WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.219 It is a great blessing to have such wonderful musicians in our midst to lead us in worship, isn't it? 00:00:13.859 --> 00:00:17.140 This morning I want to begin by asking you a question. 00:00:18.800 --> 00:00:21.519 What is your one thing? 00:00:23.260 --> 00:00:25.719 What is the one thing that you are known for? 00:00:26.660 --> 00:00:29.000 What is the driving passion of your life? 00:00:29.000 --> 00:00:33.219 What is the priority that pushes all others to a secondary status? 00:00:34.299 --> 00:00:40.060 What is it that you spend your discretionary time and money and attention on? 00:00:40.259 --> 00:00:43.439 What is it that wakes you up in the morning thinking about it? 00:00:43.759 --> 00:00:47.620 What is it that helps you persevere through the difficulties and trials? 00:00:49.859 --> 00:00:54.000 What is your one thing that not only drives you but organizes your life? 00:00:54.659 --> 00:00:57.060 The thing that you shape your life around? 00:00:59.000 --> 00:01:01.140 It might be lots of things for us. 00:01:02.119 --> 00:01:10.579 It might be something cultural like you're a Giants fan or you love the Marvel Universe or even J.A.R. Tolkien. 00:01:11.159 --> 00:01:12.760 That's almost worth it. 00:01:12.760 --> 00:01:22.560 Some things are global like you're determined to try to cure a disease or to bring clean water to needy communities. 00:01:23.140 --> 00:01:29.820 Maybe they're more local like building your family or supporting a local cancer fundraiser. 00:01:29.819 --> 00:01:34.159 Some of them honestly are self-centered. 00:01:34.599 --> 00:01:39.659 I want success in my career, early retirement, and a life of leisure. 00:01:40.379 --> 00:01:41.939 Some are altruistic. 00:01:42.459 --> 00:01:46.959 I want to spend my life teaching underprivileged kids or caring for the elderly. 00:01:46.959 --> 00:01:50.579 Some of them may be overtly spiritual. 00:01:50.579 --> 00:01:54.919 I want to write a book that will help others start a new gospel ministry, plant a church. 00:01:54.920 --> 00:02:02.820 Maybe some of you think, I don't have a one thing. 00:02:03.560 --> 00:02:05.900 Maybe your life is spent each day. 00:02:06.040 --> 00:02:08.500 What's the next thing before us? 00:02:08.500 --> 00:02:17.699 But either way, as we think about our one things, we may judge some of them as wasteful or selfish, frivolous or misguided. 00:02:18.240 --> 00:02:20.919 And some of them may be great goods. 00:02:22.020 --> 00:02:23.740 But I want to ask you this question. 00:02:23.879 --> 00:02:27.139 Do any of them bear the weight of being your one thing? 00:02:29.900 --> 00:02:32.360 What does God have to say about all of this? 00:02:32.360 --> 00:02:38.080 What would the Bible point us to as we consider our one thing in our lives? 00:02:39.020 --> 00:02:40.900 And this brings us to our passage this morning. 00:02:41.240 --> 00:02:47.020 We're in the book of Philippians, page 922 in your Pew Bible, if you want to follow along. 00:02:48.240 --> 00:02:52.740 And we're going to, we've been preaching through this book for a while, and we're going to continue to do so. 00:02:53.240 --> 00:02:57.320 We're looking at Philippians 3, starting in verse 12. 00:02:57.319 --> 00:03:03.799 And what we'll see as we start reading is, in verse 13, he says this, 00:03:03.900 --> 00:03:05.919 But one thing I do. 00:03:07.060 --> 00:03:13.620 Let's read it together and consider all that God has to say to us today about our lives and about our one thing. 00:03:14.099 --> 00:03:17.659 So let's read Philippians chapter 3 together. 00:03:19.560 --> 00:03:20.879 Starting in verse 12. 00:03:20.879 --> 00:03:50.859 Verse 13. 00:03:50.879 --> 00:03:54.960 Let all, let those of us who are mature think this way. 00:03:55.539 --> 00:04:00.639 And if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 00:04:01.180 --> 00:04:03.979 Only let us hold true to what we have attained. 00:04:05.159 --> 00:04:10.120 Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me. 00:04:11.000 --> 00:04:15.719 And keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example that you have in us. 00:04:15.719 --> 00:04:24.120 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 00:04:24.920 --> 00:04:26.439 Their end is destruction. 00:04:26.939 --> 00:04:28.199 Their God is their belly. 00:04:29.000 --> 00:04:35.240 And their glory, and they glory in their shame with their minds set on earthly things. 00:04:35.240 --> 00:04:38.939 But our citizenship is in heaven. 00:04:39.060 --> 00:04:53.860 And from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. 00:04:53.860 --> 00:05:23.840 Let's pray together. 00:05:23.860 --> 00:05:29.360 Lord, I pray this morning that you would give me words. 00:05:29.860 --> 00:05:34.819 And that you would give all of us hearts to sit under your word this morning. 