00:34:36.419 It used to be 00:34:36.419 --> 00:34:36.719 maybe 00:34:36.719 --> 00:34:38.319 the late 1800s 00:34:38.319 --> 00:34:39.219 as I've tried 00:34:39.219 --> 00:34:39.699 to look up 00:34:39.699 --> 00:34:41.000 its origins. 00:34:41.699 --> 00:34:42.859 To rest on your laurels 00:34:42.859 --> 00:34:43.919 it's a nod 00:34:43.919 --> 00:34:45.459 to the Greek games 00:34:45.459 --> 00:34:47.639 in ancient Greece. 00:34:48.099 --> 00:34:48.959 What the runners 00:34:48.959 --> 00:34:49.639 would win 00:34:49.639 --> 00:34:50.279 what would be 00:34:50.279 --> 00:34:50.859 their reward 00:34:50.859 --> 00:34:51.779 at the end of the race 00:34:51.779 --> 00:34:53.000 was a laurel wreath 00:34:53.000 --> 00:34:53.719 that would be placed 00:34:53.719 --> 00:34:54.399 on their heads. 00:34:55.099 --> 00:34:55.539 The Romans 00:34:55.539 --> 00:34:56.299 eventually adopted 00:34:56.299 --> 00:34:57.059 this as well 00:34:57.059 --> 00:34:57.739 instead of just 00:34:57.739 --> 00:34:58.500 giving it to runners 00:34:58.500 --> 00:34:59.239 they gave it to 00:34:59.239 --> 00:35:00.619 generals that had won 00:35:00.619 --> 00:35:01.579 great victories 00:35:01.579 --> 00:35:02.079 in battle 00:35:02.079 --> 00:35:02.859 and they would come back 00:35:02.859 --> 00:35:03.859 and they would parade 00:35:03.859 --> 00:35:04.559 them through Rome 00:35:04.559 --> 00:35:05.759 with these laurel wreaths 00:35:05.759 --> 00:35:06.159 on their head. 00:35:06.159 --> 00:35:07.539 It represented victory. 00:35:08.019 --> 00:35:08.839 It was accomplishment. 00:35:10.119 --> 00:35:10.940 Not to rest 00:35:10.940 --> 00:35:11.719 on your laurels 00:35:11.719 --> 00:35:12.799 means not to be 00:35:12.799 --> 00:35:14.599 so infatuated 00:35:14.599 --> 00:35:15.759 with your past achievements 00:35:15.759 --> 00:35:17.359 that you no longer 00:35:17.359 --> 00:35:18.420 put forth any effort. 00:35:19.379 --> 00:35:19.899 And essentially 00:35:19.899 --> 00:35:20.940 what Paul is telling 00:35:20.940 --> 00:35:21.859 these believers is 00:35:21.859 --> 00:35:22.819 I know you've 00:35:22.819 --> 00:35:23.779 come a long way 00:35:23.779 --> 00:35:24.219 and the Lord's 00:35:24.219 --> 00:35:24.799 been good to you 00:35:24.799 --> 00:35:25.599 and he has sanctified 00:35:25.599 --> 00:35:26.500 you to this extent 00:35:26.500 --> 00:35:27.359 but don't rest 00:35:27.359 --> 00:35:28.079 on your laurels. 00:35:29.199 --> 00:35:30.480 Keep pursuing 00:35:30.480 --> 00:35:31.659 Christ. 00:35:32.819 --> 00:35:33.359 Now think about 00:35:33.359 --> 00:35:34.279 where Paul's at here. 00:35:34.280 --> 00:35:36.400 this is a man 00:35:36.400 --> 00:35:37.260 who at this point 00:35:37.260 --> 00:35:39.660 is in his 60s 00:35:39.660 --> 00:35:41.700 he has spent 00:35:41.700 --> 00:35:43.620 four years now 00:35:43.620 --> 00:35:44.260 in prison 00:35:44.260 --> 00:35:45.880 it's only a matter 00:35:45.880 --> 00:35:46.220 of time 00:35:46.220 --> 00:35:46.940 before he's beheaded. 00:35:47.320 --> 00:35:48.260 We know historically 00:35:48.260 --> 00:35:49.160 he gets out of this 00:35:49.160 --> 00:35:49.720 imprisonment 00:35:49.720 --> 00:35:50.600 two years later 00:35:50.600 --> 00:35:51.760 he's back in prison 00:35:51.760 --> 00:35:53.060 ultimately he's put 00:35:53.060 --> 00:35:53.519 to death 00:35:53.519 --> 00:35:54.620 beheaded. 