Press On

Press On

(Philippians 3:12-21)

Yearly Theme:  “Goodness is… the Great I AM”

December 29^th, 2024

Something to think about:

Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe writes, “Do not say, ‘Why were the former days better than these?’  You do not move ahead by constantly looking in a rearview mirror.  The past is a rudder to guide you, not an anchor to drag you.  We must learn from the past but not live in the past.”

In the Bible, there is a long history of people who, rather than forgetting what was behind them, focused on the past events of their lives and, in so doing, found themselves worse off than if they had just pressed on toward God's high calling on their lives.  As we come to the close of another year, it’s important that we do not live in the past but rather learn from it—build upon it—and press on to what lies ahead.  As we read the passage of scripture that corresponds to today's message, we receive some helpful instruction from the apostle Paul about forgetting what is behind and pressing on to what is ahead.  Follow along with me…

Philippians 3:12-21 (NLT),

¹² I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection.  But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.  ¹³ No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing:  Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

¹⁵ Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things.  If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you.  ¹⁶ But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.

¹⁷ Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.  ¹⁸ For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ.  ¹⁹ They are headed for destruction.  Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.  ²⁰ But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives.  And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.  ²¹ He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.

KEY POINT:  “Pressing on means learning from the past but not letting it control your future.”

What is it that Paul would have us do as faithful believers in Christ with regard to who we are, where we’ve come from, and where we’re headed?  Let’s take a closer look:

•  on to take  of that for which Christ Jesus took  of us.

Philippians 3:12 (NLT),  I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection.  But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.

•  what is  and straining toward what is  .

Philippians 3:13-14 (NLT),  ¹³ No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing:  Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

•  up to what we have already  .

Philippians 3:16 (NLT),  But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.

Something to take home:

President Harry S. Truman is quoted as having said, “Men who live in the past remind me of a toy I’ve seen.  It’s a small wooden bird called the ‘Floogie Bird.’  Around the Floogie Bird’s neck is a label that reads, ‘I fly backward, I don’t care where I’m going.  I just want to see where I’ve been.’”[1]  However, the problem with this is, that if you can’t see where you’re going, you may end up where you don’t want to go.

Though it’s important to remember the past (for good or for bad), as believers in Christ, we must remember it is not our past that defines us.  What defines us is our faith in Christ and the direction He is leading for our future.  And that’s the key, we are to follow His lead rather than our own.  We must allow Him to chart our course and lead the way because He is the Way.  And the place where He leads is good.  So, let’s determine in this coming year to be faithful to “press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”[2]  “Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.  And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.  We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”  And remember, it is “Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame.  Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”[3]

KEY POINT:  “Pressing on means learning from the past but not letting it control your future.”

[1] The Words of Harry S. Truman, selected by Robert J. Donovan

[2] Philippians 3:14 (NLT).

[3] Hebrews 12:1b-2 (NLT).