Philippians 3:12-4:1 · Pressing on Toward the Goal

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

17 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

1 Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!

Finishing Strong
Philippians 3:12-14
Sermon
by Bill Bouknight
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Dr. Ira Galloway has been a great leader of Methodism for many years. I treasure him as a friend. He is retired now, living in Albuquerque. Many years ago when the Galloways lived in Irving, Texas, their son Jerry was an outstanding track and field athlete in high school. His specialty was the mile race. One afternoon Jerry was competing against the best miler in the state. Ira was on hand to cheer on his son. Jerry came in second. Afterward, Ira went out to meet his son and to commend him for a fine race. Jerry walked off the track with shoulders slumped, carrying his cleats by the shoestrings. Once they got inside the car, Jerry broke down, crying uncontrollably. Ira waited for a minute or two, patting him on the knee. Finally Ira asked, “What’s wrong, son? You’ve lost races before but i…

ChristianGlobe Networks, Inc., Collected Sermons, by Bill Bouknight