00:35:55.720 --> 00:35:57.300 Now as a 60 year old 00:35:57.300 --> 00:35:58.560 man who had suffered 00:35:58.560 --> 00:35:59.580 in incredible ways 00:35:59.580 --> 00:36:00.640 and had amazing 00:36:00.640 --> 00:36:01.200 accomplishments 00:36:01.200 --> 00:36:02.260 in the Christian faith 00:36:02.260 --> 00:36:03.700 it was this man 00:36:03.700 --> 00:36:04.440 that was saying 00:36:04.440 --> 00:36:06.640 I keep pursuing 00:36:06.640 --> 00:36:07.740 Christ. 00:36:08.660 --> 00:36:09.360 I'm not 00:36:09.360 --> 00:36:10.540 settling 00:36:10.540 --> 00:36:11.440 and resting 00:36:11.440 --> 00:36:12.900 on my laurels. 00:36:13.820 --> 00:36:15.140 As Paul reflected 00:36:15.140 --> 00:36:15.940 on his suffering 00:36:15.940 --> 00:36:17.140 in Acts chapter 20 00:36:17.140 --> 00:36:18.680 and as he even 00:36:18.680 --> 00:36:19.380 looked ahead 00:36:19.380 --> 00:36:20.380 to the suffering 00:36:20.380 --> 00:36:21.140 that he imagined 00:36:21.140 --> 00:36:21.800 he would continue 00:36:21.800 --> 00:36:22.660 to experience 00:36:22.660 --> 00:36:24.860 he said his one goal 00:36:24.860 --> 00:36:25.480 was to finish 00:36:25.480 --> 00:36:26.540 his race strong. 00:36:27.920 --> 00:36:28.800 Acts chapter 20 00:36:28.800 --> 00:36:29.900 told the Ephesian elders 00:36:29.900 --> 00:36:30.820 he said none of these 00:36:30.820 --> 00:36:31.700 things move me. 00:36:32.059 --> 00:36:32.639 That's a reference 00:36:32.639 --> 00:36:33.399 to his suffering. 00:36:34.119 --> 00:36:34.659 None of these things 00:36:34.659 --> 00:36:35.179 move me. 00:36:35.899 --> 00:36:36.779 Neither count I 00:36:36.779 --> 00:36:37.759 my life dear 00:36:37.759 --> 00:36:39.819 so that I might 00:36:39.819 --> 00:36:41.019 finish my course 00:36:41.019 --> 00:36:42.000 with joy. 00:36:42.099 --> 00:36:42.439 He just wanted 00:36:42.439 --> 00:36:43.279 to run strong. 00:36:44.319 --> 00:36:44.859 He knew he wouldn't 00:36:44.859 --> 00:36:45.359 be perfect. 00:36:46.159 --> 00:36:46.719 He just wanted 00:36:46.719 --> 00:36:47.419 to pursue it 00:36:47.419 --> 00:36:48.099 with his life 00:36:48.099 --> 00:36:49.119 because it was 00:36:49.119 --> 00:36:49.759 God's call. 00:36:50.819 --> 00:36:51.519 And at the end 00:36:51.519 --> 00:36:52.079 of his life 00:36:52.079 --> 00:36:52.980 when he knew 00:36:52.980 --> 00:36:54.000 he was about to die 00:36:54.000 --> 00:36:55.719 he wrote to Timothy 00:36:55.719 --> 00:36:56.859 in 2 Timothy 4 00:36:56.859 --> 00:36:58.460 and he said 00:36:58.460 --> 00:36:59.179 in looking back 00:36:59.179 --> 00:37:00.439 I have fought 00:37:00.439 --> 00:37:01.039 a good fight. 00:37:01.699 --> 00:37:03.000 I have kept 00:37:03.000 --> 00:37:03.559 the faith. 00:37:04.039 --> 00:37:05.039 I have finished 00:37:05.039 --> 00:37:06.339 my course. 00:37:07.039 --> 00:37:07.919 What a wonderful 00:37:07.919 --> 00:37:09.079 testimony that is. 00:37:10.759 --> 00:37:12.759 To understand 00:37:12.759 --> 00:37:14.099 not only 00:37:14.099 --> 00:37:14.939 our call 00:37:14.939 --> 00:37:16.019 to living 00:37:16.019 --> 00:37:16.960 a righteous life 00:37:16.960 --> 00:37:18.379 the passion 00:37:18.379 --> 00:37:18.899 to which 00:37:18.899 --> 00:37:19.519 we're pursuing 00:37:19.519 --> 00:37:22.299 but to see 00:37:22.299 --> 00:37:22.879 that at the end 00:37:22.879 --> 00:37:23.419 of our life 00:37:23.419 --> 00:37:24.239 we can look back 00:37:24.239 --> 00:37:24.739 and say 00:37:24.739 --> 00:37:25.980 I finished 00:37:25.980 --> 00:37:26.599 my course. 