00:05:35.100 --> 00:05:38.900 Lord, that you would encourage our hearts, sharpen our minds. 00:05:39.439 --> 00:05:48.360 Lord, and bring new life to our spirits that we might know and understand what you have called us to in Christ. 00:05:48.360 --> 00:05:51.040 Lord, we pray this in Jesus' name. 00:05:52.060 --> 00:05:52.400 Amen. 00:06:01.400 --> 00:06:05.900 Our key verse this morning is in verse 13 and 14. 00:06:05.899 --> 00:06:13.079 One thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. 00:06:13.399 --> 00:06:18.439 I press on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 00:06:19.739 --> 00:06:26.099 God calls us to pursue being with Christ, our one thing. 00:06:26.100 --> 00:06:29.460 And this passage tells us three things about that pursuit. 00:06:29.780 --> 00:06:32.700 Tells us first about the foundation of that pursuit. 00:06:33.040 --> 00:06:35.400 The second one is the nature of that pursuit. 00:06:35.560 --> 00:06:38.340 And the third is the reason for that pursuit. 00:06:38.600 --> 00:06:40.240 And we'll see that as we walk through it. 00:06:40.240 --> 00:06:44.600 So we're going to walk through this passage and just look at those three aspects of it. 00:06:44.600 --> 00:06:50.260 The foundation of our pursuit, the foundation of our pressing on is in verse 12. 00:06:51.260 --> 00:06:52.720 Look with me again at it. 00:06:52.980 --> 00:06:53.540 It says this, 00:06:53.600 --> 00:07:03.560 Not that I've already obtained this or am perfect, but I press on to make it my own because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 00:07:04.120 --> 00:07:09.560 Paul has just talked about in the verses before, and Pastor Nick preached on this last week, 00:07:09.560 --> 00:07:14.899 how he had counted all things as lost for the sake of knowing Christ and being found in him, 00:07:14.980 --> 00:07:20.019 so that he might receive a righteousness not of his own doing, not of his own building, 00:07:20.139 --> 00:07:22.740 so that he might have status with God by his own efforts, 00:07:22.959 --> 00:07:27.579 but receiving, being bestowed upon him by Christ through faith, 00:07:27.959 --> 00:07:33.420 a righteousness that allows him to be a child of the King and to be united with Christ. 00:07:34.279 --> 00:07:37.480 And Paul has just talked about this, and he says, 00:07:37.480 --> 00:07:38.959 I want to know Christ. 00:07:39.560 --> 00:07:44.759 And the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 00:07:44.819 --> 00:07:48.220 so that also I might attain to the resurrection of the dead. 00:07:49.839 --> 00:07:55.300 And so Paul has had this great aspirational thrust to what he's just said, 00:07:55.399 --> 00:08:00.079 but here he then qualifies this or couches that in something different, 00:08:00.079 --> 00:08:04.019 because here in verse 12, the emphasis is not on Paul's devotion, 00:08:04.019 --> 00:08:08.120 or his sacrifice, or his faith, or his passion, 00:08:08.120 --> 00:08:14.819 but it's in what Christ has done, that Christ has made me his own. 00:08:14.819 --> 00:08:18.060 He has taken hold of him and not let him go. 00:08:18.740 --> 00:08:21.759 And just like we saw in chapter 2 in verses 12 and 13, 00:08:21.899 --> 00:08:29.079 we see this great combination where Paul willfully talks about all the human energy being spent, 00:08:29.079 --> 00:08:31.079 working out our salvation, 00:08:31.079 --> 00:08:33.460 because God has worked in us. 00:08:34.279 --> 00:08:37.240 The foundation is that God has made this certain, 00:08:37.240 --> 00:08:40.460 and his pursuit is in light of that. 00:08:41.000 --> 00:08:46.980 It strikes me that this is kind of like what it's like to try out for the U.S. national soccer team. 00:08:47.399 --> 00:08:47.679 Right? 00:08:47.679 --> 00:08:52.539 We often feel like, maybe you've never aspired to this, 00:08:52.599 --> 00:08:55.039 but if you're trying out for the U.S. national soccer team, 00:08:55.099 --> 00:08:55.819 do you know what's true? 00:08:56.039 --> 00:08:57.279 You are never in. 00:08:58.199 --> 00:09:01.179 You are kind of in as long as you keep going, 00:09:01.339 --> 00:09:04.479 as long as you're good enough this time, this season, 00:09:04.539 --> 00:09:07.759 if you're fit, if you're playing at a high level, 00:09:07.839 --> 00:09:08.599 then you'll be in. 00:09:08.659 --> 00:09:10.500 But if you aren't, hey, you know what? 00:09:10.539 --> 00:09:12.000 There are other guys behind you. 00:09:12.440 --> 00:09:14.919 There is no certainty, and there's no security. 00:09:15.940 --> 00:09:18.320 And it's a terribly uncertain thing to do. 00:09:18.399 --> 00:09:19.919 If you stumble, you will fall, 00:09:20.000 --> 00:09:23.279 and you will always have to prove yourself over and over and over again. 