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.Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus.
4 sermons cite this verse
… I want to do something good for you. And you're barely holding on to the good things that God has for you. But I want you to look what Paul says in Philippians 3, verse 12. Oh no, I'm losing things. Can I have a friend that'll help me keep my issues? Thank you for helping me stay in bondage. That's what some of y'all should text your friends on their birthday. Uh-huh. Philippians chapter 3 verse 12 What happens what happens when your pain is legitimate My question is is it worth it? Not is it legitimate because most people like I got a right to feel like this Let me tell you. Yes, you do Let me validate you for every pastor who's never said it you should without God, you have a right to feel how you feel and hold everything you're holding. My question is, is it worth it? And Paul decided that every day he woke up after God transformed his life that he wouldn't live in shame and guilt. …
… nothing. I wonder what your it is today. And I want to give you a verse before we sit down out of Philippians chapter three, verses 12 through 14. This is what Paul has to say about it. Say it. it just isn't the trash it is also the trophies because Paul said man I've got a lot of things that I've been running after the goal of my life was to be noticed to be a person of fame he lists his inheritance and his accomplishments and that used to be it and then he had such a profound encounter with Christ it changed I wonder how God wants to upgrade your it today I wonder the it of putting in your pocket is the thing you've been motivated by I wonder if somebody else's praise who might not even be watching is the it you're working for and Jesus is over here saying I'm it I'm all you need I'm all you need if you just run towards me but you gotta forget it Paul says this not that I've obtained all of this or have already arrived at my goals but I press on to take hold for that which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, 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 in, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ …
… He sees me, and he holds me. Did you notice that Paul said, I'm striving to take hold of that? which Jesus already took hold of me. That means I don't have to grab it, because God grabbed me. Thank you. Thank you. Because you raised your hand, God filled it. I love it. I love the Lord. He heard my cry. He pitied every groan. Not only did he lead them through the desert, but he led them through the water. That's the crossing. Why is God taking me through this? Why is God letting it be like this? Why is God allowing this season in my life? It's the crossing. God knew they were too weak for war, so he led them to water. He knew they were too weak for war, so he led them to water. God knew that even though Pharaoh had temporarily let them go, he was coming back to get them. For the Bible says that no sooner had they got to that place at the Red Sea than the chariots of Pharaoh began to click-clack behind them. …
… complete. Paul said, not that I've already obtained this or I'm already perfect, but I press on to make it my own because Christ Jesus had made me his own. Philippians 3.12. Those are directions for the busy middle years. Take your talents, take your turn, and take your time. And now it's time for the third stage, the stage on which to serve even in our senior years. Those years are, in our text, described as the years in which we seniors stand guard. The active duty of serving in the tent of meeting was the work of the middle-aged Levites, 25 to 50-year-olds, but those above 50 were to stand guard, to watch and protect the tent of meeting. How do we do that in our setting now? Let's think of that idea of time. Here's two ideas. It's time to stretch your legs. It's time to stretch your minds. It's time to stretch. It's time to stretch a bit when the work you've done for 20 or 30 years comes to an end. …