************ Sermon on Philippians 3:13b ************
By: Rev. Adrian Dieleman
This sermon was preached on January 1, 2012
Philippians 3:1-17
Philippians 3:13b
"Forgetting What is Behind, Straining for What is Ahead"
I Forgetting What is Behind
A In our text Paul says, "One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind ..." (Phil 3:13).
We are now in the year 2012. There are all sorts of things about the year 2011 we would rather forget. Let me list some of them in no particular order:
-Justin Bieber.
-The baby named after Facebook.
-Congress declared pizza to be a vegetable.
-Snooki.
-Vancouver Hockey Riots.
-Most of the Republican candidates for President.
-The Japanese Earthquake.
Spiritually, we can make a list of other things we would rather forget about 2011:
-Harold Kamping and his predictions of the rapture and the end of times.
-Rob Bell and his book, "Love Wins." Rob says there is no hell.
-The PCUSA voted to allow non-celibate gay pastors.
-Mideast Christians conflicted about the Arab Spring as anti-Christian violence breaks out in Egypt and North Sudan.
I am sure we all have personal things during 2011 we would rather forget as well. Things like:
-Fights and quarrels.
-Adultery and greed and theft and other sins.
-Divorce.
-Surgery.
-Hospital stays.
-Health problems.
-Extra pounds.
-Poor worship attendance.
-Irregular family devotions.
B The Apostle Paul has his own list of things he would rather forget. He wants to forget his religious heritage and all his religious accomplishments. Listen to how Paul lists them:(Phil 3:5-6) 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.
Now, if you were a Jew at the time of Paul you would be impressed – very impressed – by this list.
Paul was "circumcised on the eighth day." He was not a convert circumcised later in life. Nor was he an Ishmaelite circumcised after age thirteen (cf Gen 17:25-26). Rather, he was a pure-blooded Jew.
Paul was "of the people of Israel." This describes his family tree. His parents were both true Jews. His family lineage could be traced all the way back to Abraham.
Paul was "of the tribe of Benjamin." From this tribe came Israel's first king (1 Sam 9:1-2). This tribe had a special place of honor and was viewed with great esteem. When the ten tribes deserted the throne of David, the tribe of Benjamin remained loyal.
"Hebrew" was Paul's native tongue. Unlike many in Israel, Paul did not adopt Greek customs. He knew and kept both the language and the customs of the people of God. He was a Hebrew son of Hebrew parents.
In regard to the law, Paul was a "Pharisee." Which means he knew the law, the first five books of Moses, like the back of his hand.
Paul was "zealous" for his Jewish faith. How zealous? So zealous that he "persecuted the church."
As for "legalistic righteousness," Paul was "faultless." Don't forget, he was a Pharisee. He was a member of the strictest sect among his people. He was part of a group that stressed and lived out purity and holiness.
Paul could also point to his accomplishments as a Christian. He met with the Jerusalem Church Council. He was the first missionary of the church – establishing churches all over the then known world. He witnessed before kings and philosophers.
All of this, Paul wants to forget.
Did you notice, Paul calls us to be like him? He says, in verse 17, "Join with others in following my example ..." (Phil 3:17). We also are to forget our religious heritage and our religious accomplishments.
Like Paul, there are many spiritual things in which we can take pride: our baptism; our reformed theology; the profession of our faith; our office of elder or deacon; our years as a Sunday School or Catechism teacher or Youth leader; our service on the board of the Christian School or Westminster Seminary California; our financial support of the church, the school, and various kingdom causes; reading through all the Bible in one year; praying our way through the church directory or church calendar; memorizing vast sections of Scripture; helping widows and orphans in their distress.
All of this, Paul wants us to forget.
C Before asking why Paul wants us to forget these sort of things let us take note of the sort of things we are NOT to forget:
-Are we told to forget our sin during 2011? No!
-Evil? No!
-Heresy? No!
-Our old man and old way of life? No!
-Our bondage? No!
-The acts of the sinful nature (Gal 5:19ff)? No!
-Are we to forget anything about why we are saved and what we are saved from? No!
-Well, then, what about grace? Are we to forget grace? No!
-Mercy? No!
-Love? No!
-Are we to forget anything about God and His great love? No!