00:09:24.720 --> 00:09:27.440 And I think we often think of God being like that. 00:09:28.759 --> 00:09:31.179 Only if we meet the standard. 00:09:31.299 --> 00:09:33.059 Only if we can keep up the race. 00:09:33.059 --> 00:09:35.259 Only if we don't stumble or fall. 00:09:36.620 --> 00:09:39.120 But what Paul reminds us in this passage 00:09:39.120 --> 00:09:42.159 is that Christ Jesus has made us his own. 00:09:42.700 --> 00:09:44.259 He has chosen us. 00:09:44.600 --> 00:09:46.899 In Ephesians, before the foundation of the earth, 00:09:47.120 --> 00:09:49.399 he has set his love on us, 00:09:49.560 --> 00:09:52.399 and he has set his salvation purposes on us. 00:09:52.659 --> 00:09:55.560 And therefore, for those who believe in Christ, 00:09:55.679 --> 00:10:01.139 the pursuit of him is not one of fearful of falling away, 00:10:01.139 --> 00:10:02.440 but one of confidence, 00:10:02.799 --> 00:10:05.960 knowing that Christ has already done this for us. 00:10:06.180 --> 00:10:09.080 Unlike the Olympic soccer team. 00:10:09.560 --> 00:10:11.759 Our position is secure. 00:10:14.440 --> 00:10:17.080 Paul says, Christ Jesus has made me his own. 00:10:17.740 --> 00:10:21.539 And this is the foundation on which this pursuit is built. 00:10:22.120 --> 00:10:23.519 But it presses on then. 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:25.220 Paul moves on and he says, 00:10:26.299 --> 00:10:29.480 but I do something in light of what God has done. 00:10:29.620 --> 00:10:32.379 I press on towards this thing. 00:10:32.820 --> 00:10:35.620 And I want to begin by noting in verses 12 and 13, 00:10:35.720 --> 00:10:36.600 again, look at this. 00:10:36.600 --> 00:10:40.399 Paul's expression of humility as he does this. 00:10:41.040 --> 00:10:42.779 And maybe you felt this. 00:10:43.040 --> 00:10:47.460 Maybe you felt this last week when Nick preached 7 through 11. 00:10:47.759 --> 00:10:49.460 Man, Paul was awesome. 00:10:49.759 --> 00:10:51.779 He counted everything as lost for Christ. 00:10:51.779 --> 00:10:54.279 He's like this superstar Christian. 00:10:54.800 --> 00:10:56.899 I could never do that. 00:10:57.220 --> 00:10:58.840 I could never be that good. 00:10:58.840 --> 00:11:01.040 Paul says, no, friends. 00:11:01.780 --> 00:11:02.780 Brothers and sisters, 00:11:03.500 --> 00:11:05.519 I've not already attained it. 00:11:05.720 --> 00:11:07.360 I'm not already there. 00:11:07.680 --> 00:11:10.340 I, with you, am on the journey 00:11:10.340 --> 00:11:13.680 towards something that God has begun in me. 00:11:14.280 --> 00:11:16.019 He who began a good work in you 00:11:16.019 --> 00:11:18.160 will bring it to completion in the day of Christ Jesus. 00:11:18.480 --> 00:11:20.160 The same thing is true of me. 00:11:20.159 --> 00:11:23.579 We are on this journey to move forward. 00:11:24.919 --> 00:11:26.620 And friends, just as an aside, 00:11:26.799 --> 00:11:30.120 this is what theologians call progressive sanctification. 00:11:30.679 --> 00:11:34.779 We are brought by faith into a new relationship with Christ. 00:11:34.959 --> 00:11:37.719 And this whole life between now and eternity 00:11:37.719 --> 00:11:42.600 is going to be growing into that new life that Christ has given us. 00:11:42.600 --> 00:11:48.440 And all of us, from the brand new believer who trusted Christ yesterday 00:11:48.440 --> 00:11:51.820 to the saint who's walked with Christ for 50 years, 00:11:51.940 --> 00:11:54.560 will continue to need to press on 00:11:54.560 --> 00:11:58.560 and continue to be called to this ongoing growth. 00:12:00.899 --> 00:12:03.700 All of life will be growth but not attainment 00:12:03.700 --> 00:12:08.720 because what is to come will be ultimately God's work at the end. 00:12:08.720 --> 00:12:12.940 Paul then gets to his core verb. 00:12:13.379 --> 00:12:14.379 What does he do? 00:12:14.840 --> 00:12:16.379 He presses on. 00:12:16.660 --> 00:12:18.139 This is a racing turn. 00:12:19.440 --> 00:12:22.420 I'm not a racer, so I'm actually a terrible runner. 00:12:22.759 --> 00:12:25.720 So I'm not, this is a borrowed analogy. 00:12:26.360 --> 00:12:28.080 But, you know, I've watched runners 00:12:28.080 --> 00:12:29.879 and particularly the longer ones, right? 00:12:30.040 --> 00:12:31.759 They're coming down the back stretch. 00:12:31.920 --> 00:12:33.500 They're seeing that last turn. 00:12:33.660 --> 00:12:35.320 And as they come around that last turn, 00:12:35.399 --> 00:12:36.980 particularly when you see like the mile, 00:12:36.980 --> 00:12:39.180 they kick it into a whole other gear 00:12:39.180 --> 00:12:41.279 because they can see that finish line. 00:12:41.420 --> 00:12:44.320 And they're spending all of their energy and focus 00:12:44.320 --> 00:12:46.860 on just getting to that point. 00:12:46.940 --> 00:12:48.740 And Paul says, this is what we're doing. 