Philippians 3:4-14. Jesus Christ the most valuable thing in life
21/3/10
(4) If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: {5} circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; {6} as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. {7} But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. {8} What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ {9} and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. {10} I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, {11} and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. {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.
This morning Paul has some great encouragement for us today. Here he is reminding us to think about and take seriously that which is important and valuable in life. And this message is so very important for us living in this day and age, when all sorts of things are being held up as being what we really need in life. So it is so very easy to be distracted from that which is truly important and valuable. That being the case we too need to set our sights on our goal and run for it; striving our hardest so as not to miss out on what is essential for our lives.
Because this is something that is ipmortant, I will begin by telling a little story that will hopefully help us to understand the message that Paul is trying to get across here.
Sam’s big day had come. It was athletics day which determined who would be going to represent the country at the Olympics. Sam had been preparing himself for the 800 metres for many, many months now. In fact he was almost sick of training; but he knew that it was important for him if he was to win the race.
The team coach had spent hours pointing out all the things that Sam needed to keep in mind if he was to do well: the special techniques for getting off the blocks; arm movements; and all the rest. Above all he was reminded again and again to keep his eyes fixed ahead on the finishing line; that it was detrimental to his running to look around at the other runners, etc.
Well come the big day, Sam was determined that he would do well. In fact, he was out to impress everyone. As he limbered up he said to the coach that he was going to give it his best shot. He got down on the starting blocks, and got away to a good start. Into the race a little way, he couldn’t help glancing across at the other runners around him. He noticed Bill was still running strongly, but that Tom was already struggling. Then out of the corner of his eye, Sam caught sight of Julie, the prettiest girl there; she was in the process of the long jump. She distracted his thoughts completely. Sam slowed right up and walked over to watch.
He’d forgotten the long hours of practice; the Olympics, and all the rest. At the critical time, he had lost sight of what he was all on about, and blew it all, good and proper. In fact, he did not even finish the race, much to the hoots and jeers of everyone.
Now we here today would say that this is a ridiculous story. That nobody would be that stupid. No of course we wouldn’t, would we: Except in that one area of our life which is far more serious and more important? There we are not just as silly as Sam; but far worse than that.
When it comes to eternal life in heaven or hell, we think we can play fast and loose and it doesn’t matter. ‘What is the big deal about keeping close to the Lord Jesus Christ and our focus centred on him at all times?’ Here we think we can take it or leave it as we please. So what if we get distracted by the things of this world. Here we will stop a little here and there along the way. ‘What does it matter if we miss church for a few weeks, or don’t continue in our study of God’s Word?’ What is the big deal if we go along with our friends in doing something that we know is wrong, or do a shonky business deal on someone; especially the tax-man?’ ‘She’ll be right!’ ‘We’ll get by!’ ‘No big deal!’
Let us be clear about this: when we do these kinds of things, we are even more stupid than young Sam. Here we are placing ourselves in a position where we will possibly loose out on something far more important than the Olympics. We are placing our eternal salvation in great danger. Any one of those things can lead us to let slip that which has been passed on to us as of utmost importance. It is so easy to loose sight of Jesus Christ and all that he has and continues to do for us, and place it elsewhere, and so lose out on eternal life in heaven. We can see around us that so many have done just that.
No, let us take note of what Paul has to say here in this reading. He places knowing Jesus Christ as the most important thing in life. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ {9} and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. {10} I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, {11} and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Now we here have learnt how important it is to know the Lord Jesus Christ and to trust in his saving work. We have been told again and again that it is not our goodness that makes us acceptable to God; and that there is salvation in nobody else: That Jesus is the only Way, Truth and Life.
Paul here, instead of being like so many today who say that Christianity is a load of garbage; he says everything else is a lot of trash by comparison. He is not saying that these things don’t have their place, but it is a matter of which comes first: which is most important; and which we need to focus mostly on.
Now we here all know deep down where Jesus Christ comes in all of this. We know that he has done so much for us. We know what it cost him – his awful death on the cross and being totally forsaken by his Father; and all for us. It is he alone who has rescued us from sin, death and an eternity in hell, and made it possible for us instead to be with him in heaven.
For this reason, we know and can surely see the value of him being a big part of our lives. We know particularly that as a result of his life death and resurrection that he makes a big difference when it comes to the end of this life and we have to face the Judge. At the same time we know that he is important for our lives now: for we are assured, that we are loved and cared for; that there is now meaning and purpose to life: and we also know that there are now directions for living our lives that are good and helpful, rather than destructive. So for every part of our lives we now surely know that he is so important and valuable. That being the case we will then not want to let go of him and take our focus off of him, and finish up back on the road to eternal damnation: back to living a confused, lonely and unhappy life.
Surely, now we will keep our eyes and minds fixed on that which is truly important. Like the runner, we will fix the focus of our lives on our goal and finishing line. And of course, this is nothing other than, as Paul says here, knowing Jesus Christ our Lord and experiencing his power in our lives. On top of that to live each day in that sure hope of eternal life with our God in heaven.
Surely, we will now ensure that nothing will distract us from this goal. Each and every day we will seek to keep our focus on our Lord Jesus. Not just on Sunday morning, or a little bit now and again: But even when we are working and playing; wherever we are, we will remember that Jesus is there with us in all of those places; and that he is more important than each and every one of them. We will keep the value of who he is and what he has done in the forefront of our minds.
So let us all not be as stupid as young Sam and allow other aspects of life to distract us from that which is most important of all. Remember it is so easy for many of these other things to get in our way and distract us from this which is of utmost importance: from spending time thinking, listening, reading, receiving and living in light of Jesus Christ and what he has done for us. No instead, let us be like Paul and “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. And may the peace of God which passes all understanding, keep our hearts, minds and lives centred on our Lord Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish
21/3/10
(4) If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: {5} circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; {6} as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. {7} But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. {8} What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ {9} and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. {10} I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, {11} and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. {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.
