2. To Press on (3:12-4:1) V.12-15 6 ways in going forward - (Go on to perfection. Heb.6:1) Cross. v.12-13 Crown. v.14 Christian. v.15 V.12 a) Dissatisfaction - Laying hold by Pressing. I. One of the way to press on is to be dissatisfied about our character, to never be satisfied and to remain humble before God. Jam.4:6 II. No one reach perfection by works but we are made perfect in the Spirit. Heb.12:23 III. As we acknowledge our imperfection in character and ministry it causes us to press on. IV. Dissatisfaction alone will depress us but God also causes a pressing on within us. (De-press Vs. press-on) V. These two will cause us to lay hold, even as Christ laid hold of us through dissatisfaction of our damnation and therefore pressed on to crucifixion. V.13 b) Devotion and Direction - Prospective Promise. I. Forgetting - We were born again when we believed and the past with its idolatry, evil and ungodliness will only slow us down and depress us. Luke 9:62 II. What did Christ do with our past life? He crucified it - That means worthlessness and uselessness. III. No one runs well while looking backward? IV. Paul did only one thing not two and that was press on to the high calling. V. Reaching - Forward and not backward. Heb.12:1-2 V.14 c) Determination - Pressing for the Prize. I. Our race is a long-distance race and too many Christians start out well but fail to finish the race. II. What is our goal in life? Paul’ s goal was the high call in Christ. III. Every Christian has a prize, a reward and joy in heaven, but not all get it, some loose it. 2.Cor.5:10; Mat.6:19-21; Heb.10:35-36; 1.Cor.9:24; 3:12-15 IV. (Gr. tes ano kleseos) The upward call - the term was used in the Olympian games, which included foot-races. After the event they had a herald to announce the name of the victor, his father's name and his country, and the athlete would come and receive a palm branch in his hand. V. No one becomes an athlete nor wins the prize through lectures or watching others run, we ourselves must run the race. VI. Samson could have been, should have been, but wasn’ t. VII. Did Paul finish the race and get the prize? 2.Tim.4:6-8 V.15 d) Development - The mind of the Perfect. I. Those that are mature have this mindset of finishing the race. Mature means perfect “ running the race faithfully with a perfect conscience, he speak concerning his ministry and not holiness” 2.Cor.1:12; 2.Tim.1:3 II. Those that are immature have not yet attained to this mindset but God will help them to be serious, to run and finish the race if they allow God. V.16 e) Discipline - Proper Prescriptive Progress. I. The rule is pressing on to the high call with discipline. II. What level are we at: 1. The outer court - Outside (living in the world) yet inside (a part of the Church). Only satisfied with preaching and forgiveness. 2. The holy place - Inside (living for God) yet not by His side (walking daily with God). Satisfied with the Word, daily spiritual bread, prayer and worship. 3. The most holy place - Satisfied in God alone, deep intimacy with God, gazing on God and pressing toward the high call in Christ. V.17 a) Example - Walking the Way. I. Paul continues exhorting them to press on as he did. II. God notes the faithful and so should the Church, by honouring them. In Ezek.9:1-4 we also see a marking (noting) and weeping of the faithful. V.18 b) Enemies - Weeping for the Walk of the Wicked. I. They were Christians by name but enemies of the cross (worldly believers v.19). Jam.1:26-27 II. In v. 17 Paul said follow my example and now he says do not follow these. V.19 c) Earthly ones - The 3 Wicked Worldly Whose. I. These Christians will not inherit the kingdom of God. Heb.10:39; Gal.5:19-21; 1.Cor.6:9-10; Mat.7:21-23 II. These Christians sell their inheritance for food. Heb.12:16-17 III. They boast in their riches and sins. 1.John 2:15-17 IV. They are not pilgrims or heavenly minded but earthly. Rom.8:5-8, 12-13 “ If we have something we can’ t live without then we don’ t own it - because it owns us.” V.20 d) Enlighten ones - The heavenly Saviour we are Waiting. I. We are heavenly citizens and not earth dwellers. Roman citizenship meant a lot to the Philippians but Paul points to the heavenly. 1. We speak the language of heaven. 2. We obey the laws of heaven. 3. We are looking for the King of heaven. II. What do we wait for and in whom is our expectation. V.21 e) Exalted One - Transformation by God’ s Working. I. The end of our salvation is the redemption of our body. Rom.8:23-24; 1.John 3:2 II. All things will be subjected under Christ, every knee will bow before Him and every tongue will confess His Lordship. 2:10-11; 1.Cor.15:24-28 V.4:1 f) Establishment - In the Lord Withstanding. I. My crown - People are our crown, our reward consist in what we did to His people. Matt.25:31-40 II. We have to stand fast at least in 8 ways: 1. In one spirit. Phil.1:27 2. In the Lord. Phil.4:1 3. In prayer. Mark 11:25 4. For a cause. Rom.14:4 5. In faith. 1.Cor.16:13 6. In the liberty of Christ. Gal.5:1 7. Against the Devil. Eph.6:11-14 8. In the Word. 2.Thes.2:15