00:37:26.599 --> 00:37:27.779 I wasn't 00:37:27.779 --> 00:37:28.299 perfect 00:37:28.299 --> 00:37:30.119 but it didn't 00:37:30.119 --> 00:37:30.480 stop me 00:37:30.480 --> 00:37:31.019 from trying 00:37:31.019 --> 00:37:31.400 to be. 00:37:32.539 --> 00:37:32.940 And that 00:37:32.940 --> 00:37:33.360 in essence 00:37:33.360 --> 00:37:34.079 is the spirit 00:37:34.079 --> 00:37:34.719 of Paul's 00:37:34.719 --> 00:37:35.299 message here. 00:37:37.299 --> 00:37:38.039 God's not 00:37:38.039 --> 00:37:38.559 calling you 00:37:38.559 --> 00:37:39.119 to perfection 00:37:39.119 --> 00:37:39.599 he knows 00:37:39.599 --> 00:37:39.960 you'll never 00:37:39.960 --> 00:37:40.539 achieve it. 00:37:41.940 --> 00:37:42.679 What he's 00:37:42.679 --> 00:37:43.199 calling you 00:37:43.199 --> 00:37:43.579 to do 00:37:43.579 --> 00:37:44.339 is pursue 00:37:44.339 --> 00:37:44.719 him. 00:37:46.079 --> 00:37:46.599 And so 00:37:46.599 --> 00:37:47.119 the question 00:37:47.119 --> 00:37:47.579 for us 00:37:47.579 --> 00:37:48.460 today is 00:37:48.460 --> 00:37:49.519 are we 00:37:49.519 --> 00:37:49.960 pursuing 00:37:49.960 --> 00:37:50.339 him? 00:37:50.340 --> 00:37:51.860 Thank you 00:37:51.860 --> 00:37:52.240 for listening 00:37:52.240 --> 00:37:52.640 to this 00:37:52.640 --> 00:37:52.900 sermon 00:37:52.900 --> 00:37:53.480 made available 00:37:53.480 --> 00:37:54.220 by Lakeside 00:37:54.220 --> 00:37:54.900 Bible Church. 00:37:55.340 --> 00:37:55.860 Feel free 00:37:55.860 --> 00:37:56.300 to share it 00:37:56.300 --> 00:37:56.760 wherever you'd 00:37:56.760 --> 00:37:57.000 like. 00:37:57.519 --> 00:37:58.000 Please do 00:37:58.000 --> 00:37:58.480 not charge 00:37:58.480 --> 00:37:58.880 for it 00:37:58.880 --> 00:37:59.440 or alter 00:37:59.440 --> 00:37:59.760 it in 00:37:59.760 --> 00:38:00.240 any way 00:38:00.240 --> 00:38:00.539 without 00:38:00.539 --> 00:38:01.100 express 00:38:01.100 --> 00:38:01.400 written 00:38:01.400 --> 00:38:01.880 consent 00:38:01.880 --> 00:38:02.180 from 00:38:02.180 --> 00:38:02.640 Lakeside 00:38:02.640 --> 00:38:03.280 Bible Church. 00:38:03.780 --> 00:38:04.480 Don't forget 00:38:04.480 --> 00:38:05.000 to visit us 00:38:05.000 --> 00:38:05.660 online at 00:38:05.660 --> 00:38:06.940 lakesidebible.church 00:38:06.940 --> 00:38:07.980 or find us 00:38:07.980 --> 00:38:08.519 on Facebook 00:38:08.519 --> 00:38:09.200 and Instagram 00:38:09.200 --> 00:38:09.880 by searching 00:38:09.880 --> 00:38:10.700 for Lakeside 00:38:10.700 --> 00:38:11.600 Bible NC. 00:38:12.220 --> 00:38:12.980 If you live 00:38:12.980 --> 00:38:13.480 in the Charlotte 00:38:13.480 --> 00:38:14.039 or Lake Norman 00:38:14.039 --> 00:38:14.900 area we'd love 00:38:14.900 --> 00:38:15.260 for you to 00:38:15.260 --> 00:38:15.700 attend one 00:38:15.700 --> 00:38:15.900 of our 00:38:15.900 --> 00:38:16.700 worship services. 00:38:17.220 --> 00:38:17.480 We meet 00:38:17.480 --> 00:38:18.000 every Sunday 00:38:18.000 --> 00:38:18.519 morning at 00:38:18.519 --> 00:38:19.100 10 a.m. 00:38:19.320 --> 00:38:19.900 in the gym 00:38:19.900 --> 00:38:20.579 at Cornelius 00:38:20.579 --> 00:38:21.460 Elementary School. 00:38:21.840 --> 00:38:22.360 We'd love 00:38:22.360 --> 00:38:22.900 to meet you.