Being Saved doesn’t mean you’ve arrived. The race has just begun. Download Free PowerPoint at BibleGuy.org

1. Philippians 3:12-17

3. BEING SAVED DOESN’T MEAN YOU’VE
ARRIVED. THE RACE HAS JUST BEGUN.

4. Philippians 3:12–4:1 (ESV)
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am
already perfect, but I press on to make it my
own, because Christ Jesus has made me his
own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have
made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting
what lies behind and straining forward to what
lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the
prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

5. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this
way, and if in anything you think otherwise,
God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us
hold true to what we have attained. 17
Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your
eyes on those who walk according to the
example you have in us.

6. Paul thought he had arrived.
• He was a pure Jew.
• He was trained by the best of the Jews.
• He was a Pharisee.
• He was zealous in his religion.
• He was perfect in keeping the externals of the
Law.

7. Paul Learned he hadn’t arrived
• On the road to Damascus:
– An encounter with the perfect made him realize how
imperfect he was.
– His blindness brought him to awareness that he had
been blind spiritually.
– The Gentile that healed him was closer to truth than
he was.
• He spent three years in the desert of Arabia
• He spent two years in Tarsus waiting, learning,
being humbled.

8. I want to grasp onto the one that has a
grasped hold of me.
12 Not that I have already
obtained this or am
already perfect, but I press
on to make it my own,
because Christ Jesus has
made me his own.
• Paul doesn’t fully own it
yet:
– Phil. 3:10–11 10 that I
may know him and the
power of his
resurrection, and may
share his sufferings,
becoming like him in his
death, 11 that by any
means possible I may
attain the resurrection
from the dead.
I press on (push forward, strive toward) perfection (knowing
Christ, understanding the power of his resurrection, know him
by sharing in his suffering, attaining the out-resurrection of the
dead). Why? Because Christ has taken hold of me (He has made
me his own).

9. I’m still running the race
13 Brothers, I do not
consider that I have made
it my own.
• “Brothers”
• “Made it my own”
(katalambano) 3rd time
used. “I haven’t
obtained it”,
• “Christ has obtained
me”,
• “I haven’t obtained it.”
If Paul didn’t think he had arrived, should we be so
arrogant as to think we have or can.

10. I’ll do what it takes to gain it
But one thing I do:
forgetting what lies
behind
• If the past hinders, put
it behind:
– For Paul:
• His persecutions
(sins)
• His Jewish heritage
• His attainments
– What hinders you?
• Positives of the past?
• Negatives of the
past?
Consider those that looked
back:
•Lots wife
•Israel, while in the
wilderness

11. I’ll do what it takes to gain it
But one thing I do:
forgetting what lies behind
and straining forward to
what lies ahead,
• What can keep us from
straining forward?
– Fear
• Of the unknown (change)
• Of loss of control
• Of loss of relationships
• Of new relationships
• Of knowing self
– Lack of desire/discipline
• Satisfaction with what
you have
• Accountability/Responsib
ility.

12. Don’t Stop, Focus on the goal.
14 I press on toward the goal
for the prize of the upward
call of God in Christ Jesus.
• Don’t allow the world’s
pressures to slow your
pace.
• Don’t allow the behavior
of others to slow your
pace.
• Don’t allow adverse
circumstances to push
you out of your lane.
• Keep your eyes on the
finish line.
Don’t even allow the
imperfections of the
church to loose your
focus. Paul’s church
was a prison cell.

15. Change your thinking!
15 Let those of us who are
mature think this way, and if
in anything you think
otherwise, God will reveal
that also to you.
• Who are the Mature?
– Those that understand
they haven’t yet
arrived.
– Those that aren’t
legalistically clinging to
the Law.
– Those that are
pursuing Christ: to
know him, to suffer for
him, who anxiously
await the resurrection.
How will God reveal it to
you?
Paul doesn’t say.
Maybe he will have to
knock you in the head.
Maybe you’ll learn it at the
judgment seat of Christ.

16. Hold true!
16 Only let us hold true to
what we have attained.
• What have we attained?
– The righteousness of
Jesus Christ.
– Eternal life.
– A relationship with
Christ.
– A brotherhood.
• “hold true” military
term meaning to keep
rank. Also means stay in
Harmony.

17. Be Like Paul – Run the Race
17 Brothers, join in imitating
me, and keep your eyes on
those who walk according to
the example you have in us.
• Don’t think you’ve
arrived.
• Don’t be a spectator.
• Don’t put obstacles in the
way of those that run
• Get out of the starting
blocks.
• Encourage – run beside
those that are in the race.

18. Every Person’s Race Is Different
• Some are marathoners.
• Some are sprinters.
• Some are hurdlers.
• Each person has his own race, his own pace, his
own discipline and schedule. God determines the
race and the training.
• Your job? Get into the race God has for you.
• Your job? Encourage others in there Race.
• Run your race, train for your race.
• We all have the same goal. Focus on it.