January 5, 2025
New Year’s Sermon
PRESS ON!
Philippians 3:12-14
Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team – a heartbreaking experience for any teenager. Then he became one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the game. According to Jordan, “I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot, and I missed. I have failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” Jordan has also been credited as author as a lesser-known quote that is equally powerful: “Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” I think Apostle would have approved of MJ’s determination. Jordan pressed on in spite of failure. He didn’t give up.
If like me, you are a University of Michigan sports fan, last year was a roller coaster, to say the least. For the football team who faced a Sign-stealing scandal, recruiting violations, Linebackers’ coach fired, Former head coach Jim Harbough suspended six games
But in the midst of all the turmoil, the head coach, and the players were remarkably resilient. In 2023, University of Michigan won the NCAA college football championship. Because they were able to press on in spite of turmoil, they won the ultimate goal in college football.
Being a disciple of Jesus also has its share of external pressures, too. And how we respond when those problems come, is going to determine to a large extent how successful we are going to be when it comes to accomplishing our mission for Christ.
In the early church, Paul knew that they faced intense opposition, too. And had those disciples not pressed on when those problems pressed in, the church may have very well collapsed before it ever really got going. But the fact that we’re gathered here together this morning is proof the New Testament disciples were successful in persevering under that pressure.
Let’s look at the text and see what actions we can gleaned from Paul’s writing. We have three actions in regards to PRESS ON!
I. BE FIRM (RESOLUTE, DETERMINED) v. 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.” NKJV
“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection! But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be.” NLT
The race toward Christlikeness begins with a sense of honesty and dissatisfaction. PRESS ON; The Greek word was used of a sprinter, and refers to aggressive, energetic action. Paul pursued sanctification with all his might, straining every spiritual muscle to win the prize. Lay hold…laid hold of me. “Lay hold” means “to make one’s own possession.” Christ chose Paul for the ultimate purpose of conforming Paul to His glorious image., and that is the very goal Paul purposed to attain.
Illustration: Willie Parker says, “You’re not going to give me a touchdown, so I’m just going to press on and take hold of it myself.” We need to be firm/resolute in our pursuit of Christ in order to make Him our own.
What excites me most is seeing believers pursuing Christ and pressing on to fulfill God’s purpose in their lives!
How many Christians have you heard say, “I’ve already done my time in ministry; it’s someone else’s turn now. There is no earthly retirement plan for Christians. Even Paul hadn’t attained it yet.
We must continue to be firm/resolute if we’re going to win the game of life.
The second action in regards to PRESS ON!
II. BE FOCUSED v. 13a
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, Paul has one thing in mind. Paul had prioritized his life. He was focused, intent. He had one purpose, one goal.
· Paul didn’t get sidetracked or distracted.
· When Travis Kelce (TE) for the Kansas City Chief runs a play, he knows exactly where he’s going. He knows where the end zone is, where the First Down marker is or boundary line. He’s focused on one thing.
· We need to be focused on one thing – pursuing Christ and fulfilling His purpose.
· There are many things to distract us; our jobs, health, families, present circumstances.
· If we’re going to win this crucial game of life, we need to be firm and focused.
· What are some ways you can overcome distractions to your spiritual growth?
· BUT ONE THING I DO: What is God calling you to do? That’s what you need to be focused on.
The third action in regards to PRESS ON!
III. BE FORGETFUL v. 13b
“Forgetting those things which are behind” This doesn’t mean we literally forget/ignore the past.
· It means we can’t rest on our accomplishments or dwell on our sin.
· It means we learn from history, but keep looking forward.
· What does Paul mean by forgetting what is behind?
Illustration: What happens when a runner looks back to see who’s following?
· At the least, it slows him down. At worst, he gets tackled or overtaken.
· What happened to Lot’s wife when she refused to forget what was behind?
· Too many people dwell on the past so much that they never look forward to the future.
· They never see the end zone, the goal line, God’s ultimate purpose for them.
Paul doesn’t rest on his accomplishments. He is not satisfied with where he is spiritually. He keeps looking forward.
Last year is behind, for better or worse. We can’t go back. We can’t do it over again.
If we going to win this game of life, we need to be firm, focused, and forgetful.
Responsive Reading: Philippians 3:4-14
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