Pursuing Christ

Sermon 11 in Series

Philippians 3:12-14
[12] Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. [13] Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   What do we mean by “already & not yet”? How does the Bible’s treatment of salvation help us understand this?
2.   What is it that Paul has not yet obtained? How much does this serve as a motivating factor in your everyday life?
3.   Why does it require sober mindedness to recognize the reality of the “not yet” in our lives? What is your natural response to the “not yet”?  Despair?  Laziness?
4.   How much is your present pursuit fueled by a future vision of final glory?
5.   What things do you need to leave behind in order to strain ahead? Are there current parts of your life that do not aid in the pursuit of the goal?
6.   Why is v.12b key to understanding the Christian’s pursuit? How should this passage shore up a Christian’s assurance rather than cast doubt on it?References: Romans 7:19-14; Romans 5:1, 4; Eph. 1:4; 1 Cor. 1:18, 15:2; 2 Cor. 2:15; Rom. 8:28-29; Phil. 3:21; 2 Cor. 13:5; 1 Cor. 9:24-27; Heb. 9:14.