Pressing Toward the Mark
December 31, 2006 (Philippians 3:14) LBC a.m.
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14 KJV)
I watched some golfers from the back of the deck of the condominium where we were staying. They were teeing off on one hole. I have no idea what hole it was, but they were enjoying their game. One man apparently hit a bad shot and approached the tee the second time to take his shot. He took a mulligan. That is a “do-over.” He sounded as though he was happy with the second try.
Today, we are at the end of another year. Tomorrow will be the beginning of a brand new year. It’s sad in a way, but happy in so many more ways. It depends on how we choose to look at it.
2007 will be a new beginning for each of us. We have been given the opportunity for a “do-over.” I guess you could say tomorrow is our mulligan to correct some mistakes we made in 2006. We don’t often get the opportunity for “do-overs,” so we had better take advantage of this one.
Let me be frank with you this morning. Today is the time for each of us to take serious consideration of our lives. Furthermore, this is the time for us to make the necessary adjustments if there are things we need to change in our lives so that we may bring glory to God.
In consideration of 2006, is there anything you would like to do over if you could? Do you have any regrets of your performance in 2006? Could you be any closer to the Lord Jesus Christ than you are now? If your life were to come to an end in 2007 would you be happy with your spiritual achievements? If you were to face the Lord in 2007, would you want to face Him with things as they are? If not, this sermon is for you. You have to make a decision today. That decision is, “Will things remain the same in my life this year or will I allow God through Jesus Christ to change me for His glory?”
There are five things that I would share with you concerning this passage and the subject “pressing toward the mark.” I want you to remember this:
BI – “If we keep doing the same things in the same way we will keep getting the same results, but we can, by the grace of God, give ourselves totally to His will and accept this wonderful opportunity today for a spiritual do-over.”
As we press toward the mark in Christ in 2007 we must remember that this activity is:
I. Personal – “I”
In this section of his letter to the Philippians, Paul told about his life. In the first part of the chapter he told us and them about his pedigree. He was a Hebrew of the Hebrews and a Pharisee of Pharisees. He was the man. Yet he counted all of that as nothing just so he might know Jesus Christ more intimately.
He had the right attitude about life. It did not matter what he had accomplished. It did not matter who he was or what he had done. What mattered in his life was Jesus Christ. Is that what matters to you this morning? Are you more concerned with Christ in you than what you can gain from life?
Paul understood clearly that God had left him there for a purpose. That purpose was in bringing glory to Christ. He called that activity “pressing toward the mark.” He understood that it was a personal activity.
APP: Beloved, no one is going to do this for you. You must determine by the grace of God and help of His Holy Spirit, through His infallible Word, that you are going to aim your life at the purpose of bringing glory to God and then off you go.
Serving Jesus Christ is a personal thing. No one is going to do that for you. You must do that by yourself along side of others for are doing that for themselves.
As we press toward the mark in Christ Jesus in 2007 we must remember that this activity is personal. Secondly, we must remember that this activity is:
II. Physical – “press”
This word means to “pursue, to follow after, or to press forward.” In most cases it carries the idea of physical persecution. It’s used in 43 verses in the New Testament, and most of them refer to persecution.
Let me share a few references with you where it is not used of persecution, but still in a physical way.
Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. (Philippians 3:6 KJV)
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. (Philippians 3:12 KJV)
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14 KJV)
See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. (1 Thessalonians 5:15 KJV)
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (1 Timothy 6:11 KJV)
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:22 KJV)
This activity of following Jesus Christ will require exertion on your part. It is something that you must “do.” You will expend some energy. It will require some of your time and much of your personal effort.
As you read the passage and Paul’s exhortation to the Philippians you can almost see the energy being exerted by the Apostle Paul can’t you? Do you think athletes that run marathons do so without any effort? Anyone who thinks that has never watched a marathon. And, anyone who thinks that a Christian can live a life of purpose for Jesus Christ without any effort whatsoever has never tried to live for Jesus Christ.
Pressing toward the mark will take something out of you. It’s not an easy road we are traveling to Heaven, but Jesus will lighten every heavy load.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29 KJV)
As we press toward the mark in Christ Jesus in 2007 we must remember that this activity is personal – It’s between you and the Lord. Secondly, we must remember that this activity is physical – It will require some effort. THIRDLY, we must remember that this activity is:
III. Precise – “the mark”
The "mark" means, properly, the object set up at a distance at which one looks or aims; and hence the goal, or post which was set up at the end of a race-course, and which was to be reached in order that the prize might be won. Here it means that which is at the end of the Christian race--in heaven.
(Albert Barnes)
The mark is the goal at the end of the course. If we are to going to successfully press toward the mark in 2007 we must aim our life at the goal at the end of the course. Let me ask you a personal question, “What is the ultimate goal of your life?” When everything is over; when everything is said and done, what do you hope to have achieved? Do you have a goal or is life aimless for you?