00:12:49.240 --> 00:12:51.480 Forgetting what lies behind. 00:12:51.659 --> 00:12:54.639 And that might be his self-righteous plans 00:12:54.639 --> 00:12:57.680 that he tried, that he used to do before he knew Christ 00:12:57.680 --> 00:13:00.080 that he talks about earlier in chapter three. 00:13:00.360 --> 00:13:03.379 It might just be, he's forgetting all the other things 00:13:03.379 --> 00:13:06.360 so that the one thing that he's focused on, 00:13:06.559 --> 00:13:08.320 he will press on towards. 00:13:10.019 --> 00:13:13.299 It's the same, this word is also sometimes used 00:13:13.299 --> 00:13:15.620 as a hunting image, right? 00:13:16.139 --> 00:13:19.120 Pursuing one that is getting away. 00:13:19.700 --> 00:13:22.700 And I thought of like Aragorn and Gimli and Legolas 00:13:22.700 --> 00:13:24.980 running across the plains of Rohan, 00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:29.179 chasing after the orcs who had stolen Merry and Pippin. 00:13:29.179 --> 00:13:34.059 And their tireless and focused effort, 00:13:34.399 --> 00:13:37.019 we will continue to pursue them 00:13:37.019 --> 00:13:39.299 until we gain them again. 00:13:39.779 --> 00:13:41.979 This is the kind of dogged hunting 00:13:41.979 --> 00:13:44.519 and the single-mindedness to not rest 00:13:44.519 --> 00:13:47.139 until the quarry is captured. 00:13:49.419 --> 00:13:52.559 Friends, do you see how energetic Paul is? 00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:54.819 This isn't a hobby that you do 00:13:54.819 --> 00:13:56.240 when you're feeling like it. 00:13:56.240 --> 00:13:58.200 This isn't something that you would do 00:13:58.200 --> 00:14:00.680 just because, I don't know, 00:14:00.740 --> 00:14:02.399 I didn't have anything else to do today 00:14:02.399 --> 00:14:04.320 or something you would fit in the margins 00:14:04.320 --> 00:14:05.600 of everything else. 00:14:06.039 --> 00:14:10.799 For Paul, this is an all-consuming passion and desire. 00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:15.480 A desire to pursue knowing Christ. 00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:18.399 There is a goal before him in verse 14. 00:14:19.200 --> 00:14:21.320 I press on towards the goal, 00:14:22.159 --> 00:14:23.060 the finish line, 00:14:23.059 --> 00:14:24.919 for the prize that will come 00:14:24.919 --> 00:14:29.839 with the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 00:14:30.279 --> 00:14:32.519 Paul is piling on these words 00:14:32.519 --> 00:14:35.239 and even theologians and Bible expositors 00:14:35.239 --> 00:14:36.979 don't always know what's the relationship 00:14:36.979 --> 00:14:38.179 between all these things, 00:14:38.339 --> 00:14:40.500 these adjectives that he's piling on. 00:14:40.659 --> 00:14:43.299 But the thrust of it is very clear. 00:14:44.119 --> 00:14:45.599 At the end of the day, 00:14:46.079 --> 00:14:49.099 in Christ, God has called me up to be with him. 00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:54.180 And that is a treasure and a prize and a reward. 00:14:55.560 --> 00:14:59.220 Paul says, this is what I press on towards. 00:14:59.480 --> 00:15:01.980 This is the one thing that I do. 00:15:03.560 --> 00:15:05.860 Then in verses 15 through 17, 00:15:07.240 --> 00:15:09.100 as Paul has described it, he says, 00:15:09.540 --> 00:15:11.659 I wish you would imitate me in this. 00:15:12.019 --> 00:15:14.639 This is what maturity in Christ looks like. 00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:18.000 Not thinking that we've already got it in a proud way, 00:15:18.220 --> 00:15:20.039 but pressing on towards it. 00:15:20.659 --> 00:15:22.819 And if you read verse 16 the way I did 00:15:22.819 --> 00:15:23.899 the first time I read it, 00:15:24.139 --> 00:15:25.000 preparing for the sermon, 00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:27.360 think Paul's kind of arrogant there. 00:15:27.500 --> 00:15:28.279 He's like, hey, 00:15:28.439 --> 00:15:30.179 and if anyone thinks differently, 00:15:30.559 --> 00:15:31.419 eh, you guys are wrong. 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:33.159 You'll see that I'm right. 00:15:33.439 --> 00:15:36.439 I think actually that's not the spirit that Paul says that. 00:15:36.819 --> 00:15:38.819 Verse 16, I think, is Paul's spirit saying, 00:15:39.299 --> 00:15:42.379 listen, the glory of Christ is so compelling 00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:46.960 and so great that if you will just consider with me 00:15:46.960 --> 00:15:48.480 what we're running after, 00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:51.080 we're all gonna see this is the right thing. 