The man had just turned 50 and we were gathered at his home
for the party. After the meal it was
time for him to open his gifts. The
first one was in a box, and when he opened it, out came a baseball cap with an
inscription on the top. Above the bill in big, bold letters it read: “Press On.” Now why Press On? Because he turned 50? Because the next half-century would be
tougher than the first half? No, it’s
because he’s a Christian and Pressing On is the essence of that to which every
Christian is called to do. But what’s it
mean?
Now remember the context.
Paul has just panned his own resume.
He’s just said that everything he ever achieved prior to his conversion
was not a gateway to joy, but a brick wall.
All of his gains were impediments to that which he desperately needed –
the righteousness of another. He says it
this way, “Whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of
the super thing – being found in Christ Jesus my Lord.”
As we mentioned last Sunday, Paul the scholar is unabashedly euphoric. It’s an odd thing for a scholar to be so
expansive, and yet he is! Instead of
relying on his own self-righteousness, he now rests assured of the
righteousness of another; the perfect One – Christ Jesus. But lest the Philippians misread what he is
saying (believing him to be espousing what they have heard the false teachers
say about themselves), Paul adds verse 12 and following.
Paul says, “Not that I have already obtained this or am
already perfect…” You see, there were
those in Philippi who were claiming perfection either through their baptism or
their keeping of the law, and Paul wants to be clear – “I’m not perfect.” Indeed, Paul contends that the further one
grows in the faith, the more aware one is of his /her own imperfection (e.g. “I
am the chief of sinners. I Timothy
1:5). Paul knows perfectly well that
this side of heaven no one is perfect, but Christ alone. But that’s only the beginning of his
argument. It is because of Paul’s imperfection
that he says, “but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus has
taken hold of me.” (NIV)
Now, as we will see on Sunday, there are several interesting
words that Paul uses in verse 12 that set the stage for all of what he says in
the balance of chapter 3. But the
fulcrum of his argument is verse 12. That’s
why we will be focused on it almost exclusively. You see what Paul is saying is this – “I’ve
been seized. I’ve been taken hold of and
therefore I will do everything I can to take hold of the One who’s taken hold
of me.” He’s talking about a singular
focus. He’s talking about one holy and
consuming passion. If you are one who
sees your faith in Christ as an aspect of your life, you’re in for a
surprise. Paul is advocating an “all in”
abandonment to Christ as the principle means by which joy is gained in this
life and the next.
In preparation for Sunday’s message, “Joy in Pressing On”,
and Hebron’s celebration of the six confirmands who will be recognized as full
members of Hebron Church at the 11:00 am service, you may wish to consider the
following:
1. The
word “press” used in verse 12 is the same word translated “persecute” in verse
6.
2. What
does the words “press on” mean to you?
3. How
does the phrase “press on” relate to what Jesus says in Matthew 11:12?
4. How
about Colossians 1:29?
5. How
many “take holds” or “mades” do you see in verse 12?
6. Is
there any significance to the order of them?
7. What
does it mean when someone says, “I must take hold of myself?”
8. Why
is it that the best stories have heroes who don’t go looking for adventure, but
adventure finds them? How is that like
every Christian?
9. How
is joy found in taking dead aim at Jesus?
10. When
you survey the wondrous cross, what happens to your focus?
See you Sunday!