Congregation, we need to remember – and never forget – the sins of the past, God's grace, the old man of sin, and the sacrifice of Christ.
D So what are we to forget about 2011? What's the point of Paul's list of things he casts aside? What's the point of the list I drew up for you and me? We are to forget:
-Any thought of how good we were during 2011!
-Any thought of how we can save ourselves!
-Any thought of how we earn or deserve salvation!
-Anything which points to me and away from Christ and His great salvation.
Congregation, forget your lies about how good your are. Forget about this business of fooling yourself and God. About his religious heritage and religious accomplishments, Paul says, "I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own ..." (Phil 3:8-9).
With Paul or like Paul, we need to realize the truth about ourselves. We always underestimate our sin and we always overestimate our goodness. The Bible often warns us against a false view of our spiritual condition. The church at Sardis, for instance, had a reputation of being alive, but the Lord pronounced that she was dead (Rev 3:1). The church at Laodicea boasted that she was rich, when in God's sight she was wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked (Rev 3:17). Samson thought he still had his power, but in reality it had departed from him (Judges 16:20). Our self-evaluation is always wrong. The truth about ourselves is this: during every day of 2011 we were clothed in the dirty rags of sin AND the very best we did during 2011 was imperfect and stained with sin. Realize this truth about yourself and forget any thought of saving yourself.
E Now, please keep in mind what the word "forget" means in the Bible. "To forget" does not mean "fail to remember." Let me repeat that: "To forget" does not mean "fail to remember." Apart from senility, hypnosis, or brain damage, no normal person can forget what has happened in the past. We may wish that we can erase the bad memories of 2011, but we cannot. So, when God promises, "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more" (Heb 10:17), He is not saying that He will suddenly have a bad memory about 2011! That is impossible with God. God forgets nothing. God overlooks nothing. God remembers everything.
So, what does "forget" mean? What is Paul telling us to do with our religious heritage and religious accomplishments? "To forget" in the Bible means "no longer to be influenced or affected by something; to no longer depend on something." So, when God "forgets" our sins He no longer holds them against us. So, when Paul forgets his religious heritage and religious accomplishments, he no longer depends upon them and no longer looks to them for salvation.
Paul must have had real problems with doing this. Paul must have had real problems with spiritual pride. Paul must have had real problems with forgetting his Jewish past. Paul must have had real problems with not depending upon the works of the flesh. I say this because Paul expresses continuing action: Paul doesn't say "forget" but "forgetting." It is not something done once and then he is done with it. It is something done continuously. Every day. All the time.
Our hearts are so proud and so stubborn and so self-centered and so sinful. Time and again we want to turn away from Christ and to ourselves. Time and again we want to puff ourselves up: "Look at me. Look at what I have done in 2011. Look at how holy and honest and pious and wise and great I was in 2011! Don't I deserve to be saved?!"
So, as the year 2011 is now ended we need to hear Paul's words: "Forgetting what is behind ..."
II Straining Toward What is Ahead
A On this first day of 2012 we also need to look forward, says Paul. Forgetting what is behind and "straining toward what is ahead" (Phil 3:13).
Let's start by noticing that again Paul uses continuous action. He doesn't say "strain"; instead, he says "straining." It is not a one time act; it is not a light and momentary matter; it is something he and we are to do all the time.
So, in 2012 we are to be "straining toward what is ahead" (Phil 3:13).
B Paul has an image in mind. A race. A chariot race. The Greek chariot, used in the ancient Olympic Games, was really nothing but a small platform with a wheel on each side. The driver had nothing to hold on to as he raced around the course. As he leaned back and forth, he had to strain every nerve and muscle to maintain his balance and control the horses.
"Straining toward what is ahead" (Phil 3:13). Everyone of the charioteers wants to win the race. Everyone has their eye on the prize. Everyone wants to win the gold. Everyone wants to be in the winner's circle when the race is finished.
What is the Christian's prize? What is the goal? We aren't talking about salvation here. Remember, we are to forget about striving to save ourselves. So what is prize for which we are striving and straining? Paul tells us: "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him" (Phil 3:10-11). The last phrase sums it up: "becoming like him." BECOMING LIKE JESUS. Is this your goal for 2012?