00:15:51.419 --> 00:15:54.139 This is the thing worth doing at the end of the day. 00:15:55.740 --> 00:15:57.980 We're gonna see it together more and more 00:15:57.980 --> 00:15:59.080 as we pursue it. 00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:03.000 Friends, it's easy, I think, 00:16:03.419 --> 00:16:06.720 for our Christian lives to become distorted. 00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:11.139 It's easy for us to think that what we're trying to do 00:16:11.139 --> 00:16:16.540 is not this single-minded pursuit of knowing Christ. 00:16:19.940 --> 00:16:26.100 So often, we can allow duty to be the thing that drives us. 00:16:26.580 --> 00:16:28.379 I don't wanna be seen as a failure. 00:16:29.420 --> 00:16:31.860 I don't wanna be seen as making a mistake 00:16:31.860 --> 00:16:33.200 or doing the wrong thing. 00:16:34.360 --> 00:16:36.200 Sometimes we pursue knowledge, 00:16:36.519 --> 00:16:38.680 not so that we might know Christ, 00:16:38.779 --> 00:16:41.320 but so that we might be proudfully competent 00:16:41.320 --> 00:16:43.580 in the eyes of others 00:16:43.580 --> 00:16:45.440 so that they might think well of us. 00:16:46.480 --> 00:16:47.720 Sometimes our obedience 00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:50.759 is a desire to not be punished. 00:16:53.580 --> 00:16:55.920 And you know, if that's what we think 00:16:55.920 --> 00:16:57.279 the Christian life is, 00:16:57.279 --> 00:16:59.500 if that's what pursuing Christ looks like, 00:16:59.500 --> 00:17:02.000 it's no wonder that we look elsewhere. 00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:07.619 But for Paul, he is captivated by Christ. 00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:14.500 Christ whose life is worthy of imitating himself. 00:17:15.500 --> 00:17:19.359 Remember what we saw in chapter two, 00:17:19.480 --> 00:17:20.680 verses six through 11. 00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:24.339 He who had equality with God 00:17:24.339 --> 00:17:26.700 did not count it something to be grasped, 00:17:26.700 --> 00:17:27.799 but humbled himself, 00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:31.779 made himself nothing, 00:17:33.080 --> 00:17:35.440 and died on a cross for us. 00:17:37.819 --> 00:17:40.900 Paul was so captured by the person of Christ 00:17:40.900 --> 00:17:42.340 that he said, 00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:45.220 for me to live is Christ and to die is gain. 00:17:47.740 --> 00:17:50.120 And when we're captured by this vision 00:17:50.120 --> 00:17:52.580 of who Christ is and what he has done for us, 00:17:52.579 --> 00:17:55.720 then all of the things 00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:57.539 that Paul has been exhorting us to 00:17:57.539 --> 00:17:58.519 throughout this book, 00:17:58.779 --> 00:18:00.879 that we would count others as more worthy, 00:18:00.980 --> 00:18:02.240 more important than ourselves, 00:18:02.740 --> 00:18:04.099 chapter two, verse four, 00:18:04.220 --> 00:18:05.919 that we would pursue obedience 00:18:05.919 --> 00:18:08.039 as we work out our salvation, 00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:09.859 in chapter two, verse 12, 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:12.059 that we would count all things as loss 00:18:12.059 --> 00:18:13.720 for the sake of knowing Christ, 00:18:14.359 --> 00:18:15.539 chapter three, verse seven, 00:18:15.919 --> 00:18:19.259 that this is worth it because of Christ, 00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:21.900 because of who he is. 00:18:24.059 --> 00:18:25.640 And Paul goes on then 00:18:25.640 --> 00:18:28.259 to give us one more reason, 00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:32.039 one more way for us to understand 00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:34.019 why it is so worthy for us 00:18:34.019 --> 00:18:36.019 to make Christ the goal. 00:18:36.359 --> 00:18:37.400 And this is the third thing 00:18:37.400 --> 00:18:38.359 that we want to look at, 00:18:38.819 --> 00:18:41.079 verses 18 through 20. 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:43.759 The reason for our pressing on 00:18:43.759 --> 00:18:47.079 is that our destiny is glory with Christ. 00:18:47.079 --> 00:18:49.879 Paul has just said, 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:52.339 I hope you'll imitate us in this pursuit. 00:18:52.659 --> 00:18:53.919 I hope you'll imitate us 00:18:53.919 --> 00:18:55.099 in this pursuit of Christ. 00:18:56.740 --> 00:18:59.419 But recognize that there is another path 00:18:59.419 --> 00:19:00.399 that some have taken. 00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:02.059 There is another path. 00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:05.579 And they're walking as enemies of the cross. 00:19:06.079 --> 00:19:06.899 Who are they? 00:19:07.319 --> 00:19:09.419 Lots of ink has been spilled over this. 00:19:09.679 --> 00:19:12.699 It seems like they're part of the member of faith. 