Sunday Service: 10/11/2024
Supporting Scripture: Philippians 3:10-14
Title of Message: Pressing On for Jesus’ Sake
Delivered by: Pastor Mercy Richardson
Good morning, beloved family of God. It’s a joy to be here with you today, to share in the warmth of fellowship and the nourishment of God’s Word. We are gathered here, not as strangers, but as brothers and sisters in Christ, united by the same Spirit, the same faith, and the same hope.
The title of our message today is “Pressing on for Jesus’ sake,” and our scripture reading is from the book of Philippians 3:10-14.
“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11. if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Pressing Toward the Goal. 12. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
In these verses, we see Paul’s heart laid bare, his desires, his struggles, and his unwavering commitment to the calling of Christ. We see a man who, despite his sufferings, clings to the hope of the resurrection and the prize that awaits him in heaven. Three things I’m going to address today.
Perseverance through Pain
When we look at Paul’s words, we can’t help but notice his determination to know Christ. This isn’t a casual acquaintance, but a deep, intimate knowledge. He wants to know Christ in his resurrection, but also in his sufferings. This is a profound statement. Paul is saying that he wants to share in the same kind of sufferings that Christ experienced. He wants to identify with Christ so closely that he’s willing to endure pain and hardship.
We live in a world that often seeks to avoid pain. We have painkillers to numb physical discomfort, entertainment to distract us from emotional pain, and a multitude of ways to escape from the difficulties of life. But Paul is saying something different. He’s saying that there’s value in experiencing pain, especially when it brings us closer to Christ. Don’t get me wrong people, I’m not promoting suffering, but it is something that happens anyway.
But there’s another aspect to this. Paul talks about “becoming like him in his death”. This is a reference to the process of sanctification, the process by which we become more like Christ. This often involves dying to our old self, to our sinful desires and habits. This can be a painful process. It’s not easy to let go of things that we’re used to, even when we know they’re not good for us. But as we do so, we become more like Christ.
Power of the Resurrection
In the midst of the trials and tribulations that life throws at us, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. We can become so consumed with our own pain and suffering that we forget about the power of the resurrection. This is the power that Paul speaks of in Philippians 3:10. It’s the power that not only raised Jesus from the dead but also gives us the strength to endure and overcome our own struggles.
When we think about the resurrection, we often focus on the physical aspect of it. We think about Jesus’ body being raised from the dead and the promise of our own physical resurrection in the future. But there’s more to it than that. The power of the resurrection is also about spiritual renewal and transformation. It’s about the old self dying and the new self-coming to life in Christ.
The power of the resurrection is also about hope. In a world filled with pain, suffering, and death, the resurrection is a beacon of hope. It’s a reminder that death does not have the final say, that there is life beyond the grave. In 1 Corinthians 15:19, Paul writes, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.”
Our hope is not just for this life but for the life to come. The power of the resurrection gives us hope in the midst of our pain and suffering.
As we move forward, let’s consider the final point of our sermon today:
Pressing Towards the Prize. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, emphasizes the importance of striving for the heavenly reward that awaits us. This is not a passive waiting, but an active pursuit, a race that we must run with determination and perseverance.
In this race, we are not running aimlessly. We have a clear goal, a prize that is worth every effort, every sacrifice. This prize is not of this world, but of heaven. It is not a temporal reward, but an eternal one. It is not a prize that can be won by human effort, but by the grace of God.
The first aspect of pressing towards the prize involves forgetting what is behind. Paul writes, “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” This is not about denying our past or pretending it didn’t happen. It’s about not allowing our past to hold us back, to keep us from moving forward. It’s about letting go of past failures, past hurts, past disappointments, and focusing on the future that God has for us.
Conclusion
So, friends, as we wrap up today, let’s remember that the race we’re running isn’t an easy one. There’ll be bumps, there’ll be bruises, and there’ll be times when we feel like giving up. But let’s also remember that we’re not running aimlessly. We’re running towards a goal; a prize that far outweighs all the trials and tribulations we might face.
We’re running towards “Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” And He’s not just waiting for us at the finish line. He’s running with us, every step of the way. He’s there in our joys, He’s there in our sorrows, and He’s there in those quiet moments when we feel like we’re running on empty.
So, let’s keep pressing on, friends. Let’s keep striving to know Christ more, to share in His sufferings, and to become more like Him in His death. Because the same power that raised Him from the dead is at work in us. And that’s a promise we can hold onto, no matter what comes our way.