The mark in this case is Heaven. If we are going to complete our lives to God’s glory we must make Heaven the goal, and we must not stop until we get there. If we stop short before we reach Heaven we will certainly stop short of God’s purpose in our lives.
As we press toward the mark in Christ Jesus in 2007 we must remember that this activity is personal – It’s between you and the Lord. SECONDLY, we must remember that this activity is physical – It will require some effort. THIRDLY, we must remember that this activity is precise – There is a goal to be set. FOURTHLY, we must remember that this activity is:
IV. Productive – “for the prize”
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:7-8 KJV)
Have you ever wondered if it was worth it to serve the Lord? Sometimes serving God and attempting to live for Him seems like a waste of time and effort. Sometimes it just seems like life would be a whole lot less complicated and simple if we keep to ourselves and do our own thing.
It may seem unrewarding to press toward the mark, but it will be worth the effort. In a beautiful hymn the hymn writer said:
“It will be worth it all when we see Jesus. Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Him. One look at His dear face, all sorrows will erase. So bravely run the race, till we see Christ.”
Great will be our reward in Heaven if we press toward the mark in Jesus Christ while passing through this world. You have never done nor ever will do anything for Jesus Christ for which you will not be richly rewarded. This is the message of the Savior in the Gospels.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12 KJV)
He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. (Matthew 10:41-42 KJV)
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. (Matthew 16:27)
I know what you are thinking. I have thought it myself on many occasions. “Why keep pressing toward the mark? Why keep persevering and struggling for a cause in which very few appreciate? Why keep doing what I am doing when no one notices if it doesn’t get done? Where is the reward for doing what God has called me to do?” Friends, the reward may not come in this life, but you can bank on this: God will reward each and every one of us for being faithful in pressing toward the mark. There is a prize before us if we will but continue to press on for Him in 2007, 2008, 2009, etc.
The reward will be more than adequate for your efforts so keep pressing on. The reward will last forever whereas the time will come when you can put down your torch, so keep pressing on. The reward will far outweigh your struggles, frustrations, and disappointments, so keep pressing on.
As we press toward the mark in Christ Jesus in 2007 we must remember that this activity is personal – It’s between you and the Lord. SECONDLY, we must remember that this activity is physical – It will require some effort. THIRDLY, we must remember that this activity is precise – There is a goal to be set. FOURTHLY, we must remember that this activity is productive – It will be honored with reward from the Lord. FIFTHLY, we must remember that the activity is:
V. Prestigious – “the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”
It is not a drudgery to do the will of God. It is an honor. Not only is it an honor, it is a high honor. Paul calls it the “high calling of God.” It is the most important thing you can give your life to. The fact that you get to do something for God ought to excite you to no end. God can use anyone He chooses to use, and He has chosen you. That’s an honor.
If you have missed everything else this morning, don’t miss this. The fact that God allows you to press on in spite of your failures and flaws is the chief of all honors. It is an honor and a privilege to live for, love, worship and serve the Lord Christ.
BI – “If we keep doing the same things in the same way we will keep getting the same results, but we can, by the grace of God, give ourselves totally to His will and accept this wonderful opportunity today for a spiritual do-over.”
Con: The choice is yours. What will it be? Do you want to continue doing things the way you are doing them and keep getting the same results or will you make a conscious choice to actively get into God’s plan and press on until He calls you name?
Lighthouse, let’s press toward the mark in 2007. Let’s get back to what it is that God has called us to do. Let’s do it and not stop until God tells us to stop. Let’s change what we have to change so we may be what we need to be in order to do what God wants us to do.
"Press Toward the Mark"
The road may be dreary, the way may be bleak.
The goal may seem impossible that God calls us to seek.
The trials they may vary, The ignition less than a spark,
But that should never keep us from pressing toward the mark.
Press toward the mark when you are weary,
It is then that Christ will share His strength.
Press toward the mark when days grow dreary,
When forever seems their length.
Press toward the mark when you’re exuberant,
And things seem to go your way.
Press toward the mark when you’re discouraged,
When things around you are in disarray.
Press toward the mark when you feel like running,
And the course you’re running is a thrill.
Press toward the mark when you are grunting,
Because the course seems all up hill.
Press toward the mark when folk are cheering,
And they’re urging you to go on.
Press toward the mark when all you’re hearing,
Is the sharpness of the critic’s groan.
Press toward the mark for Christ is waiting,
To reward you with your pay,
Press toward the mark and hear Christ citing,
“Well done child. This is your day.”
You will not regret one day of service,
That to the Lord you give,
So keep pressing on until the twilight,
And for the Master your life live.
Tony Fox ©2006