00:19:13.179 --> 00:19:14.679 Paul is weeping for them 00:19:14.679 --> 00:19:16.939 because they have lost their way. 00:19:17.079 --> 00:19:20.460 It doesn't seem like in the mix 00:19:20.460 --> 00:19:22.639 that they're probably the opponents 00:19:22.639 --> 00:19:24.759 that Paul refers to in chapter one, 00:19:24.879 --> 00:19:26.480 nor the Judaizers, 00:19:26.679 --> 00:19:28.579 the people who try to impose the Jewish law 00:19:28.579 --> 00:19:29.659 in chapter three. 00:19:29.740 --> 00:19:31.119 They might have been those things, 00:19:31.399 --> 00:19:34.059 but Paul seems to have a bigger picture. 00:19:34.659 --> 00:19:36.059 What does he say about them? 00:19:36.659 --> 00:19:38.500 Look with me in verses 18 and 19. 00:19:39.559 --> 00:19:40.919 He says this, 00:19:41.319 --> 00:19:42.679 their God is their belly. 00:19:42.680 --> 00:19:45.420 These are people whose driving passion 00:19:45.420 --> 00:19:48.279 is their own satisfaction, 00:19:48.840 --> 00:19:50.120 their own pleasure. 00:19:51.900 --> 00:19:53.759 Controlled by their human appetites, 00:19:53.820 --> 00:19:54.900 it might be gluttony, 00:19:55.160 --> 00:19:56.680 it might be all the other things 00:19:56.680 --> 00:19:57.320 that drive us, 00:19:57.400 --> 00:19:59.259 sex and money and power and pleasure. 00:19:59.259 --> 00:20:05.019 Not only is their God their belly, 00:20:05.220 --> 00:20:07.779 but they glory in their shame. 00:20:08.660 --> 00:20:11.720 We're reminded of what Paul says in Romans one 00:20:11.720 --> 00:20:14.220 about the nature of the human heart, 00:20:14.319 --> 00:20:16.140 how we exchange God, 00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:17.480 the creator of the world, 00:20:17.640 --> 00:20:18.599 for idols. 00:20:18.599 --> 00:20:23.599 And how we worship the creation 00:20:23.599 --> 00:20:25.579 rather than the creator. 00:20:26.099 --> 00:20:27.740 And not only do we do these things 00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:29.019 and therefore in that, 00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:31.000 run after all sorts of things 00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:33.279 that God did not design for us to have 00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:34.839 and ways for us to live 00:20:34.839 --> 00:20:36.399 that God did not design us to live. 00:20:36.599 --> 00:20:37.899 But not only do we do that, 00:20:37.959 --> 00:20:39.379 but then we encourage others 00:20:39.379 --> 00:20:40.659 to do the same. 00:20:43.899 --> 00:20:46.139 So Paul says that their God is their belly. 00:20:46.259 --> 00:20:47.439 They glory in their shame. 00:20:47.440 --> 00:20:48.960 The things they exalt and trumpet 00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:50.240 are shameful before God. 00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:51.220 And finally, 00:20:51.340 --> 00:20:53.700 their minds are set on earthly things. 00:20:54.680 --> 00:20:57.320 Their eyes are set on here and now. 00:20:58.200 --> 00:20:59.180 They're convinced 00:20:59.180 --> 00:21:01.640 that the final good of their lives 00:21:01.640 --> 00:21:03.620 is not in the future, 00:21:03.820 --> 00:21:04.840 but in the present. 00:21:05.660 --> 00:21:06.680 And they're desperate 00:21:06.680 --> 00:21:10.700 to make this life their one thing. 00:21:11.900 --> 00:21:15.480 And Paul calls them enemies of the cross. 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:19.380 That is a strong phrase. 00:21:19.599 --> 00:21:20.720 Why does he say that? 00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:24.920 Again, because of who Christ is. 00:21:26.920 --> 00:21:29.319 Because when we set our minds here 00:21:29.319 --> 00:21:31.299 and want to be our own saviors, 00:21:31.720 --> 00:21:34.559 Christ set his mind on being obedient 00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:36.539 to the creator, Father. 00:21:36.539 --> 00:21:40.779 When we believe that heaven can be made on earth, 00:21:41.139 --> 00:21:43.359 Christ left heaven to come to earth 00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:44.920 and walk in its brokenness 00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:46.119 and its fallenness 00:21:46.119 --> 00:21:48.539 and to take on our sin. 00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:52.940 Not grasping, but giving himself up 00:21:52.940 --> 00:21:56.779 so that we might be saved from this world. 00:21:56.779 --> 00:22:02.240 When we would deny the need for suffering 00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:04.059 on the path to glory, 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:07.119 Christ's life shows us that in fact 00:22:07.119 --> 00:22:09.099 it is a necessary plan. 00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:11.799 He embraced suffering 00:22:11.799 --> 00:22:14.660 for the greater good of our salvation. 