This morning Paul has some great encouragement for us today. Here he is reminding us to think about and take seriously that which is important and valuable in life. And this message is so very important for us living in this day and age, when all sorts of things are being held up as being what we really need in life. So it is so very easy to be distracted from that which is truly important and valuable. That being the case we too need to set our sights on our goal and run for it; striving our hardest so as not to miss out on what is essential for our lives.
Because this is something that is ipmortant, I will begin by telling a little story that will hopefully help us to understand the message that Paul is trying to get across here.
Sam’s big day had come. It was athletics day which determined who would be going to represent the country at the Olympics. Sam had been preparing himself for the 800 metres for many, many months now. In fact he was almost sick of training; but he knew that it was important for him if he was to win the race.
The team coach had spent hours pointing out all the things that Sam needed to keep in mind if he was to do well: the special techniques for getting off the blocks; arm movements; and all the rest. Above all he was reminded again and again to keep his eyes fixed ahead on the finishing line; that it was detrimental to his running to look around at the other runners, etc.
Well come the big day, Sam was determined that he would do well. In fact, he was out to impress everyone. As he limbered up he said to the coach that he was going to give it his best shot. He got down on the starting blocks, and got away to a good start. Into the race a little way, he couldn’t help glancing across at the other runners around him. He noticed Bill was still running strongly, but that Tom was already struggling. Then out of the corner of his eye, Sam caught sight of Julie, the prettiest girl there; she was in the process of the long jump. She distracted his thoughts completely. Sam slowed right up and walked over to watch.
He’d forgotten the long hours of practice; the Olympics, and all the rest. At the critical time, he had lost sight of what he was all on about, and blew it all, good and proper. In fact, he did not even finish the race, much to the hoots and jeers of everyone.
Now we here today would say that this is a ridiculous story. That nobody would be that stupid. No of course we wouldn’t, would we: Except in that one area of our life which is far more serious and more important? There we are not just as silly as Sam; but far worse than that.
When it comes to eternal life in heaven or hell, we think we can play fast and loose and it doesn’t matter. ‘What is the big deal about keeping close to the Lord Jesus Christ and our focus centred on him at all times?’ Here we think we can take it or leave it as we please. So what if we get distracted by the things of this world. Here we will stop a little here and there along the way. ‘What does it matter if we miss church for a few weeks, or don’t continue in our study of God’s Word?’ What is the big deal if we go along with our friends in doing something that we know is wrong, or do a shonky business deal on someone; especially the tax-man?’ ‘She’ll be right!’ ‘We’ll get by!’ ‘No big deal!’
Let us be clear about this: when we do these kinds of things, we are even more stupid than young Sam. Here we are placing ourselves in a position where we will possibly loose out on something far more important than the Olympics. We are placing our eternal salvation in great danger. Any one of those things can lead us to let slip that which has been passed on to us as of utmost importance. It is so easy to loose sight of Jesus Christ and all that he has and continues to do for us, and place it elsewhere, and so lose out on eternal life in heaven. We can see around us that so many have done just that.
No, let us take note of what Paul has to say here in this reading. He places knowing Jesus Christ as the most important thing in life. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ {9} and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. {10} I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, {11} and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Now we here have learnt how important it is to know the Lord Jesus Christ and to trust in his saving work. We have been told again and again that it is not our goodness that makes us acceptable to God; and that there is salvation in nobody else: That Jesus is the only Way, Truth and Life.
Paul here, instead of being like so many today who say that Christianity is a load of garbage; he says everything else is a lot of trash by comparison. He is not saying that these things don’t have their place, but it is a matter of which comes first: which is most important; and which we need to focus mostly on.
Now we here all know deep down where Jesus Christ comes in all of this. We know that he has done so much for us. We know what it cost him – his awful death on the cross and being totally forsaken by his Father; and all for us. It is he alone who has rescued us from sin, death and an eternity in hell, and made it possible for us instead to be with him in heaven.
For this reason, we know and can surely see the value of him being a big part of our lives. We know particularly that as a result of his life death and resurrection that he makes a big difference when it comes to the end of this life and we have to face the Judge. At the same time we know that he is important for our lives now: for we are assured, that we are loved and cared for; that there is now meaning and purpose to life: and we also know that there are now directions for living our lives that are good and helpful, rather than destructive. So for every part of our lives we now surely know that he is so important and valuable. That being the case we will then not want to let go of him and take our focus off of him, and finish up back on the road to eternal damnation: back to living a confused, lonely and unhappy life.
Surely, now we will keep our eyes and minds fixed on that which is truly important. Like the runner, we will fix the focus of our lives on our goal and finishing line. And of course, this is nothing other than, as Paul says here, knowing Jesus Christ our Lord and experiencing his power in our lives. On top of that to live each day in that sure hope of eternal life with our God in heaven.
Surely, we will now ensure that nothing will distract us from this goal. Each and every day we will seek to keep our focus on our Lord Jesus. Not just on Sunday morning, or a little bit now and again: But even when we are working and playing; wherever we are, we will remember that Jesus is there with us in all of those places; and that he is more important than each and every one of them. We will keep the value of who he is and what he has done in the forefront of our minds.
So let us all not be as stupid as young Sam and allow other aspects of life to distract us from that which is most important of all. Remember it is so easy for many of these other things to get in our way and distract us from this which is of utmost importance: from spending time thinking, listening, reading, receiving and living in light of Jesus Christ and what he has done for us. No instead, let us be like Paul and “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. And may the peace of God which passes all understanding, keep our hearts, minds and lives centred on our Lord Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish
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