The start of a new year is a time for resolutions. Maybe your goal is to lose weight. To get a better job. To take your wife out for dinner once a week. To stop using swear words. To get your Christmas letter out before Christmas. To spend less and save more. To get ready for retirement. To stop procrastinating. To bike 150 miles per week. To call or visit your parents once a week. To attend the Super Bowl and watch Green Bay win another championship.
At the top of Paul's list is this: becoming like Christ. That is what Paul strained for. That is what Paul strived for. To become like Christ. Which means what? To be filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To be holy in all his ways. Is this your goal for 2012? Is this what you are straining for?
C "Straining toward what is ahead" (Phil 3:13). This is not something easy. This is not something that comes automatically. Rather, it is difficult and hard and requires considerable effort. Think of the charioteer, balancing on the balls of his feet, whipping the horses around the corner, leaning forward, fighting his opponents for the spot closest to the rail.
"Straining toward what is ahead" (Phil 3:13). Are you willing to fight to be like Christ? Are you willing to fight against sin and Satan? Are you willing to make time for Bible reading and prayer and worship? Are you willing to submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ? That is what you must do to win the prize.
D No matter how hard you try during 2012, no matter what successes you achieve in your walk with Christ, no matter what progress you make in submitting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, never ever make the mistake of thinking you can quit, that you have arrived, that you have succeeded.
Did you notice what Paul said about himself in our Bible reading?(Phil 3:12-13) Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on ... (13) Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.
If someone like Paul can admit that he falls short, shouldn't the same be even more true for you and I?
Do you know why Paul can talk this way about himself? Do you know why Paul knows he hasn't reached the goal? Two reasons. First, Paul knows his sin. He publicly admits he is the chief of sinners (1 Tim 1:15). Second, Paul doesn't compare himself to others. If Paul compared himself with others, he would have been tempted to be proud and to let up; after all, he was a spiritual giant in the eyes of the Philippian saints. But when Paul compares himself to Christ he realizes he still has more spiritual heights to climb. Which is why he says he hasn't arrived. This testimony of the Apostle Paul reminds the saints at Philippi – and it reminds us today as well – that there must never be a stalemate in our spiritual growth or a plateau beyond which we cannot climb. We must press on. We must keep pressing on. We must keep striving and straining to be like Christ.
E "Straining toward what is ahead" (Phil 3:13). How do we do this? What are we supposed to do? What is Christ asking us to do? We cannot all go on a mission trip to Chile, like Kent Houtsma – though that would be wonderful. Not all of us can smuggle Bibles into China, like Jake Koetsier – though that would be wonderful. Not all of us can do VBS at Big Springs or in the Oval. Not all of us are persecuted for the faith, like believers in Egypt and Syria and North Sudan.
So, what can we do? You need to work at the little things of life. What do you do in day-to-day life? You are talking about someone and you have an opportunity to blurt something out; it isn't slander and it isn't untrue but it also is not loving so you keep quiet. Someone hurts you; you go the route of forgiveness rather than seeking revenge. You have the opportunity to have a fling outside of marriage; but you choose to be faithful. Family comes over and it would be so easy to use them as an excuse to miss worship but you go to church anyway. That's what "straining toward what is ahead" means. To strain in life's little things, life's everyday things, to be like Christ.
Conclusion
Let me end with the one phrase of our text I have not looked at yet. Did you notice how Paul introduced our text? He says, "But one thing I do."(Phil 3:13) But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead ...
"One thing" is an important phrase in the Christian life. "One thing you lack," said Jesus to the self-righteous rich young ruler (Mk 10:21). "One thing is needed," He explained to busy Martha when she complained about her sister (Lk 10:42). "One thing I do know," said the blind man whose eyes were opened by Christ (Jn 9:25). "One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek," says the Psalmist (Ps 27:4).
"One thing." Too many Christians – like the people around them – seek many things. They want the things of this world AND they also want riches in Christ. Women claim they can multi-task while us poor, helpless men cannot; that may be true but I doubt it. But this is true: Christians cannot multi-task. We cannot chase after the things of this earth while pursing life with Christ. We cannot chase after the things of this earth while trying to be like Christ.
"One thing." "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead ..." (Phil 3:13). Will this be true for you in 2012?
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