00:22:15.619 --> 00:22:17.660 This is why when we set our minds 00:22:17.660 --> 00:22:18.720 on earthly things, 00:22:18.819 --> 00:22:20.059 when our God is our belly, 00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:23.059 and when we glory in things that are shameful, 00:22:23.059 --> 00:22:25.299 we are enemies of the cross 00:22:25.299 --> 00:22:27.559 because Christ is going this way 00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:28.919 and when we do these things, 00:22:29.059 --> 00:22:30.419 we are going that way. 00:22:31.779 --> 00:22:33.480 And they are antithetical. 00:22:35.799 --> 00:22:38.419 Paul tells us that they're on a path of destruction 00:22:38.419 --> 00:22:40.940 because the end of Christ is salvation, 00:22:41.159 --> 00:22:43.879 so the end of the other way is not salvation, 00:22:44.419 --> 00:22:47.179 but death and destruction. 00:22:47.180 --> 00:22:52.660 They find themselves outside of Christ 00:22:52.660 --> 00:22:55.240 and in opposition to him. 00:22:57.060 --> 00:22:58.980 But that is not the focus of Paul 00:22:58.980 --> 00:23:02.279 because Paul has used them simply as a foil. 00:23:02.680 --> 00:23:03.980 There are some who do this, 00:23:04.060 --> 00:23:04.840 but not you. 00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:06.320 Don't do that. 00:23:08.180 --> 00:23:10.060 Because we are something different. 00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:13.320 We are citizens of heaven. 00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:16.420 We belong to this country. 00:23:16.420 --> 00:23:18.820 We belong to this nation. 00:23:18.980 --> 00:23:20.600 And God has, in Christ, 00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:22.880 given us by faith a passport 00:23:22.880 --> 00:23:25.420 that says this is where your citizenship lies. 00:23:26.360 --> 00:23:28.580 You are connected to Christ. 00:23:28.860 --> 00:23:30.480 And what we are waiting for 00:23:30.480 --> 00:23:32.539 is the Savior to come. 00:23:32.620 --> 00:23:34.220 And there's this great imagery 00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:36.400 because remember in Philippi, 00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:38.720 the greatest glory in Philippi 00:23:38.720 --> 00:23:40.300 was to be a citizen of Rome. 00:23:40.420 --> 00:23:43.039 And Paul says there's a greater glory than that. 00:23:43.400 --> 00:23:45.420 And the greatest leader of Rome, 00:23:45.420 --> 00:23:48.600 the emperor was often called the Savior, 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:50.240 the Lord, the Soter. 00:23:51.820 --> 00:23:53.779 And so Paul intentionally says, 00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:57.160 we await as citizens of heaven, 00:23:57.300 --> 00:23:58.860 a greater Soter, 00:23:59.180 --> 00:24:00.279 a greater emperor, 00:24:00.440 --> 00:24:01.360 a greater Lord, 00:24:01.460 --> 00:24:02.580 a greater Savior, 00:24:02.820 --> 00:24:05.120 who is Jesus Christ. 00:24:05.119 --> 00:24:08.000 And to be connected with him 00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:09.459 means that all the suffering 00:24:09.459 --> 00:24:11.579 that you might endure now, 00:24:11.719 --> 00:24:12.799 it's worth it 00:24:12.799 --> 00:24:16.279 because he's going to raise you to new life. 00:24:16.739 --> 00:24:18.659 And the brokenness of your body 00:24:18.659 --> 00:24:21.879 is going to be raised to a profound glory 00:24:21.879 --> 00:24:23.659 that you've never seen before 00:24:23.659 --> 00:24:26.339 as you are raised with him 00:24:26.339 --> 00:24:28.939 because he has the power, 00:24:29.139 --> 00:24:29.619 ultimately, 00:24:29.619 --> 00:24:32.479 to bring all things into subjection. 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:35.460 You don't have to make this life your one thing 00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:37.259 because when he comes, 00:24:37.420 --> 00:24:38.500 when he returns, 00:24:38.620 --> 00:24:40.319 when he establishes his kingdom, 00:24:40.660 --> 00:24:44.339 then we will see the fullness that we long for. 00:24:44.660 --> 00:24:46.200 Then we will see the richness 00:24:46.200 --> 00:24:49.799 that our hearts can taste and see 00:24:49.799 --> 00:24:51.640 but never attain to. 00:24:51.640 --> 00:24:54.360 Then we find, 00:24:54.560 --> 00:24:55.759 when Christ comes 00:24:55.759 --> 00:24:57.940 and establishes all of his kingdom, 00:24:58.180 --> 00:24:59.620 then we will see 00:24:59.620 --> 00:25:05.120 that knowing him is worth everything. 00:25:06.400 --> 00:25:09.320 And making him our one thing 00:25:09.320 --> 00:25:11.740 is the only way 00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:13.960 that we would want to live. 00:25:13.960 --> 00:25:17.880 all the meaning, 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:19.100 all the glory, 00:25:19.900 --> 00:25:20.799 all the comfort, 00:25:21.059 --> 00:25:22.799 all the hope that we long for. 00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:25.079 Paul says in verse 21, 00:25:25.940 --> 00:25:27.759 it's in the Savior 00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:29.640 who's going to come 00:25:29.640 --> 00:25:31.220 and make it all happen one day. 00:25:32.160 --> 00:25:33.340 So press on. 00:25:34.160 --> 00:25:34.940 Press on, 00:25:35.160 --> 00:25:36.059 brothers and sisters. 00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:38.299 Don't lose sight of this goal. 00:25:39.299 --> 00:25:41.640 See the treasure that Christ is 00:25:41.640 --> 00:25:43.580 and pursue him 00:25:43.580 --> 00:25:44.880 with all of your heart. 00:25:47.200 --> 00:25:48.720 And if you're here this morning 00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:49.960 and you're feeling the pull, 00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:52.020 you're feeling the pull 00:25:52.020 --> 00:25:53.520 to live a path of self, 00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:56.600 seeking everything in this life, 00:25:56.680 --> 00:25:57.980 not in the life to come, 00:25:59.000 --> 00:26:00.520 recognize Paul's warning 00:26:00.520 --> 00:26:03.060 and look to Christ. 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:06.640 If you are outside of Christ, 00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:10.640 what you have in this life 00:26:10.640 --> 00:26:11.800 is what you will have, 00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:13.720 but your end will be destruction. 00:26:16.280 --> 00:26:17.720 But if you have Christ 00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:19.400 and Christ invites you 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:20.420 and he calls you, 00:26:20.740 --> 00:26:22.400 as he calls all of us 00:26:22.400 --> 00:26:25.420 to see who he is 00:26:25.420 --> 00:26:27.259 and to treasure him, 00:26:28.860 --> 00:26:29.860 that he is the one 00:26:29.860 --> 00:26:30.800 who is the path 00:26:30.800 --> 00:26:32.080 that leads to eternal life. 00:26:32.460 --> 00:26:34.080 He is the one who gives hope 00:26:34.080 --> 00:26:35.180 in the midst of suffering 00:26:35.180 --> 00:26:36.000 in this life. 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:37.460 He is the prize 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:40.579 that we gain 00:26:40.579 --> 00:26:42.180 by the call of God 00:26:42.180 --> 00:26:42.859 on our lives 00:26:42.859 --> 00:26:43.779 as we press on 00:26:43.779 --> 00:26:45.000 to know him. 00:26:45.599 --> 00:26:47.000 Let's pray together. 00:26:47.000 --> 00:26:56.400 O Lord Jesus, 00:26:57.400 --> 00:27:00.339 O Lord Jesus, 00:27:00.339 --> 00:27:01.779 I would simply ask today 00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:03.660 that by your spirit 00:27:03.660 --> 00:27:05.339 you would open our eyes 00:27:05.339 --> 00:27:06.779 to see you 00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:11.400 so that we might know 00:27:11.400 --> 00:27:12.380 that you are worthy 00:27:12.380 --> 00:27:15.040 and so that we might 00:27:15.040 --> 00:27:16.880 take up this call, 00:27:17.680 --> 00:27:19.420 that we might run 00:27:19.420 --> 00:27:20.400 this race, 00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:23.700 so that we might fix 00:27:23.700 --> 00:27:24.720 our eyes 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:27.380 on the right goal. 00:27:32.540 --> 00:27:33.360 O God, 00:27:33.420 --> 00:27:34.480 have mercy on us 00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:35.300 for how often 00:27:35.300 --> 00:27:37.060 we are wandering 00:27:37.060 --> 00:27:38.040 and distracted, 00:27:38.039 --> 00:27:40.180 how often 00:27:40.180 --> 00:27:40.680 our thinking 00:27:40.680 --> 00:27:41.659 becomes foggy 00:27:41.659 --> 00:27:42.399 and we lose 00:27:42.399 --> 00:27:43.059 our way. 00:27:45.639 --> 00:27:46.159 Lord, 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:46.819 renew in us 00:27:46.819 --> 00:27:47.500 this morning 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:48.899 the clarity 00:27:48.899 --> 00:27:49.740 of our call 00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:51.940 and to make you 00:27:51.940 --> 00:27:52.819 our one thing. 00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:54.940 We pray this 00:27:54.940 --> 00:27:55.740 in Jesus' name. 00:27:56.539 --> 00:27:56.980 Amen.